Another World: Fragments from the Star City of MontalluyahLumley, Benjamin
Science
Another World: Fragments from the Star City of Montalluyah
Lumley, Benjamin
Utopias
I have seen some children with an engrossing taste for painting, music,
and sculpture, who would rush straight to their favourite pursuit,
without being diverted by anything else, and who, if they found the
desired place already taken, would show disappointment, and perhaps
refuse any other occupation. Many, on the other hand, as soon as they
entered the gallery, would simply play with the little animals and
birds, or perhaps do nothing but eat fruit till the last minute, when
the bell announced that the time allotted for recreation was ended.
Some would do nothing but talk, and, in their simplicity, would find
fault with everything, after the too frequent fashion of adults, either
imagining they could do most things better than the rest, or
depreciating pursuits which they knew were beyond their ability.
Natures of this kind, where vanity is so predominant, require the
greatest care, for the failing is difficult to eradicate and would, if
not cured, be a source of great unhappiness in after life. To prevent
such a result, generally, means are taken to refine the taste of the
patient (if I may use the word), and call out the quality most opposed
to the infirmity, viz., that of looking out for beauties instead of
defects.
I have seen a little one change her amusements several times during the
hour. When a child, particularly a girl, continues to do this during
many weeks, it is regarded as a sign that if the disposition be not
checked she will grow up a capricious woman, and a treatment is
therefore adopted to stop the growth of the infirmity. Many a girl, who
would otherwise have proved a misery to herself and to others, has, by
the precautions taken, become a reasonable and meritorious woman.
However, children of a capricious temperament, even when seemingly
cured, require constant watching during some time, since they are very
prone to return to their old inclination for incessant change.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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