faculty of self-restraint, by continually in- follow certain kind of acts; and then you will creasing the degree in which it is left to its have to devise methods by which parallel self-constraint, and by so bringing it, step results shall be entailed on the parallel acts by step, to a state of unaided self-restraint, of your children. You will daily be called obliterates the ordinary sudden and hazard-upon to analyze the motives of juvenile conous change from externally-governed youth duct: you must distinguish between acts that to internally governed maturity. Let the his- are really good and those which, though extory of your domestic rule typify, in little, the ternally simulating them, proceed from infehistory of our political rule: at the outset, au- rior impulses: while you must be ever on tocratic control, where control is really need-your guard against the cruel mistake not unful; by and by an incipient constitutionalism, frequently made, of translating neutral acts in which the liberty of the subject gains some express recognition; successive extensions of this liberty of the subject; gradually ending in parental abdication.

Do not regret the exhibition of considerable self-will on the part of your children. It is the correlative of that diminished coerciveness so conspicuous in modern education. The greater tendency to assert freedom of action on the one side, corresponds to the smaller tendency to tyrannize on the other. They both indicate an approach to the system of discipline we contend for, under which children will be more and more led to rule themselves by the experience of natural consequences; and they are both the accompaniments of our more advanced social state. The independent English boy is the father of the independent English man; and you cannot have the last without the first. German teachers say that they had rather manage a dozen German boys than one English one. Shall we, therefore, wish that our boys had the manageableness of the German ones, and with it the submissiveness and political serfdom of adult Germans? Or shall we not rather tolerate in our boys those feelings which make them free men, and modify our methods accordingly?

into transgressions, or ascribing worse feelings than were entertained. You must more or less modify your method to suit the disposition of each child; and must be prepared to make further modifications as each child's disposition enters on a new phase. Your faith will often be taxed to maintain the requisite perseverance in a course which seems to produce little or no effect. Especially if you are dealing with children who have been wrongly treated, you must be prepared for a lengthened trial of patience before succeeding with better methods; seeing that that which is not easy even where a right state of feeling has been established from the beginning, becomes doubly difficult when a wrong state of feeling has to be set right. Not only will you have constantly to analyze the motives of your children, but you will have to analyze your own motives-to discriminate between those internal suggestions springing from a true paternal solicitude, and those which spring from your own selfishness, from your love of ease, from your lust of dominion. And then, more trying still, you will have not only to detect, but to curb these baser impulses. In brief, you will have to carry on your higher education at the same time that you are educating your chilLastly, always remember that to educate dren. Intellectually you must cultivate to rightly is not a simple and easy thing, but a good purpose that most complex of subjects— complex and extremely difficult thing: the human nature and its laws, as exhibited in your hardest task which devolves upon adult life. children, in yourself, and in the world. MorThe rough and ready style of domestic gov- ally, you must keep in constant exercise your ernment is indeed practicable by the meanest higher feelings, and restrain your lower. It and most uncultivated intellects. Slaps and is a truth yet remaining to be recognized, that sharp words are penalties that suggest them- the last stage in the mental development of selves alike to the least reclaimed barbarian each man and woman is to be reached only and the most stolid peasant. Even brutes through the proper discharge of the parental can use this method of discipline; as you may duties. And when this truth is recognized, it see in the growl and half-bite with which a will be seen how admirable is the ordination bitch will check a too-exigeant puppy. But in virtue of which human beings are led by if you would carry out with success a rational their strongest affections to subject themand civilized system, you must be prepared selves to a discipline which they would else for considerable mental exertion-for some elude.

