Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-02-16

Or. Grosxmnnn Discusses It's DeveI-
opments In nm Interesting Lecture.

opments In nm Interesting Lecture.
Dr. Groszmann's lecture at St Andrews
farish Home yesterday afternoon was
one OF the best OF the series. He dis
cussed the question OF how criminality
develops In child, and gave some hints
on the moral education of the child. In
spite or the clustering weather and
threatened rain, the audience was a very
good one, nearly filling the hall. Several
prominent clergymen were in attendance.
ana all were much entertained. Or.
Groszmanns position was that of q culti-
waited scientist, as well as the most ex-
perienced student OF child-nature. Many
OF the points so carefully made were Of
great value to all who have anything to
DO with the management OF children.
VIII the struggle against crime never
end?' asked Dr. Groszmann. "Pessi-
mists believe in the permanency of sin.
only by investigating the causes and in
huences that produce crime can we hope
to understand it's nature, and to gradually
extirpate criminalty. Criminality is. In
many cases, pathological condition. a
deviation from the normal type; another
class of criminals belong to social
stratum which perpetuates the savage
stage and which has never been reached
a distinct criminal class-a criminal type
that has become fixed by heredity. We
must distinguish between direct criminal
heredity-that Is, when criminals will be-
get criminals-and indirect criminal
heredity. when parents who are In some
way defective will transmit a condition
of weakness to their children which in
them may produce a criminal tendency.
Intellectual abnormality is often
symptom of moral instability" the speak
er continued. investigations show that
idiocy is a hereditary phenomenon; in
sanity and intemperance in the parents
are mainly responsible for arrested
mental development in the children. And
as the mothers influence is greater than
the fathers I'm transmitting peculiarties
to the offspring. the physiological and
psychological condition of woman is
determining factor in the chain of heredi-
tary influences. But the effect Of envi-
ronment must not be moderated. Crimi-
nality Is. in a large measure. the product
of social conditions. The three principal
causes of abnormal development of the
nervous system. which IN its turn pre-
disposes for crime. are: % Bad nutrition;
(9 fatigue: CD disease"
Dr. Groszmann showed that these
causes are operative not only among the
poor. but also in the better classes Of So
ciety He made special reference to seve-
raj critical periods In a child's life when
hygienic neglect is particularly pernci-
Gus, pointing out in this connection the
large number of criminals under 20 years
of age. Most powerful of all. he said.
is the influence of bad examples. The
child is alarmingly initiative and subject
TO suggestion Companions often play
more important role in shaping his char
acter than parents or school influences.
As to remedies. the speaker suggested.
first. an isolation of the born criminal,
so that the type may not be propagated.
Further he recommended separate
schools for defective children, where their
special needs may receive attention. He
also pleaded for an elevation Of the condi-
ton of woman. and for generally better
social conditions Of the masses. But most
important Is an education which will de-
yelop the childrens power of independent
thought, and which will surround them
with the ennobling influence Of inspiring
examples. Home and school must co-ope-
rate but the home-life of the child is the
factor productive of the deepest and most
Ia sting effect upon the formation OF the
child's character.
The lecture this afternoon will be on
"The Dignity and Responsibility OF the
Teacher"