The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-08-19

The new book published by George L.
Pntnams Sous under the title II Oher Peoples
Cht't-en is the most carefully finished Of the
five works which the author has offered Us
during the past year. The writer is too modest
in conccding that his books are no part ~ lit
crature. rs the word is defined Il, present. for
the present performance. at all events. il dc-
cidedly artistic Neither can It be said that It's
predecessors bore many marks u hasty execu-
tion. a fact which is now accounted for by the
statement that most Of them were partially or
wholly completed before the story Of " Bulge
and "Toddic" gained much attention. Al
though Wa cannot expect young mothers to
agree with "a. Wa are Of the opinion that the
amount of literary entertainment To be- extract
ed from babies is tolerahly limited. and with the
volume before Us. We presume tho vein in
which the author won his first success may boz
considered as worked out. Happily. the Scrip
ture club" can ho taken a. an earnest that this
anonymous writer has both the Will and the
power TO handle larger canvas.
American readers do not need 10 be- told that
tho student If Hccns Babies " il a humorist.
but 1t may not Doe amiss to mark what new and
true things. sometimes profound things he
con'rives 10 say JOeo,cly. Under the fun and
sparkle of this book runs STR am of shrewd
suggestion and homely wisdom which ought to
make il sort 81 household friend. Indeed.
the popular theories respecting the MANAGE
mcnt Of children. and the lauEhahle failures
attending their api llcatlon viii ia are set forth
In the greater part Of the book, constitute %
most effective Illustrate n ~ th roj1oio al
aisiuriuu. These vulgar hut universal fala'ies
having been thus exploded in the one decisive
way, the author SECURES artistic completeness
hy utrodu ing 1T the proper moment the right
COM cption If parental dutg> This. We ncrl not
l.. A. - lUf in
tho saline tone Of pleasant badinage which Guar
acto RIGS the volume.
It H. to this final chapter that wa would draw
special attention Tic writer points outthroush
the mouth of ono Of his characters that 1t Is a
particularly dreadful thing to be- imposed upon
10y a child be,uu-" We. of course. never IMPOSE
on children. We never give them unfair an
swers, arbitrary commands. uuknd rc,tric-
/ tioms simply 10 save ourselves n little extra
/ labor or thought. Again. be- does not alto
/ grthrr rcpuiiatr tho traditional maxim that
children should learn 20 obey. hut. on the whn'o.
he would rather they should not Ii at the
/ same time they must loarn-aS in general They
/ can't help do.ng-that obedience is imposed
1 more Tor the henciit of their chlrrs than them
SELVES. Children, in other worls-ninetv- mine
/ one hundredth- Of tnrm at icaSt-ure treated as
necessary nuisauces 10y their parents. No
/ doubt the good fathers aud mothers would be-
| Mortified 10 realile this truth. ENon when il
accidentally presents ii-clf-as it often must to
any one with heart and hcad-ils app ar
anro is so uupleasins and perplrNins
that they promptly take refuge in ira
/ dlti0n. We're they not brought up IN tho
! same way? 1t is 10 be- sure, the application oi
| the same rule that has always mud the cN-
slave the cruco-t Of oycrscers and the rN-sor-
want tho worst Of masters but such comparisons