The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1876-05-10
Sensitive Children.

| There are children SO delcately organised,
so sensitive, that they feel every shade of
tone in the voices of those about them, of
manner in those they come in contact with,
every variation of temperature, of electrical
condition in the atmosphere, and answer, like
the wind harp, to every vibration that sweeps
across them. Surrounded by agreeable as
sociations, cushioned by appreciative love,
such children are lovely and beloved; but
contact with everyday life is apt to make
them ill-natured and unhappy, and dispose
them to shrink into the solitudes of their own
consciousness, to fancy that they are misun-
derstood and unappreciated and that the
world is all against them. Thus feeling they
grow up morbid, at war with themselves and
with circumstances. If the mother of Lord
Byron had exercised over him mild, uni
form, benignant influence, and taught him
by precept and example how to restrain bis
temper, how to regulate his life according
to sound principles of morality and virtue,
how to direct the energies of his nature, he
would never have become the Lord Byron
we know.
Extreme constituencies in children may be
either misfortune or an advantage, accord.
ing to the influences which are brought to bear
upon them. 1t always will be source of
pain to them no less than pleasure. A
wise and judicious parent may cause what,
in extreme youth, appeared infrmity and
blemish, to become the source Of lifelong
advantage. A hasty temper is the prevail
ing fault of sensitive children it is their
quick, involuntary protest against whatever
of'ends them, and it should be treated with
moral medication, and as tenderly as de.
formed foot or curvature of the spine
Little by little self-control can be taught, an
infltration of such ideas and motives and
sentiments made in the child's mind as will
enable him to outgrow and overcome his in
trinity. Fear is another form in which ex-
treme senstiveness manifests itself, and this
weakness can be conquered only by persis-
tent, judicious, and patient management
So of other weaknesses. Time cures great
many things; children outgrow inirmities
and faults, and if right principles of action
and feeling are instiled gently, constantly,
wisely, the results will ultimately appear
1t is mere cruelty to made the weak point
of child source of teasing and ridicule,
as is too often done in schools and families.
If he is born with a deformed foot, with de-
fective sight or hearing, how careful are we
to try and make up to him what nature has
denied A defect in ones mental or moral
organisation should certainly be as tenderly
and judiciously treated as bodily deform-
I-Yr;csz----rPp--55 60 .inn=-
rous or teasing disposition, requires.far more
tact and judicious management than any
mere physical nfrmity. When grown to
our sensitive children become the
poets, musicians, artists, writers, leaders of
their time. The very capacity to hear and
see and feel by all physical sense and all
spiritualntuition, is the source of their pow
er, and without it they would be forever un-
distinguished from the common herd, who
having eyes, see not, having ears hear not
and whose understanding is darkened.-N
Y. Tribune.