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The Parents' ReviewA Monthly Magazine of Home-Training and Culture"Education is an atmosphere, a discipline, a life." ______________________________________ Our WorkVolume 12, 1901, pgs. 68-80 Dear Editor,--Will you allow me to thank my nieces and their mothers
for the many kind and loving letters received from them during this
month. They have increased and softened the pain of parting with them.
It is quite impossible to answer them without the aid of a secretary,
and I have a strong opinion that aunts must write their own letters to
their relations, and not depute an outsider to do it. I should like to
recommend my artists to subscribe to The Children's Quarterly, issued
by the Reading Branch. There is an excellent Art Club connected with
it, and many would be inspired to continue their drawings if they would
join it. It only costs 2$. 3d. for the year, post free, and can be
obtained from Mrs. Stanley Hayward Hazelwood, Reading, or from the
P.N.E.U. Office, 26 Victoria Street, London, S.W. The paper on the
painting of mistletoe in the last number is most helpful and
suggestive. Miss Hart Davis is the hon. sec. of this branch. My Dear Children,--Since writing my first letter of thanks for letters
and loving messages, I have received such a lovely gold chain bracelet
from you, that my heart is full, and I must again thank you, one and
all, for your kind thought. I shall always wear it, and shall often
think of you, and love to be at work among you again. I trust that you
will always remember that I shall continue through life to be your
loving "AUNT MAI'S BUDGET" AND ART CLUB We go to press sorrowfully this New Year, having lost the co-Editor whose collaboration has been so much to us since the foundation of the Parents' Review. It would be hard to estimate what "Aunt Mai" has done for the children; so stimulating, patient and loving a friend it will not be easy for them to find elsewhere. We can only say to them that we are very, very sorry for their loss, a loss which we fully share. "Aunt Mai," we know, feels the sadness of this separation more than any of us. She wrote only the other day that "life already looks colder and grayer" because of this break with the children. But let us not think only of our loss. Let us think of the benefits we have received from your beloved "Aunt Mai." Some boys and girls, we believe, have been started on artistic careers by means of the Art Club, and all the members have perhaps received some true ideas on the subject of art-some canons of taste and principles of choice. These are things that will remain by them for life and make the world the richer. Then let us consider "Aunt Mai's" side of the question. She has at this moment 213 studies to criticise-the contents of the last portfolio. Can we wonder that the work has become too much for her, when we think of this serious undertaking coming month by month into an already over-full life, spent in serving various causes and many persons? We think it will be some comfort to the children to know that, by lessening "Aunt Mai's" work at the present moment, they may save her from a serious breakdown in health. We believe that at some future day Mrs. Steinthal may find it possible to take up the children's Art Club, at any rate, once more. In the meantime, she has, I know, the heartfelt gratitude of the children, the members of the P.N.E.U. and the Editor of the Parents' Review. We have another loss to deplore this New Year, and though there is an
element of happiness in this loss-for we all congratulate Miss Frances
Blogg on her approaching marriage with Mr. Gilbert Chesterton-yet we
must regret the loss of a Secretary so indefatigable in her labours for
the Parents' National Educational Union, and so steadfast in upholding
its principles. We have much reason to be grateful to Miss Frances
Blogg for five years of always sympathetic, kindly and enthusiastic
work amongst us. It is a pleasure to know that her interest in the
Union will not cease with her resignation of office. Dear Miss Mason,--Will you please allow me a small amount of space in
which to express my thanks to the member of the P.N.E.U. for their kind
gift. What the sum is to purchase I have not yet decided, but certainly
something that shall last a life-time, and that shall be a constant
reminder of the happiness I have found in five years of work for the
P.N.E.U. My belief and interest in the Union does not cease with my
resignation of the Secretaryship, and I hope I may always be able to
help in one way or another. With very many thanks to all for their kind
