Mrs. Whittelsey's Magazine for Mothers and Daughters, Volume 3Various
Religion
Mrs. Whittelsey's Magazine for Mothers and Daughters, Volume 3
Various
Christian life -- Periodicals
Now, I am not exactly justifying such conduct in children. But such
offences will exist, despite of all the wisdom, authority, and sternness
in the wide world. My position is, that these minor matters must
sometimes be left. They had better not always be seen, or if seen, not
be noticed. I think those who have the care of children may take a
lesson from a slut and her pups, or a cat and her kittens. Who has not
seen the puppy or the kitten taking some license with their
dams?--biting as puppies and kittens bite at play? Well, and what sort
of treatment do they sometimes get from the older folks? Now and then
you hear a growl, or see a spat. But, generally, the "old ones" know
better. The little frolicsome creatures are indulged. Nature seems to
teach these canine and feline parents that their progeny must and will
have sport. I have, indeed, as I have said, heard the ominous growl and
the warning spat or spit, but what good has it done? Why, the growl
seems only to inspirit the young dog. He plays so much the more; or, at
least, if he plays shy for a brief space, the next you'll see, he jumps
on to the old dog and plays the harder, and the kitten acts in like
manner.
But I have said enough. The sum is, that it is wise not to take
cognizance of all that might be considered amiss in children. Correct
the faults which are the most prominent. Let the statute-book not be
overburdened with small enactments. Nothing is small which is morally
wrong; but little physical twitchings, and nervous peccadilloes are not
worthy of grave legislation. The apostle's account of himself has some
pertinence here. "When I was a child, I thought as a child, I spoke as a
child"--Paul, doubtless acted as a child; "but when I became a man, I
put away childish things." The experience and observation of years often
make salutary corrections, which you would in vain attempt to effect in
early childhood, by all the laws of a ponderous octavo, or by all the
birch saplings to be found in a western forest.
A GRANDFATHER.
* * * * *
Original.
MAGNETISM.
Kind reader, whoever thou art, I come to thee with an earnest plea, and
that I may the more surely prevail in my suit, let me for a time exert
over thee the mesmeric power; thy bodily eyes being closed, and thy
spirit set free from its encumbering clay, let me introduce thee to
distant scenes.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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