Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1812-04-06
4 dollars per aHnum.1
FROM THE DESK OF POOR ROBERT,
THE SCRIBE.
II your Oh ldren you'd command,
Parents, keep a steady hand.

| OUR parson used to say, "Just as the
twig is bent the trees's inclined :" ard.
| therefore, every little fellow of us, rag-tap
ana Doo-tail, used to be obliged TO say Cur
cateciiism every Saturday afternoon. and
| methinks, can trace the influence of the
| serious lessons in the conduct and opinions OF
every man who was brought Up under the
venerable pastor. The government as well
as education ofchildren is q matter of the
most Homentous concern. Mrs. Hastv is
as good disposIioned woman as YOU will
ind in an hundred, but she don't keep
steady hand" with her children. Tom
my, said she, let that clock case alone.
Tommy turned round, whistlcd for half
minute, and went to work at the clock a
gam. Tommy, said she aDgrily, if you %
not let that clock alone certainly will whip
you. never did see such boy, said the
mother-he don't mind word say. She
continued her knitting, while Tom contnu-
ed at the clock case, till over it tumbled and
dashed the clock and case to pieces. The
mother up with the tongs and knocked
poor Tom sprawling among the ruins. Tonl
roared like Bedlam, and the kind woman
took him up in her lap-was sorry she had
hurt him, but then he should learn to mind
his mother. and giving him piece of cake
to stop his crying. picked up the ruins ofthe
clock. What was the consequence! WHY.
Tom, who, with "steady hand'' to gov
ern him, would have become man of worth,
turned out hasty, ill-natured villain
My neighbor Softly, good woman, don't
whip her poor dear little children, however
bad they may conduct, for they cry so loud
and SO long, she is afraid they will go into
fits. Yet she keeps rcd hanging over the
mantiepiece' Threatening them every hour
in the day.
Old Capt. Tcsty swore his children should
be well governed. So he laid by good
hickory, and for every trifng offence, thrash
ed his children till they were beaten into har-
dihood and shamelessness. When they ap-
peared on the theatre Of life, they were on
" INT for robbery ard the whipping post.
How different was the government of my
old friend Aimwell, and his wife: If one
corrected child, the other never interior.
ed. When the first rays Of knowledge be-
gan to dawn in their infant minds, they
commenced steady course of proceeding
They never directed what was improper
to be done-or misunderstood-but so long
as the child resisted-thI ough te,nfer they
continued TO punish it until the temper Yield
ed A second whipping was rarely ne
cessary. a steady and a mild but firm
manner OF issuing any commands, were al
ways sure to produce, obedience. 1t was an
invariable rule with them when they were
III passion never to punish their children.
Never to promise the rnutest thing to them
without performing. And yet their chill
dren loved them most tenderly; wantoped
aud played thelrl little gambols around them
with the utmost freedom. Yet at any time.
look would awe tben INTO silence, and n
word was sure to be followed by the strict
est obedience. If it was convenient thew
came to the table if not-without a muir
muir they waited. They grew up patterns
OF hlial obedience and affection, and added
to society the most correct, useful, and res
peCtable members.
Listen to old ROBERT Never strike
child while you are in anger. Never in
tertere with Your husband or wife in the cor
rection of a child i'll its presence The pa
rents must be united, or there is an end to
government. Never make light promises to
children Of rewards or punishments but
scrupulously fulfil what you do promise.
Begin early with your children. Break
their temper if it is high while young it may
cost you and them pang, but it will save
you both fifty afterwards and then be stea-
dy IN your government. Use the rod spar
ingly--it is better and easier to command
from their love and respect, than by fear.
Keep these rules, and my word for it, your
children will be a happiness to you while
young, and an honor to you when they grow
up.-7he Cleaner.