The daily morning journal and courier., 1896-10-12

active by this system. When first placed in sitting posture the babies of course toppled over, but the father or mother was always near so that when the toppling occurred the only discontinue was painless bump of the head against one of the parental hands. Even this was objectionable to the infantile disposition. Soon 1t was learned that by sitting upright there would be no such bumps, and one of the primary laws of self-preservation was learned. Stronger and stronger efforts to sit erect, unsupported, were soon successful. As soon as crawling was accomplished-and it was mast cred at an extraordinarily early age each infant was placed in the center of a large table. The first instinct was to creep to the edge and drop off. The pa rental arms were always ready, how ever, and always managed to catch the darling little fellow before he could strike the floor. This slight jar was not pleasant, and soon another lesson in self-preservation was learned. 9th CT simple lessons were given, such as the lodging of light blows, the avoid ance of hot objects, etc. When about six months old each child was grasped under the arms, jumped on the fathers | shoulders and gradually taught to as- sume various harmless attitudes when supported In his arms. When about eight months old they could turn sim pie aerial somersaults while held in his hands.
 Being great athlete himself, MT. Dinwiddie was able to gradually devise more and more elaborate acrobatic tricks for the little ones, all of which were controlled entirely by his grasp. Up to the time they were respectively one and two years old he never let them perform these feats independent ly Now he can lift them by their an- kles or feet, hold them straight in the air, require them to perform all sorts of somersaults, swings, balances and jumps above his head or under his arms and legs. Although no profess stonal acrobat could obtain better fundamental training than this, MT. DinWiddie tells the writer that it Is to be put to strictly practical use. The whole system of physical culture will be aimed strictly at muscular co-ordi- nation and self-preservation. It will not be carried into absurd phases, whose results are often seen in the all- physical college man. AS a result of this cultivated activity one of the chill dren, who fell down steep flight of stairs when but a year and a half old, reached the bottom unhurt by catching himself on each step as he continued to roll. The little girl, the elder of the two, can now jump from a point six teen feet high and fall into her fath- er's arms without sign of fear. This physical culture is enjoyed by both lit- tie ones more than their usual games. Both children are now being taught to ride bicycles and to swim.
 Ever since they have been able to mo- tice ordinary objects both of these children have been regularly taken out for walks or drives. during which expe- ditions every object along the way which might interest them has been named and crudely explained It has been regular habit of the father, in the hours directly preceding ed-time to recite to the little ones interesting stories descriptive of the habits of all familiar animals and of the uses of the different familiar plants. At the table they are taught the names of their food in the natural product Although nc efforts have been made to clog their childish minds with school book lore both of the tots can say their letters and their figures The beauty of theil training, as described to the writer by their father, is that they always play at work. The world of nature Is made for them an interesting kindergarten and playground combined. Their pa. rents are their playmates rather thar their taskmasters, and all discipline and authority is weighed out as the friendly advice of trusted and more ex. perienced companions. Their mental moral and physical healths according to Nr Dinwiddie, are to be further de veloped by gradually advancing educa. tional games and amusements unti they are each eight years old whicf age, in his opinion, will be sufficiently early for them to begin school and as. sociate with other children not knowr by the parents.-John Elfreth Wat kins, Jr, in Boston Transcript.