The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1806-07-04
EXTRACTS FROM LETTERS.

AS have larely been examining new mode Of
inaruaing the human fp-eies in their infancy, before
rejudces have taken root, Pounds have been fub-
diluted fur fedfe, take the liberty of tending YOU
1hort deferpton of the method employed by M PEI
taozzi, reach children from the year. If to Ie;
and with you to give TIA fair and impartial exami-
nation, and your fupport if you approve of IT, Du-
ring rat;ble lat fsmmer through Switzerland, /!
had Opportunities of obferving Petalozzis practice
aud the refults produced by b;s method and was
nslch sAonilned at the progrets made by his pupils
They acquire correct idea of fpace proportion and
numbers, with great facility Of conceptions rapidity
eff combination, aud exaGfnefs OF execution, and at
The fame time two modern languages. Not found
Is taught thers without az the fame time the fibfance
being ikewfe conveyed: all the ideas they acquire
logically arranged, the refulrs Of correct though
Gmple analysts. The mode Of inftrnaion is equally
new. They are all Taught at the fame time the fame
thing, aud feemt TO delight in their Itudies fpirir
OF eDthufiafm and energy pervades the whole body.
Upwards of 80 children are kept in perfect order,
without the PRINCIPAL Of fear having any influence on
fhsr conduct. This fyneun has many enemies in
Europe. knowledge as well as property is n,>aopo-
LIKED aud the equalization Of one is much dread.
ed the divifion Of the other. Convinced that no
permanent progreis can be made towards the happi-
ncl of the human fpecics, until the whole nais are
fueientIy informed of their true pterea, am indu-
eed to think that fchools and NOT colleges are the
ehat monopoles ia eonp'eree--ony increz,ing
the inequality by giving more TO thoie who already
have more than their lhare
Petalozzi has publiiheJ more in full (hut il Is in
Germany his Manual for Mo,Esrs. 1t is probable
ha get t'anllsted, as think Il contains excellent
ideas"
"s6the time ago took the liberty Of handing you
a keteh Of Pehalozzis Method Of teactng children.
As is of the few things worthy OF Imitation
This de Of the Atlantic, hope you have seceivsd it,
and thar You have given it an impartial cxa1nation
70 to Judge Of the nationality Of the theory. The
practice had occadon lsa lunp,er in Switzerland
Of inveiligatng fan,iry fehools, in one Of which
there 90 boys, and IL appeared 70 me to have
ffreeeded eompletely--by inipiring the children with
fVth ardent dere for information, TO render the
motive Of fear unneeelary-by aGoeistng the know
ledge Of things with the words that reprcfent them,
fnfe and found were fixed and infeparsbie--by d.
reaing their attention the certain and u(cul in ~
order graduated the cse Of their comprehension,
che images Of the mind drawn forth by progref-
Eve combination, bouoned previous knowledge
proceeding from the known TO the unknown
In afubfeqaens e1usd it IS Gated, that the method
Of Peftaozzi may befuy acquired in yesr by any
one aceuhomed 70 tessh ehIAep--ita the boy steaeh
one anotber--and that their knowledge is 70 perfe
that one IAN bring up all the Others the fame point
. Tie plan occupies the time between the age III
& and 10 years, period in which children fcarce
make any progrefs under the old fyHein--n that
time PeRaozzi teaches them two languages, 10 read,
write, arithmetic, geography, drawing, ands know
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'WiIu1s M4etsHs