Litchfield enquirer., 1833-05-23


But no,O we turn to Thee!
Education.-Do you ask what Will ed
ucate YOUR son? Your example will edu-
cate him; your conversation with your
friends, the business you transact; the
likings you express; these will educate
him: above all your rank and situation IN
life. your house, your table, your pleasure
grounds. your hounds, your stables, WILL
educate him. 1t is not in your power TO
withdraw him from the continual influence
of those things, except you were to With
draw yourselves from them also.
There is nothing which has so little
share in education as precept. To be con-
vinced Of this, we need only reflect that
there is no one point we labor more to es-
tablish with children than that of their
speaking the truth; and there is not any
in which we succeed worse. And why?|
Because children readily see we have an
interest in it. Their speaking truth is US
ed by us as an engine of government.
TELL me, my dear child, when you
have broken any thing, and will not be
angry with you Thank you for Moth
ing says the child if prevent you from
finding out, am sure you will not be an
gry:' and nine times out of ten he can
prevent it. He knows, that in the COM
mon intercourse of life, you tell thousand
falsehoods.
do not mean to assert that sentiments
inculcated in education have no influence
they have much, though not the most
but it is the sentiments we let drop occa-
ns1mn1l~, 80 Tho fhnu nvnrhQar
when playing unnoticed in corner OF the
room, which has an effect upon children;
and not what is addressed directly to them
in the tone of exhortation. If you would
know precisely the effect these set dis
]. courses have upon your child, be pleased
7 to reflect upon that which a discourse from
the pulpit has upon you. Children have
almost an intuitive discernment between
the maxims you bring forward for their use,
and those by which you direct your own
conduct. Be as cunning as you will, they
are always more cunning than you. Every
shild knows whom his father and mother
love and see with pleasure, and whom they
dislike for whom they think themselves
obliged to set out their best plate and china
whom they think it an honor to visit, and
upon whom they confer honor by admit
ting them to their company.
Respect nothing 50 much as virtue,
says Eugenio to his son; virtue and tall
ent are the only grounds Of distinction.'-
The child presently has to inquire why his
father pulls off his hat to some people and
not to others he is told that outward re-
spect must be proportional to different
stations in life. This is little difficult OF
comprehension however, by dint of ex-
phantom, he gets over it tolerably well.-
But he sees his fathers house in the hustle
and hurry Of preparation, common busi-
ness laid aside, every body in movement,
an unusual anxiety to please and to shine
nobody is at leisure to receive his caress-
es, or attend to his questions-his lessons
are interrupted, his hours deranged. AT
length guest arrives !; it is my Lord,
whom he has heard you speak of twenty
times, as one of the most worthless charac-
tiers upon earth. Your child Eugenio has
received lesson Of education. Resume,
If you will, your system Of morality on the
morrow; you will in vain attempt to erad-
icate it. you expect company, mamma,
must be dressed to-day2' No, it is on
T, ly good Mr.. Such-a-one.' Your child has
received lesson of education, one which
he will understand and long remember
Mrs. BGrb0Mld.
1t is of primary Importance in the moral
education of children, that they be laugh,
habits of self-controI; and the first step
towards the requirement Of such habit is,
that their will should be entirely subject ia
tine control of those under whose guardian.
ship they may be placed, whether parents
teachers or others.
We may say without hesitation, that nc
human being will ever govern himself we'll
who has not first learned to submit impli.
city to the government Of others. 1t mus
then be assumed as FUNDAMENTAL princi.
pie in moral education, that obedience mus
be prodnced and retained at all hazards
This is indispensable aud the secont
principle is, that we prove to the little sub
jscts Of our authority that we lOUe them
If either Of these principles be wanting
the consequences will be bad.
The moral feeling of children has a
immediate connection with the externs