Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-11-28
THE MODERN CHILD.
Too Knowing for Anything, Too Wise
for His Parents.

| II in the former dayso Of New England children
were repressed and kept in the background,
surely to-day that objection cannot be brought
forward. On the other hand, our children east
and west are nowadays encouraged to speak
their minds" their opinions are listened to,
and often their advice asked as if their ex-
perience were fully equal, il not superior, to
that Of their elders. While the former method
had its serious drawbacks, our modern custom
certainly has its disadvantages.
The pretty little golden-haired girl toward
| whom your heart inclines as she enters YOUR
friends sitting-room, fresh from her bath,
rather checks your ardor when. in answer to
your "How do you do, my dear?" she answers
II don't do at all. but feel pretty WELL" and
mods her head and looks at you as ifwaiting for
proachfully, why, Maidie, darling!' but smiles
Tho little boy of another acquaintance is
reading. You ask him if he is fond Of stories and
in certain famous books, mention them. "6h,
they're rather -patronizingly-''b he
made two or three mistakes I noticed;" or,
''That book liked very well, but the last half
has too little adventure, and the hero grows
rather stale on your hands" You open your
eyes, and think Of the labor spent and unusual
talent displayed in these particular books, and
have some curiosity to know what book the
| boy does like. You ask rather timidly in re-
gard to this, that and the other, but all have
their faults and drawbacks, and are dissected
| coolly and critically. The mother, who enters
before you are through, says: YES Stephen is
SO quick to see all defects in the books that he
reads. His teacher says it is very remarkable
in so young boy. and shows unusual quick
ness of perception" You say nothing but the
| thought will intrude itself. is not the loss of
warm enthusiasm and keen delight over a book
] and author something? Will even such WON
derful precociousness make up for this loss?
We remember that even the great Macaulay
dearly loved certain not very fine works of fc-
| ton. and could not see their faults. 1t rather
| comforts US to think of this. We remember
how our childish heart glawed over some noble
action, and how we longed to be better our
selves after reading of it.
child of an acquaintance of the writer sat
| in the room during call. After the visitor
| left the child said immediately: THAT lady
made one mistake in grammar while she sat
| there. and mispronounced two words" quoting
them. The same evening she overhears her
mother saying to the father: ut is remarkable
how Elsie notices mistakes in language; it
| seems to jar upon her sensitive as dscord
| affects musician" The child fancies herself
at once an exception and marvel, and prides
herself upon it accordingly. How much better
| if that mother had said to the child after her
criticism upon her caller: ''Yes; but my dear,
Is that all you noticed? Just think of failing to
hear that beautiful account Mrs. Clare gave of
her trip down the st. Lawrence, and of the won
derful work OF the Children's Aid Society.
You see you only half heard these, and they
were worth many little slips in language, how
ever important they may be-"
We remember, too, the little child who, amid
chorus of admiring relatives urging him on,
goes the length of calling his grandfather an
extremely offensive nickname The mother
exclaims: "Oh, FreddyI' in a shocked voice.
but Freddy hears mamma and aunts repeating
1t to callers next day amid peals Of laughter.
Freddie thinks he is an extremely bright boy,
and longs for another opportunity of display
ing his smart speeches.
The young girl from school enters the par
lor as you and the mother are discussing mat
tiers OF keen interest to you. Laura seats her.
sell, after bestowing on you good-humored
nod OF recognition. and Immediately joins in
the conversation. II she interrupts no mat
ter. Her mother turns to her and waits to
hear her opinion first. 1t gives the girl ease
in conversation; and timid girls are so awk-
ward and uninteresting! Your talk is inter-
rupted, your little chat with your friend, to
spoiled. and you leave, wondering if you are
growing cross and critical, or what is the mat
ter2
Two little sons of a very wise and learned
professor returning from church, the sermon
which was q very earnest and eloquent one. is
discussed at the dinner table, when the eldest
boy says: '.Clayson and 1 counted five mis-
takes he made, and we didn't think he amounted
to very much"
Then there is the child on the street car and
railway train, showing off for the benefit of the
passengers, and this is not always the child of
vulgar, common people, but of the so-called
upper classes" And, as rule, their efforts
are not checked, but encouraged by a sweet but
silly smile.
Nothing can be, nothing is, lovelier than
sweet. bright young girls, or than natural,
even if faulty, children, but do not let us en-
courage them to be sharp and pert. Very few
young Americans need such encouragement
Rather do they need the restraint and whole
some neglect of mother and friends. Thus
without being whit less bright and observing
they may gain the grace of modesty, and that
inconsistencies than which nothing can be
more charming and attractive.