The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-10-04

shall mention: A girl four years old re-
cciycd a box OF paints and when her
parents CHANGED 10 be out painted the
6rawing-room chairs. At the completion
Of her task she called her mother IN to
SOC how beautiful she had made the chairs
look III YOU had been the mother what
would Won have done 20 the child?' the
London paper thus reports the result
The lecturer read typical answers at di'-
forent ages. At eight almost the uniNer-
sol verdict was. If l had been that
chid's mother would nave smackeo ~. ,;
Al nine this view prevailed. II would
have given her good beating and then
forgiven her" At ten. Il should nave
taken the paints away, slapped the chiid,
sent her TO bed, and not let her so our
the next dav." At eleven. when her next
birthday came / wouldn't let her nave
anvtbinq. and ! would not let her have
any TOYS al all until she knew better
When she grew old enough ] would make
her nav for the chairs she had spoiled.
Al twelve. 81 should have scoldcd her
very much and taken away the paints
TN she knew how to use them" Here
The lecturer paused to point out that at
that age the need for guidance was be
ginning 20 be recognized. At thirteen
came wisdom: III l had been the child
mother ] would not have bought her the
paints ! think If the chairs are THOR
oughIv scrubbed the paint will come of
ALI right As for the child. ] would fetch
her a smack: but she wasn't hardly old
enough to know better. anyway Al
fourteen: ITO punish the child would be
very hard ana very improper. Explain
10 the child why she ought not to DO such
things" Thus at seven and eight CD or 10
per cent. Of the children would have Of
fcrcd physical violence to a little child
who was perfectly innocent OF offence
ana who. after painting the chairs, 10
please her mother. had actually summon
ed that lady to admire the WORK. tbs
readiness 10 prescribe physical cho9tise-
mont was not confined 10 poor children,
n was equally noticeable among the chill
dron brought up I'm nice familic AT SIX
teen only one or two would maltreat the
little thing.
The conclusion Of the lecturer was that
as children were punished TO make them
better they must be punished on lines
which they understood The young child
understood and responded to strong Wig
orous. physical reaction. As he grew
older. enlightenment and subjective treat
mont might be gradually substituted for
physical action. In short. his conclusion
is that young children. If properly train
ed must have corporal punishment
These are. indeed, interesting expert
nents. bur the Professors conclusions are
not necessarily correct. The little chill
dren who suggested corporal punishment
for the girl who painted the chairs in all
probability did so because corporal pun
ishment was the rule in their homes for
sucb misconduct. whereas a child who
had never been whipped would hardly
have suggested a thrashing for another
listen TO the little maid who talks to
her doll. and YOU will get very fair
idea as 10 how mama talks to that little
maid A little child is apt to think that
whatever mother does is right but Pro-
fessor Barnes seems 10 have overlooked
this important fact IN reaching his con-
clusions
The fact is. no rule can be laid down
Some children do. undoubtedly, require
corporal punishment Others DO not re-
ouire fl. ana others still. We believe. are
made worse by St. Every ease must be
treated individually. The discreet parent
who studies his child's disposition will
very soon discover the best method of
bringing mp the child in the way it should
20. Where love directs. the right way
will almost surely be found.