vant in the household of a gentleman. Through the
influence of this man, who discovered his extraordinary abilities, he
was reconciled with his father, and returned home. He was sent to the
_Gymnasium_ at Hamburg, and afterward, through the assistance of
friends, went to the university of Leipsic, where he studied theology.
Here he lived a rather wild life, and upon the completion of his studies
was found too unorthodox to take orders. Accordingly, he became tutor
(Hauslehrer) to the children of Herr von Quaalen. In this position he
showed great aptitude and originality in the instruction of children.
His method of teaching included conversation, adaptation of play, and
use of the woods, fields, plants, birds, and other works of nature.

"Owing to his original manner of teaching, Basedow obtained the best
results. In teaching Latin, for instance, he began by pointing to
objects and giving their Latin names. His pupils, in a very short time,
learned to speak Latin almost as well as their native language. Basedow
himself learned French, after the same manner, of the governess of the
house."[129]

He next became Professor of Morals and Polite Literature at Soroee,
Denmark, where his unorthodox writings again led him into trouble. He
was removed to the _Gymnasium_ at Altona. Rousseau's "Emile" produced a
profound impression upon him, as it had done upon many other thinkers in
Europe, and many of his theories are probably traceable to that book.
Basedow was convinced of the need of a radical reform in the schools of
Germany, and set himself the task of effecting it. Bernsdorf, the Danish
minister of education, became interested in his writings, and, together
with several of the crowned heads of Europe, assisted him in bringing
out his "Elementary Book" (Elementarbuch), which foreshadowed his plans.
It was modeled after the "Orbis Pictus" of Comenius. The interest of
these distinguished patrons shows how urgent was the need of an
educational reform. Basedow also made the acquaintance of the great
literary men of the time, chief among whom was Goethe. In temperament he
was misanthropic and peevish, owing in part, doubtless, to ill health
brought on by overwork and worry.

=The Philanthropin.=--Indirectly through Goethe, Prince Leopold of
Dessau was attracted to Basedow. The prince determined to found an
institute in which the plans of the great educator could be carried out.
The institute, called the Philanthropin, was estab