THE PARENT'S GUIDE TO A LIBERAL AND COMPREHENSIVE EDUCATION; CONTAINING A COPIOUS SELECTION OF QUESTIONS, AFFORDING THE THE WORKS OF CREATION, ENGLISH GRAMMAR, HISTORY, ALSO, AN EXTENSIVE SELECTION OF EXERCISES IN ALGEBRA AND OF COLEBROOKE HOUSE ACADEMY, BY THE LATE BY THE REV. ROBERT SIMSON, M.A., MASTER OF COLEBROOKE HOUSE ACADEMY, ISLINGTON. Author of "A Manual of Religious Instruction for the Young," "English Gram- mar, LONDON: J. DUNCAN, PATERNOSTER ROW. 1838. Of Mathematics......... Of the Rise and Progress of Science Of Natural Philosophy, First course ..... Of Natural Philosophy, Second course Of Physiology 94 INTRODUCTION. THE object of the author of the following pages has been to give a correct, and as far as the limits would permit, a comprehensive epitome of the studies of a liberal education. In no period of life is variety more necessary to the healthy state of the mind than in youth. In no period of life is the principle of curiosity more active in endeavouring to discover the hidden causes of effects, and the uses to which certain objects or properties may be applied. The whole art of teaching consists in the proper application of these principles of the human mind. The teacher's first object ought to be to give the pupil clear notions of the elementary principles of science, and thus employ the judgment instead of burdening the memory. After boys have acquired a knowledge of the common elements of calculation, they should have their minds turned to the relations of lines, angles, surfaces, and solids, with their most useful applications. The study of mathematical science, when it is followed in a proper manner, sharpens the power of discrimination, and disciplines the mind to patient meditation; while its results in numberless ways have added to the dignity, the industry, the elegance, and the comforts of human life. There are ad |