San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1888-06-26
MIND IN CHILDHOOD.
A MYSTERY WHICH is BEYOND
ORDINARY PHILOSOPHY.
Leading Childish Characterization
tiveness to Impressions-A Period Of
Great Mental Activity - Father and
Notwithstanding Questions.


The late Bronson Alcott had many I'M
wholesome ideas that made him Extensively
eccentric, but his reverence for children did
a great deal to redeem his character in
shaping the character of his daughter, to
whom he impaired it. Her best work-and
her best is probably the best of its kinds
the result Of reverent study of child charac-
ter. The subject demands reverence, for it
is true saying of the Romans that the
greatest reverence is the due of children.
The mind in childhood is a riddle-a mystery
beyond all our philosophy. We can no more
tell when or where it begins than when or
where it will end The new born, sentient
being stares with wide open eyes on an I'M
known world It is an utter stranger, in a
strange country, among multitude Of
strange things and strange people. 1t is
scarcely doubtful that it begins to learn;
that its education begins; that the mind in it
begins to develop when the first ray of light
strikes its newly opened eyes, The develop
ment then is rapid. Every object around it.;
every word spoken; every gesture becomes a
part of its education. The very tones of the
voice, high or low, gentle or harsh, make
never to be effaced.
OF all the childish characteristics the most
impressive is wonder-wonder at everything;
at the trees and flowers, at the clouds, the
sun, the moon and the stars; and at the liv-
ing creatures under them. Children, sup
posed to be too young to reason, will spend
hours in wondering at the enigmas of nature;
in forming theories and attempting to ac-
count for things. They ask innumerable
questions, or rather they will, if they are en-
couraged by right answers. A light answer
will not satisfy child, but it may and it
nearly always does discourage further ques-
tions. Young children cannot understand
flippancy; they have no idea of humor OF Of
double meaning. Everything is truth for
them until they have learned that lies exist,
and even then they are very slow in learning
that what seems to be untrue may be all the
truth we have on any subject. If any ques-
ton they may ask on subject which is of
the deepest significance to them is treated as
a commonplace and answered lightly or flip
PANTY, they drew back as from blow.
The mind in childhood is sensitive to all
mpressions-peculiarly sensitive to lack of
application or to ridicule. 1t demands SYM
patty as well as knowledge. There is no
commonplace for it. Its world is new,
strange and awe inspiring, full of wonders
Everything is sublime to it. The religious
sense Of awe and wonder is keen and active.
A child will wonder why the sun rises, why
the trees put on their leaves in spring, why
the birds build nests, why night comes after
day. 1t does not discriminate between sub
jects where all seem OF equal Importance.
Its mind is growing a. the mind of the race
grew. Its mental infancy has many points
of resemblance to the mental infancy Of the
raea It is deeply religious, full Of the faith
that y the complement Of wonder This
faith, this awe, are part Of lie reason, and
during its waking hours its reason Is inces-
sanity setivs II Is constantly called into