Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1851-10-29
MISC L l. l. A n Y.
A FAMILY PICTURE.
Y JUDGE LoNGsrREEr, OF GEORGIA.

81 describe Georgia family. 1t is fair
specimen of Georgia families generally, the
heads of which are parents Of good sense,
good morals, and we'll improved minds
To be sure, there are in Georgia, as many
notions about parental government, as there
are in any other country, and the practice
as various as the opinions. Some parents
exercise no government at all others con-
fine themselves exclusively to the govern
meut of the tongue and others rule by the
rod alone but by far the larger class, blend
these several modes of government, and pre-
fer the one or the other according TO times
and circumstances. To this class belonged
Mr.. and Mrs. Butler the heads of the fam
ily which am about to describe. Gilbert
was the christian name of her husband, and
Eliza, the wife. was intimately acquaint-
ed with them both, before their union; and
was ever afterwards, admitted to their house
hold, with the freedom of one of its men,
bers--indeed was a conneXion of one Of
them.
They had been married about eight months,
when dull November evening found me
at their freside. In the course Of the even
ing the ccnvers ation turned uICn raising
children. "By the way, Eliza, have been
thinking for some time past of interchanging
views with you upon this subject; and there
never can be better time than now, while
Abraham Is with us, whose opinions we both
respect, and who will act as umpire between
u.s."
"Wel," SAID Eliza, ''let me hear yours.
"If we should ever be blessed with chill
dren, Eliza blushed little,) let it be a fun
damenta law between us, that neither Of us
ever interfere with the discipline of the 9th .
er either by look, word or action, in the pres
ence of the children
TO this rule | most heartily subscribe
When a child is corrected by one of us,
let not the other extend to it the least con-
dolence or sympathy
In that also you have my hearty concur
renee.
Let US never correct child in pas
sion.
The proprieiy Of that rule fully admit /;
but fear shall not always be able to con-
form to its requisition. | will, however, en-
deavor to do so.
We'll, if you will do your best, I shall be,
satisfied
Let us, as far as it is practicable, intro
duce among our children, the universally ad-
mitted principles Of good government among
men,
That is very indefinite rule, husband.
I know very little of the principles which
are universally admitted
well, will be little more specific. be-
lieve it is universally admitted that lars
should precede punishment and that none
should be punished who are incapable Of
understanding the law. In accordance with
these principles, would never punish a
child, who is incapable of distinguishing be-
tween right and wrong, nor until he shall
have been forewarned of the wrong, and
taught to avoid it,
'T1eSe principles seem very reasonable
to me, said Eliza but they never can be ap-
Piled to children. If you do not correct a
child until it is old enough to learn from pre-
cept the difference beteen right and wrong,
there will be no living in the house with it
for the first five or six years of its life, and
no controlling it afterwards
Gilbert received these views of his wife
with some alarm, and entered upon long
argument to convince her that they were
erroneous. She maintained her own very
we'll, but Gilbert had certainly the advan-
tage Of her in the argument. All he could
say, however, did not in the least shake her
confidence in her opinion.
was at length appealed to, and gave
Judgment in favor of Gilbert.
Well said she, 4 never was better sat
l>fed OF any thing in my life, than am
that you are both wrong But let US com
promise this matter, I'll agree TO this if
ever correct child before it is old enough
to receive instruction from precept and you
do not approve of my conduct, l will then
promise YOU never TO DO the like again
Well, said Gilbert, that Is fair One
more rule will settle the Fundamentals, and