Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1839-04-17
L DU C A TI0N.
From the New York Observer.
DR.. Humphreys Thoughts on Educatio
PHYSICAL EDUCATION.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION. IT,.
Although the young mimi is that price
less gem which it should be parents
supreme care 10 polish, the cosket must
not be overlooked, nor neglected. Dust
though il be, and though to dust it will
certainly return, the body as well as the
soul is of Divine workmanship, and it is
"feartully and wonderfully made" The
immortal spirit cannot exist and act in this
world, without the body; and all expert
ence proves, how essential sound and
healthy body is. to vigorous mental action.
3 The puny aud sickly child cannot start
on even terms with one of high health.
in the race of intellectual improvement.
His mind will sympalhize with the NOR
bid feebleness Of his physical system, an d
thus be clogged in all lis movements; or
if in some cases, its precocious energy
trlumphs over every corporal obstruction.
it must be a! the imminent hazard of early
dissolution. A shop well built. with
heavy and solid materials, will suffer but
Illc from the j,r of powerful machinery
within; but if the framework be slender
and uncompact, it will soon be shaken
down.
In giving utterance to my thoughts or
early physical education, do not deem,i
quite prudent or safe. to pry too narrowly
into the mysteries of infant swathing anC
ublu,ions, lest should incur the rebulie.
of that excellent and useful class OF per
sons, who preside over these mysteries
"What can you know about nursery af
fairs? You had better see to the Ode
boys, whose education you are expected
to superintend, and leave tn 'se little mat
ters with u.s. Well, as | should b.
extremely sorry to be considered officions
l will touch lightly on this part of tn
subject. But | must be permitted to saw
that in my poor Judgment, the subseqnen
health and vigor Of children depend yer
essentially upon the hands into which the
happen TO foil daring the first months Z
their existence. Making all proper allow
aRce for that extreme deicacy of conslitu
ton in some infants, which requires oh
tenderest nursing and forbids the lea.
exposure, am convinced that they ar
generally. except in very poor ftmilie:
kept too much from the air, especially j
hne weather. The impression seems
De, that they cannot bear the breath OF IN
ssoftest zephyr, till several weeks or month
have gradually Injured them to exposure
But how can they ever become Injured
exposures, wrapped up in flannel and
close room2 Ii the physician advis
10 it, have nothing to say, but thistle
certainly manage differently in our "Fa at
er land and their little ones appear mu,
more healthy than ours. In regard
daily additions in coldwater, happen
know, that little fellow in his mother
arms NAV become so accustomed to it,
short time, as to enjoy the sponge mig
lily.
CREEPING.
II used to be said that every child m,
creep before it can walk; an il is If,
TO the letter, where nature is left n !
own teaching. Blu, if am not mislak,
the good mothers Of America are mn
inclined 10 take this branch Of phvsi
education entirely out of her hands
They seem to think, (they will pard
the il ] have not hit upon the true reasc
but they seem to think, that creeping
altogether too vulgar an affiir, to be
Grated IN good society; and so, ill
poor child can walk like other folk.
must not move at all. Now / must .
Jest against this abridgment of the ~
ural and inaiienable rights" of childho
sven though half the Faculty should
against me. dare saw, that Ren;a,
Franklin and George Wash;nc,e !
"O.n great ereepers in their day; and.
was child, i would never olive m
;.sn. Of creeping. if | could help Il
g exactly what every child wants