The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1880-06-19
THE DlsADyANrAeEo OF WEALTH
In the bringing Up OF children.

In the bringing Up Of Children.
London Spectator.
We have no doubt whatever that, in
this generation more especially, the we'll
to-do have much more difficulty in bring.
ing up their children than the strugglers
have. Formerly, this was not SO much
the case, because the necessity for strong
disciplinewass so thoroughly acknowledged
that it was maintained almost without an
effort, and the habit Of obedience was en-.
forced by practically irresistible author.
ity. But the specially Of to-day is to con.
cede freedom in all directions, and es.
pecially freedom to children and those
who are subordinate. Discipline in any
strong form is, among large classes and
over great tracts oil the world, nearly
dead. The bad effect OF that change we
do not mean the change from severity TO
kindness, but the change from studious
government to comparative inattention-
Is very great, but is partly concealed
by the fact that poverty acts as dis
ciplining atmosphere. 1t fixes conditions
igidly.
The girl must learn TO do her own dress
making, or go untidy. The boy must 20
70 work or there will not be enough, and
70 that particular work, for only the rich
have much choice OF occupations. Econ.
my is imperative, for the money Is not
here, and no training In seli.sacrifice acts
laily, hourly, momently, like compulsory
economy: The will is compressed by the
facts OF life, and becomes at once strong
and pliable, like leather. With the rich,
hat discipline is a sent, and cannot be ar
iticially produced; and the young have
only conscious training" in the athletes
.ense, from direct authority, which as we
said, 1t Is the tendency OF the age TO relax.
The result is not only that the passions,
especially the passion Of self-will, growing
90 strong, though that Is so clear as TO
have become truism; but that among
both good and bad certain bonelessness
Il character is apparent, certain indis-
position TO endure, or TO form strong pur-
poses as to the work OF life, q certain want
not so much OF energy as OF decision and
pertinacity. The children Of the strug.
ylers very often fail utterly, either from
inherent defects OF character orm fro in
-urperable obstacles Of position; but more
If them win than the children OF well.off,
and, taken, as body, they have stronger
and finer characters. As their children
grow up, the well.to-do find them
more burdensome, more difficult
20 manage, more troublesome 10
SETTLE" than the poorer do; are more
lnxious for their future and more dis
pleased with their defects OF character and
conduct, which, indeed. from the absence
If the pressure OF circumstances, are much
greater. With the very rich, anxiety
bout their children, crosses OF different
kinds inflicted by them, and their frequent
,Otal failures, make up, we believe, a def
nlte and separate'source Of pain; and even
with the well-of, greatly increase the bur-
len Of life, just At time when burdens
are most anxiously avoided. A man has
not gained much in the struggle OF life
whose children are profigate, babyish,
characterless, or given up to selfshness;
and that ia far more often the lot OF the
-ich than Of the poor, and constitutes at
least one true "pipch OF wealth.