New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-11-06
RFNDIVG THE Nv 10.

The English papers, with the opening OF the
Fall term of schools a few weeks ago, dis
cussed. with gravity which to Americans
seemed utterly disproportionate to the sub
jcct. the proper amount of spending money to
be given 10 boys while at school. IL appears
a trivial matter TO Americans, because We,
less than any other people, estimate money at
its true value 1t is with the masses, the one
means to comfort caste distinction. and power.
Hence if we have none, We work, save, STINT
ourselves professionally TO gain it, when we
have it, we fling it about more recklcssly than
any other people on the globe. AS for edu-
eating our boys TO understand its proper use,
that Is an idea which occurs to but few. When
n man is straitencd in means he will not give
his son quarters to spend on candy or
balls; when his pocket is full "Why should
"he deny tho dear boy anything in reason !"
Now, these dear boys should learn with their
textbooks few practical lessons about
money and how can they learn them ii they
have none at all this week, and the next too
much? Yet il il of much more Importance Tor
them to know that economy brings comfort,
and waste want, than the date of C1sars
birth or the private history Of all the English
kings. You are not going to teach them these
lessons either out of Poor Richards Almanac,
but out of their own pockets. Give them
certain sum weekly for spending money, to
he absolutely their own. whese disposal You
will not question or NEEDLE with. Fix the
sum at what amount you please, pennies or
dollars; but once fixed, let it be unal-
tcrable. No matter what your necessi-
ties, pay thu boys their allowance; no
matter what their desires or ertreaties, do
not increase il 10y fraction. The amount OF
course, should DO determined by the income of
the parent and tho habits of life to which the
child is accustomed but it would he a sale rule
to lay down that after the fond father has
settled on the sum he thinks proper, he should
cut it down Just one-half. American children
are bred spendthrilts by the universal habit of
roo great Indulgence. This pocket-money once
given should not be trcnched upon to buy the
boy his clothes, food, or any other necessary
which The parent should provide. Ii is his 10
he wisely spent, boarded. or squandored, as he
plcases The habits OF the bots with whom
fine child associates. too, should be taken into
account in graduating this sum. 1t should be
as nearly as possible equal to that OF his
comrades. 1t il just "a unwhocsome dlaci-
pline for child 10 feel the slDgs and arrows
Of outrageous poverty to be pulled mp with
n consciousness, of superior wealth among his
fellows. III either ease he is taught that
social importance and rank depend on the pos
session of money ard not on real essentials
The 10y dressed il velvet while his comrades
wear cor,luroys, and the boy whose patches
and bare feet draw ridicule on him, have both
learned snobbisl. false views of life which
will he ant 10 influence them until their heads
are c1ay. II the Dir, 81 and expenditure of
your bows classmates arc such as would be
extrayagant for him, remove him to another
school. The idea of social rauk given by
money should never be allowed adinittance 10
IL chds brain.
In addition to tie stated spending money, il
is useful to allow children 10 earn small sums,
not by Specializing or sharp practices, but by
downright honest work. Give the boys land
girl4 too. il they want it) a box of tools, and
let them do the little jobs of glazing and car
pcnter work about the house, and be paid for
il in proportion to the quality OF the work. II
q man does not learn before he is fifteen that
be has hands and can use them, he is not
likely TO find IL out aftcrward, and the human
being who works with his head only is a very
incomplete machine. In short, il Is the future
man we shOuld consider in Our boys, even in
the matter of nail-driving, OF money for mar
bles and peanuts.