As suggested by our veteran novelist, William Dean Howells, we have clung to the wisdom of Solomon, in this respect, through centuries of changing conditions. Solomon said: "Spare the rod and spoil the child"; Mr. Howells suggests that we might with profit spoil the rod and spare the child. In the small families of to-day there is no need to cling to the methods that may have worked well enough with the Oriental, polygamous despot, who never could know all his children individually, and it is therefore hardly necessary to use Solomon as our authority. It is plain, then, that it is impossible to recommend any punishment as _the correct one_, or even to recommend any one infallible rule. This must depend upon the parent, upon the child, and upon the circumstances. But there are certain definite principles which we must keep in mind and which will do much toward making our task of discipline more rational: We must never punish in anger. We must consider the _motive_ and the _temptations_ before the _consequence_ of the deed. We must condemn the _deed_ and not the child. We must be sure that the child understands exactly the offence with which he is charged. We must be sure that he sees the _relation_ of the _offence_ to the _punishment_. We must never administer any _excessive_ or unusual punishment. We must not _exaggerate_ the magnitude of the offence. If we keep these principles in mind we may not always be right, but we shall certainly be right more often than if we had no policy or definite ideas. But, above all, we must recognize that punishment is only a corrective, and that it is our duty to build up the positive virtues. Let us expend our energy in the effort to establish good habits and ideals, and the child will shed many of the faults which now occupy the centre of our interest and attention. In a family where the proper spirit of intimacy and mutual understanding and forbearance reigns punishment will be relegated to its proper place--namely, the medicine closet--and not be used as daily bread. For punishment is a medicine--a corrective--and when we administer it we must do in the spirit of the physician. We do not wish to be quacks and have one patent remedy to cure all evils; but, like physicians worthy of their trust, we must study the ailment and its causes, and above all must we study the patient. The same remedy will not do for all constitutions. Therefore the punishment must not only fit the crime, but it must also be made to fit the "criminal." Love and patience are the secret of child management. Love which can fare from the chilliest soul; patience which knows how to wait for the harvest. III. WHEN YOUR CHILD IMAGINES THINGS Johnny was playing in the room while his mother was sewing at the window. Johnny looked out of the window and exclaimed, "Oh, mother, see that great big lion!" His mother looked, but saw only a medium-sized dog.