The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1846-01-03
EDUCATION OF CHILDREN.

EDUCATION OF CHILDREN.
However republican we are in feeling abroad
and amuDg our fellows, il cannot he denied Their.
is in most h"mes very figid and often tyrannuus
rule maintained over The young. There The fiat
frum which there is no appeal controls the move
mPns of the little troupe fltlle mon and women
and for years they are mere machines, subject Il
the absolute will nf Others. This state of Thing
is marked by another characteristic feature, the
idea with most parents. that the fair child so pretty
and 81 attractive in Infancy is but a yunng demon
In disguise, that II is an inripleni imp which is H.
be watched with tear and perhaps scuurged and CD
creed into goodness. The sense of a iremendou.
canning struggle with something singularly per
verse aud difficult is npon the minds uf parents
and they rush into fight with one who has nei.
Their the power of aggreSsiun nor defence The
common feeling seems To he that children are liars
from the beginning, and must be logged out ni'
the propensity Ia falSehnod Iha: they use their
own judgement they are sure to 90 wrong; that
they viii their parents unleSsin forced the
performances OF extracting Difference, nor incline Ia
read good hooks unless subjected TO their notice
TASK. This mode Of reasoning keeps the
parent and child forever at issue, forever under
mutual mIsapprehenson, and leads To The flrma
lIun OF those very habits which IL was intended
should mol be formed. La many houses the chill
dren are forever in tears, unhappy even in LIES
morning freshness and ihuse objects which in a
considerable family are the light and joy of them
alI--the precious lIitle jewels which reflect bril-
liant hopes around them, and which we carry
next our hearts with feelings of tenderness for
which there are no suitable wurds--are through,
paternal means alone, often The source Of the
greatest sorrow. The system which is pursued i,
often the best intentions admit, of Gliding
sr"ldIng, punshlag. and making children lincoln.
Portable and wreiched for every act which we
OH hispr in A
affections of the heart We have known the
finest children ruined by harsh treatment even
from we'll meaning parents.
Oar readers will nDw ask what is The proper
course To he pursued? Our answer is, appeal tn
reasun ami affection. Consider that child rem hat
the same feelings which WE ourselves possess, and
shGnld have a corresponding treatment. Law
aside the law of cruelty and practice that of kind
ness. Children should have ahuve all thinos.
good examples before them. Would you have
them amiabe present the example and they will
initiate it. Treat them MS intelligent beings, not
as slaves; explain, rrasnn, advise never he
harsh in manner. rude or violent. The advanIa-
ges Of examples and mature judgement q re mrans
enough To give weight To our counseIs and to ex
tend our influence over these lnlIe unes
The true influence To he sought in The govern
mPnt of children is that Of ioue and respect.
The want of skill and tact shown in most fami
lies w the treatment III young clll0Ten, has led Ia
a succession of generations of men and women
who have entered upon the active duties of lft
quite unlIepared for them. All the RETURNS pro
pUsed by phllanthropists and philosophers would
fall infinitely short of that which shOnld perreci
the domestic and early training of children. -
Mankind seem Ia be very much in earnest in al
tering aud restraining The vices and bad habits of
sociery, after they are f"rmed. All seem To for
get the better opportunity Ut training up children
in the way they should 90. Now and then
sumo intellectual person awakens to the impn
lance of this view of the subject, and we occasion
ally see appeals To the mothers of the land
the real guardians, of the counIry's honor
and prosperity but after an effort or two. thi
principle is lost sight Of and forgotten. We con
clude by urging upon all our readers who have
families, to make the experiment at once. Of rulnn
their children with Kindness and reason TrraI
them as companions, rs persons in whom You con
fdp, and whom YOU love. The difference will
soon BIZ perceived in The change Of their conduc
and development Of the drlghlful traits of charac
ter Happy is the home where affection guides
the feet Of the young