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MAN THE SUBJECT OF EDUCATION. 27
and physical powers are unfolded and perfected. To aid in this inquiry, we should make a comparison between man and the mere animal creation, carefully noting down those points in which he may resemble, or differ from, them. The plain inference that would result from such an inquiry is this—that while all other animated beings arc incapable of instruction, and reach their perfection without it, man is designed to be the subject of education; that through education his faculties receive their development; that by education alone he can reach the end and design of his being. |
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MAN THE SUBJECT OF EDUCATION IN RELATION TO HIS PHYSICAL NATURE.
Let us for a moment follow out this plan of investigation. We begin with the infant, and compare it with various young animals. Most quadrupeds are able to walk in a few hours after their birth. In this, they need no instruction beyond that instinct which is born with them. But before the infant can perform this apparently simple act, he must go through the long and tedious training of twelve months. He must make ten thousand efforts before he can command the use of his limbs; he must |
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