Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1871-04-28
The ChiIdren,s Land.

One of the first things that strikes
the attention of an American In Ger
many, when he begins to get little in
sight into the life of the people, is the
equality and sympathy existing be-
tween parents and children. In no
country do parents take more pains,
and likely not so much, to enter into
the very hearts and lives of their chill
dren than here. They very early make
them acquainted with their plans, talk
with them as to older people, never go
on an excursion or journey without
them, and search everywhere for what
ever will minister to their amusement
and instruction. In no home would l
sooner expect to find father turning
himself into horse, an elephant, or a
barrel on his parlor floor, for his chill
dren to ride him, roll him over, or do
with him what they please, than IN a
German one-and the clergyman's as
soon as any other. There are probably
five juvenile household games in Ger
many to one anywhere else, and the
parents exercise a wise discretion by
having frequent entertainments for
their children, and providing every
thing possible for the amusement OF all,
to make their home the most attractive
spot on earth for the little folks. The
child that asks question is not met
with a blurt answer, but with such a
.reply-as pleasant and instructive as
the parent knows how to give-as natur-
ally promotes other inquiries and gives
stimulus to the mind.
One of the causes of the equality be-
tween the old and young here lies IN
the fact that the child, at any rate the
eldest boy, is expected to follow his
fathers business, and must early share
his plans. The same house, the same
employment, and / should not at all
wonder if sometimes the same genera
tons of customers, are identified with
the same family and name, to the de-
fance of changes of governments, from
century to century. if Luther and
Melancton should rise from the stone
floor of the old Castle church in Wit
tenberg, and be under the necessity Of
of going shopping together, it would not
be unlikely that they could buy books,
stationery, clothing, and groceries, and
get every want supplied, at about the
same shops that they patronized three
hundred years ago.
But there is far deeper cause.-the
Germans love children, and the more
they have the greater their joy. So
soon as another is added to the number,
the father is expected to communicate
by letter the fact to all his near and re-
mote relatives and friends, and in due
time he has every reason to expect con-
gratulatory letters from them in return.
The fact is stated in the papers, and
then more letters come. The little
stranger is fairly smothered with pres
ents. When the baptism comes, which
is expected to take place within a very
weeks after birth, great feast is given,
and friends come from far and near.
Each is expected to bring gift of some
kind, usually money, which is imme-
diately put out at compound interest for
the future benefit of the little recipient.
The pastor makes an address, the Bible
is read, prayer is offered, the ceremony
performed, prayer again, and then eat
ing and drinking and conversation
| DR.. Hurst in Methodist