The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1872-08-09
Amusement for the Ynun--

The Importance OF surrounding the
young with cheerful objects is seldom
sufficiently recognized How often is
the nursery the dullest room i'm the
house, Ii should be the most cheerful,
and have, both literally and figuntive-
~, a sunny aspect. Al its contents
should have a lively air The walls
should be painted of a bright color, and
the carpet be of Il pattern noticeable by
the distinctness of its figures or the
warmth Of its tint COlored pictures of
a bright, objective character, large rep
resentations of animuls-dogs. horses
and farn-yard, and groups of ruddy
boys and girls, lcphanls-cheerful
scenes of the field and playing and mer-
ry-making, should he 80 hung on all
sides as to attract the sight and ami
mate the spirits Of the little inhabitants
OF the nursery. Their eyes and ears
should be, rs far rs possible, Kept closed
TO all scenes and relations Of horror and
cruelty. The excitement Of the natural
terror of the child at darkness and soli-
tude must be carefully avoided, and no
threats of summoning ghosts, bogies,
old witches or other monsters. 50 fearful
to the childish imagination, should ever
he permitted.
With increasing age youth finds in
the companiOnsEip of its fellows the So
ciety which is essential to its happiness
and acquires that knowledge of the ira
dictionary games Of bOyhOOd and girl
hood which is an endless source of gai-
ety and pleasure. The top, ball, mar
bles, tag, leap-frog, hare and hounds
prisoners base, and many other amusc-
ments OF the young, with their varied
inducements to active exercise Of the
body and enlivening influences upon
the animal spirits, have a value TO the
child proved by the experience of all
time and all countries. We regret,
however, TO learn that rs they involve
n certain rOughening and dirtying Of
the hands, reddening of the face, and
disheveling of the hair, and unquestiOn-
able wear and tear of the clothes, many
parents discouutenance them. They are
denounced by the Over-Tefned rs the
games of the rude children Of rude
age, and rs not genteel enough for the
nicer offspring of modern civilization!
They undoubtedly afford the young just
that combination of mental excitement
and physical action i'm which they de-
light, and from which both mind and
body receive so much benefit. We
therefore decide, without much hesita-
ton, i'm the case of fine clothes as.
htdithg anu hdppS tilllultilf leaving
the fine clothes, rs the lawyers say, we
believe, "tO be cost for damages"
Parents should not only encourage
their children to play these famous old
games out OF doors, but make abundant
provision for their childreu's amuse-
ment at home. Knowing the prejudice
against cards, which, perhaps, from the
bad company they are often associated
with, is not very unreasonable, we do
not venture 10 commend absolutely
their use. Children, however, we must
say, take, according to our experience, n
greater and more constant interest in
these "de'irs books" as the Scotch
minister terms them, than in almost
any other game, and this without the
stimulus OF gain. Their aspect, which
[ is ordinarily bright and cheerful, entices
l the youthful eye, and the various
changes and combinations the cards adj
NIT of are unceasing prOvocatiOns to
their curiosity. Without cards, how
ever, there are draughts, chess, domi-
noes, and home billiards, to which, we
| believe, the most scrupulOus do not now
/ object. Parents and guardians should
be careful to supply these games and
whatever else may conduce to the inno-
cent amusement OF children. -Haype,'.
/ Bd-Or.