Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1848-12-02
EARLY HABITS OF INDUSTRY.

There is truth clearly confirmed by the universal
experience Of than that habits whatever they may be-
when fixed, very difficult, to eradicae-so difficult,
Indeed that most persons disposed pronounce prac-
ucaly impossible. 1t is whether these habits are
good bad, by what acquired when formed
they cling to character with enaciy vital that to extr-
pate them like disocang the very elements Of ndi-
yidua being.
The time in which mos, of our habits are established is
during the period Of YOUTH while The nature is WELD
ng plant Impossible, and susceptible of being moulded and
directed by the slightest effort. All WILL therefore, concsa
the necessity of watching with unremins vigilance the de-
vepments Of those early qualities and dispositions BY which
the complexion and fortunes of after life are determined
Habits Of industry among the first that should receive
attention. as there few almportant than these /,
IS however, quite needless date upon their Importance
the only question being the best method of ncucsnS
them. .... -.
How children be best taught the practice and love OF
industry Before answering this question directly we must
be allowed say that children naturally industrious by
law Of their constitution They necessarily active when
not asleep, they always in notion putting forth exerion
by instinct We then to create the material ous
of which these habits be fabricated We are not only
required repress natural tendency but on the other
hand, to encourage and train its free and exubean growth
But how this to be done We briefly by placing
before the child those natural smuans action with which
the Creators works every where abound Curiosity and inn
aton perhaps the strongest tendencies Of the Young
mind Curiosity inspires that unceasing flow Of questions
which is Characteristic of inantine years and
the love Of imitation eIcites to continual action. Most chill
dren, through the strength OF this propensity, acquire Ian
guage before they four years DID, learn
merabe words and ax them distinctive IDEAS simply by
initiating others.
We think the plan adopted by that interchangeable friend o
YOUTH Mr. j. Hotrook, Of the New York. respecting t
formation Of early habits Of industry to be unsurpassed in its
experience the correctness Of lis principles and the success
Of its results He has demonstrated in nnumerabe cases.
many Of them refractory resist all other modes Of ID
uence, that small lads may be excited voluntary and pet
seserng eIerons by simply taking advantage Of their nar-
raj fondness for knowledge.
Once desire Of accomplishing something noble and
the child will work with heroism which he will never sur
pass in after life Children unrng in the pursu, Of al
those objects which interest them. The elements of natural
science, when properly unoded produce this effect they TX
their attention, knde enthusiasm, and now only necss-
say to connect physical labor with the acquisition Of know
ledge, and habits Of industry will be permanently esa-
sbed When boy girl has darling purpose to rair
II orde close observation, and industrious effort ndspe
sable the attainment Of this purpose they are Of course IN
the best condition cultivate these fundamental attributes Of
character. Mr. Hobrook an essential feature Of h
system connect physical with mental labor and lender
them attractive by giving play to curiosity, and by siroy
converting to his purpose those perennial springs Os se
which control the unfolding intellect.
One thing clear children will contract industrious
habits long as their parents and teachers too ndolen, -
deyae from the beaten pathway of education now in prsve
len. USE Fogghs still largely recognised the most po
tent stimulus which be brought upon the Young
mind and recognised because is the easiest, noss
summary, least troublesome and readily resorted TO in
all contingencies and, consequence, the congenil
to laziness on the part OF the nominal instructor.
The unnatural modes of study present in use owe the-
perPeui,y simply to the fact that they dispense with any grea.
amount OF effort the part Of the teacher He has only to
pass mechanically through prescribed routine Of exercises
The task Of teacher rightly executed arduous and toll
some, and it be expected that young pupils will
form industrious habits with examples of Incidence constantly
before them, and outlay OF effort render the road 70
knowledge attractive and pleasing. Americdn artisan.