OCCUPATION OF CHILDREN

The habits of children prove that occupation is a necessity with most of them. They love to he busy, even about nothing, still more to be usefully employed. With some children it is a strongly developed necessity, and if not turned to good account, will be productive of positive evil, thus verifying the old adage, that “Idleness is the mother of michief.” Children should be encouraged, or if inherently disinclined to it, be disciplined into performing for themselves every little office relative to the toilet which they are capable of performing. They should also keep their own clothes and other possessions in neat order, and fetch for themselves whatever they want; in short, they should learn to be as independent of others as possible, fitting them alike to make a good use of prosperity, and to meet with fortitude any reverse of fortune that may befall them. I know of no rank, how ever exalted, in which such a system would not prove beneficial.