thought, and for all their good wishes. ____________________ The Annual Conference will be held on May 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th 1901. Any suggestions as to speakers and subjects for discussion, must be sent addressed to the Secretary, P.N.E.U. Office, before Jan. 31st. Further particulars as to arrangements will be notified in due course. House of Education.-Next term begins Tuesday, January 15th. Parents' Review School.-Members are asked to kindly remember that a term's notice is necessary before withdrawal from the school, otherwise the fees for the following year will fall due. Next term begins January 15th, but the date is not compulsory, as it is found impossible to fix a date which will suit all the members. BOOKS The Secret of the Presence and other Sermons, by H. C. G. Moule, D.D. (Seeley & Co., 3/6). Those who know anything of the devoutness, wisdom, and profound Christian understanding of Mr. Moule's teaching will welcome this volume of sermons for their devotional reading. Self-Surrender, Self-Consecration, The Individual and God, The Master and His Servants, Heart Purity, The Old Gospel and the New Age, are among the subjects treated of. In the sermon on Two Cambridge Saints we have this interesting passage: "And Ridley, alike in his prosperity and in his hours of outward ruin, lived the hidden life with God, conversing with Him over His sacred Word. In his farewell he lifts the veil from those secrets for a moment, when he bids adieu to his well-loved Pembroke: 'In thy orchard (the walls, butts and trees, if they could speak, would bear me witness) I learned without book almost all Paul's epistles; yea and I ween all the canonical epistles, save only the Apocalypse, of which study, though in time a great part did depart from me, yet the sweet smell thereof I trust I shall carry with me into heaven.' Ridley's Walk is still shown in the grounds of Pembroke." The Book of King Arthur and His Noble Knights: Stories from Sir Thomas Malory's Morte D'Arthur, by Mary Macleod, with an introduction by John W. Hales (Wells, Gardner, Darton, 6/-). The Reviewer knows a family of children who have been brought up on the Morte D'Arthur. They could pass a searching examination on every incident narrated by the old chronicler, on the "Who said these words, and upon what occasion? give an account of the speaker," principle. Perhaps Malory has entered into their blood and made them, shall we say, knightly-minded children. Miss Macleod has made a selection (and "simplification") which presents a very good view of the whole, and should introduce young people at first hand to Arthur, Lancelot, Tristram, Galahad, and the rest. A handsome page, clear type, telling and sometimes beautiful illustrations, notably that on page 295, worthily set out Sir Thomas Malory's most worthy performance. We cannot conclude better than with a few words from Mr. Hales' introduction: "There is no more delightful book of its kind in the English language than Malory's Morte D'Arthur, and there are few that, in certain periods at least, have had more numerous or more illustrious readers. It was written at a time when our language was greatly unsettled, and it undoubtedly exercised much influence in settling it. It furnished an excellent specimen and a conspicuous standard of English prose. At an epoch when the age of chivalry was swiftly passing, it caught and preserved its fading colours. It reduced the old cumbrous and endless romances to convenient and readable dimensions, and provided a charming summary of them, both for its own age and all ages to come. With a volume of such importance in so many ways it is well to begin an acquaintance as soon as may be. And it is hoped that this selection and simplification of Malory's stories may be of service in introducing young students to one of the masterpieces of medieval literature, and in exciting in them a desire to know it fully and directly." "Herein may be seen noble chivalry, courtesy, humanity, friendliness, hardiness, love, friendship, cowardice, murder, hate, virtue, sin. Do after the good and leave the evil, and it shall bring you to good fame and renown."--(William Caxton). The Social Teaching of the Lord's Prayer, by Charles William Stubbs, D.D., Dean of Ely (Wells, Gardner, Darton, 1/6). Dean Stubbs writes from the standpoint of the Christian Socialist, and claims spiritual descent form Frederick Denison Maurice. He says in his dedicatory letter to Dr. Huntingdon, of New York, "The lessons which I had learnt in the Cambridge classrooms of Maurice and Kingsley, of Lightfoot and Westcott and Hort, will always remain one of the greatest privileges of my life." The sermons treat of social order, social progress, social justice, and social duty, and are a just expression of the increasing purpose and the increasing power of the present-day Church. "To know that Social Order is based on the Fatherly will of God . . . that Evolution is the way that God makes things come to pass . . . this is to be able to pray the Lord's Prayer aright. To believe that the present Kinghood of Christ is the ground of a true optimistic faith in Social Progress . . . that in the idea of its