study, some ingenuity, some patience, some While some will probably regard this conself-control. You will have habitually to ception of education as it should be, with trace the consequences of conduct-to consid- doubt and discouragement, others will, we er what are the results which in adult life think, perceive in the exalted ideal which it

involves, evidence of its truth. That it can- | lation that the regulations of the kennel, the not be realized by the impulsive, the un-stable, the cow-shed, and the sheep-pen, are sympathetic, and the short-sighted, but de- favorite subjects. In towns, too, the numermands the higher attributes of human nature, ous artisans who keep dogs, the young men they will see to be evidence of its fitness for who are rich enough to now and then indulge the more advanced states of humanity. their sporting tendencies, and their more Though it calls for much labor and self-sacri- staid seniors who talk over agricultural progfice, they will see that it promises an abund-ress or read Mr. Mechi's annual reports and ant return of happiness, immediate and re- Mr. Caird's letters to the Times, form, when mote. They will see that while in its injurious added together, a large portion of the inhabeffects on both parent and child a bad system itants. Take the adult males throughout the is twice cursed, a good system is twice blessed kingdom, and a great majority will be found -it blesses him that trains and him that's to show some interest in the breeding, reartrained. ing, or training of animals, of one kind or other.

It will be seen that we have said nothing in this Chapter about the transcendental dis- But, during after-dinner conversations, or tinction between right and wrong, of which at other times of like intercourse, who hears wise men know so little, and children noth- anything said about the rearing of children? ing. All thinkers are agreed that we may When the country gentleman has paid his find the criterion of right in the effect of daily visit to the stable, and personally inactions, if we do not find the rule there; and spected the condition and treatment of his that is sufficient for the purpose we have had horses; when he has glanced at his minor live in view. Nor have we introduced the relig-stock, and given directions about them; how ious element. We have confined our inquiries often does he go up to the nursery and examto a nearer, and a much more neglected field, though a very important one. Our readers may supplement our thoughts in any way they please; we are only concerned that they should be accepted as far as they go.

CHAPTER IV.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION.

ine into its dietary, its hours, its ventilation? On his library shelves may be found White's "Farriery," Stephen's "Book of the Farm," Nimrod "On the Condition of Hunters; " and with the contents of these he is more or less familiar; but how many books has he read on the management of infancy and childhood? The fattening properties of oil-cake, the relative values of hay and chopped straw, the dangers of unlimited clover, are points on which every landlord, farmer, and peasant has some knowledge; but what proportion of them know much about the qualities of the food they give

EQUALLY at the squire's table after the withdrawal of the ladies, at the farmers' market- | their children, and its fitness to the constitu ordinary, and at the village ale-house, the tional needs of growing boys and girls? Pertopic which, after the political question of the haps the business interests of these classes day, excites perhaps the most general interest, will be assigned as accounting for this anom. is the management of animals. Riding home aly. The explanation is inadequate, howfrom hunting, the conversation is pretty sure ever; see that the same contrast holds more or to gravitate towards horse-breeding, and ped- less among other classes. Of a score of townsigrees, and comments on this or that "good people few, if any, would prove ignorant of point; " while a day on the moors is very un- the fact that it is undesirable to work a horse likely to pass without something being said soon after it has eaten; and yet, of this same on the treatment of dogs. When crossing the score, supposing them all to be fathers, probfields together from church, the tenants of ad-ably not one would be found who had consid jacent farms are apt to pass from criticisms on the sermon to criticisms on the weather, the crops, and the stock; and thence to slide into discussions on the various kinds of fodder and their feeding qualities. Hodge and Giles, after comparing notes over their respective pig-styes, show by their remarks that they have been more or less observant of their masters' beasts and sheep; and of the effects produced on them by this or that kind of treatment. Nor is it only among the rural popu

ered whether the time elapsing between his children's dinner and their resumption of lessons was sufficient. Indeed, on cross-examination, nearly every man would disclose the latent opinion that the regimen of the nursery was no concern of his. "Oh, I leave all those things to the women," would probably be the reply. And in most cases the tone and m ner of this reply would convey the implication, that such cares are not consistent with masculine dignity.

