Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1895-11-22
atlisttllanrnus 8eading.
SWEDISH HOME-LAWS.


"My mother was the best being |
have ever known" writes Baron Louis
de Gen, famous Swedish statesman.
She had fourteen children, seven
girls and seven boys. All the sons
were taller than the faiher, and all
the daughters were taller than the
mother. The intellectual capacity OF
the mother may he judged from the
baroas statement that she knew three
books of Euclid before she could speak
plainly.
With so large a family there was
need of pretty careful discipline, if
things were to 60 smoothly.
The laws of the household were un-
written, but not the less clearly un-
derstood. Certain bounds were not to
be passed by the children without
some older companion. The study
hour was sacred its neglect was never
attempted. If a chi Id came late to the
table, he forfeited his share Of any dish
that had already been passed.
At breakfast the children generally
sat down before the appointed time,
milk was poured into u deep platter of
each, hard brown bread was broken
into it. and then all sat, spoon in
hand, till the clock struck. At dinner
there were usually three courses. No
one was forced to eat, but whatever
was taken upon the plate must be
consumed to the last morsel. Each
course was passed twice, unless there
was short allowance at dessert.
Fruit was dealt out by one of the
older children, and even the berries
were counted. AS rule, nothing was
to he eaten out Of the dining-room,
except a bit Of hard bread after the
bath. Windfalls might always be
picked up and eaten. Berries were
''free' on certain bushes for five min
ules a day, and sometimes for 10 min
utes in especially good years. Under
this rule the children fell into the
habit of picking in baskets green and
ripe together in hot haste; then the
time was doubled, but the berries must
be eaten on the spot.
AS soon as the children were un-
dressed, the evening prayer was to be
said and not another word spoken.
This was pretty hard, and as is usual
in the case of hard laws, way was
found to circumvent it. One stocking
would be kept on until some interest
ing chat was finished.
Rights of property were sacredly
respected. The belongings of Others
wei q .never--to be. borrowed without
leave. The children could give away
only what they had found or made.
Christmas presents were not to be
"swapped" before midsummer. Moth
ing was to be accepted from depen-
dent or from any one outside of the
family without the direct consent Of
the parents.
If child asked for book out Of
the family library, he always got it,
but having got it he must read it
through. No one was allowed to
read more than 100 pages day.
Any one might cry quietly, if sorrow
full or in pain; but screaming was not
permitted except in a certain room set
apart for the purpose. The children
must never pass through the drawing
room. If there was company or music
they might stand at the door.
Whipping was never administered
except for obstinate disobedience /;
then the punishment was prompt.
The usual penalty was the forfeiting
of some privilege. Praise was given
for well-doing; but caressing never,
after earliest childhood. 1t was high
day for child when he had been "pat-
ted by mamma"
These laws were in force until the
children were "big"-that is, Is years
old. After that they were treated in
the house as grown-up persons, with
all the rights and duties thereto per-
tanning.