manly natures, education must aim at a similar result. Simplicity of food and clothing will have as favorable an effect upon the children of the rich, when enforced as a matter of principle, as if compulsory. The early hours and habits of steady labor of the children of toil, can be imitated by those who have the privilege of practising them in furtherance of the nobler object of gaining an education. Where the desire for play does not lead to habits of healthy exercise, it is the duty of parents to see that it is taken in some of those forms which even city life admits. The use of tobacco and other hurtful stimulants must not be learned. In fine, the body must be made to keep its place and do its work as a good servant, and not pampered and flattered till it leads the mind whithersoever it will, and compels it to do its bidding. "In accomplishing these objects, parents will find, that, if they add example to precept, the effect will be greatly increased. It is of little use for a full-grown man to talk to a child of the importance of air and exercise, if he never stirs from the fireside or the desk. It is his part to lead the way in the good path. A father who takes his son to walk, to ride, to row, to swim, to skate, shows that he believes what he preaches, and is disposed to reap the benefits of exercise in his own person. So, too, in abstinence from injurious practices. It is of very. little use to reprobate the habit of smoking, for instance, and yet set the example of it himself. It is one of the responsibilities of paternity, that cannot be shaken off or got over, to do the thing that we wish the child to learn. Anything short of this, so far as circumstances permit, is less than the duty of a father. "These remarks are equally applicable to the weightier matters, affecting not merely the outward well-being, but the spiritual welfare of the child. He must be directly taught those things which lead to eternal life, and guided into the narrow path, by parental example. The channel of communication must be kept open, and the workings and tendencies of the young soul not suffered to hide themselves. The watchful parent will make himself acquainted with the good and evil tendencies of his child, and will make it his first duty to cultivate the one and restrain the other." |