Without instruction's kindly aid Man's nature grows less fair ; In teaching, thoroughness should be A never-ceasing care."
It may be added that the meaning of the Three Character Classic is not explained to the child at the time. All that the latter has to do is to learn the sounds and formation of the 560 different characters of which the book is composed.
A clever boy, who attracted much attention by the filial piety which he displayed towards his step- father, was Liu YIN (1241-1293). He obtained office, but resigned in order to tend his sick mother ; and when again appointed, his health broke down and he went into seclusion. The following extract is from his pen :
" When God made man, He gave him powers to cope with the exigencies of his environment, and resources within himself, so that he need not be dependent upon external circumstances.
"Thus, in districts where poisons abound, antidotes abound also ; and in others, where malaria prevails, we find such correctives as ginger, nutmegs, and dogwood. Again, fish, terrapins, and clams are the most whole- some articles of diet in excessively damp climates, though themselves denizens of the water ; and musk and deer-horns are excellent prophylactics in earthy climates, where in fact they are produced. For if these things were unable to prevail against their surroundings, they could not possibly thrive where they do, while the fact that they do so thrive is proof positive that they were ordaii>ed as specifics against those surroundings.
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