Page:Comenius' School of Infancy.pdf/55

 may be sufficiently inured to decorous and agreeable order, as is manifested by example.

20. Inasmuch as our life consists in vital heat, and natural fire, unless it have a thorough draft of air, and repeated agitation, soon goes out, it is in like manner necessary that infants have their daily exercises and amusements. And, for this purpose, before children are able to move themselves and run about, the devices of rocking the cradle, carrying about, transferring from place to place, and being drawn in vehicles, were adopted. But when the little ones are somewhat advanced and begin to take to their feet, they may be allowed to run and do this or that little matter (at the beck of the mother or nurse). The more a child is thus employed, runs about and plays, the sweeter its sleep, the more easily does its stomach digest, the more quickly does it grow and flourish, both in body and mind; care being only taken that it in no way injures itself. Therefore a place should be found in which children may run about and exercise themselves with safety. And the proportion of this exercise that may be allowed without injury must be shown; and guardians of health, nurses, and baby carriers must be procured.

21. Finally, according to the proverb, a joyful mind is half health. The joy of the heart is the very life-spring of man; in this also parents ought to be especially careful never to allow their children to be without delights. For example, in their first year, their spirits should be stirred up by rocking in the cradle, by gentle agitation in the arms,

5em