Founder, the Church, the Christian Kingdom, had for its object the reorganization and restitution of society, no less than the salvation and deliverance of the individual . . . this is to be able to pray the Lord's Prayer aright. To know that Social Justice requires that our daily bread should be God's bread, given in return for honest work . . . this is to be able to pray the Lord's Prayer aright. To know that the law of Social Duty, the law of Christ's Kingdom, is the law of service . . . this is to be able to pray the Lord's Prayer aright. To know that Heredity and Environment are facts of human existence . . . and yet that the most potent of all influences upon human character is change of spiritual environment . . . this is to be able to pray the Lord's Prayer aright." These are the main points in which the author sums up the meaning of the Lord's Prayer for the Christian Socialist. Stray Thoughts on Character, by Lucy H. M. Soulsby (Longmans, 2/6 net). Miss Soulsby writes of Sweetness and Strength, Happiness, Girls and their Money, Self-Control, Some Thoughts on the Education of Girls, An Ideal Woman, Our Duty to our Neighbour, The Slough of Despond, Self-Education, Moral Thoughtfulness. We believe that the author is playfully named amongst her friends, "The Virtuous Woman," after the title of one of her addresses. Certainly the stray thoughts in this volume should go to the making of virtuous women. "Someone said to me the other day, 'What were parents about not to teach their children in the nursery that manners require you to smile as you shake hands?' " This is the sort of thing the author knows; and the girl who reads this book will have the comforting assurance that she is in the hands of a friend who is aware of her great aspirations and her little awkwardnesses, and who can help her in the direction and fulfilment of the former as well and as wisely as in the correction of the latter. Her advice to girls who are seized with the sudden passion of an amitie amoureuse is well worth pondering-"I will tell you how to turn a silly friendship into that true love which is- 'Like music to a march, "I. Never talk about your friendship either to others or to yourself; and remember that the interior silent conversations, against which Pascal warns us, have more influence over us than any spoken ones. "II. Give a fair share of talk and time to other people; if you find that you and your friend are always drifting together, take some pains to drift apart! "III. Above all cultivate instant obedience to the tiniest call of duty; model yourself on Lady Grizel Baillie, who could say after eighty years of practicing what she preached, that she should have felt ashamed if she had been unable to make herself perform at the moment the duty that was proper to be done." The Life and Death of Richard Yea and Nay, by Maurice Hewlett (Macmillan, 6/-). Mr. Maurice Hewlett has taken, it seems to us, a new departure in literature. He has given us the Saga Novel. Herein lies promise of a new lease of life for the historical novel. The author tells us that it is the man Richard he wishes to present to us, and not the events of a reign which hardly falls within English history at all. He gives us a hero, a cunning, persistent, free-stepping Ulysses, beloved of men-and hated; tall and glorious in his yellow hair; meaning always, for the most part meaning intensely, but blundering, repenting, and being chastised, even it would seem out of proportion to his offences, as happens in this world to earnest souls. The Crusade is no external thing to him; his spiritual warfare is unceasing, and through whatever sloughs he goes, Jesus Christ is still his "first love." All this is delightful and stimulating, and there are chapters in the book that are better than any sermon, but alas, and alas, the filth of the flesh that the reader must wade through! and when he thinks he has got safely to the other side, he is plunged into more unspeakable things than before. We are not sure that Mr. Hewlett is well advised in this; not so wrote Homer, or Shakespere, or Sir Thomas Malory, though none of the three can be said to ignore fleshly lusts. We hope Mr. Hewlett will see his way to giving us other Saga Novels with heroes as pure as Richard was on the whole, but without so realistic a framework of flesh to bring out the spiritual conflict. Mr. Hewlett's style makes his work a gain to Literature. In the Palace of the King: a Love Story of Old Madrid, by F. Marion Crawford (Macmillan, 6/-). The second title of this volume is enticing as coming from Mr. Crawford. He knows the "true inwardness" of Italian life, and we expect at his hands to be made equally intimate with old court life in Spain. We do get a vivid picture of the court of that Philip of Spain who made a dark and haughty appearance in English history as the consort of Queen Mary. But the love of two lovers is the theme