New-York tribune., 1901-04-02
LET THE CHILD ALONE.
THERE is TOO MUCH PAMPERING AND
NAGGING-THE IDEAL HOUSE
AND HOME.

Some animated discussion was aroused in the
froebel Society at it's meeting yesterday at the
froebel Institute, Brooklyn, by the suggestion IN
MIS- w. u Munson's paper that 1t might be well
Tor father to take his son to see hospitals
rounding asylums and saloons. by way OF impress
ing HIM with the evil results of vicious life. A
number or members dissented from this view, their
cphion DelnS that the effect might not be TO warn
but merely to stimulate arouse curiosity that
would seek enlightenment in the haunts OF vice.
As expressed it: 1T is decidedly un-Froebelian
to arouse interest in evil things" Another said
that friend of hers tried the plan suggested, but
FOUND that his son had interest in it, which
proved. she thought. that "a mind hlled with
healthy thoughts is not likely find room for de-
PRAYED ideas"
There was perfect agreement however. the
other suggestions in the paper, whose subject was
"a judicious letting alone" Mrs Munson argued
that mothers, by incessant petting and attention.
cultivate caprice I'm the infant which. If let alone,
would spend happy hours lying on its back. kick
ing strength into its muscles thinking its own
thoughts about its surroundings.
AS soon it begins walk the system OF re-
preston begins" she said Don't tell the child
constantly not to touch things The little brain
cannot readily learn resist its wish handle
what attracts 1t. Put all breakable articles out
OF its reach. and let it alone!
Let It's wonderful sayings and dolngs alone. too.
Talking Of its winning and amusing ways is the
whose absence is its greatest charm and virtue.
Let It's faults alone to reasonable extent. That
ment have been administered. but let the subject
drop when the necessary words have been said.
HOUSES WITH MARY ANN" BACKS.
The second paper of the afternoon by Mrs.
John Kendall Dunn. head OF the domestic science
department of the Brooklyn Institute. Her topic
THE Ideal House and Home" Mrs. Dunn
said that utility is the keynote to-day. and the
atmosphere is so surcharged with American hustle
and hustle that the inheritors Of wealth do
not form leisure class. and know nothing OF re-
pose. The learned Hindoos, who come here said
Mrs Dunn find this most astonishing for they
taught in childhood that silence and medita-
tion essential fresh air and water to
and constantly misplace the relative values OF the
material and the ideal. failing that the ideal
must precede the actual in all phases OF life II
We would have nobler homes we must form hgh
ideals Of home"
Beginning with the house that incloses the home.
development of character. There should be har-
mony OF material and design. A wooden castle
would be ridiculous She spoke of the SUBURBAN
villas with Queen Anne fronts and Mary Ann
baCks' travesties the home ideal saying
that sham is common that II controls build
for wood and brick for brick. and don't try to
make painted tin pass for sandstone. To preacn
truth to children and surround them with
sharns is poor testimony TO our appreciation OF us
value"
The ideal home. according 10 Mrs Dunn. is in
the suburbs. and should be characterized by SIM
plicity and individuality.
The programme was in charge Of Mrs: George Z.
Hartick, chairman Of the home committee The
president. Mrs. J. y. Wright. in the chair, A
pleasant variety given 10 the meeting by MISS
Bertha Wilson's singing.