selves, that man is subject to the same

Consider the fact from any but the conven- | est in physical training. And the formation tional point of view, and it will seem strange of a school, significantly nicknamed that of that while the raising of first-rate bullocks is" muscular Christianity," implies a growing an occupation on which men of education will- opinion that our present methods of bringing ingly bestow much time, inquiry, and thought, up children do not sufficiently regard the welthe bringing up of fine human beings is an fare of the body. The topic is evidently ripe occupation tacitly voted unworthy of their for discussion. attention. Mammas who have been taught To conform the regimen of the nursery and little but languages, music, and accomplish- the school to the established truths of modern ments, aided by nurses full of antiquated prej-science-this is the desideratum. It is time udices, are held competent regulators of the that the benefits which our sheep and oxen food, clothing, and exercise of children. have for years past derived from the investiMeanwhile the fathers read books and period- gations of the laboratory, should be particiicals, attend agricultural meetings, try ex-pated in by our children. Without calling in periments, and engage in discussions, all with question the great importance of horse-trainthe view of discovering how to fatten prize ing and pig-feeding, we would suggest that, pigs! Infinite pains will be taken to produce as the rearing of well-grown men and women a racer that shall win the Derby: none to pro- is also of some moment, the conclusions indiduce a modern athlete. Had Gulliver nar- cated by theory, and endorsed by practice, rated of the Laputans that the men vied with ought to be acted on in the last case as in the each other in learning how best to rear the first. Probably not a few will be startledoffspring of other creatures, and were care- perhaps offended-by this collocation of less of learning how best to rear their own ideas. But it is a fact not to be disputed, offspring, he would have paralleled any of and to which we had best reconcile ourthe other absurdities he ascribes to them. The matter is a serious one, however. Lu-organic laws as inferior creatures. No anatdicrous as is the antithesis, the fact it expresses is not less disastrous. As remarks a suggestive writer, the first requisite to success in life is "to be a good animal;" and to be a nation of good animals is the first condi-esses in man. And a candid admission of tion to national prosperity. Not only is it that the event of a war often turns on the strength and hardiness of soldiers; but it is that the contests of commerce are in part determined by the bodily endurance of producers. Thus far we have found no reason to fear trials of strength with other races in either of these fields. But there are not wanting signs that our powers will presently be taxed to the uttermost. Already under the keen competition of modern life, the application required of almost every one is such as few can bear without more or less injury. Already thousands break down under the high pressure they are subject to. If this pressure continues to increase, as it seems likely to do, it will try severely all but the soundest constitution. Hence it is becoming of especial importance that the training of children should be so carried on, as not only to fit them mentally for the struggle before them, but also to make them physically fit to bear its excessive wear and tear.

Happily the matter is beginning to attract attention. The writings of Mr. Kingsley indicate a reaction against over-culture; carried, as reactions usually are, somewhat too far. Occasional letters and leaders in the newspapers have shown an awakening inter

omist, no physiologist, no chemist, will for a moment hesitate to assert, that the general principles which rule over the vital processes in animals equally rule over the vital proc

this fact is not without its reward: namely, that the truths established by observation and experiment on brutes, become more or less available for human guidance. Rudimentary as is the Science of Life, it has already attained to certain fundamental principles underlying the development of all organisms, the human included. That which has now to be done, and that which we shall endeavor in some measure to do, is to show the bearing of these fundamental principles upon the physical training of childhood and youth.

The rhythmical tendency which is tracea ble in all departments of social life-which is illustrated in the access of despotism after revolution, or, among ourselves, in the alternation of reforming epochs and conservative epochs-which, after a dissolute age, brings an age of asceticism, and conversely-which, in commerce, produces the regularly recurring inflations and panics-which carries the devotees of fashion from one absurd extreme to the opposite one;-this rhythmical tendency affects also our table-habits, and by implication, the dietary of the young. After a period distinguished by hard drinking and hard eating, has come a period of comparative sobriety, which, in teetotalism and vege

