Thomas Forster
Philozoia, or Moral Reflections on the Animal Kingdom
On the Education of Children
「1839」 Thomas Forster, “Of the Education of Children in General and of Early Education in Particular Considered with Reference to Thier Own Happiness as well as to the Condition of Animals,” in Philozoia, or Moral Reflections on the Actual Condition of the Animal Kingdom「Google Books」, and on the Means of Improving the Same; with Numerous Anecdotes and Illustrative Notes, Addressed to Lewis Gompertz, Esq., President of the Animals Friend Society (Brussels, 1839).
One of the surest means of bettering the conditions of animals will be to improve the character of man, by giving to children a humane rational education, and, about all, setting before them examples of kindness. Hitherto nothing has been so much neglected as this duty, and the evil effects of this neglect have been generally visible in the character of the people. At present it is better understood; but a great deal remains to be done, and as the education of children will not be thoroughly reformed till their instructors are first set to rights, I should propose to your society to procure the delivery of lectures on the subject at the various mechanics’ institutes in England. (20)