Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1845-02-07

OOu, ana wnich, II carried whittier II tends,
would annul the laws Of the moral universe.
To enforce authority by it, he thought,
might be the exception, but this exception
shsUId always remain in the power of the
teacher. To show the difficulties aud trials
Of the teacher which often arise from an en-
tire want ofparental government aud neglect
OF the parent. 10 make any inquiry whatever,
as TO the department of his child, he read
and explained as follows--a scene Of no un-
common occurrence "A note from The par
ent. 'Sir, yesterday, you punished my
son severely, the marks of which his body
still bears. have Withdrawn him from
your school and shall not again subject him
to your cruel severity. You will please
send him his books by the bearer. Yours,
&c" In this laconic note the teacher is at
once arraigned as monster of cruelty, to-
tally unfit to be entrusted with the charge
Of school, II demands attention. 'Y0u
punished my son. The mere fact Of the
punishment can scarcely be intended as
part Of the charge, for sons are sometimes
punished by parents themselves. '.Sfuereiy'
All here comes the head and the affront of
the offending. The punishment was ex-
cessive--more than sufficient for the crime.
The offence was the veriest irife, but the
logging was terrific! Poor boy Meek
y, quietly, he received the merciless blows,
as they showered thick and fast on his unrc-
siSfing limbs. But how is ali this known
why the son says so, but what possible
motive could he have to misrepresent the
facts! Besides, here is further aud concu-
sive evidence. The marks of which, his
body still bears Quere, would it require
very weighty blows, to leave an impression
on young limbs. lie had seen boys in sheer
sport whip their own or each others limbs,
till they were thiekly marked. True, they
we're not angry But the note proceeds. Il
hare 'Cithdra,oa him from the school, He
never thinks ofvisitng the teacher in private
to give him an opportunity to justify his con-
duct or acknowledge his error. If his
wrath be actually in danger Of boiling over,
he may peradventure go to the school.
house, and in presence Of the assembled
school, give an animated and most edifying
lecture on the unheard of cruelty of their
teacher. Lasily,-'And shall not again
subject him.. He is evidently none of your
men, who talk much and do lHtle His
What pity there was not a supply of such
men in every district. What a check they
would constitute on the executive power
We might confidently hope that the teach
erls empire would be revolntionized and set
lie down into free and independent repub
lie, where every scholar would do precisel,
as seemed good in his own eyes.
Bot change for the better may he antici
pated. The nineteenth century, the glori
Gus day in which it is our happy fortune tC
draw breath, is the era Of new light on thi.
subject. If we may believe the representa-
lions of many specializing gcniuses, tht
time has arrived when those harsh and for
bidding views of human nature, entertained
by our rude ancestors, are TO be exploded
and forever discarded. The noble mint
shall no longer be addressed through tn,
medium of the gross body. Hencelorih
children shall be governed solely by mora
suasion. Here INDEED, is human nature il
all her dignity.
Completely enamored with these enlight
ened views, and convinced Of their practica
utility, he once resolved 10 subject them t
the test Of thorough experiment He com
menced action on the new system. For
time it seemed to work like a charm. Ate
laborious reasoning for an hour or more, h
usually succeeded in convincing the boy @
the enormiiy OF his crimes. and in DRAWN
forth penientia resolution, that ever afte
his conduct should be in accordance wit
the dignity of his nature The success G
his experiment sometimes appeared estat
lished beyond the shadow of doubt. Blu
alas the resolution which had cost so muc
labour had been manufactured of bad ma
ierials. 1t broke, and most melancholy q
all, the oflener it was spliced and welded
the more brittle it became He found b
must abandon this new system or consum
his whole time in moral suasion. The oil
, system was recalled, at least for all obstina,
cases What a contrastl A few light touch
es ofthat potent wand--the rattan-wrougf
a more ellectual change in a boys feelings
than hours of the most eloquent moral sus
sion The conscience was enlightened an
the amazing difference between truth an
error revealed "in a twinking." The reese
luton before 50 prone ito fall asunder, a
fax at touch Of Rre,H acquired consistenc
and strength, bidding defiance TO the loot
} of time.
lie found his present position strongl
fortified by the experience Of others, as rec
| orded in certain antique writings. Yes, So
| omonthe wise--a man by his own conlessio
prone To experiments, had adopted thes
sentiments, How strange his practical view
Of human nature contrast with those of on
} specializing moderns "Not innocence all
, virtue but folly is not merely an but boun
up in the heart Of child" Observe hi
, mode of dislodging it; The rod of col
, rection shall drive it far from him" Ii