errors in one direction, and in our efforts to prevent those we fall
into quite as dangerous ones on the other side. More than in any other
country, then, it were well for us to follow in the paths already laid
out by the thinkers of Germany. I shall, therefore, make no apology for
using as guide the main divisions of the great philosophers of that
nation, who alone, in modern times, have made for Education a place
among the sciences. Truth is of no country, but belongs to whoever can
comprehend it.

Nor do I apologize for speaking of what may be called small things nor
for dealing with minor details. "When the fame of Heraclitus was
celebrated throughout Greece, there were certain persons that had a
curiosity to see so great a man. They came, and as it happened, found
him warming himself in a kitchen. The meanness of the place occasioned
them to stop, upon which the philosopher thus accosted them: 'Enter,'
said he, 'boldly, for here too there are gods!'" Following so ancient
and wise an authority, I also say to myself in speaking of these things
which seem small and mean: Enter boldly, for here too there are gods;
nay, perchance we shall thereby enter the very temple of the goddess
Hygeia herself.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION,

OR,

THE CULTURE OF THE BODY.

"Haec ante exitium primis dant signa diebus."--Virgil.

"Now my belief is--and this is a matter upon which I should like
to have your opinion, but my own belief is--not that the good
body improves the soul, but that the good soul improves the body.
What do you say?"--PLATO, REP. BOOK III.

If we could literally translate the German word _Fertigkeiten_ into
Readinesses, and use it as a good English word, we should then have a
term under which to group many arts of which a fully educated woman
should have some knowledge--I mean cooking, sewing, sweeping, dusting,
etc. When a woman is mistress of these, she is called _capable_, that
good old word, heard oftener in New England than elsewhere, which
carries with it a sweet savor of comfort and rest. Some knowledge of
these should undoubtedly constitute a part of the education of our
girls; but the "how much" is a quantity which varies very materially as
the years go by. For instance, the art of knitting stockings was
considered in the days of our grandmothers one to which much time must
be devoted, and those of us who were born in New England doubtless well
recollect the time when, to t