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many parents who possess their children for a much longer time.

"Happy the man, and happy he alone,
"He who can call to-day his own,

"He who, secure within, can say,
"To-morrow do thy worst, for I have lived
to-day."-DRYden.

We deemed it imperiously necessary to form, while he was yet in his infancy, a plan of future management, to begin from the moment that he should emerge from that state. It was, I imagine, little, if any thing, more than that of all considerate parents; and if more than ordinarily successful in the application, it arose from the circumstance that while we had to operate upon the most favorable materials, THE PLAN WAS INVARIABLY PURSUED: I say, invariably, for I am not aware that it was ever, in a single instance, essentially neglected.

We had determined, from the beginning, To

ACT IN PERFECT UNISON-and if there should at any time, occur an unavoidable difference in opinion, never to let him perceive it. If I had, as was sometimes probably the case, been unreasonable in demanding more than was to be fairly expected or in insisting on what was, in his circumstances, impracticable, his mother was uniformly silent before him, and shewed me, when alone, the extravagance of my requisitions-thus affording me an opportunity of averting or correcting any evil that might have been threatened or produced.-without begetting in his mind a notion that he might calculate on a rivalship betwixt the sternness of a father, and the excessive indulgence of a mother. He ever considered us as one-expected an equal share of tender affection from both-and was not, I trust, wholly disappointed.

We never employed the ordinary and vulgar method of FRIGHTENING him into obedience. Nothing but ignorance and weakness will resort to expedients which produce in many, and even in some powerful, minds,

distressing associations which no future instructions or reasonings can totally dissolve; and which are, not unfrequently, the foundation of mental habits, which destroy the entire comfort of future life, lead to a madhouse, or terminate in suicide. Never to the moment of his entrance upon the unseen world, did he know the torment of a superstitious apprehension.

On

It was an essential part of our plan NEVER EITHER TO DECEIVE HIM, or to suffer him to be deceived. We carried this into every thing. One deception discovered by a child(and children are adepts at making such discoveries) will ever shake that perfect confidence on which a parent has to calculate as the main assistant in a moral education. this we rested a large share of our hope, and it never disappointed us. When about two years of age, he was afflicted with an inflammation of the lungs, which rendered respiration difficult. Incapable of transferring so precious a charge to other hands, we sat up with him, watched, wept and prayed over

him, as he lay dozing or restless. It was necessary he should take medicine. This he refused, saying, "I can't, papa, it makes me sick." I answered, "My dear, it will make you sick; I know it is unpleasant; but it must be taken. You will be the better for it afterwards." This reasoning making, as may be imagined, little impression, in opposition to his feelings, I deemed it necessary to add, in a tone perfectly understood, "Unpleasant as it is, you must and shall take it." As he never knew us promise or threaten in vain, the case was instantly decided: and he never, from that time, refused any draught, however This saved us much future per

nauseous.

plexity.

He was NEVER PERMITTED TO CARRY A POINT BY IMPORTUNITY. We strove early to establish in his mind a conviction of our superior wisdom, and of a disposition to do every thing, which, in our judgment, could make him happy. "Do you not think we know what is best for you?" "Yes." ❝ Do you not know that we love you too well to keep

from you any thing that would make you happy?" "Yes." "Well, then, why do you

ask a second time for what we would have given you at once if it had been proper?" After some such short dialogues as this, it was almost needless to say more. He might, perhaps, a few times, have urged a request, with the hope of subduing us: but after giving him two or three practical proofs of its inefficacy, there never was occasion to speak twice. Why will any parents, to save themselves the pain of a momentary decision, encourage a practice which, when formed into a habit, is equally injurious to one party, and vexatious to the other? A child that can conquer, by cries or entreaty, once in twenty times, will be sure always to make the effort: for, however the chances may be against him, a mind intent on its object will convert the mere possibility of success into a sufficient probability to justify the perpetual attempt.

We were equally anxious NEVER TO BE CONQUERED BY HIS OBSTINACY. As he was to reign only in our affections, our will, when