Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1851-10-29

Improvement, in the second. Were it not
for this, | have no doubt children would
speak their mother tongue as correctly at
four years old, as they do at sixteen
Eliza smiled, and observed, that this was
such small matter that it had also better
be left to future adjustment. To this Gilbert
rather reluctantly assented.
About two months after this conversation,
Gilbert was blessed with fine son whom
he named John James Gilbert, after the two
grandfathers and himself-a profusion of
names which he had cause afterwards to
repent.
Just fourteen months and six days there
after he was blessed with fine daughter,
whom Eliza named Ann Frances Eliza af-
ter the two grandmothers and herself.
Fifteen months thereafter he received a
third blessing, like unto the first which he
called George Henry after his two brothers.
Thirteen months and nineteen days after
the birth of George, fourth blessing de-
scended upon Gilbert IN the form of fine
son. This took the name of William Angus
tus, after two brothers of his wife.
Eliza now made long rest of nineteen
months four days and five hours Il speak
from the family record, when, by way OF
amend she presented her husband with a
pair of blessings. As soon as his good
fortune was made known to him, Gilbert ex-
pressed regret, that lie had not reserved his
own name until now. in order that the twins
might bear his own name and mine. Seeing
this could not be, he bestowed my name
! upon the first born, and gave me the privi-
lege of naming the second. AS consider
; a good name, rather to be chosen than great
riches, | called the innominate after Isaac
the great patriarch, and beloved uncle OF
mine.
In this very triumphant and laudable man.
ner did Mrs. Butler close the list OF her
sons.
She now turned her attention to daught-
ers, and IN The short space of five years pro-
duced three, that Queen might be proud
of. Their names in the order of their births
were Louisa, Rebecca and Sarah. 1t was
one of Mrs. Buffers maxims, if you have
ANYTHING to dc, do it at once, and she SEEM
ed to be governed by this maxim in making
up her family for Sarah completed the
number Of her children.
John was but year old, when | was a
gain at Gilhert's for the evening. He
was seated by the supper table with child
in his arms, addressing some remarks to me
when | called his attention to the child who
was just in the act of putting his fingers in
to the blaze of the candle. Gilbert jerked
HIM away suddenly which so ihcensed
master John Gilbert, that he screamed in
suferably Gilbert tossed him, patted him
but he could not distract his attention from
tie candle.
He moved him out Of sight of the lumina-
ry, but that only made matters worse. He
now commenced his first lessons IN the
principles ofgood government He brought
the child towards the candle, and the near
er it approached, the more pacific it became.
The child extended its arms to catch the
blaze land Gilbert bore 1t slowly towards the
fame until the hand came nearly in contact
with it, when he snached 1t away, crying
bunny fnnies = which is by Interpretation
you'll burn your fngersp Eliza and eX-
changed smiles, but neither Of us said any
thing.
The child construed this into wanton teaz-
ing and became. if possible, more obstrep-
erous than ever. Gilbert now resorted to a
mother expedient He put his own fingers
into the blaze, withdrew them suddenly blew
them, shook them, & gave every sign of acute
agony. This no! only queted but delighted
the child, who signified 10 him to do it again.
He instantly perceived (what was practical
! ly demonstrated the minute afterwards that
the child was putting most dangerous in
depreciation upon his last illustration. He
determined, therefore, not to repeat it. The
child, not satisfied with the sport, ,determin-
ed to repeat it himself; which the father
opposing he began 10 reach and cry as be-
fore. There was but one experiment left ;
and that was, to let the child feel the fame
little This he resolved 10 try, but how 10
conduct it properly was not SO easily settled.
1t would not do to allow the infant 10 pat
his hand into the blaze; because it would
burn TOO little, or too much. He therefore
resolved to direct the hand to apont so near
the flame, that the increasing heat would
induce the child to withdraw his hand him
self. Accordingly he brou hit the extended
arm slowly towards the flame the child be-
coming more and more impatient with eve
ry moments postponement Of its gratifica-
ton, until the hand came within about an
inch of the wick, when he held his child
stationary. But John would not let
his hand remain stationary, nor at the
chosen point. He kept snatching at the can
die, till finding all his efforts frutleSs, he
threw himself violently back, gave his fa-
ther tremendous thump on the nose with
the back of his head, and kicked and scream
ed most outrageously.
'You little rascal, said Gilbert, I've a
good mind to give you a good spanking.
Give him to me- said Mrs Butler.
You'd better not take him., said Gilbert
in an under tone, while he is in such pas
sion.'
No danger sic said hand him to me-
As she received him, 'hush sir, said she
very sharply; and the child hushed instant
ly and was asleep in few minutes.
Strange said Mr.. Butler, how much
sooner the mother acquires coDtrol over a
child than the father
Not at all, said Mrs. Butler. You would
have controlled him as easily as did, if you
had given hun the same lesson before hand
that | did. He got in just such an uproar
the other day, and finding nothing else
would quiet him, spanked it out of him !;
and have had no more trouble in quie!ing
him since
Il begin to think, Batter, said l. that
Eliza was right in the only point of difference