We may learn lessons of the truest wisdom from the meanest leaf or insect, if we would regard it as one of His works.

But how much more may be learnt, and what an amount of useful instruction may be gained, by a study of the finite mind, the highest work in creation.

Many have turned their attention to minerals, plants, and animals, and thus added to our stores of knowledge.

If equal attention had been paid to the young mind, to mark the gradual germination of its intellectual and moral powers, how much more accurate would our knowledge be of the proper methods of dealing with it both in instruction, direction, and punishment.

Thus to study it has been the aim of my life, and I have made observations on thousands of children.
When this great and living book is more constantly read, the contents of this humble volume may have a better chance of being appreciated; and the utter absurdity of many things palmed upon the public for the education of infants made glaringly manifest..