Evening journal., 1897-08-03
3 REFINING INFLUENCES.
Received by n Child at Its Mothers
Knee

Knee.
There are many parents who are con-
scientious in their desire 20 give their
children an environment which will
make them useful men and women, who
seem utterly obliyious Of the value of
the refnements of human life in mold
ing the character. The remark is fire.
quently made in describing certain in.
dividuals that "they are well-educated
but utterly without culture" This IS
certainly contradiction. "A properly
educated person must be cultured
that is. she must have so thoroughly
digested her knowledge that IL has
modified anu refined her character.
The meaning. however, is clear, and
conveys a truth that ought 20 be gen
orally recognized by parents. learn
ing is not culture, nor knowledge Wis
dom. We cannot lead our children into
a higher life by surrounding them 10y
sordid and coarse associations. and
then by one supreme effort in expendi-
ture. as n sort of financial speculation,
send them through college. Such an
education seldom pays, considered from
the lowest standpoint
The education OF child begins at its
mothers knee. and continues until the
child arrives at mature years. The
home education is far more lasting than
the school education. Surround your
home with good literature. tits hardly
possible TO be too fastidious in this
matter. Where the library is limited
there is only space for "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 walls
molds the taste. Keep the walls bare
until you can afford to hang good pie
lures upon them. Coarse, gaudy pic
lures vitiate the taste and leave inn
pressions that It takes years to eradi-
cate. which are apt TO haunt the mind
Of a child sensitive TO color and form
like a nightmare There are plenty Of
cheap photographs of good pictures
which cost less than the materials for a
gaudy oil painting. Simple Gusts of the
masterpieces Of sculpture are very mex
pensive and are now finished with wax.
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 refpe-
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 can
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, IL is an
education and help to his boy nt ? q
90 with him. IL trains him TO mee'
strangers with ease. tits helpto hin
and tn al the children TO he allowed ts
help receive company. 1t costs some
thing to be hosptable, but pays in Tho
influence upon children who are thus
properly trained TO entertain company
Children who are accustomed 10 the
presence of visitors acquire an easy
manner and learn TO be tactful and
graceful. Such an education cannot b,
overestimated in assisting a youngper
son to make his way in the world, pro
viding It is supplemented by an emi
{ nently practical education at school OF
! college.-N. Y. Tribune.