Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1885-09-17
Farm and Home.
Nursery Government.

Frightening chillren j. a sin Of life
long consequences. Il J. not INDUCED in
to the extent that once prevailed, hut it i
still altogether too common. aud
will be reprchcusible 20 long rs one in
stance remains. The executive branch
OF nursery government must usually
bear the responsibility for this great
wrong. Mothers. the attendants Of
children. and others who undertake to
regulate their conduct. ignorant Of the
true method OF government, save labor
aud do the matter up quickly by terriiy-
ing the timid Youngsters into obedience.
II the vagaries ot maternal government.
endless prohibitions are announced. and
in the case Of many mothers. their en-
torcemcut i only a question either Of
bodily punishment or of playing upon
the fear Of the child; and while love
commands the avoidance Of the inhiction
Of physical pain. even brief. it does not
realize the long mental pain that comes
from terror.
The little child runs out Of the house
to play upon the grass, perhaps and
her mother, who has forbidden this a
score 81 times OF more. thinks Of that
Interesting. useful and harmless, creature
that has awakened the child'> curiosity
and craving for knowledge. the toad.
and horriGe- the child with an accoun;
Of the danger, ot being near the animal.
The effect If TIL, iuexcusablc deception
l. lar reaching, though it does not accom-
phsh even what the mother intended
The ohjec; j, to keep the child at the
mothers lee, but the little one !, Jul;
as likely 10 stray as before The child
however. VIII b. Kept from going where
loads are for many wears. the very
place where children should play and
lay the foundations ofthat robust health.
wiihou; which lite cannot be happy.
Moreover tho Child who i a loving IN
ves;i.ator Of nature, j. repealed from
one Of IL creations tina; i commonly
found very Interesting III early age and
still again. thu child j. given d tear-a
horror. perhaps-at the -ighi o.. the toad
that lat, for YEAR. and even when
sense comes with age al antipaihv i
likely IL remain. We are 10; pleading
that toad. be given to children for play
things. Int there j. uo reason why chill
lreu should uo; be told al about them.
Faithfully. and be allowed to watch them.
Tho case, however, J. mentioned by
way ot illustration, a. typical Of many
others. and VA. brought to mind by the
conduct Of certain mother who has 50
frightened her little girl about toad-
that thcpoor little thing runs and scream.
III an agony q terror at the sigh, Of the
harmless. hopping animal.
The mon>,ruus, horrible lies that are
told children to make them obedient by
working upon their fears are numbered
by scores. Nuch children are easily
identified. for they are almost raralyzed
when they sec the strangely crawling
snake a rat or q mouse. 81 interesting
habits. may sei them into commissions
tnat charming feature OF the country.
the woodland. where many happy
hour NAV be spent j. the home Of bears
that live on innocent little children that
Interesting object. the worm. about
which Darwin wrote a whole volume.
causes a -hulder Of rcpul,ion; and
variou, other creations of nature that
children love - be told about become
sources % the keeuest pain. We once
knew a mother who tried 10 govern her
children by telling them that the old
man Will be after vou;" il consequence
ot This. in fear and trembling. they
stunned all old men-tho-e fellow-be-
lugs Of ours who are particularly fond of
children. Young people grow out Of
some OF these fears IN time. but manv
OF them haunt them through life. The
most lasting Of these are caused by
peopling darkness with ghosts. hobgob-
lins and dangerous men. thereby filing
with terror the darkness Of night,
whether outdoor or IN the unlighted
room OF house.
When the euormitv Of all this deceit
Is realized il seems horrible that little
innocent children should be made to
suffer so keeuly tor many years. aud
this. too. at the hand, of loving mother,
and friends. There i. mine of in
terestius knowledge in nature Tor the
young folks, who have thorough love
for it. il uurcpre->ed but deceive them.
lie to them. till them with agonies Of
fear. and the works Of God become
failures. il not affections. Association
with nature, which should be highly
pleasurable. becomes repulsive, and the
perpetrators Of these great wrongs must
fall in the honor and esteem of the vic
tins when they arrive at the age at
which they shall pass Judgment.
realize the deceit, and discern the origin
Of the still lingering fears.-Good
housekeeping.