, 1853-12-24

OF our present purpose to consider ; but it
is obvious how great an error is committed
by those parents unfortunately too numer-
ou,), who 'glec. the formation Of the habits
of their children, seeming to think it quite
unimpostant how they are reared, provided
til sir health be good, and they "thrive
WE'LL" and trusting to the teacher aller-
wards TO correct whatever bad habits may
thus be suffered to grow up, overlook this
part Of their duty, or abandon ii to the ignO-
rance and carclcssnoss Of hirelngs. Nor
is the injustice Of this course to the teacher
Of less magnitude; he is expected, with his
slender opportunities and public means, 10
undo what has been the work Of years
the result of innumerablc agencies acting
upon the impressiJlc infant during every
moment of every day of its existence but
in the majority of cases the teacher and the
child are brought into contact during lin
tied time only, and for specific purposes, so
that opportunities for tho display 10 the
teacher of the child's real moral nature
rarely occur, and when they do, what
means arc at his command for correcting
them Simply the expression Of his opin-
ion that it is wrong, which olTends the pu-
pills love of appreciation, and may thus, in
some cases, act as n temporary check upon
the habit; and perhaps the inficton of
some punishment, the tendency Of which is,
generally, not to eradicate the habit, but
10 make the child endeavor 10 conceal it
more carefully.
We believe that the experience Of most
persons will bear US out in asserting that il
is comparatively seldom that the effhrls oi
Teachers to correct the bad habits Of their
pupils are really successful nor do we see
how il can be otherwise. He may do
much, no doubt, to confirm good habits,
and il is, of course, his duty 10 overlook no
instance Of contrary ones that come to his
knowledge and even the abstract inculca-
lion of morality, though VIC fear it rarely
has much abiding influence OH childTen,
should not be neglected BY him; here and
there a seed may fall upon good ground,
and tring forth abundanlly. How impor-
lant then is il that the mother herself be
we'll educated and prepared for her duty
The present artificial system Of female edu-
cation units rather than prepares them for
the task which nature has SO clearly assign
ed to them. Genlleness, placid frmness,
evcnncss of temper, watchfulness, tender
ness, and that kind discretion, which is usu-
ally called good sense, are the characteris-
tics of on educated and educating mother,
And surely these arc the qualifications
which are best adapted 10 check the fever
ish and violent, to encourage the idle and
timid, and ADORE all, to give an example Of
what is virtuous and rational 10 those little
beings, whose future happiness depends so
much on o mothers care and discrelion.-
The first six years in the lives Of children
demand as much or more watchfulness on
the part of their guardians, as any other
period of their youth, yet it generally be-
lisvcd that il they be carefully fed, clothed,
washed, and taught to read, or rather made
10 slammcr over \ book, the duties towards
them are perfectly fulfilled. If they should
become wiiul and unmanageable-and this
is general case they are sent to school
10 be corrected, because little master OF
miss cannot longer be controlled at home
At school, as elsewhere, the influence of a
bad example is as powerful as that of a
good one and unless unremitling vigilance
be exercised. the innocent minded will be
corrupted by their associates.
Fears Of personal chastisement or severe
punishment produces habits of deceit, and
those are the most honored who are most
successful in deceiving their teachers. What
) will be their struggles, when al ripe agt
! they perceive and would correct their err
rurs! How much more severe ale the
pangs they will then suffer than the rationa
pievcniions and restraints of childhood
, would have inflicted
The evil above alluded to--the danger o
corrupt assoeiation-is difficult 10 remedy
in large and mixed schools the duty Of The
educator clearly is, to struggle, ia friendly
spirit with tho bad, and snatch, if possible
one brand from the burning. But we have
great faith in the power and efficacy Of goot
exaiupl in wcll conducted schools, in whicI