The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1857-09-04
influence Of Example.

'la7l.IIr 4nuuouS0 Va 6AsskS'
In certain village in Switzerland, some
years ago, there were heavy complaint'
among all who possessed trees that NJ
fruit was safe, tina. the children plunderet
It pcrpetually before it came to maturity
and not only that, but that the green sap
ling had no security against, them. A
mother serious complaint was the barbara
lty of the children towards all living crea
tnrcs in their power. The clergyman
teaches aud elder, often laid their heads
together to find some remedy for this in.
human spirit, by which every child in the
place was more or less affected. They
could not conceive why suclra spirit should
prevail so specially in this villagc;D but
they could find neither cause nor remedy,
,slltxhortations, all punislmcnts were IN
lIvain.s The Clergyman Of the village was
changeds and the new minister was a
great friend to schools. His first walk to
| the school.housc. Tho vice of the schol-
ars had been made known to him and the
failure Of all preventive measures hitherto
applied. But determining within himself
to watch the whole course Of proceeding
in school, he soon perceived that the teach
cr had habit, and had acquired singu.
liar dextcrity in it, Of knocking down and
killing flies with his cane, to the end Of
which he had fastened piece Of leather.
The windows were all on one side, and
being exposed to the morning sun Of sum-
mer, they were continually full Of tlies.-
The teachers path lay along them, in
front oi his scholars; and while talking to
the latter, he struck down the flies as they
showed themselves at the window. This
manGu,cr amused the children infinitely
more than his instruction did, and they
followed his example. They were inces.
sanity on the watch for flies that buzzcd
through the room, caught them in their
hands and showed as great dextcrity IN
this kind Of chase as their teacher did in
his. But their amusement did not end
here; they had learned to play with their
captiyes, treat them with detestab!e cruel
tv, and seemed to find wicked delight
in observing the shivcring ofthcir victims.
On observing these curious and far from
pleasing pecuaritics Of the school, the in
tclirent and humane clergyman easily
accounted for the spirit OF dcstruciivcncss
among the children; and his first step
was to induce the teacher to take his
leather from the end Of his cane, and
next, to turn the desk so that the boys sat
with their backs to the windows, and the
teachers path lay on the other side OF
the room. Then the minister went fire.
ouentlv into the school, and examined so
severely, that both teacher and pupils had
more to do than TO give their attention
TO the flies. AS this was not entirely sat
isiactory in its result, the minister took
advantage ofthc hot summer weather to
have instructions given only in the after
noon, wlicn the school-room Was not so
full of ilies, and thus he gradually banisll-
ed the Insects from the thought OF teach
cr and children. But he knew il was OF
little avail solely to pull the weed out OF
the young mind. He obtained an un-
occupied piece Of land fit for planting,
and not far from the school laid ont
school garden. ..
This pleased the teacher aud the
children willingly took part in the task,
for they had soon learned to like their
minister, who came and worked among
them. The garden was surrounded by a
hedge planted with trees and shrubs, and
each child had n tree or shrub given him
to take care OF. A nursery was soon laid
out, and provision made for plenty OF
larger garden and orchards in the village.
And behold. the spirit ofdestructivcness
among the children soon passed away;
and every mans fruit and garden became
safe, the youth even begged their parents
that trees might be planted in the fields
for them to take care Of The new spirit
was communicated from children to
parents, till it spread throughout the en-
tire village; every family had its pretty
little garden; an emulation in cnltivatlng
flowers sprang into existence; idle and
bad habits disappeared; and gradually the
whole place was a scene Of moral as well
as of physical beauty.
This incident, tho truth Of which can
be vouched for, has been communicated
to us by a lady of rank who happens to
have lately become acquainted with the
circumstances and has thought that their
publicity may be advantageous. We
have no doubt of the fact that the prac-
ticc of amatuer gardening is never asso-
ciated with evil, but is always token OF
advanced tastes and correct habits. We
would further say, let every school, so far
as it can conveniently be done, have its
garden, not only for purposes of amnsc-
mcnts, but as an important engine Of cd
ucation.-CRdn,bers Journal. '"i '' '-'"
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