Unfortunately, through very peculiar circumstances, I was removed from the immediate care and superintendence of both parents rather early in life; and, at an age the most dangerous, was left to grapple nearly alone with the wide world and the beings in it, with little of either parental guidance.
It was then I saw the immense importance and advantage of early impressions.

To me they were of incalculable benefit, and no doubt led, when I became a man, to the thoughts which ended in the development and practical working of the Infant System and method of education.
Schools for infants then existed, but what were they?
Simply dame-schools, with the hornbook for boys and girls, and perhaps a little sewing for the latter.

Their sign was--"Children taught to read and work here," and their furniture the cap and bells, the rod in pickle, and a corner for dunces.

The finishing stroke was seen in the parlour of the inn, or the farm-house, in the shape of needlework as a samplar;--"Lydia Languish, her work, done at -- -- school, in the year of our Lord, 1809." Such were the schools in country places then in existence, the little ones doing nothing.

In after-life, I thought a remedy was required and might be found, and therefore set about working it out.