The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1894-10-13
SOCIAL TRAINING OF CHILDREN,

The initiative faculty is the first to de-
velop in the child; therefore the wise
educator begins the training of his morals
and manners through association with
the people most highly cultivated in
both.
But how few wise educators there are!
Most children under the age of ten in
the weather. classes are consigned to the
close companionship of an ignorant nurse
with the occasional and somewhat hap
hazard supervision of parents. The
cleverness and culture of the father, the
gentle breeding OF the mother. count for
very little in the up-bringing of tie
young child, because he comes so little
in contact with them.
The claims of business, society, philan-
thropy. and religion are all SO many ropes
drawing parents and children apart from
each other. The father returns from
his day at the office with irritated nerves
and exhausted physical powers. The
first command of the considerate wife is:
Nurse, take the children away! Papa
is tired"
1t is a different picture that Burns
draws of the home coming of the Scotch
peasant, when "the toddlin' weans in
muckle din" rush out to climb into tt o
fathers arms. But exhausted vitality
is one of the penalties that outraged ma
ture exacts from the dweller in cities
who overworks his mind and under
works his muscle; and to nervous ex-
haustion the romping play Of childhood
is often acute torture.
Thus much of the fathers influence is
missed from the child's daily life. How
is 1t with the mothers?
"Oh dsar!' said little girl. "There's
company at luncheon today. and we chill.
dren don't know where to go or what to
do" The coming Of the guests meant to
these poor little exiles Punishment and
solitude, while their elders we're making
merry in the midst of good cheer. 1t is
all wrong.
Many nursery is practically an Or
phan asylum. presided over by young,
untaught, untidy Irish girl. How can it
be expected that from such an institu-
ton will emerge well-mannered, we'll
groomed young people with social intui-
tons? Darwin himself never claimed
for the principle of heredity that it had
force enough to conquer hostile environ
ment.
Do not deceive yourselves, o parents!
You have not done your duty by your
children unless you have given them
yourselves. No legacy Of wealth or so.
cial position will take the place of that
great gift.
1t is you who must teach them, from
the cradle. the social obligations devolv'
ing on jewellers in a community, even a
nursery community. 1t is yours to see
that the earliest motives to which Their
infant minds are taught to respond are
high and not paltry; that they learn thu
they must be clean and quiet and order
ly and cheerful. not in order to be likeo
or commended or admired, but that they
may contribute their share of comfort
and we'll being to home and society.
1t has been said with equal wit an6
wisdom that the keynote of good man
ners is-B natural. The worst socia
faults of childhood are affectation anc
self-consciousness, both of them otter
the direct result of their training. Rob
ert. do not drum with your feet! Mrs
Black is not accustomed to little boys
who do so. Her little nephews always
sit still at table," sally, do tie up your
shoe! Hers comes Miss Brown, and yor
know how particular she is"
The clear. direct consciousness of The
child is grievously confused by such di
rections as these. which seem to imply
that it is the presence of the visitor
which makes noise and untidiness wrong
Nor is this the worst effect. The child
! at once receives the impression that he