The mirror., 1896-10-01

fact that most of the notable characters
of the Bible spent their childhood in the
country, where they could commune
with nature. and look from "Nature up
to Natures Cod
Another essential condition for the
proper development of the child is food |
and raiment, both of which should be
simple in character and healthful, ca
tering neither to the mere sense of taste
nor to vanity. All of these environ
ments give shape to his moral, mental
and physical nature.
The environments also, as to nurse
visitors, teachers, and others of the
household with whom he comes in con-
tact, should be most carefully looked
to. Bad persons exert a far worse in
fuence over child than do bad books.
A child will unconsciousiy grow to be
like the character that associates with
him. Then of what can mother be
thinking who delegates to an almost
unknown hireling the care of her little
child, for whom every look, every hand
touch, every act, every word every mo-
tive is formative work? Says recent
writer: "Children are forced to bear
the company of nurse girl day in and
} day out, and really find their lives made
; by her, their eating, walking, and sleep
, ing all done in her company. Their
fathers and mothers could not bear
such companionship for an hour. She
may be vinegar to the teeth or smoke
:. to the eyes, but the victims are help
less. They cannot tell whence their
l vague misery comes. They relieve it as
, children may; they become habituated
e to it; all the same they are stunned by
it; they have not their own proper So
cial atmosphere; and there are children
in luxurious homes mentally and NOR
ally asphyxiated for want of pure at
t mosphere, just as the poor little ones in
II tenement houses suffer for want OF
r good air to breathe. The result is tC
q make them sickly in mind and body in
q the first case as we'll as in the last Il
e would be folly to expect child to bt
r orderly in an atmosphere of disorder
or to love neatness and tidiness in {
Is home where cleanliness is almost un
l. known. If parents hope to ingraft in
y to the character of their chlldrel
promptitude, orderliness and simila
le desirable qualities, they must surroun'
- them with the requisite environments
er a place for everything, time for ever
IS. duty and particularly the example o
t. promptness, punctuality, and orderli
ne ness. in those of the household wit
ST whom they associate.
n Most of us are apt to acknowledg
t. the education of environment tor tn
y, child of old growth; but for the tin
is babe, what it's eyes see, the sounds tha
he come to his ears, is accounted matte
of little import. But this is not 81
he Before the child is half year old tn
IL things that are happening around hin
to the things that his eyes see, the sounC
lr- that come to his ears, the cheerine:
vs. and harmony, the nursery environ
re. ments, the soft lullaby his motht
d. sings, are all making lasting impre
m sions upon him. He is passively lear
ng ing from his surroundings. The bat
IN of the household should, above all 9TH
a members. be surrounded with thing
ess lovely and pleasant. Quiet and ord
'he should reign in his nursery, which
Ire location may best be the brightes
er: cheeriest, sunniest room in the enti
So house. Let the whole atmosphere
ur- the nursery, be one of gentleness al
'ss, love. The atmosphere of the chile
ard home life is molding and educatil
influence
,ct- Parents must study their childre
ard The early months and years are t
the most critical period of existence. I
will plastic mind in this period readily
Don ceives the mod of environment. z
leir little germs of character which
within the child ready for devele
the ment, are like tiny plantlets just pet
ad- ing their heads above the earth, a
and are as easily destroyed or dwarf
Ass by unfavorable conditions.-Delav
lble Herald.