EDUCA'TION in its most extended signification, may he defined, in reference to man, to be tbe art of developing and cultivating the various physical, intel lectual, and moral faculties ; and may thence be divided into three branches— physical, intellectual, and moral educa tion. This definition is by no means com plete; but it is used merely as indica tive of the manner in which this subject has generally been discussed. Under physical education is included all that relates to the organs of sensation, and the muscular and nervous system. Intel lectual education comprehends the means by which the powers of the understanding, are to be developed and improved, and a view of the various branches of knowledge which form the objects of instruction of the three departments into which we have divided education. Moral educa tion embraces the various methods of cultivating and regulating the affections of the heart. The influence which edu cation has exercised in humanizing the world is universally acknowledged. Its importance has been recognized by phi losophers and legislators in every age ; and by all the nations, both of antiquity and modern times, which have become, distinguished in history, it has been re garded as the chief element in the at tainment and promotion of civilization. The reader will find, in the writings of Plato, Plutarch, end Quintilian, among the ancients, and in modern times of Locke, Rousseau, Basedow, Niemeyer, Rehberg, Cousin, he., a view of the chief
systems that have been proposed or adopted in reference to this subject.— Education in Greece and Rome. The education of youth was strictly attended to both amongst the Greeks and Romans. Their minds and bodies were improved at the same time ; their minds by every necessary branch of knowledge and learning, and their bodies by the manly exercises of the Campus Martins, or pri vale contests and trials of skill, agility, and strength. It was the chief aim of the Romans, as well as Grecians, to make them shine in the senate and in the field, at the forum and the public games. Oratory was an object which they kept constantly in view; and what ever was their destination, they endeav oared to acquire the arts of elocution and a habit of fluent reasoning. Laced:mon trained her hardy sons to despise danger, endure fatigue, mel seem insensible of pain—to maintain their honor unstained, to love their country, and hold in con tempt riches, and all that train of ener vating pleasures which are the com panions of affluence. So far all this was meritorious in a high degree ; brit how circumscribed must the space have been which was then allowed for intellectual exertion, when the whole world of science was a terra incognita.