The Van Buren press. [volume] (Van Buren, Ark.) 1859-1914, 1897-07-10
REFINING INFLUENCES.
s Inv a child at Its aother's
Knee.

There are many parents who are con
.o;antious in their desire to give theiI
children an environment when WIN
make them useful men and women VINO
saan utterly Obvious of the value OIL
,th rshnements of human life III moia-
inc the character. The remark is ire
onentlv made in describing certain ii,-
dividuals that they are well-eauea'ea9
but utterly without culture. Inns 10
certainly a contradiction. 4 properly
educated person must be cultured
that is she must have so thoroughly
dipested her knowledge that IL mas
modified and refined her character.
The meaning, however, is clear anu
CONVEYS truth that ought to be gen
orally recognized by parents. Learn
inc is not culture, nor knowledge WIS
dom We cannot lead our children into
higher life by surrounding them by
sordid and coarse associations, ana
then by one supreme effort in expsna,-
tire as a sort of financial speculation,
send them through college. Such an
education seldom pays, considered from
| the lowest standpoint.
The education of a child begins at its
moth FRS knee. and continues until the
,bild arrives at mature years. Inc
home education is far more lasting than
| he school education. Surround your
home with good literature. 1t hardiy
possible to be too fastidious IN TINS
matter. Where the library is limited
there is only space for 1.-THE immortals
the few names the world is not will
ing to let die. Every good book which
is brought to the house is an investment
in the education of the children. Every
good engraving hung upon the waiis
molds the taste. Keep the walls pare
until vol can afford to hang good pie
lures upon them. Coarse, gaudy pic
tures yitiate the taste and leave inn
pressions that it takes years to erddi-
cate. which are apt TO haunt the mind
| of a child sensitive to color and form
like nightmare. There are plenty OF
cheap photographs of good pictures
which cost less than the materials for
gaudy oil painting. Simple casts OF the
masterpieces of sculpture are very mex
| pensive and are now finished with WY,
so they may be washed off without in
| Jury when they are soiled. Such casts
as Michael Angeles ''Slaye' or any OF
| the great works of masters are an educa-
ton. Barye's studies of animal life are
all reproduced in plaster. and are ex-
cellent gifts for boys or girls who are
| interested in animals. Such refine.
ments of life as these educate, while
fine raiment, soft beds and rich food
| may enervate the character.
Music and musical instruments all as
sist in molding the character and rein
ing the nature by lifting the individual
| above the sordid pursuit of the com
monplace things of life. Children cafi'
not be properly educated unless they
have some chance to see the world out
side their immediate neighborhood
When the father is going on Journey
if only to a neighboring town, ii is ar
education and help to his boy at IL te
90 with him. 1t trains him to meet
strangers with ease. 1t is help to him
and to all the children to be allowed tf
help receive company. 1t costs some
thing to be hospitable, but it pays in tht
influence upon children who are thus
properly trained to entertain company
Children who are accustomed to tbs
presence of visitors acquire an easy
manner and learn to be tactful ant
graceful. Such an education cannot b.
overestimated in assisting a young per
son to make his way in the world, pro
viding it is supplemented by an emf
nently practical education at school o
college.-N. Y. Tribune.