Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1836-05-12
COsI,iUNaCATION.
FOR THE FREE PRESS.
on THE EDUCATION OF CHILDREN
NJ III

eNo. ~.
That some children are continually,
and that all are occasionally, prone to
mischief and 10 vice, is truth of which
every school-master daily receives ir-
resistible and painful conviction. But
whether this arises from the immature
" of their understandings, the impetu-
osity of their passions, or the corrup-
tion entailed upon us by our first pro-
geniiors, il is neither easy nor necsssa-
~ to decide. II 10 less the duty OF the
school-master TO illustrate the origin OF
the disease, than TO effect ITS cure or
at least TO restrain that evil which he
cannot wholly remove.
There is, however, one source of
vice in children. in the present times.
that has grown so powerful and extern
sive in its effects, that TO name il TO ma
ny fashionable parents. would be more
likely to give offence, than TO produce
conviction. tits, excessive indulgence;
a circumstance which never fails to
produce or to aggravate depraved SEN
timents and pernicious habits. Quin-
titan complained that in his days the
first thing which the sons Of gentlemen
were taught, was to call, in lisping &C
cents, for their ornaments Of purple or
crimson; and that more attention was
employed to improve their palafsS, than
to correct their pronunciation.
With what justice a similar COM
plant may be made ut present, there is
less reason TO prove than to lament.
Indulgence soon exhibits its follies
aud its mischiefs. II quickly teaches
disingenuous and dishonorable articles.
Children soon learn TO affect pain. sick
ness. and unhappineSs; because they
know that by such means they shall
obtain whatever they desire from pa
rents who will not bear to hear them
cry. And thus. that ingenious temper
and conduct, the great ornament Of
youth, is Destroyed before the period ar
rives which il ought chiefly to adorn.
Habitual indulgence 20 children sell
dom fails 10 terminate in a mean and
selfish disposition. II teaches them 10
claim, and tempts them TO seek, their
personal qualifications. at whatever ex-
pense 20 themselves or others. II sends
them TO school with hopes of having
the same indulgence continued: aud
il they are disappointed, as their otca
best interests require they should be, the
disappointment produces aversion 20
study, regret for the pleasures they
have lost, lancihil and fictitious com
plants against the school, perpetual So
licitstions 10 be removed from IL, and
all those contemplate humours and
passions which torment alike the pa
rents, the teacher, and the pupils, and
lprevent improvement as much in SCI
ence az in virtue. And few places are
there, in this world, that afford more
ample proof Of the above facts, than
Jefferson county.
While ! censurc indiscriminate IN
diligence, however, let me not be IN
derstood TO enjoin any useless rigouT--
any unnecessary severity. Personal
correction, " hich so many parents wish
10 avoid, might be rendered in q great
measure unnecessary. were their chill
drcn required to pay implicit submits
sion 10 their authority; not TO renew,
under the same circumstances. any re-
quest which has once been deliberately
rejected; 10 retire TO rest in the even.
ing, and rise IN the morning, al fixed
end regular hours; and not, on any &C.
count, fail in the performance Of the
task which has once been appointed
Custom would generally produce the
same beneficial effects as the rod Of cor
rcction. Proper habits early begun
and steadily continued, would SOFA aP
. pear to be q system, not Of Immature
rigouF, but OF the truest tenderness.
The son. who has been subjected 4
judicious discipline. seldom fails 10 re-
ward il by his gratitude, as veil ~ b.
improvement while with him, WIZ
has been riinsd by indulgence. th'
weakness and folly Of his parsnts arr
ever Afterwards the subject Of censur'