Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1838-08-30

IN gaol lie Is apparently about ~ years OF
age, and says that this Is his first crime. lie
arrived here in the Providence stage on Mon
day evening, and we understand had nothing
with him but a small bundle, apparently
books. The money which he received at
the bank was six one hundred dollar notes,
and before leaving the city he exchanged
three Of the notes for Rhode Island money
at brokers' otEce.-Hartford Cowant of
Friday last.
LETTERS TO MOTHERS by Mrs. Sig
oURNEY.- We have looked over this
work with great pleasure, and have had
the satisfaction Of hearing our good
opinion of it confirmed by ga mother"
in whose hands we placed it for peru
sal. To our thinking, Mrs. Sigourncy
improves as writer. Her composition
has become more compact and fuller Of
meaning, and her thoughts seem to have
rpened as well rs her style. Her ia-
miiarity with the process of instruction
both literary and moral, has fitted her
for the task she has undertaken, to press
on the attention of mothers the duties
laid upon them in forming the morals
and teinpers of their children, and to
present the most judicious and eflectual
methods of doing this.
We shall recommend the work better
by sample Of its contents, than by any
thing we can say in its praise. We
take almost at random the following
sensible passage.- Editor .New York
Ere. Post.
The ambition to have children read at a
very carly age, seems i'll. placed. Apart
from any III effect of infantine application up
on health, is it not the attainment, rather the
sound of words, than the reception Of ideas ?
"My daughter could read us well at three
years DID, as she does now" says some fond
mother r,trespassing little upon that province
of Boosting, from which the "very chiefest of
the apostles" has excluded us. Had the child
been gifted with the wisdom of the STRIPPING
David,it would have objected to be thus grid
ed with the heavy armour Of a veteran.-
What can be the motive for thrusting wea-
pons into hand, which is too weak to WELD
them? What is the use Of repeating words,
which the understanding cannot compre-
hend? Is it even safe, to force an immature
intellect into unnatural prominence?
once admired prccocity and viewed it as
the breath of Deity, quickenng to ripe and
rare excellence. But have since learned
to fear it. Minds which in childhood, dis
tanced their contemporaries, so often cease
to advance in the same ratio, become rcstive,
inert, or apparently detcrioratcd that I can.
not but regard with more true satisfaction, q
fabric, built up slowly and solidy.
left my boy at his books" says the par
ent, with a self complaccnt smile. Now
though it is far better to read, than 20 do
mischief, we cannot always be certain, that
reading is defence from every danger. A
boy if idle, may choose a book as a refuge
from incumbent industry or if iil.disposed,
may select an improper one; or thought
less. may read the best volume, without re.
membrance, or improvement. So, though n
taste for reading is an indication Of mental
health, and claim OIL gratitude, yet let no
mother feel perfectly at ease about her chill
dren, simply because they read unless she
knows the character Of the books that engage
their attention, and what use is made of the
knowledge they inpart.
I" | shall never feel satisfied, says another
parent, till my son acquires a love of read
ing" Study the impulse Of his mind. Per-
haps, his tools arc his books. The Roman
might have been accounted idle, while he
traversed the shore, to collect the wave worn
fragments Of the broken ship Of Carthage
Yet thence arose the navy of Rome. Noah,
might have been accounted visionary, while
he built the ark, amid "the contradiction Of
Sinners" bnt under the impulse Of hcaven.-
We know that Newton was misunderstood,
while he pondered the frul orb Of the soap
bubble: and Fulton rdiculed while he pro-
PEELED that first adventurous vessel, whose
countless offspring were soon to mock the
winds, and tread the waves with their feet of
fire.
Count not the child an idlcr, who studies
the Book OF Nature, or invigorates by active
exercise, the wonderful mechanism Of the
body. Yet would not speak lightly of the
love of reading. Oh no! This cannot be
done, by those who reverence knowledge. i
simply assert that Nature exhibits diversity
Of operations. The various trades and pro-
fessions must be filled. II all were sedcnta-
ry men, who would compel the earth to yield
her increase? or preside at the forge Of the
artifcer? or speed the shattle Of the artizan !?
or spread the sail that bears to remUtest re-
gions subsistence and wealth?
The use aud ingenuity of the hands, should
be encouraged in children. Neither should
their ruling tastes be too much counteractcd,
in selecting their business for life. The due
admixture, and welfare of different trades and
professions in the body politic,is like the fine
economy of the frame. $50 that the eye
cannot say to the hand, nor again the hand
TO the feet, have no need Of YOU" II is
becoming but too common to depress mecban-
les aud agrculturists, the very sinews and
life blood of the land, and to elevate a sort Of
specializing incidence, which in the end, may
make the drones dIsproportionate to the hon.
ey in our national hive.
Yet whatever mental tendency our children
may reveal, or to whatever employment they
are destined, let US teach them the art oI
thinking. Let us prize the slightest fragment
of thought, which in broken whispers they
submit to our ear. While we require their
opinion Of the sentiments and language OF
authors, the traits Of character which they
perceive around, and the trains Of thought
which they find most salutary or agreeable,
let us gently but faithfully regulate, a daz.
zled Imagination, or q defective Judgment
II has been said Of one of our distinguished
divines, that his mind in childhood received
impulse aud coloring from a pious mother
who taught him how TO think. Though she
aa,Iv r.,..UoI he ,,ph,I,.I from, I,ar m