of the story which is in fact the tale of what happened in a day and a night. We could wish that the lovers did not "rain kisses" so often as they do. We thought the raining of kisses belonged to young lady novelists, and not to a past master in the craft like Mr. Crawford. But the tale is almost a tragedy, and Romeo and Juliet kissed. Don John of Austria, one of the few perfect knights of history, is the hero, and the lady, Dolores, stands before us with something of the dignity of a Shakesperian heroine. Fairies, by M. T. Pole (Broadbent, Manchester, 2/6 net). Miss Tudor Pole has written a pretty and helpful book about wind-fairies, water-fairies, flower-fairies, all the fairies whose business it is to look after the affairs of this beautiful world. We think children will like the stories. Nature Myths and Stories, by F. G. Cooke (Curwen, 2/6). It was a happy thought of Miss Cooke's to put the old-world myths into stories for children. Phaeton and Baldur, Prometheus and Iris, Arachne, Hyacinth and Narcissus, Daphne and Chronus, are all personages who should enrich the children's world and people Nature for them as for the ancient Greeks and Norsemen. We congratulate Miss Cooke on her idea and on the way she carried it out. Wilderness Ways, by William J. Long (Ginn & Co., 2/6). This is a charming book. Mr. Long tells us that these sketches "are the result of many years of personal observation in the woods and fields." Here is a sentence which gives the key-note of the book:--"Any animal is interesting enough as an animal, and has character enough of his own without borrowing anything from man." Kagax, the Weasel, is a little horror, but Mr. Long maintains that children had better know real than ideal animals. At the Foot of the Rainbow, by M. H. Cornwall-Legh (Wells, Gardner, Darton, 2/-). A pretty and imaginative tale for children, with meanings which are not obtrusive and thoughts that will stick. The Wild Animal Play for Children, with alternate reading for very young children, by E. Seton-Thompson (Nutt, 2/-). Mr. Seton-Thompson, a past master in what concerns wild beasts, shows himself here up to the ways of children. This sketch was written, he tells us, "for some children who wanted help to play the characters in my books,--Wild Animals I have known, etc." Among the persons in the play are, a girl rabbit and a boy rabbit, a girl partridge, a boy crow, a great grey wolf, a little girl wolf, a grizzly bear boy, a funny little bear cub, all with delightful furs and feathers and delightful parts to play. The boy rabbit, "with one of his ears on cap all torn," is capital. Mr. G. D. Mason adds music for the verses, and the whole makes just the right play for young children. Tales Told in the Zoo, by F. C. & F. H. C. Gould (F. Unwin, 6/-). We are not quite sure that the authors have taken the wisest course in mixing up animal myths of their own invention with "well-known myths as published by the Folk Lore Society," but having entered our caveat, let us hasten to say how very good the stories are and how well told. For example, the tale of How the Hoopoes got the Crowns, when King Solomon in the desert was shadowed by their wings because he loved feathered things, and how "King Solomon rose refreshed, and with great thankfulness in his heart blessed the birds that had given him shadow in a thirsty land. 'Ask whatever boon ye desire,' he said, 'and it shall be to you even as ye wish.' And the Hoopoes, for these were the birds, answered--'Thou art great and wise, O King, and we be but simple folk; grant us that we may bear crowns of gold and jewels like thine own, for then we shall always remember the day when we sheltered thee in the desert.' So King Solomon, having in mind the promise, gave them each what they asked, and away they flew, each Hoopoe bearing a priceless crown of gold and gems on his head." The illustrations are spirited and well drawn. Frances Mary Buss Schools: Jubilee, 1900. We are sorry that want of space has made us late in noticing the very interesting magazine issued on the occasion of the School Jubilee in April last. It is well that a great educationalist like Miss Buss should be thus commemorated. A pleasant feature of the Magazine is the anecdotes, showing how Miss Buss obtained her wonderful influence over girls. Wrong from the First, by Mrs. Hart (Cassell, 2/-), is a tale of how wrong a family went, because they began with the fallacy that a step-mother is a person to be hated. The girl who took refuge in looking like a idiot is an interesting psychological study. Her Wilful Way, by E. Seachfield (Cassell, 1/6), tells how a wilful and clever "city" child came to live with her country cousins, and drew them into many perils. Inductive Geometry for Transition Classes, by H. A. Nesbitt, M. A. (Swan, Sonnenschein * Co.). This little book should meet with a warm reception from teachers, who are alive alike to the