The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1907-11-20


with great force to the public
schools everywhere, for We observe
the EreHex of the mother in the
soho il room. You can almost point
out to certainty the children who
are SO blessed as to be possessed
with the right kiud of a mother.
It was the first Napoleon who said
THE future good or bad conduct
of a child depends entirely on the
mother" There was a great bust
ness establishment in London, en-
ploYing hundreds of young people,
their inquiry was always what kind
of mother the boy or girl had. no
attention being paid to the father.
In reading the, history of Napoleon
one would be led to- believe. and it
is asserted as fact by one writer.
that the only person who ever had
any real control over him was his
mother. This was secured by a
mixture of tenderness. severity and
justice, and in that way secured
obedience. You may say that !
am putting too much stress and
importance upon the Influences ex
erted by the mother and not saying
anything about the important po-
sition occupied by the so. oalled
"head" of the family-the father.
Alb! he may advise and direct and
cultivate the memory, woman
through her finer sessibilities oc-
oupied the heart and controls the
character. 1t is not hard to under
stand why this is 30. The home lie
the woman's domain. her kingdom;
she is the queen, the children in
the home look to Ler forsympathY
and comfort; therefore she is the
example and model of the home.
+ The good resulting from these
childhood lessons may not develop
in the ohild's earlier life: il NAV
not show itself until manhood.
The parent may become
greatly discouraged and may
conclude that there is no
hope for the child to become use.
full citizen, but after an intervening
period of many years, we have
seen the good lessons of youth as
"seed sown on good ground" spring
up and bear fruit. We have seen
the hardened criminals broughtin.
to court, after years of crime seem
again to remember those early
lessons of piety and resolve to
change their manner of living and
make better citizens. But these
instances are not often found for
the general rule ia as character is
formed in early life 30 it remains
gradually assuming its permanent
form untilmanhood is reached.
What l have said so far upon
this subject has been to show the
effect generally on proper early
training but there are some things
which should especially engage
the parent and the teacher too
Among which, and 1 will mention
two now, they are politneness and
honesty.
There is no element entering in.
to the ohild's early life and into
his life in later years which adds
30 much to his popularity and sue.
cess as simply, politeness. 1t is
cheap and serviceable article. 1t
oosts nothing to acquire it, and
the boy or girl starting out in life
oan do more business upon less
capital if they possess the genuine
article of politness than any other
which l know. 1t must not be a
"sham," but true and natural po-
likeness; and there is as much diff
ference between the two as there is
between counterfeit dollar and a
good one. And l believe it is Just
as easily detected To possess this
quality it is essential that we
should not unnecessarily become
irritated, and under all oiroum.
stances exhibit dignified bearing
upon all occasions. Now if this
quality is possessed, together with
that other trait, honesty, which we
have mentioned, there can be but
little question that the young man
or woman possessing them will be
popular and respected, even though
the mental training should be neg
Looted. Talent cannot always be
trusted but when coupled with
honesty it oan be. To be honest
is the foundation of all personal