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 ting them with the hand soothingly, chant to them these or similar lines:—

8. In the third and fourth year some such rhymes may be beneficially taught; nurses, when playing with children, may sing to them, not only to prevent their crying, but also to fix them in the memories for future benefit; for example, in the fourth, fifth, and sixth years it will increase the knowledge of poetry by committing to memory pious little verses; of this, however, I afterwards treat among the exercises of piety in the. Although they may not at this time understand what rhythm or verse is, yet by use they learn to note a certain difference between measured language and prose; nay, when in due time everything shall be explained in the schools, it will afford them pleasure to find that they had previously learned something which they now understand the better. Childish poetry, therefore, consists in their knowing some rhymes and verses; for children can understand what is rhythm and poetry, and what is plain speech. So far, then, should they study their own language, and in its various degrees of progress be exercised during the first six years.