The theory of legislation
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1882 edition. Excerpt: ... derive from seeing a new generation growing up around them. Would they feel the same zeal for the future happiness of children who would no longer be theirs? Would they cherish an affection which they had no hope would ever be returned? Would industry, no longer animated by the spur of paternal love, have the same ardour? Would not domestic enjoyments take a turn less advantageous to general prosperity? As a last reason, I shall add, that the natural arrangement, which leaves the choice, the mode, and the burden of education to the parents, may be compared to a series of experiments for perfecting the general system. Everything is advanced and developed by the emulation of individuals, and by differences of ideas and of genius; in a word, by the variety of particular impulses. But let the whole be cast into a single mould; let instruction everywhere take the form of legal authority; errors will be perpetuated, and there will be no further progress. This perhaps is saying too much in relation to an idea so chimerical but this notion of Plato's has seduced, in our day, some celebrated authors; and an error which has misled Rousseau and Helvetius will be likely to find other-defenders. CHAPTER V. Of Marriage. Inde casas postquam, ac pelles, ignemque pararunt, Et mulier conjuncta, viro, concessit in unum, Castaque privatce veneris connubia, leata, Cogniia, sunt, prolemque ex se videre creatam, Tune genus hwnanum primu.it molescere cospit. Lucbetius, v. 1109. When huts, and skins, and fire they had prepared, And woman joined to man, became as one, And chaste connubial joys of private love Were known, and offspring from themselves they saw, Then first the human race began to soften. whatever point of view the institution of marriage is...