American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1875-10-30
Bows During Vacation.

It is not TO schools that we ought to
look for the practical and primary educa-
ton which is imperatively necessary for
bows who are TO make their own way in
the world in this country or in the colo
MES 1t ought to he given at home, prin-
cipally before they go 10 school but partly
during the long vacations, which are now
the rule No doubt the boys will grum-
Bile at having to work in the holidays,
which are all too short for the amount of
listless loungin and busy idlencss which
must be crammed into them. Still the
wise parent will not let them pass away
unmproved. A few walks and talks will
draw out and satisfy the 9 honest curios-
ity'' ALWAYS to be encouraged in young
people No boy will object to learn how
to distinguish faint from a fit, how to
tie up wound or recover person from
drowning, how to put out fire or sew on
a button, knock in nail or make salad.
In short, the eXigencies of picnic or
journey may provide him with resources
to be developed afterward beside bush
fire at the antipodes, in shipwreck,
under the guns of an enemy or at COM
petitive examination. 1t can do him no
harm TO have a clear idea as to the rela-
tive position of the Prime Minister and
the leader of the opposition, and TO know
the difference between bluebell and a
buttercup, a crocodile and alligator, a
barrister and n solicitor. 1t is also dcsir
able that he should be able to come into a
room without slouching and 10 hand a
lady chair with politeness. He will
find that the power to sing simple tune
at sight and join in rational converse
ton will not take much from the pleas
ures of life nor prevent his being able to
catch a ball or a salmon. A few weeks
will often suffice to teach a mere infant
the notes of music and their places on the
piano. II is amusing to watch the rays OF
delight which beam from the faces of the
children at the kindergartens when they
are asked to sing something. Then, too,
the use of a needle and thread is as easily
learnt by a boy as girl; he does not in
stinctively feel that there is anything ri
diculous in the employment of sewing,
and the accomplishment is sure to come
in usefully in many ways. Every sailor
knows something about it and does not
think himself Miss Molly in conse-
quence.
One of the best things young man can be
INDUCED in is ataste. twill save him from
the eanui which might drive him to gam
bling or undesirable company. Few boys
with a real love for some science or art
ever come to much harm. The intelli-
gcnce developed in child who collects
specimens of stone or birds nests, learns
to cultivate garden, or to carve a piece
of wood, will make him better man of
business, or help him in a profession, as
the case may be. A few hyacinth bulbs
to nurse, a fern-case to water, some flow
ers to arrange, will give a feeling of home
even to a dingy London lodging, but the
love of flowers, like many other things,
must be learned in childhood. Tastes are
not, as a rule, exorbiiantly expensive;
they are certainly very much cheaper than
vices. A very moderate percentage of an
income judiciously laid out will soon Sc
cure an excellent library. 1t is surprising
how small sum would suffice for the
purchase of every standard work worth
having. The most famous private libra
ries cost their owners nothing in COM
parison with the price of few race
horses. Pictures judiciously selected are
not an extravaganza to those who can at
ford them. Any collection made with
knowledge and love of the subject IS al
most sure to be worth at least what it cost.
The time occupied in collecting is in many
instances rescued from being employed in
idleness or frivolity.-London Saturday
RerieD.