New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-11-23
EDUCATING THE SMALL BOY
KATE UPsON CLARKE THINKS 1T A
SERIOUS PROBLEM
SHE GIVES MANY SUGGESTIONS TO PARENTS AND
TEAcHERs-GUIDING HIS CHOICE OF
COMPANIONS AND READING


COMPANIONS AND READING.
THE small boy is a serious problem, and should
be taken seriously says Kate Epson Clarke in
volume which she has recently published upon this
question. ITO him the small things which make
UP his interest in life great the RESPONSE
bilities Of diplomats seem to them when sent to
arbitrate between nations II is quite necessary
for mothers fathers nurses. governesses and
teachers to try as far as possible to put them
selves in his place. look at the world from his
point of view. before forming judgments which
might hurt his feelings and perhaps embtter his
whole life
This is impossible to do perfectly Miss Clarke
says. but one can do more than try. 1t IL the
personal sympathy which influences the boy. and
unless mother enjoys the unlimited confidence OF
her boy she cannot bring him up have the full
est influence upon his life which she desires and
should have.
Miss Clarke states in her preface that she takes
It for granted that the boy is properly housed. fed
and clothed. II is his mental and spiritual up
bringing which forms the subject Of her book. The
book is directed especially to the mother who
never had any brothers. and lacking the privilege
Of having been a boy herself. is therefore wholly
at loss to know how to treat her little son when he
begins to develop from baby into a real boy
In regard to a boys manners Miss Clarke has
this to say:
No cut and dried rules will ever make the boy
the sort OF man the parent wants him 10 become
He must be impressed with the personality OF MS
parents The boy is a great imitator. and very
likely to be the same kind Of a man his father Is
certain conventionality must be observed AT
home IL the child is to be made welcome member
OF society. There be no division or difference
home manners Josh Billings remarked once that
good breeding can make even t too and
art Of your true society man has a weapon TOT the
Good poetry is perhaps. the very best thing to
develop right sentiment In child NotionanSSn IN IN
sS65S Or be R Ryp s HIM
that the price Of home is very great ahd ne; a.
one of the individuals who derive the beneiitts,
should also perform as much as possible Of the
work required to keep 1t up
As to the practice of smoking, Miss Clarke con-
tends that 1t is Of no use and is unhealthrul ne
sides The first objection which Will appeal 10 the
boy is that It will stunt his growth and that atm
Ietes are never allowed by their trainers to smoke
Games and athletics she thoroughly believes In.
Most Of all perhaps. she emphasizes the necessity
for learning swim before all other aquatic sports
Football however she characterizes as too brutal
In the line OF home education she says that
there is only thing more harmful man 100
te GSTe sSe believes in the old books stand
ara literature 1t is her opinion that II the BOY Is
books O he viii find much nourishng reading which
win help him more than nsd he Is worst
sibe thing to do As proof Of the worth OF tills
advice she cites the great number OF cb Have
HeIped Me = ali OF which were the old books by
Miss Clarke claims that suitable companions
should be Furnished by the parents for ehureh -
that their high ideals may grow up with thein aia
thev NAV make no mistake in later life. when IL
becomes time for them to marry: uni, s,,oo
Sbe behaves that in the boys political educh-
ton every opportunity should be seized upon az az
explain TO him what It all means 80 ina, nee
~ noItics upon the community. parent sh t.
make study of the political system MIN state
explaining everything in municipal coui,s ,he
and National affairs. Let him not only reau ne o
naners OF one party. but Of all parties ana so so
Form his opinion from comprehenslVe VIZ" VI ''
hest nonts OF all as we'll OF the worst