Volume 1

The philosophy of health, or, An exposition of the physical and mental constitution of man : with a view to the promotion of human longevity and happiness / by Southwood Smith.

  • Smith, Southwood, 1788-1861.
Date:
1835-1838
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The philosophy of health, or, An exposition of the physical and mental constitution of man : with a view to the promotion of human longevity and happiness / by Southwood Smith. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The University of Glasgow Library. The original may be consulted at The University of Glasgow Library.

    25/430 (page 9)
    human being ever yet exerted over the infant mind any considerable influence for good? There is no philosopher, however profound his know- ledge, no instructor, however varied and extended his experience, who would not enter upon this task with an apprehension proportioned to his knowledge and experience; but knowledge which men acquire only after years of study, habits which are generated in men only as the result of long- continued discipline, are expected to come to you spontaneously, to be born with you, to require on your part no culture, and to need no sustaining influence. But, indeed, it is a most inadequate expression of the fact, to say that the communication of the knowledge,^ and the formation of the habits which are necessary to the due performance of the duties of women, constitute no essential part of their education : the direct tendency of a great part of their education is to produce and foster opinions, feelings, and tastes, which positively disqualify them for the performance of their duties. All would be well if the marriage ceremony, which transforms the girl into the wife, conferred upon the wife the qualities which should be possessed by the mother. But it is rare to find a person capable of the least difficult part of education,