The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-05-26
JULIA WARD H0WE,s "CHLDu00D !.

Lecture Before the New York Reform League.
Mrs. Julia Ward Howe read an essay on child
hood before large audience at Chickering Hall
yesterday. She commenced her essay by quoting
the 10th verse OF the 18th chapter OF Matthew
'Take heed that We dispise not one OF these little
ones; for say unto You that In heaven their angels
do always behold the face OF my Father which is in
heaven.r
Something, she said, called her from her books
that morning TO that great gospel OF nature whose
texts are not IN measured words and which had no
traces OF metaphysical prejudice or prediction.
The beauty OF the summer made present to her the
beauty OF those
BLOSSOMS or HUMANITY
whose fair promise, alas was but nalf fulfilled In
human lite. Only the angels could realize what the
child foreshows but canDot bring 10 pass. She
Knew friendly house IN which her own portrait Of
thr &C years OF age was preserved. She ptied that
little being win Its tiny HAIR, steady eyes ana
pressed mouth she had wronged IT, IL had not
come under her guidance 10 what IL should have
been. she had tried 10 give her children the help
sne could not give he self. She hoped TO repay to
things she unwngly left wanting TO her children.
The rich, she said, neglected their children IN many
respects. Their children were well lodged and cared
for aud were under what was deemed sufficient
tuclage. From these very houses nevertheless,
came forwari youths and maldens VINO make US
donbt whether Darentage be not after all a myth.
The attentions which
THE CHILDREN or THE RICH
receive were 100 OitcU III SNOWY dress,
nvipg and habits N ldeness, which made her think
now NOBLE and sauary seemed the spirit OF Spartan
education. In what, she asked nad the state as
deep an interest az In the training OF It's children
Why should the children or the rich be excluded from
ls benevolent supervision They OF all needed IT the
most She next alluded TO the sutferlngs Of children
from the dressing OF their hair the children were
trained 10 be useless members OF society; there was
an outwardness OF aim fatal 10 intelligence aud
moraliy. the children OF the rich sometimes suffer
what the poor do not by the heartlessness and trick
cry OF wicked nurses and the Incompetence or ipno-
rant ones. The more closely womans lunctonywaa
limited to the mere birth and maternal care OF her
offspring the more nearly waslfe assimlateI 10 tfat
OF the lower animals. According 10 present theo.
RES the two great Ideals,
THE PRACTICAL AND THE SPIRITUAL
the state and the Church, are lor man TO build
and administer. In the one woman was TO be a
subject while all else were sovereigns. Something
VI The anti-maternal instinct OF The present daY
sprung from The enforcement OF this superiority or
function and position. Mrs. Howe next alluded TO
children born out Of wedlock, 10 the sad welcome
which they receive and TO the unwilling preparation
made for them. Marriage was not appointed WITH
out grave reasons ana noble ends; but woman's
chld, however she came by II, was the gift OF God,
and should be cared for as such. Whatever feml-
nine attributes woman may have lost, let her nc
least she said. Keep the crown Of wonanbood I'M
sullied.