Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1873-10-02
Ghildreu's department.
[Original
ASSOCIATES.

1t is very difficult to estimate the influence
which the different members of the human
family have upon each other. Man is a
creature of habit, and he is also an initiative
being. Such is his nature, that he becomes,
in every respect, like those with whom he as
sociates. During the early portion of our
existence, we do nothing but initiate Others
Children learn to talk like those with whom
they associate. The sound Of the voice is
like those with whom they are brought in
daily contact. The accent of the words is the
same, and the mode of expression is identical.
The voice of children often is so like that Of
their parents, that it is difficult to distinguish
the one from the other. No doubt this is
due, in part, to the natural con6guration of
the organs of speech; but the greater part Of
it is merely artificial. The only natural Ian
guage which man possesses, is laughing and
crying and the only sounds which he would
make, if left to himself, are those which are
made by persons when laughing or crying
If it were possible to raise child under cir
cumstances in which it would hear nothing
but the barking and growing of dogs, ii
would bark and growl like them. Children
initiate not only the language, but the walk,
the gestures of the body, and the manners
and customs of those with whom they associ'
ate There may be, and no doubt often is
something in the structure of some persons
bodies that causes them to have a peculiar
gait; but imitation plays no insignificant part
in the manner in which an individual walks
This is often strikingly illustrated.
A boy is sent off to college. He goes from
backwoods community and comes in con-
tact with men of refinement in every respect
If the boy is endowed with full share Of
what is called imitativeness, he will present
very different appearance, when he comes
home at the end Of the term, from what he
presented when he left home. He will be SO
changed that his own mother will scarcely
recognize him. The features of his face will
be changed, the mode of carrying his hands
will be different, and when he walks he will
present the appearance of new man. Wheth-
er he has made much progress in books or
not, unless he is exceedingly stupid, the ga'ok
will be pressed out of him.
The capability to initiate is very weakly
developed in some persons, and consequently
it takes long time to produce change upon
them in any respect. In others, the power is
so strong that they can initiate anything
they may see or hear. 1t is stronger in all
persons in youth, and almost ceases to exist
as old age comes upon us. In the latter part
of life we can do little more than practice
what we have learned in childhood and youth.
1t is evident that no one can be too care
full with respect to the character of those with
whom he associates. Morally, we become
like those with whom we keep company, and
our destiny will generally be the same as
theirs Every child should be kept out OF
bad company, and induced to associate with
good company. The child that gets its own
way with regard to its associates, will get a
crook in its nature and disposition which it
will be hard to straighten. The young man
who is permitted to 60 when and where his
inclination may lead him, and to associate
with any and every body he pleases, will soon
cover himself with infamy, and his poor par
ents with shame.