Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-04-24
Tho Benefit of Learning to Dance.

Tho Benefit of Learning to Dance.
''They all show decided talent for draw
ing. which they are cultivating. They also
take dancing lessons. Dancing is such good
exercise for all parts of the body and, too, it
teaches them to walk and to carry them
selves well. Light calisthenics are also ex-
tain time every day.
'They keep early and regular hours al
ways. They get up early in the morning,
20 to bed early at light. Dinner they have
In the middle OF the day and light tea at
night. They eat very few sweets-confec-
tionery or anything of that sort. Their des-
serts consist OF some simple pudding or
cake. They eat all sorts Of plain food-that
is, roasts and chops, and fllets, for meat,
and all kinds of vegetables-the greater va
riety the better Then, when they come in
from their walks, I always have cup of
broth ready for them, hot beef or mutton
broth, particularly. in the winter. 1t is
good for them and they seem to enjoy it.
'Twice day they take brisk walk, not
too long, for over-exercise Is quite as in
furious as too little. Children are often
allowed to Overture themselves, and grow
cross and fretful without being able to un-
derstand or explain the reason. In summer
they are out of doors almost all the time;
although they study just little, even then,
for do not think it well forsthem to be
entirely idle tor SO long time.
Dress Pretty But Plain.
"And then dress them all very simply,
very elaborate clothing seems so out of
place for children. like to have all that
they wear pretty, but plain, so that they
can romp and play as children ought with
out being hampered, and without any
thought or fear of rumpled fnery.
'One accomplishment that I am anxious
to have them all acquire is that Of reading
aloud WELL consider that very neces-
sary part of good education, and also that
they should learn to enunciate their words
clearly and correctly.
81 do not allow them to read fairy stories.
I do not think that it is well for them to do.
Instead, I give them interesting and in
structive books of history to read. There
are such charming little histories tor
children written nowadays! They began
with historical stories written in words Of
one syllable, and already nv son has real
ly wonderful knowledge OF historical events
for a boy of his age; but then he has
natural love for the subject. That makes a
difference I suppose. I also encourage them
to play various instructive games, that amuso
and give them useful information at the
same time; geographical puzzles, authors,
and other games of that sort.
"On Sundays their usual toys and games
are put away. They have Grandma's Old
Testament Game and 'Grandma's New
Testament Came and on rainy Sundays,
when we cannot GO to church, we read the
service together
Courteous to the Servants.
'They have a large playroom. but are not
confined to it. They never wait to be sent
tor; but run In and out of the rooms where
we are at all hours of the day. and they
always sit with US at the table. Unless
made them my companions would not get
to know them well or to understand their
characters, and that knowledge is so neces-
sary, for it teaches one how best to guide
and govern them. ! believe in encouraging
them to develop their individualities and to
cultivate certain independence of char
acter.
~ do not think that I started out with
any particular theories of education; it
had they must necessarily have been much
modified, for each child needs special
sort of training adapted to its own particu-
lar nature and capacities Ny boy I, my