Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1871-08-10

The Book Worm
A Magazine published monthly and de
voted to the reviewing of new Books. ha,
the following on LITTLE Mex, a Move
by louisa M. Alcott, Boston ; Robert.
Brothers.
A charming book for boys, and mo-
without interest for girls, since JOS boys
were some of them girls. The volume is
a defense of schools where the sexes are
mixed in play and study. There is a
law of modification in communication
with others, that should be the study OF
all teachers. This is true not only of the
mental differences, but also of the pecu-
l~iarities of the oppsite sexes. "Haif the
science of teaching is in knowing how
much children do for one another and
when to mix them" The difficulty is.
that circumstance mix them, and not the
careful hand which would rightly adjust
the proportions. The classes are made
by the chance of patronage and not by the
law of Judgment. 1t is easier to dream
ont a set of boys and girls that will help
each other, than to have them apply for
places in your care if you are a teacher.
None could be found to advocate the Sc
parationof the sexes, if the result had
been ALWAYS as perfect as in the tanning of
naughty Nan. the inspiring of dull Daisy.
and the polishing of the rude boys at
Prof. Bharer's. This pooh will help the
cause of mixed schools. Altogether the
Prof. had a delightful combination of
home and school. His was a fatherly
rule. The p~edagogue was lost IN the par
ent. His wife was full of the maternal
love, and stretched her kind wing over
Others than her own brood. She had kiss
es even for Dan, the street boy, which
made him all her own.
= AS there is no pretense to a plot, the
book is not a story. only a recital of brok-
en- phases of the life at Plumield. We
are assured that the oldest things in it
''are the trnest.' Miss Alcott says shat
no person, no matter how vivid an imagi-
nation he may have. can invent anything
half so droli as the freaks and fancics that
originate in the lively brains of little peo-
pie" Books that depict real scenes are
the ever living. Those created by fren-
zied Fancy, die early, as the children of
sickly pareutage. Without a plan, this
volume has a philosophy. 1t is almost
the Young America idea of doing as you
please. 1t is against the usual discipline
of schools and homes. In so far as it
combats harshness and GOODNESS, we sec
ond all its thrusts. The sentiment is true
that .'the warmth o. love and care is the
best climate for young hearts and souls
all the world over" We do not believe
that the roaming, ~dissipating tendency of
youth, is only "the natural desire of all
young people Cor liberty" Dams doc
trine was nearly right, when he said, 'the
fact is, the devil gets into one sometimes"
Whether he cannot be coaxed out of chill
dren more generally than driven, is the
problem of government. In some cases a
sugar plum will cure, and in others birch
rod. So far as this work is to help the
sum of happiness for the youth, we join
with it. We would not tighten a fetter
upon their restless limbs. Let them have
as little constraint and restraint as posi-
bic, but not license to all play and evil.
The professor and his wife did have a
cheerful way of settling fights aud curing
griefs and dividing burdens that made life
at Plumfeld a constant joy. Not a lad
who reads these pages that will not wish
lie had such a place in which to get bis
education. How he viii sigh for a part in
those pillow fights" that ended the
weeks doings. IL vas harmless sport,
and laid a bright edge as a finish on Sat-
urday night. at takes so little to make
a child happy that it is a pity, in a world
full of sunshine and pleasant things, that
there should be any wistful faces, empty
hands, or lonely little hearts" This
book will put FIRE in the eye and joy in
the heart of all its young readers. 1t
viii be well lift does not put mischief in
the head. 1t lisa handy book for those
less ingenious than the scholars at Plum
field. These exposures oftricks are much
like the visit of a circus to a city, which
sets every boy on his head against walls
and fences, doing daring acts, and saping
over the stale jokes of the stupid clown.
they produce limitations. If Plumield is
not repeated in many places. we shall be
unwilling to believe the story told b.
Miss A. of the children who put beans in
their noses because their mother told them
not to do it.