in cases in which the mother is unable to look after her children. It is infinitely better that the little things should be romping innocently or learning A. B. C. under the eye of a respectable, good humoured master or mistress, than that they should be shut up all day alone in miserable garrets or be allowed to wander about the streets. But I cannot bring myself to think that where it is in the mother’s power to devote herself to the care of her family, very young children can be placed any where so fitly as under their mother’s care. The relation of parent and child is the foundation of all society. It is fit that where the parent is unable fully to perform the parental duties, the charity of individuals and perhaps in some circumstances the wisdom of the Government should supply what is wanting. But to break without necessity the closest of all ties, to substitute the School-master for the mother as the guardian of an infant hardly able to lisp; and that too, when the mother has the leisure and the means to perform what all over the world is considered as her sacred and peculiar duty, is not in my opinion a wise course.
I should be glad to know whether our native friends are of opinion that such an institution as that which is recommended would be favorably regarded by the most respectable of their countrymen.—[Book L. page 131.] 31st July, 1837.
Infant Schools.—My opinion is quite unaltered. If the very utmost for which Mr. Trevelyan and Captain Birch contend were admitted, I should still think that the establishing of Infant Schools is no business of ours. Captain Birch distinctly says that he would have us establish infant schools, if none but the poor were likely to frequent them. This is a complete departure from our whole plan. Our principle is to give a liberal education to persons in such a rank of life that they have leisure to receive it; and I never can consent to employ any part of the fund devoted to that purpose in keeping the infants of coolies out of harm’s way, while their parents are at work. The object may be good. The intentions of those who promote it, doubtless are so. But it is no object for us. The Fever Hospital is good and the District Society is good. But neither has the smallest claim on the funds appropriated for public instruction.
I altogether differ from Mr. Trevelyan in thinking that we ought to try whether the higher classes will, send their children to infant schools by setting up an infant school. I cannot admit that it is only in this way that the experiment can be tried. There is an Infant School Society. Let us ask them from what class of the population the children who frequent their schools come.