educational value of geometrical teaching and to the unsuitability of Euclid as a text-book for very young children. Mr. Nesbitt tells us that he wishes to help teachers "to teach the simpler truths of Geometry to children of from eight to twelve inductively, without the necessity of going through the elaborate formalities of demonstration." He points out that a child can grasp by intuition simple geometrical truths, though he may be quite unable to follow the method of a strict and formal proof of such truth, and that his difficulties are increased by Euclid's concise treatment of primary truths. Mr. Nesbitt's plan is to present some of the elementary properties of lines and angles as axioms which the child can receive by intuition when approached inductively. For example, the geometrical truth that the angles at the base of an isosceles triangle are equal, is illustrated by a diagram which a child who would be hopelessly confused by the reasoning of the "pons" would readily understand. Each chapter ends with a useful recapitulation, and there are a number of exercise at the end. In the Deep Woods: Possum Stories, by A. B. Paine (Heineman, 3/6). We are not sure that we think it well for the Little Lady to listen to stories till "the middle of the night," that is to say, till nine o'clock; but perhaps the Story Teller was to blame. Anyway, the stories are so entertaining that we cannot wonder at irregularities of that kind. THE "P.R." LETTER BAG [The Editor is not responsible for the opinions of Correspondents.] Dear Editor,--Now you must be at home, and I take the liberty you so kindly gave me, to write to you and give you sometimes short accounts of the educational work we are doing here. Yesterday we had our second meeting, in my home parents' circle. I read to our members, "Habit is ten natures." I translated it till the physiology of habit. All the people assembled was at that moment wholly living of the ideas; that they were living of them, taking them in their souls, that they would not forget them, that next time they would come and ask for more, I was convinced of it, I felt it whilst I was reading. When I finished there wee two or three voices about the taking away of the child's free will, but it very soon was made clear to every one present, that the will of the child is not made weaker through the laying, in early childhood, of good habits. I hope our modest work will prove successful. My great regret is not to have the right to affiliate my home circle to the Parents' Union; you were so kind to me, I am sure you would not have refused to us that favour. Just now I am very much occupied in writing the paper I shall have to read at the committee of home education of the pedagogical society. I would so much like to make clear to my auditory the principles of your work, to make them understand the really excellent ways to sound education that lay in these principles, and the aid we could find in adapting them to our own work. Till now, alas! I am dreadfully dissatisfied with my poor paper. Since this autumn the Society takes in the Parents' Review, so that the members that understand English will read and learn through it a good deal. One thing more that I also want to tell the members of our society is, how thoroughly kind and amiable English people are, and know to be, to strangers. Excuse me for the length of my letter and receive my profound respects,
______________________ Bien Honorée Mademoiselle,--J'ai l'honneur de vous transmettre mes deux articles sur l'éducation morale" et "Quelques buts de l'éducation morale" *--en espérant que, peut-étre, ils seront d'une valeur queconque pour vous, Mademoiselle, comme la fondatrice de la Societé nationale de l'éducation paternelle en Angleterre, ou pour votre estimable Societé. Pour ma part, en prenant un intérét profound aux questions de l'éducation morale et en y consacrant tous mes loisirs, je serais bien heureux de recevoir de votre part vos ouvrages sur l'éducation morale ou ceux des members de votre societé, si vous trouverez possible me les faire parvenir. Chaque envoi en question sera recu avec une profonde reconnaissance. Veuillez bien addresser la reponse: Moscow, Hôtel de Ville, Bureau de Statistique Municipale, à Monsieur Constantin Wentzel. Agréez, Mademoiselle, ma consideration la plus distinguee, ______________________ Dear Editor,--In reference to "O. Bertrand's" letter in Dec., 1900, I
think she would find the colloquial French names of flowers in either
of the following books:--Atlast d' Histoire Naturelle Végetaux,,
by Moritz Wilkomm and J. Groenland, published by J. F. Schreiber,
Esslinger. I think it costs 18fr., and can be had either in French or
German. Probably Hachett, King William Street, W.C., could get it. Or
Atlas de Poche des Plantes des Champs, des Prairies et des Bois, Series
1, 2 and 3, price 6fr. 50c. each, published by Paul Klincksieck, 3, Rue
