New-York tribune., 1896-11-24

SCHOOL AND SOCIETY.
The fact that animated and profitable discus
sion the topic "Our Girls and Their Environ
ment" would be held by Clio yesterday afternoon
brought out unusually large number OF members
and friend The subjec, considered under
three heads. physical mental and moral. as repre-
sented In home. the school and society. Miss
F. Marguerite Lindley presented the subject and
conducted the discussion
Under home influences heredity environment. pre-
natal tendencies and progressive knowledge OF the
body we're considered. Miss Lindley took the side
that environment had more TO do with moulding our
characters than heredity. and sustained her aigu-
ments with all the logic and acumen OF a trained
mind Or this point she said in part:
The body is the vehicle OF the mind and the
brain It's throne The moral self is the development
shaped by physical environment. so that our sur
roundings become a mighty factor In fashionins
the herediy Of the future II is generally conceded
by science that traits direct inheritance ana
that physical disease is transmitted only as ten
dency. but through unhygienic influence Is deVei-
oped into disease The education OF the nursery
being more important than that of the college. the
Intelligent mother will seek the highest knowledge
IN regard 10 diet dress. baths and amusemenis.
Mrs Kennedy commenced her paper by quoting
DR. Holmes that "a childs education begins TWO
hundred years before he rs born. which seemed 10
indicate she going TO arragn herself on me
side Of hered!ty bu she introduced the potency OF
the home atmosphere educator and the higher
duty Of Darents to children so cleverly that she
placed herself on record in favor of environment
Mrs Smuller buckled on her armor and stepped
forth TO do battle for herecity ana amy dei'""'u
her portion. She declared that physical hered'ar'
traits mannerisms and resembances were unde-
r,able bit T. was easy 10 trace moral ana
mental tenden lies although she believed in tnelr
existence and remarked incidentally that living
reople were only dead people warmed over. Inc
father was said dominate the physical ana ihe
mother the meltal and moral Therefore, the ma
-ernal responsibility was the greater Criminal sta
,i.,ics seemed TO prove the force and power or
bereditv although the speaker did admit that by
careful training acquired traits might be trans
m,tted.
Mrs F,I,lnp did no; believe circumstances mab
the man but proper training enabled him 10 se'~'
the hour Of opportunity TO his own advantage.
Nrs criswoId though; that often herediiy seemed
N n,av an important part in human life. that the
comningl ng traits Of many ancestors produce" III
dvidual characteristics. but personally shc wa
willing TO be classed among the believers OF en-
vronment.
On the contrary. Mrs Williams believed our in
dvidual traits exercised a controlling influence
over the circumstances of life. Therefore, she was
. disciple Of herediiy.
The evils Of school training were coh'iue'eu ''
Miss I.indley under the head OF su?ernc'ah's'
rivalry and artiAciaty The selection OF teacho'
wholesome physically well as morally shoud
absorbed by the receptive child mind and MAKE
brain impressions never enacod.
Mental education with the child OF to-day Is al
best. succession Of grabs and snapshots sa'u
Miss Lindley. Time is never allowed TOT i"c"'"'
digestion and as consequence the student uti'zes
the natured thought Of others creating 'he ai'-
hcial nature which too often charac'er'~eS '"'
woman In after years. ,, 81,
Miss Llndey rather rebuked the negligence oi
mothers in general because they TOOK 50 "''o III
terest In school studies ana influences .Lxrs
Mrs Pierce the president pcnevru q, ,b careful
rearing Of her children. but while her influence was
passed out into the environment Of school life.
many dangers and difficulties arose How 10 co,n r
bine home training with school culture was per.
picking problem which confronted every earnest
mother -.,o, o ,,. L,nasrgar,cn
Instructors who are frequently selected through in
nuence or cheapness rather than merit a.,
fallaces Of our present system OF kindergartens.
and gave many suggestive thoughts 10 sne mo'h.rs @
much fine training affecting the nervous system
rather than the uplifting and broader respiratory
In presenting the society phase OF the sub)ect
Miss Lndley said that the volumes tnat snoua ,, ps
preached from the housetops and written In letters
Of nre in every home stand out like sentinels de-
manding attention. Society meant woman: Ian, ana h she
real test OF her advancement would De When sne
realized that she was not only the mother OF the
but welded supreme influence over ardnG n 5nS
because they constituted an enormous schooi anu anu
were destined to Mt women out OF
Soon the fad and craze Of club l.fe like the be-
ginning Of all things. would pass awny dhfn m
would realize that the real dement's wouid Or
educative as well as' recreative. TOO many cuDs
created both mental and physical inyadism;, ana ad
q woman Is n poor alruist who laid herseH 10"
from mistaken ideas Of duty or pleasure
II was impossible cover more than sniai
part of the vast subject under consideration but
the spontaneous debate was 80 delightful In man
and profitable in thought and suggestion that II
decided to continue II AT an early day: Next |
Monday will be Current Events" DAY, under the |
direction OF Mrs. j. II. Mckinley.