Great Falls tribune., 1922-02-17

New York City, Feb. 14r-What be-
comes Of child prodigies after they
grow up? Do they 60 right on being
prodigies, or do they lose their pris-
tine precocity?
The answer to this question, recent
| ly given by several prominent New
York educators and Psychologists, Is
that child geniuses invariably turn out
wen. They not only develop into ad-
ults Of unusual intelligence and energy,
but they often exhibit rare creative
ability as well.
In the old days when children were
supposed to be seen and not heard,
there existed general prejudice
against encouraging youthful manlfes-
tations of genius. The juvenile brain
was regarded as something very fra1l
and unstable and very likely to col
| lapse under unusual strain OF pressure.
/ The child who showed superior talent
in the class room was looked upon IN
the community as one unquestionably
headed for an insane asylum or q life
of crime, and his parents were more
often the objects Of neighborly COM
passion than congratulation.
This attitude probably originated In
jealousy on the part of parents whose
own offspring exhibited no undue indi-
cations Of brightness, and from what
we know of the power OF suggestion
today, it may have had its own harm
ful effects. But it was, modern scient-
lists tell us, altogether without founda-
ton. For research has revealed the
fact that there is not only much less
insanity among geniuses than among
the common lot Of people, but that they
are usually exceptionally healthy folk
as well.
Innumerable example could be quoted
in proof of this, but few conspicuous
ones recently set forth by Professor
Rudolph NJ Binder. Of the New York
university, will suffice.
Socrates Did Well
"Let's begin with Socrates" said
Professor Binder. '.The great phil
osopher served as a hoplite, which
means that he was member OF what
il modern terms would designate as
shock troops. He was 70 years old
when he was compelled to drink the
hemlock.
Coming down many centuries, Sir
Isaac Newton lived to be S5 and was
strong and hearty and hard worker
till within a short time OF his death.
Darwin was born with rugged con-
stitution, which he ruined by his fail
ure to take care Of it, but it enabled
him to accomplish remarkable amount
Of work before he died at the age of
73.
"If proof were needed that Herbert
Spencer was born with an iron consti-
tuition it would be provided by that in
cident in his boyhood when at the age
Of Is he walked AZ miles one day. AZ
the second and 20 the third, and with
very little food during the three days.
Spencer is another man who injured
his health by lack of care of himself,
but If he had not been naturally strong
he would not have lived to be So.
even Shakespeare, who died at the
age Of 50, might be said to have lived
good life considering the amount Of
work he did as playwright, actor and
manager. Goethe, an exceedingly busy
man, was in good health almost to the
time of his death at the age Of S3.
"Of the four probably most famous
Italians, Dante lived to be only 5S but
his life was one of arduous labor;
Leonardo da Vinci. an athlete who out
stripped far younger men in feats Of
strength, was nearly 81; Michael Ange
10 worked furiously most of his 80
years: and Calico enjoyed good health
until his death at 49,"