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equally peculiar to these institutions, most of which tend to awaken a noble and laudable ambition, and to raise the spirit of emulation. And lastly, 4. Punishments from which blows and all kinds of low or slavish treatment are wholly excluded.
The author of the above mentioned work, has likewise given a compleat detail of those means which are put in practice at the Philanthropinum, towards the cultivation of manners and outward behaviour. These are principally 1. That kind of social and familiar intercourse which subsists between the scholar and the teacher. 2. The Theatre, and 3. The Assemblies. These last are held at Heidesheim every Thursday, that being the only day in the week when the uniform tranquillity which reigns the castle, is interrupted. On that day, a great number of persons of the first rank assemble from the neighbouring towns, (particularly from Manheim, Heidelberg, Worms, Turkheim, Grunstadt, Kircheim, Franckenthal, &c.) attend the lessons before noon, dine with the pupils, and are entertained after dinner with a Concert, Play or Ball.
The mode of teaching at the Philanthropinum is wholly different from that which is commonly adopted in schools, where the master is accustomed to exercise only the memory with the most pedantical severity, whilst the understanding and judgement are suffered to lie fallow and useless. - It's greatest excellence consists in the facility of the methods, in the constant connexion and combination of verbal knowledge with the knowledge of things, and in the Socratic art of teaching. D. Bahrdt has given a succinct theory of his most important and difficult art in the above-mentioned work, and continues daily to instruct the Professors at Heidesheim, in order to make them by degrees more and more perfect in it. This method is indeed the only one, which greatly facilitates and accelerates the progress of children in speculative sciences, (viz. Religion, Philosophy, Mathematics, &c.) whilst it inspires even the most thoughtless and indolent with the love and thirst of knowledge.
The nature of instruction at the Philanthropinum is as various as the future destination of the different pupils requires. Whatever is equally necessary for every situation in life, and for every station in society, is inculcated to all pupils alike. But, besides this, the future soldier and merchant receives his peculiar instructions, and is excluded from those lessons which can only be of service to the professedly learned. Thus, every pupil intended for the military, is obliged to attend lectures in those branches of Mathematics, which have a more immediate reference to that kind of life, whilst he also finds proper masters in Tactics and Engineering. Those intended for mercantile affairs are peculiarly instructed in Arithmetic, and particularly in Italian Book-keeping, English, French, and German correspondence, and made acquainted with all the varieties of goods manufactured in different countries, as well as the measures, weights and coins in use in the several parts of the world. The history of Commerce, and the different established laws relative to Bills of Exchange, &c. are objects of their peculiar enquiry, and an accompting-house is purposely provided, where they are taught to make use of the usual books.
To these three objects of education (Instruction, Cultivation of the Moral Character, and Polish of Manners) a fourth is added in the Philanthropinum ; we mean, that peculiar care for the body, which we have already mentioned. All the pupils now at the academy are extremely healthy, lively, and strong. Most of them are so in a much greater degree than whilst they were at home under the care of their parents. The pleasant and healthy situation of Heidesheim may probably in great measure contribute towards producing this advantage ; but the founders of this benevolent plan may also undoubtedly take to themselves a considerable share of merit in this respect. They are peculiarly attentive to let the children enjoy the benefits of fresh air and exercise every day, as far as health requires. They endeavour to inspire them with chearfulness and serenity of mind, partly by the most affectionate treatment, partly by a variety of plays and diversions. They encourage the children to practise the gymnastic exercises of the ancients, and have provided an experienced physician, who superintends the diet of the pupils with a more watchful eye, than could be expected from a too indulgent mother. It is his duty at the same time to prevent and to remedy all the diseases which may arise amongst the scholars, as far as lies in his power, by means of the best and simplest medicines. They accustom the pupils to cold baths, and exact from such as cannot bear the salutary immersion, that they daily wash their heads and feet in cold water. They keep a constant eye to the cleanliness of their pupils, in regard to their bodies, as well as in point of dress, dwelling-rooms, &c. - an attention, surely more conducive to health than most men believe or are aware of. Lastly, they take care to fortify and harden the constitution of the children, to make them indifferent to the impressions of the exterior air, and patient under fatigues, by accustoming them them to undertake short journies, during which they climb the highest mountains, are contented with hard lodging at night, and make their meals of cold provisions.
So much of the mode of education. - It only remains to give a sketch of the economical part of the plan. This is contrived in such a manner at the Heidesheim-Philanthropinum, as to leave no one article to the care of the parents. Besides lodging, board, and tuition, the pupils are likewise provided with clothing and linen. - Every boy receives annually four uniforms. Two of these, one for summer and one for winter, are what may be called their holiday suits. The coat, waistcoat, and breeches are made of brown broad-cloth, with blue lining, and trimmed with silver cording. With this suit they have round white hats with a blue feather. Two other uniforms are of inferior quality, and intended for daily use ; one for summer, made of ratteens, and the other for winter, made of a kind of beaver. Besides these articles, they receive as many shoes, boots, stockings shirts