Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-07-30
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=, knowledge The most important object
/ of early reading will be frustrated If the
child is forced. There should be wide
range allowed him in his tastes. but have
him keep some object in view and aim
to that end. Every child has some good
ideas and those are the ones to feed
That YOU may help the child read the
book he is reading and foster discus
sion on the different points of interest
encourage him to ask questions and to
reflect upon what he has read.
If history be properly presented most
young folks will find it interesting
Epochs and events should be presented
in their sequence and additional articles
read that will throw light on the sub
jects under consideration. Teachers can
not do everything for your child. and If
they could YOU should he jealous of the
fact for the sweetest duty you can have
is their guidance along each and every
line.
''The Niceties-
OF elegant manners We're not taught
me when | was child and l have not
been able to acquire them as a man. !
will never gain the position l wanted be-
cause of it," said great writer and
scholar the other day.
The cargo is only valuable at it's desti-
nation. man may possess great knowl-
edge and be unable to deliver its valua-
ton because he offends in his effort.
There are highly educated people who
under ordinary circumstances would be
charming as our associates, but they
have the unfortunate habit of giving a
moral slap in the face every other time
they meet you; SO you learn to avoid
them. This serious defect in their make
up is due to the fact that at a time of
life when such teaching is most impor-
tant they failed to receive any systematic
training in suitable demeanOr.
For a German who has risen from the
usual title of herr to the distinction or
prince the reason assigned is his unfail-
ing tact and charm of manner. GOOD
manners can aSsail the strongest citadel
and the time for acquiring the ammunl-
ton is in childhood. Certain arbitrary
rules are impressed upon the child so
often and so insistently that gradually
he takes them as Il mater of course, or
that he may escape the monotonouS and
exasperating Don't" he remembers, and
doesn't offend in certain time-worn mis-
demeanorS.
1t is comparatively easy to teach your
child not to be a bore at twelve, but 1t
is harder to train him in manner that
will make him d gentleman at twenty
five. More failures are wrought IN this
world through unlucky manners than
one dreams of. That may not be the
cause attributed. Many people imagine
manners do not count. and they don't
with them, because they do not possess
them, but should a fairy godmother sud-
denly touch and bestOw upon them the
charms of good breeding they would then
be able to appreciate the difference.
The demeanor of the younger genera
ton IS much criticised today, and posi-
bly, with correctness. The manner of
some young men is Conceited, familiar,
totally lacking in distinction and chival-
rous courtesy. The manner of some
young girls is characterized by an I'M
pleasing decision, by a want of dignity
and reserve, by an ugly sort of slap-dash
assurance, and by total want of delicate
half tones in the atmosphere that sur
rounds them. And young people some
times have occasion to criticise the man
ners of their elders. If the young We're
always addressed smilingly and courte-
ously, never admonished irritably, never
silenced or snubbed or sneered at they
would probably in their turn feel inclined
to reply more amiably, and we should
have reformation in manners
ADA MAY kRECkER.