Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1858-12-28
MJSCELL A N Y .
A Family Picture.
BY JUDGE LoNsTREET, OF GEORGIA.

BY JUDGE LoNsTREET, OF GEORGIA.
| describe Georgia family. 1t is fair spec
linen of Georgia families generally, the heads
of which are parents of good sense, good morals
and well 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 governmnnt at all ;
Others confne themselves exclusively to the
government of the tongue; and Others rule by
the rod alone; but by far the larger class, blend
these several modes of government, and prefer
the one or the other according to times aud cir
cumstances. To this class belonged Mr.. and Mrs.
Butler the heads of the family | am now about
70 describe Gilbert was the Christian name OF
her husband, and Eliza, the wife. | was init
mately acquainted with them both, before their
uniun; and was ever afterwards, admitted To
their household with the freedom Of Que of its
members-indeed | was cunuexion of one of
them.
They had been married about eight months,
when a dull November evening found me at
their tireside In The course of the evening the
conversation turned upon raising children.-
'By the way, Eliza, have been thinking for
some time past of interchangng views with you
upon this subject; and there eau never be a
better time than now, while Abraham is with
us, whose opinions we both respect, and who
will act as umpire between us.
well" said Eliza, "let me hear yours"
"If we ever should be blessed with children,
ELIZA biused li,te0 let il be- fundamental
law between u.s. that neither of us interfere with
the discipline of the other either by look, word
or action in the presence of the children"
sTo this rule | most heartily subscribe"
"When q child is corrected by one of US, let
not tlie other extend to it the least coincidence
or sympathy"
in that you! have also my hearty concur
renee"
LET US never correct child in a passion"
The propriety OF that rule fully admit; but
fear shall not all always be able to conform
to its requisition. | will, however, endeavor to
do So"
well, if you will do your best, | shall be sat
isfed"
''Let us as far as it is practicable, introduce
among our children the universally admitted
principles of good government among men,"
THAT is very indefinite rule, husband. /
know very little Of the principles, which are u
niversay admitted"
"Well, will be little more specific. be-
lieve it is universally admitted that laos shall
precede punishment !; aud that none should be
punished who are incapable of understanding
the law In accordance with these principles,
would never punish child who Is incapable
of distinguishing between right and wrong, nor
until he shah have been torewarned of The wrong,
and taught to avoid it,"
These principles seem very reasonable to Inc
said Eliza, but they can never be applied to
children. If you do not correct child until it
is old enough to learn from precept the differ
ence between right and wrong, there will be no
living in the house with it the first five or six
years vi its lite, aud no. controlling it after
wards"
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 well, but Gilbert had
certainly the advantage 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 judg
ment in favor of Gilbert.
"WeIl," said she, ~ never was better satisfied
of any thing in my life, than ain that you are
both wrong. But let us compromise the matter.
I'll agree to this if ever correct child before
it is old enough to receive instruction from pre-
cept, and you do not approve of my conduct, |
will then promise you never to do the like a
gain"
We'll" said Gilbert, "that is fair One more
rule will settle the fundamentals, and we may
safely trust all others to future adidstment.-
Let US never address our children in the non
sensical gibberiSh that is SO universally preva-
lent among parents, and particularly among
mothers. 1t is very silly in the first place, and
1t greatly retards child's improvement, in The
second We're il not for this have NO doubt
children wonld speak their mother tongue as
correctly at four years old, as they do at six
teeu."
Eliza smiled and observed, that this was such
small matter that 1t had also better be left to
future adjustment. To this Gilbert rather re
luctantly assented.
About two months after this conversation,
Gilbert was blessed with fine son; whom he
named John James Gilbert, after the two
grandfathers and hnnselt--a protusion of names
which be had cause afterwards to repent.
Just fourteen months and six days thereafter
he was blessed with fine daughter whom Eliza
named Ann Frances Eliza, after the two grand
mothers and herself.
Fifteen months thereafter he received third
blessing, like unto the first, which he called
George Henry, after two brothers.
Thirteen months and nineteen days after the
birth of George fourth blessing descended up
on Gilbert in the form of fine son. This tool
the name of William Augustus, after two broth
ers OF his wife.
Eliza now made long rest of nineteen months
four days and five hours, q speak from the fam
lily reoord) when by way of amend she present
her husband with a pair of blessings. AS soon
as his good fortune was made known to him.
Gilbert expressed regret that ne had not reserv
ed his own name until now, in order that the
twins might bear bis own name and mime
Seeing his could not be, he bestowed my name
on the first born, aud gave me the privilege o
naming the second As | consider good name
rather to be chosen than great riches, callet
the innomnate after Isaac the great patriarch
and q beloved uncle Of mine.
In this triumphant and laudabe manner die
Mrs. Butler close the list of her sons.
She now turned her attention to daughters
and in the short space of five years produced
three, that Queen might be proud of. Theis
names in the order of their births were Louisa
Rebecca and Sarah. 1t was one of Mrs. Butler.
maxims, if you have anything to do, do it at
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