St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1880-03-12
Presence of Mind.
BY MRS. HENRY WARD BEECHER.

| of mind which can be depended on Tor
immediate service in the hour of need.
Yet, while all acknowledge its impor-
tance, how few are taught from child
hood to cultivate and practice it. A
large proportion of the accidents which
astonish us by their frequency and ap-
pal us by their frightful results might
have been averted if the sufferers OF
the lookers-on had learned in youth to
exercise this habit. Some, to be sure,
are so cOnstitutiOnally sensitive, or
through infirm health so nervous, that
it may be difficult. but seldom impOssi-
ble, to bring this important acquisition
into their daily lives so perfectly us to
serve them in times of necessity or
danger.
1t is comparatively easy to guide the
young, who are well, into such self
government as will give them the pres
ence of mind needed by every human
being. 1t is a hard task to build up
the weak minded and nervous but in
all cases parents-especlally mothers
are under sacred obligation to labor
patiently and continually, so to lead
their children that sudden disasters OF
coming danger will not shake them OF
prevent the prompt, energetic action
that comes through the established
habit of calm self-government. Parents
must first learn this lesson thoroughly
themselves, so that their teachings will
be indolsed by their daily example.
And the instructions should be pre-
eminently gentle and loving. appealing
first to the children's confidence in their
mothers truthfulness and superior
judgment, and then to the child's good
common sense, quality of which even
very young children have far more than
some mothers suppose.
If child fails in self-control when
alarmed or i'll case of accident, never
reprove it or speak sharply. That " i'll
. only increase the nervousness. But
! whatever may be the mothers own
alarm she must endeavOr to speak qui-
city, calmly and very gently. In an
emergency, if the mother becomes ex-
. cited and screams, probably the chill
3 dren will instantly follow her example
rush about wildly and aimlessly, and
all through want of presence of mind in
d the mother, become so demoralized
: that any sensible action for precautioI
or reliet will be well-nigh impossible.
: Suppose horse takes fright, with F.;
+ lady and perhaps young children in the
carriage. The animal has become un
l manageable, past the lady's control. l
Il the mother also loses all self-control
{ the children will far Outscream her, ant
the horse maddened by the noise, in
creases his speed, and bears his shrek
ing burden to dire disaster, if not to al
d most certain destruction. ThrOugl
y want of physical strength the lady may
find it impossible to control the horse
RVNf hat I
Z strong, able bodied men, who see sucl
precious load in danger, do not come
promptly to the rescue, but run at
safe distance behind the fast recedinl
carriage, goading the horse to fierce
1 efforts by their shouts of "Stop tina
horse! Stop that horse !" instead Of
quickly but silently putting themselves
beside the horse, (never rashly and use.
!, lessly running in 'front.', where they
might possibly grasp the rein or bride
soothe the horse with gentle words, and
,, avert fearful accident by exercising
that presence of mind which goes hand
i'll hand with true courage?
Anyone ahead of the runaway can
, easily, by walking slowly toward the
carriage without shouting or brandish-
ing cane, be almost Instantly 80 near
|
before he can dash by, while others be-
, hind may safely come up to aid in re-
straining him.
But this invaluable quality of mind is
absolutely necessary i'll cases of fire.
} There are some rules that should he
taught every child from earliest child
hood as thoroughly as the Ten Com
mandments. We know it is very easy
| fn
it appears to act upon them when one
sits safely at home, and how different
it must seem if one sees the flames
creeping stealthily through the house,
or still more fearful, if some person is
enveloped in the flames but the more
frightful and urgent the danger, the
stronger the reasons for self-cOntrol and
presence of mind.
The loose garments worn by women
and children expose them to especial
> danger from fire. If the fire starts from
the bottom of the dress, the natural
upward tendency OF the flame soon en-
. velops the whole person, unless by self
control and presence of mind the nee
essary care be taken by the sufferer OIL
some one near, without moments
hesitation. To obey the first impulse,
and open the doors and rush out, is
sure destruction. The only safety is to
; fall down Instantly on the floor and
roll over Oh to the fire, snatching a
woolen shawl or rug, if near, to wrap
round the body. One is comparatively
, safe by rolling over and over, for the
flames will not rise to the face, and the
lungs and breathing will be less likely
to be injured.
Z Those who may be in the room, ol
l may come in, have their work plainly
before them. Keep doors and windows
closed snatch the first woolen thing tC
be found-a table cover-withou
thinking of the works of art on it. Pul
it off! Who cares where the bric-a bra,
y rolls tot 1t is human life in danger
Or snatch a woOlen shawl from a chair
curtain OF rug; anything but tha
: one human form, is valueless. Wrap the
sufferer instantly in something wooden
the coat from your back, if nothing els,
a otfers-and thus closely wrapped rol
! her on the floor i'll the folds. Scores o
lives have been saved in this way
scores lost for want of such immediat,
action.
In case the house is ou fire Their
: should be one captain" if possible
who can lead the less elf-possessed ou
= y OF the burning building. Every door
: window or aperture through which al
can tind entrance should be closely shu
: except during egress.
= There are always eight or ten inche
> OF pure air close to the floor, and if on
J cannot walk erect through the smoke
. he should, as soon as enveloped i
Is some WOolen articla drnn on tb, a.