The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1902-04-09

A child culturist whose studies, as
they ought to be, are labors of love.
says that the American child, so much
abused by foreigners as spoiled" 'sau-
cy," forward and generally incorri-
gible and unpleasant is, as a matter of
fact, much-neglected little creature.
Its .doting. indolent or ambitious par
ents cram its little head with lessons
or allow 1t to cram its little stomach
with candy and pie. They let it say
and do what 1t wants to and then pun
ish 1t for its waywardness when some
unusual mischief has forced parental
attention to it.
The child student says that this
happy-go-lucky system is all wrong.
II is criminal neglect, not indulgence"
and great injustice to the children.
and she cites the happiest children
and the best-behaved children in the
world, which are those of Japan. The
Japanese baby, who never cries. is
famous. but when he grows into a
runabout he never even sulks. is never
naughty and is nearly always happy.
There seems to be q conspiracy among
all classes in Japan to shield the little
people from the unpleasant or harsh
side of life. A Japanese mother can
let her children run about the streets
without fear of their being hurt or
lost or kidnapped, as every child is
made the special care of any one whom
it happens to fall in with. Having
few rules to obey, the Jap baby is
seldom disobedient. His word of hon
or is relied upon. He is not doubted
and contradicted, suspected and scold-
ed for trifles. He is treated with cour-
tesy, and he himself is a model of po-
likeness. The Jap baby is encouraged
to have live pets--birds, turtles. gold
fish. etc.-but he is taught that to be
cruel to these helpless creatures is one
of the greatest sins he can commit. If
this rule could only be introduced into
the nurseries of socalled civilization,
The American child may be much in
dulged-or neglected-in most ways.
but in other ways it is treated with
brutal lack of consideration. The av-
erage trainer of children believes in al
ternate pettings and seedlings. but
makes no effort to be as courteous, pa
tient, tactful and considerate of the
feelings Of the little people as he would
be to their elders. overlooking the fact
that example moulds manners even
more surely than rules and precepts
and reproofs inculcate principles.
The children don't need any more
'indulgences." but they do need and
should have encouragement. 1t is
stimulus for which multitudes of them
are in continual hunger. For instance,
there is many customary phrase and
customary method in speaking and
dealing with children which might be
reversed How often one has heard
mother or father. when some mischief
has been DONE made the remark,
Now, ] Just thought you would do
that" But how rarely one hears It
when the little one has walked in the
way of strictest devotion! Why should
1t not be spoken then? When the COM
mand has been obeyed and the work is
done, why should not the parent say to
the faithful little SOUL Now, | Just
thought you would do that?" Why
not let them know that the expecta-
tions are on their side, that our hopes
as we'll as our wishes are leaning to-
ward the gladness of the light, and not
toward the misery of the darkness?-
New York Commercial Advertiser.