tarianism, exhibits extreme forms of its pro- to cite facts totally at variance with it. It test against the riotous living of the past. will appear absurd if we deny the relevancy And along with this change in the regimen of these facts; and yet the paradox is quite of adults, has come a parallel change in the defensible. The truth is, that the instances regimen for boys and girls. In past genera- of excess which such persons have in mind, tions, the belief was, that the more a child are usually the consequences of the restrictive could be induced to eat, the better; and even system they seem to justify. They are the now, among farmers and in remote districts, sensual reactions caused by a more or less aswhere traditional ideas most linger, parents cetic regimen. They illustrate on a small may be found who tempt their children to scale that commonly remarked fact, that those gorge themselves. But among the educated who during youth have been subject to the classes, who chiefly display this reaction tow-most rigorous discipline, are apt afterwards ards abstemiousness, there may be seen a to rush into the wildest extravagances. They decided leaning to the under-feeding, rather are analogous to those frightful phenomena, than the over-feeding, of children. Indeed once not uncommon in convents, where nuns their disgust for bygone animalism is more suddenly lapsed from the extremest austericlearly shown in the treatment of their off- ties into an almost demoniac wickedness. spring than in the treatment of themselves; They simply exhibit the uncontrollable veheseeing that while their disguised asceticism mence of a long-denied desire. Consider the is, in so far as their personal conduct is con- ordinary tastes and the ordinary treatment cerned, kept in check by their appetites, it of children. The love of sweets is conspicuhas full play in legislating for juveniles. ous and almost universal among them. ProbThat over-feeding and under-feeding are ably ninety-nine people in a hundred, preboth bad, is a truism. Of the two, however, sume that there is nothing more in this than the last is the worst. As writes a high au- gratification of the palate; and that, in comthority, "the effects of casual repletion are mon with other sensual desires, it should less prejudicial, and more easily corrected, be discouraged. The physiologist, however, than those of inanition."* Add to which, that whose discoveries lead him to an ever-increaswhere there has been no injudicious interfer- ing reverence for the arrangements of things, ence, repletion will seldom occur. "Excess will suspect that there is something more in is the vice rather of adults than of the young, this love of sweets than the current hypothwho are rarely either gourmands or epicures, esis supposes; and a little inquiry confirms unless through the fault of those who rear the suspicion. Any work on organic chemthem." This system of restriction which istry shows that sugar plays an important many parents think so necessary, is based part in the vital processes. Both saccharine upon very inadequate observation, and very and fatty matters are eventually oxidized in erroneous reasoning. There is an over-legis- the body; and there is an accompanying evolation in the nursery, as well as an over-legis-lution of heat. Sugar is the form to which sunlation in the State; and one of the most injurious forms of it is this limitation in the quantity of food.

"But are children to be allowed to surfeit themselves? Shall they be suffered to take their fill of dainties and make themselves ill, as they certainly will do?" As thus put, the question admits of but one reply. But as thus put, it assumes the point at issue. We contend that, as appetite is a good guide to all the lower creation--as it is a good guide to the infant-as it is a good guide to the invalid-as it is a good guide to the differently-placed races of men, and as it is a good guide for every adult who leads a healthful life; it may safely be inferred that it is a good guide for childhood. It would be strange indeed were it here alone untrustworthy.

Probably not a few will read this reply with some impatience; being able, as they think,

dry other compounds have to be reduced before they are available as heat-making food; and this formation of sugar is carried on in the body. Not only is starch changed into sugar in the course of digestion, but it has been proved by M. Claude Bernard that the liver is a factory in which other constituents of food are transformed into sugar. Now, when to the fact that children have a marked desire for this valuable heat-food, we join the fact that they have usually a marked dislike to that food which gives out the greatest amount of heat during its oxidation (namely, fat), we shall see strong reason for thinking that excess of the one compensates for defect of the other-that the organism demands more sugar because it cannot deal with much fat. Again, children are usually very fond of vegetable acids. Fruits of all kinds are their delight; and, in the absence of anything bet ter, they will devour unripe gooseberries and the sourest of crabs. Now, not only are veg

