The comet. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1877-1882, 1880-06-19
g The Proper study of Mankind Is''
Children.

"The greatest reverence is due I,
youth, not for what he is, but fo
what he is to be; and the child SHOULD
bestow upon the parents reverence
courtesy and love. Where these feel
ings are not reciprocated all is chaoi
and discord;" so says Juvenal
What mother of any perception who
has reared family, has not witnessed
the different traits of character in hel
children? Some have low, cunning
evasion of everything like sincerity
and honesty, which should never be
overlooked, but instantly eradicated
like the poisonous weed, before it has
become too deeply rooted. 1t is this
trait that causes Jack by specious
language to cheat Tom of his first
Barlow, and when Tom percieves he
has been defrauded, he camors in
wrath and Indignation for justice
Jack sits silently, the picture OF in
jured innocence, and Tom gets the
punishment and loses his knife, be-
cause that prudent parent "does not
like TO have a fuss made about things"
1t is rs common with women as with
men. 1t is this that makes man OF
narrow mind and tiinty heart tiatter
and caress Others only to make them
subservient to him; he is persistent,
and scorning all consideration but self,
will do and dare everything to attain
his cherished object. He carries his
same caution into every department. of
life, and even his smiles are ambiguous,
for his thoughts are not to be told by
any change in his countenance. He
takes advantage of high and honor
able feelings as well as the vain and
weak, and estimates everyone by the
number of services they can render
him. AS soon as he accomplishes
what he desires and finds nothing
more to be gained, he is unmindful Of
all the kindnesses he has received, and
unblushly declares that he was the
bestower instead of the recipient. This
tact or cunning, or whatever you may
please to name it, in public men, is
often mistaken by the superficial for
talents of the highest order. 1t has
more to do in forming the character
of man than any other quality of the
mind. Where it predominates, it is
an evil and scourge to all who come
under its influence. 1t causes men to
plot and contrive for their individual.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT and selfish ends, and
incites equity ambition along its
bloody track" though it bring to the
many poverty and destruction, desc
latiOn and unutterable agony, as we
all have trlly felt. But when it is
associated with exalted genius, and
under the control of unselfishness, and
high and honorable principles, it be-
comes sagacity, and conveys an idea
of grandeur and power, which is as
simulated, and approaches nearer than
anything on earth to Supreme intel
ligence. Blended with gnanimity,
generosity, and all the controlling in
fuences of correct motives, it arms the
hand of the high and noble sternly to
resist the meanly selfish ana design
ing. Children are but embryo men
and women; a blank sheet on which
to write much that is useful and beau
tiful a twig though bent and gnarled,
may, by ceaseless care and watchful-
ness, grow to comely tree. Parents,
open your eyes and look to your chill
drcn. Do not punish them when you
are angry, for that would be injudi-
cious, and only excite the bad passions
of your child. Never indulge them in
that would be hurtful to
them when they are grown, or iniure
their character as men or women.
Teach them self-denial, or you or some
body will surely suffer. No corpOreal
it was meant for beasts,
(mules, for instance who do not I'M
derstand our language. Children can
more than has been
dreampt of in the philosophy of many
people. Treat your chill
lren with reverence, that is, talk to
them, reason with them; teach them
good manners, which is essential to
our happiness, and lead their minds in
the way of rectitude and honor, and
teach them that labor is ennobling.
Keep them from evil associations as
much as in your power, mot meaning
heir playmates, but men from whom
hey learn to swear and drink liquor,)
lntil their habits are formed; guide |
hem with Christian tenderness and
owe. This is the reverence due to |
and if they are forgetful of
I'll the thoughtfulness and love you
nave felt for them, console yourself
still with that imperishable maternal
owe. Whether they make good and |
Useful members of society or the re-
verse, feel that you have done the
pest you could. Some are by nature
70 pure and conscientious they need
10 restraint; but because tin Will not
make "A silver cup, is no reason why
he cup should not be kept clean.
Dear little children, the lilies of the
'alley of life, their offences are small,
md there is not one i'm hundred but
would, by discreet training and good
make good, true, and virtu-
us men and women. Fathers, re-
member when you eat your grapes,
'Ou put your childrcn's teeth on edge"
'recious' little ones, the glory of
Ieaven Has He not said "suffer
title children to come unto me, and
)rbid them not, for Of such is the
Kingdom of Heaven" II. n. J.
CLINTON, Miss, June 6, 1850.