The Westminster Review (Volume 34) (Paperback)

Book may have numerous typos, missing text, images, or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1841. Excerpt: ... studied the subject. It is meant, first, to excite well-educated females, having leisure, to attend to the education of the neighbouring poor; and, secondly, to present for their assistance, in a simple and familiar way, both leading principles and detailed directions. The nappy, earnest tone of the writer, is well calculated to effect the former object; and the latter is fulfilled, perhaps, as well as the imperfect state of our knowledge permits. What is good in different systems is practically explained and adapted to circumstances; and in pointing out their dangers, there often appears a feminine nicety of observation, which would be more striking but for the easy, unpretending manner of expression. The supreme importance of moral and religious training-- the hollowness of show-off examinations--the danger of premature excitement--the dissipating effect of the de omnibus rebus mode of questioning-- the duty of the teacher to keep down to the level of the weakest capacity-- and the education and qualifications proper for teachers, with many other points, are strongly felt and well put forth. A healthy and heartfelt piety gives peculiar force to the writer's condemnation of routine religious instruction. The work (the price of which is 6s.) is divided into four parts; embracing--1. Pastoral Teaching; 2. Village Teaching; 3. The Teacher's Text Book; and 4, Instruction of the Deaf and Dumb. The latter part is an extremely interesting and valuable portion of the work, and contains the best practical directions we have yet seen for the education of deaf and dumb children. The whole of the volume is, however, calculated to be highly useful; and we learn with satisfaction that the work has been recommended for use by bishops and clergymen of great influence over the national schools. Pet...