The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1880-06-10
Parental Duties,

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Careful attention to manners and be-
havior of children is among the most
parental duties; because 80
much of the comfort and happiness of
family. and of friends, depends upon
the department of the younger men,
bers. Only the most gentle firmness
will restrain and guide without making
the teaching CALLING, and q bondage
that leads to deceit.
Respectful demeanorto elders, loving
attention to the wishes of the parents,
the thousand small courtesies that are
claimed for superiors extended to their
young associates and to the servants,
which can only come as the result of
careful parental guidance, are much
less strictly attended to, among a large
proportion of families, than IS desira-
BILE. This neglect, so annoying to all
who are compelled to endure or witness
it, is most injurious to the young.
The beginning of the evil can be
traced to the fact that parents and
teachers seldom realize that they are
under any obligations to treat children
politely. If our children do not see us
practice the politeness which we incul-
cate, why should they believe our pre-
cepts are of any great importance?
Children have as strong claims for civil,
polite attention as their elders have.
Such gentle courtesy as we show to our
friends, or are expected to, if extended
to the children will not interfere with
the respect, Difference or obedience to
parental authority which is desirable
and should be secured. Parents and
teachers, on the contrary, will find an
ample reward if they teach children
good manners by their own example as
wei! as by precept.
Elegant or polished manners are most
desirable. 1t is not easy to define ex-
actly what the term 'good manners
means. There was never any book
which defined it so that one term COM
pretended the whole. But with all,
educated or uneducateds who really
possess this good thing it is very easily
recognized. Many who have never
read page on etiquette, and know not
one of the rules that are expected to be
the "open sesame" into the "bcst
society,"" are beautiful examples of a
wise mothers training. We do not
pretend to describe it, but there is an
indefinable, indescribable something by
which one can usually recognize true
gentleman or lady. Blue blood" or
being born "under the purple" does
not insure it. We think it is the result
of early training, mothers handi-work.
We see many children who act as if
they thought it of no consequence how
they behave at home. They talk loud,
are boisterous when they enter a room,
race UP and down stairs, and call with
loud voices from one story to another,
slamming every door after them until
the noise is like the report of a cannon,
regardless of the great annoyance and
discomfort they inflict upon all in the
house. A visitor at house where such
behavior in children is tolerated would
scarcely recognize them if he met them
away from home, they can then be so
quiet and unobtrusive. But that is not
being refined and polished. True po-
likeness and good manners cannot be
taken on or put off at pleasure. They
must be homemade, instilled into the
minds of the children from the cradle,
to be the pure article. But if it is not
to be sure, even spurious article is
better than none. At least it will be
some relief to those who must witness
the boorishness of their home manners.
Now if parents can teach their chill
drcn that they'must not enter friend s
house and throw off hats, cloaks, or
rubbers anywhere-on the floor, on
chairs, sofas, etc., instead of putting
them in their appropriate places-that
they must not rush noisily about, talk
ing loudly or calling from one end of
the room to the other, that they must
be respectful and deferential to all
when visiting, they surely can teach
them that rude conduct at home is
offensive and reprehensible to the last
degree and in no wise to be tolerated.
Parents can train their children to be
polite at home as well as abroad, and
they are guilty of a great wrong if they
do not accomplish it.
Well-bred persons young or old
will respect the taste, comfort and
pleasure of others, and be quite as
solicitous of securing it as their own.
They will be ashamed to allow any
habit thet would offend the taste or
delicacy of anyone to have control over
them. They are watchful to use no an
moving expressions, to guard or over
come any propensity that will make an
other uncomfortable, such as sharp
words, sarcasm, or repartees that give
pain, and many other little but trouble
some habits. A well-bred person will
not indulge in anything of this kind at
home or abroad. when there is danger
of giving offense to any member of the
family, or friend, who is fastidious and
likely to be hurt by it. In fact, no
book or code for good manners has
ever been written that is 50 safe to fol-
low as the Bible. At home and among
friends or strangers good manners are
simply those actions which spring from
that spirit that suffereth long and is
kind" which "envieth not; vaunteth not
itself; is not puffed up; doth not behave
itself unseemly; seeketh not her owns is
not easily provoked; thinketh no evil. :"
If parents will so teach their children
they will not only add to their. own
comfort a thousand fold, while the lit
tie ones are maturing, but will prepare
them to 90 out from their home, when
they arrive at mans and woman
estate, useful and respected members
of society, blessing and being blessed
5y all.-Mrs. II. w Beecher, IN Christ
ian Union.
THE sclerostama syngan,us is supposed
to be the cause of the affection known
as "gapes' in poultry. Whatever il
may be, no wonder the chicks cape with
such q thing in their Threats.
Foote's Health Monthly for June.
The Arab who invented alcohol dicd
nine hundred years agUs but his spirit