Page:Home Education by Isaac Taylor (1838).djvu/67

 law of human nature, that complex sentiments, such as the one here spoken of possess far more force than belongs to the sum of the elements of which they are composed, when existing apart. For example; the feeling in the minds of children which secures their devoted obedience to a mother, who is seen to be sustained by a father's constant and cordial concurrence, far exceeds in practical efficacy the amount of regard separately paid to the authority of the father and the mother, when, from an unhappy want of affection, the two parents are always thought of by their children apart.

And here, may the hint be listened to, that, among the reasons which may induce parents to adopt the practice of home education, this motive might have its weight, that, if the pre-requisites of conjugal affection already exist, namely, worth and purity of intention in both parties, the presence of children at home, and the need thence felt to arise of forbearance and tenderness, will powerfully tend to corroborate the very feeling which is found to be so important, and to preserve it from shocks and disgusts. Those whose tempers are actually under the control of good sense and virtuous principles, may often have occasion to rejoice in finding themselves borne along in the path of happiness, by subsidiary motives, when more direct sentiments happen to be in a languid state.

Moreover, it should not be forgotten, that young persons who, under the paternal roof, have seen, and have lived in the sunshine of their parents' conjugal felicity, will be the more likely to secure it for themselves. It is true, that a judicious mother does not talk to her daughters of their own future matrimonial happiness; but, without this, it will be enough, if they see her every day, beloved and happy; for they will then, at least, be provided with a convincing contradiction of the immoral doctrine, that conjugal felicity is a romantic dream, never realized in common