The San Francisco call., 1901-12-08

to know that they are breaking all the
laws of good taste in correcting child
before a guest. 1t is as annoying to the
visitor as it is cruel to the child, making
him awkward and self-conscious, if Moth
ing worse. The time is ill-chosen for child
training. Any possible conflict or clash
of wills between parent and child should
be anticipated in time and the little, one
tactfully withdrawn before any unseemly
friction becomes apparent to the visitor
Showing off, children is an unconscious
injustice to them. Let a mother keep to
herself, for private delectation, the knowl-
edge that her child is a prodigy.
A Well-Trained Boy.
Let a boy be as free as air out of doors,
but in the house demand that he behave
like a gentleman. In medieval times
lads were made pages to courtly DANES
for such training.
1t is not, however, the province of the
entire family to bring him up. ''Nagging"
is one of the small foes to the peace of
a household, but the teaching of boys to
be gentlemen at home is as essential as
the training of them to be men in the
world.
When physical strength begins to be
realized by boy his first idea is to use
it solely as a power. He must be taught
to regard it also as responsibility. His
strength inclines a truly manly man to
gentleness toward those who are weaker.
"Noblesse oblige." A tactful mother will
make much of lads strength appearing
a little dependent upon it.
A boy accompanying his mother or sis
ters in the street should be taught to
raise his hat when they return a bow or
meet a friend, or when alone the boy
passes an acquaintance of his own or of
the family, he should show the same cour-
tesy, unless in the case of fellow lad
or young man, when a bow or nod
suffices.
The old adage "Children should be seen
and not heard" has not been suppressed
ed by a better, however unpopular with
the present generation. 1t would spare
mal-apropos remarks until the child
were old enough to recognize when to
speak and when to be silent.
Boys early learn sportsman's etiquette,
to accept defeat uncomplainingly, to show
no favoritism in playing games, and to
keep ones temper, but girls are some
times offenders in these things.
Unless self-government is taught, pa
rental training is imperfect.
Imposing Self Control.
A look should be sufficient to restrain
a child in public if he or she has been
properly Instructed behind the scenes.
Especially when guests are present it is
unseemly for there to be any protest on
the child's part against the parents
wishes, expressed by word or look.
At all times NO should be irrevocabie
when uttered; but a conscientious review
of the situation should first be made, in
strict justice to the little beings who are
so entirely dependent for happiness. A
teasing child is merely victim of bad
management.
A wholesome self-restraint about an
noying trifies is imposed by good man
ners. F'retting about the weather or a
disappointment, fussing about what can
not be cured, poisons the atmosphere like
a miasma.
The practice of allowing a sick child TO
be as cross, petulant, and exacting as his
humor dictates is an injustice to the child.
who should be taught that under no cir
cumstances may one remit the effort at
self-control. The injunction should be
pressed with loving firmness.
Children should be early instructed in
behavior at table. No amount of subse-
quent drilling quite atones for early neg
lect.
All corrections should, however, be
made in such maner as not to attract
the attention of others. At the family
meeting-place nothing should be allowed
to OvershadOw the general pleasantness.
Everyday etiquette includes the custom
of cheerful daily greetings. When a
grunt does duty for a,a pleasant good
morning. and inaudible murmur replaces
a tender goodnight" family manners
need mending.
People should never be criticised ad-
versely in the presence of children
A look should be sufficient to restrain a