The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1850-12-04
The Right / ducalion Ct Children.

The Right | dncalion Ct Children.
To the rejecting mind il must appear
strange that. ut this advanced age OF civ.
lizatlon. the proper manner OF educating
the young and fitting them for future use-
lulness, is so mperiectly understood.
The parent naturally seeks the eleva-
ton OF his children. both in moral and
social point OF view. And to him no.
thing can be more .plcasing than the
thought that at some future time the seeds
ol instruction which he is now iInplaming
in the youthful minds OF his children will
spring up aud bear fruit abun,lantly; and
that his offspring will vet occupy such
position in society as will reflect credit
upon their parents, and do honor to them
selves. 7a
All this is perfectly in keeping with the
laws Of nature; but the means employed
for the attainment oil the desired object
are such. that the hopes oiathe parent are
only realized at the expense Of the chld's.
health and not unfrequenily at the price OF
his lie. These latter considerations. how
ever. are only applicable to those youths
in whom, there seems to be implanted a
thirst alter knowledge.
Such child, ifhe apply himself closely
to his studies, and take litils or no physi-
cal exercise. must keep his mind in con-
tinual exercise; consequently IN re is more
blood sent to the brain than il actually re-
quires. and more than 10 any other one
organ in his body. Even though such an
one may become a prodigy. it is to he
feared that he cannot survive long without
thorough reformation in regard to his
manner of study.
!, is the case with too many parents,
when they see ole OF their children more
fond OF his books than another, TO enc0ur-
age him to 90 on in the pursuit Of knowl-
edge. and stimulate him TO undertake the
mastery of even more difficult studies
than he had before. attempted. Hence
their beloved son. instead OF snulfing the
pure air OF heaven. is continually lied
down 10 his books--stuly, study, study,
nothing bur study.
All, parent! doSt thou not see the pale
face and emaciated form Of thy son! lie
is already worn out witt, the over exerton
OF his intellect. And because he has a
natural desire for the attainment of knowl-
edge. constant craving after more, and
yel more. will you still urge him TO press
forward, in the hope OF seeing him at
l,ngt, mount TO the very summit of the
hill Of sciemce! Will you encourage him
to devote his every moment 20 the attain
ment of learning, even al the sacrifice Of
health! Nay. give him hoalthlil exercise;
let his physical, as well as his mental
powers. have full, free, and vigorous exer-
else.
o. that the time may soon come. when
parents will begin to ieel the necessity OF
seeing that their children be properly edu
Gated without cndangcrng their health.
Dr. Weting mentions the cas- Of a lad,
about seven years Of age, who could solve
a mathematical problem. which many at
a far more advanced age. and much high,
or pretenson would attempt in vain. Ills
parents loved hin, as good parents ever
willrcgarl their offspring. and urged him.
or rather encouraged bin. in applying
himself clos lv to his studies. so much so
that he took little or no physical exercise.
And what was the consequences! Thus
over-cxerted. the brain received greater
quantity Of blood than it required. aud
soon brcame diseased. which terminated
the lie Of the child in his eighth year. His
parents literally killed him with Kindness.
Thus the very means made use of with the
design OF promoting his happiness. proved
the loss Of his lie.
Such child rightly educated. might
have become an ornament TO his family,
and blessing TO his country. Had his
mental and physical powers been exer-
csed in tho right prop .riions, he might
have now bceli The joy Of his parents.
VIII parents ever ieel the necessity Of
looking to the real it.terest Of their chill
.drenl Let daily exercise become an es-
sental part of the education OF children,
then the thin face and the emaciated 6g-
ure shall give place to the hale, hea yand
robust form, blending a vigorous intellect
with good and healthy constitution.
Such scholar will not he likely 10 die
in the morning Of youth. but may live to
be respected and useful, and would un-
doubtedly be the means Of exefting an in.
nuence for good which would be widely
felt wherever he might be placed. Al. F.
SINGULAR in the Island Of Goa. near
Bombay. there is singular vegetable. the
.sarrowIul tree" because il only four
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