etable acids, in common with mineral ones, | data does she proceed? She thinks he has very good tonics, and beneficial as such when had enough. But where are her grounds for taken in moderation; but they have, when ad- so thinking? Has she some secret underministered in their natural forms, other ad-standing with the boy's stomach-some clairvantages. "Ripe fruit," says Dr. Andrew voyant power enabling her to discern the Combe, "is more freely given on the Conti- needs of his body? If not, how can she nent than in this country; and, particularly safely decide? Does she not know that the when the bowels act imperfectly, it is often demand of the system for food is determined very useful." See, then, the discord between by numerous and involved causes-varies the instinctive wants of children and their with the temperature, with the hygrometric habitual treatment. Here are two dominant state of the air, with the electric state of the desires, which there is good reason to believe air-varies also according to the exercise express certain needs of the juvenile constitu- taken, according to the kind and quality of tion; and not only are they ignored in the food eaten at the last meal, and according to nursery regimen, but there is a general ten- the rapidity with which the last meal was dency to forbid the gratification of them. digested? How can she calculate the result of Bread-and-milk in the morning, tea and bread-such a combination of causes? As we heard and-butter at night, or some dietary equally said by the father of a five-years-old boy insipid, is rigidly adhered to; and any minis- who stands a head taller than most of his age, tration to the palate is thought not only need- and is proportionately robust, rosy, and acless but wrong. What is the necessary con- tive:-"I can see no artificial standard by sequence? When, on fête-days there is an un- which to mete out his food. If I say, 'this limited access to good things-when a gift of much is enough,' it is a mere guess; and the pocket-money brings the contents of the con- guess is as likely to be wrong as right. Confectioner's window within reach, or when by sequently, having no faith in guesses, I let some accident the free run of a fruit-garden is him eat his fill." And certainly, any one obtained; then the long-denied, and therefore judging of his policy by its effects, would be intense, desires lead to great excesses. There constrained to admit its wisdom. In truth, is an impromptu carnival, caused not only by this confidence, with which most parents the release from past restraints, but also by take upon themselves to legislate for the the consciousness that a long Lent will begin stomachs of their children, proves their unon the morrow. And then, when the evils of acquaintance with the principles of physiolrepletion display themselves, it is argued that ogy: if they knew more, they would be more children must not be left to the guidance of modest. "The pride of science is humble their appetites! These disastrous results of when compared with the pride of ignorance." artificial restrictions, are themselves cited as If any one would learn how little faith is to proving the need for further restrictions! be placed in human judgments, and how We contend, therefore, that the reasoning much in the pre-established arrangements of commonly used to justify this system of in- things, let him compare the rashness of the terference is vicious. We contend that, were inexperienced physician with the caution of children allowed daily to partake of these the most advanced; or let him dip into Sir more sapid edibles, for which there is a phys-John Forbes' work, "On Nature and Art in iological requirement, they would rarely ex- the Cure of Disease;" and he will then see ceed, as they now mostly do when they have the opportunity: were fruit, as Dr. Combe recommends, "to constitute a part of the regular food" (given, as he advises, not between meals, but along with them), there would be none of that craving which prompts the devouring of such fruits as crabs and sloes. And similarly in other cases.

Not only is it that the à priori reasons for trusting the appetites of children are so strong; and that the reasons assigned for distrusting them are invalid; but it is that no other guidance is worthy of any confidence. What is the value of this parental judgment, set up as an alternative regulator? When to “Oliver asking for more," the mamma or the governess replies in the negative, on what

that, in proportion as men gain a greater knowledge of the laws of life, they come to have less confidence in themselves, and more in Nature.

Turning from the question of quantity of food to that of quality, we may discern the same ascetic tendency. Not simply a more or less restricted diet, but a comparatively low diet, is thought proper for children. The current opinion is, that they should have but little animal food. Among the less wealthy classes, economy seems to have dictated this opinion-the wish has been father to the thought. Parents not affording to buy much meat, and liking meat themselves, answer the petitions of juveniles with-"Meat is not good for little boys and girls;" and this, at