The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1910-04-07
On Forcing Children.

The reproach has been long upon
us that some of cur babes were en-
shaved in the mills, in the mines, in
the factories, broken on the rapidly
revolving wheels of industry but, in
some measure public sentiment has
been aroused to such heights of in
dignation by recent Investigations
that remedial influences are at work
to free the youngsters from injustice
and cruelty and bestow upon them
the privilege of play and sunshine
which is their right But there is an
other reproach upon us, almost equal
ly deserving, and that the undue, the
abnormal forcing of childish minds,
the unnatural demands made upon
youthful precocity that the world may
look on and admire the infant pro-
digies. We are proud parents but,
sometimes, our pride in our off
spring breaks their small bodies just
as relentlessly, just as cruelty, as the
long grinding hours of the factory
day. the darkness of the mines, the
wkrring wheels of the mills.
We begin the practice at baby
hood. Here is a little fodder, the
pride of the household, trotted be-
for admiring visitors, tossed about
and entreated until its small brain is
in a feverish whirl, Say, this,
baby-say this" Lets hear him say
'Auntie'" and on through the inter-
minable list of words which a child
of his years was never intended to
utter but which delight the heart of
fond and cruel parents.
A few years older and energetic
teachers will be placing his name on
special programs and some lengthy
recitation will be his to pore over for
hours, a source of terror and head
ache. Then comes the Sunday School,
the dancing class, the music classes
with their incessant drill, drill, drill.
All of these are worthy institutions
to be lauded in their effort to make
good and upright citizens of the flu
ture men and women but, the combin-
alton of energies directed upon the
intellect of the average child pro-
duces a feverish effect that is not
promising for future robust health. |,
for one, shall be delighted when
can visit my friends without being
privileged TO listen to the reelings-
off of the youth of the house, not
, that do not like to hear children but
the effort is so painful to most of
them that l am distinctly uncom-
Portable for their sakes until the or
deal is over. Why so much drill, so
much Now, Johnny, play your violin
for the ladies'" Nov Peter give us
that concerto you have been practic-
ing these last six weeks" Mary will
play to us, won't you Mary?"
If we would but be sane, content
with average children provided they
wre strong and healthy and whole
some. Later years will make demands
upon their every moment. Later years
will confine them to drawing room
and business offices and kitches. Now
is their playtime, their out-of-door
time. their freedom from the restric-
/ Of 70 Lot
them alone outside OF the rules and
regulations which are wise and nor
NAL and considerate and make for
good breeding and gentleness.
And, again, l am afraid that some
of us are not prompted by motives
based on pride tlone. Can the young
ster make money 'Ais and that en-
deavor? All, let him % Does it
keep him up late nights an Is he
pale and tired and worn? Neve
he is making money, adding to
family income. What is school or
play or privilege compared with the
faculty of making money?
The Creator of all things is con-
tent to take centuries yet unreckoned
in which to work out His divine and
perfect plan. We men, of brief span
of years, force our berries out of sea
son, make roses to bloom in midwin-
ter and turn day into night-all OF
which is not to be criticized, provid-
ing we know where and when to
stop but it is criminal and cruel and
base when we begin on the children
- blessed babies and make them
over into the prodigies they were moi
meant to be, the unnatural hot house
blooms they should not be and the
sickly invalids that a goodly sharf
of them become under such treat
ment. 1t is not criminal negligence
from which all children suffer. Some
of them receive too much attention.
Cleaning With GasOlene.
Chiffon ruchings, which are soil
ed, but not crushed says Florence