Corneille, Paris. P.N.E.U. NOTES Edited by Miss Russell, Sec., 26, Victoria Street, S.W. To whom all Hon. Local Secs. are requested to send reports of all matters of interest connected with their branches, also 30 copies of any prospectuses or other papers they may print. N.B.-- Kindly write on one side of the paper only. Miss Blogg has resigned her Secretaryship of the P.N.E.U., and her place has been taken by Miss J. M. Russell. NEW BRANCHES The Executive Committee has been approached with a view to starting
Branches in the following places:-- Barry (Glamorgan) Blackheath--Names
may be sent pro tem. To Miss Valentine, 6, Leyland Road, _______________________ Belgravia--On Dec. 3rd, at 4, Grosvenor Crescent (by kind permission of Mrs. George Arbuthnot), a meeting was held, Mr. Biddle in the chair, to receive an address by the Bishop of Stepney on the "Relationship of Mothers and Sons." Members of other branches were invited to be present, and the attendance was so large that it was found impossible to afford accommodation for everyone, many having to go away disappointed. There must have been at least 200 present. The lecture, which was an interesting one, dealt exhaustively with maternal influence from every point of view, and indicated how this influence could be of practical service to a boy on coming in contact with the dangers which very often meet him on first going to school. At the conclusion of the address Mr. Biddle dealt shortly with the subject which had been treated, and an instructive discussion ensued. It is hoped that the address will be printed in a later number of the Parents' Review. The next meeting of the branch will be held at Mortimer House, Egerton Gardens (by kind permission of Mrs. Parrish), on Jan. 17th, 1901, at 3.30 p.m., when Rev. Theodore Wood will lecture on "Life in a Pond," with impromptu sketches in coloured chalks. The children of members are specially invited. Bolton--Mrs. Miall gave her very interesting paper on "Our Boys" to the members of the Bolton and Farnworth Branches, at the Baths, Bridgenian Street. Unfortunately there was a small attendance, but the paper was much enjoyed by those who were able to be present. Cradock, Cape Colony--The last meeting of the season of the local branch of the Parents' National Educational Union was held in the Supper Room, on Sept. 19th. In the absence of the President, the Rev. R. M. Lee was voted to the chair. After the usual business the Hon. Treasurer read a satisfactory financial statement which was adopted, and Miss Hockley was called upon to read her paper on "Mental Development of Children," which it is needless to say was a thoughtful, suggestive and helpful introduction to a useful and practical discussion of the subject, in which Mrs. James, Mrs. Henchman, and Messrs. James and Butler took part. The chairman closed the discussion in an instructive address, and Miss Hockley, in acknowledging a vote of thanks, replied on various points raised in course of the discussion, and it was announced that the next session would commence early in the winter. Darlington--In Feb. Miss Lucy Harrison, head mistress of Mount School, New York, will give an address on "The Cultivation of the Literary Taste in Children."--Mar. 19th, W. A. Spafford, Esq., M.A., on "Is there a Science of Education?"--Miss Mary Simpson, of the Yorkshire College, will continue her course of Natural History lectures: Feb. 25th, "Coltsfoot"; Mar. 25th, "Calkins"; May 6th, "A Woodland Flower"; June 3rd, "Bees." Dulwich--Before the members of this branch, on Oct. 23rd, and interesting lecture was given by Miss Maguire on "Historic London and its teaching for the Child."-On Nov. 22nd Miss Annie Evans lectured on "St. Francis of Assisi" which was illustrated by beautiful lantern slides.--On Dec. 6th Mrs. Clement Parsons lectured on "Education as understood by the P.N.E.U." This lecture was especially arranged for visitors, in the hope that next year some of them might become members of this branch.--On Jan. 14th it is arranged that Professor Hulme should lecture on "Our Flag--the Union Jack"; and on Feb. 14th William Stuart Low, F.R.C.S., has kindly promised a lecture on "Heredity." Eastbourne--On Nov. 22nd (by kind invitation of Mrs. Jay), an evening meeting was held at St. Anne's Vicarage, when Miss Farnell, of Bayford House, Hampstead, gave an interesting lecture on "The Study of the Beautiful." There was a large attendance of members and invited guests, and some discussion took place. Edinburgh--The opening lecture of the winter course was delivered by Dr. Helen Webb, on Nov. 23rd, at 27, Moray Place (by kind permissionof Mrs. Trayner). The chair was taken by Lord Maclaren. Dr. Webb's treatment of her subject, "Neurotic Children," showed a thorough knowledge and wide experience of the difficulties associated with the education of children possessing a highly sensitive nervous temperament. There was a large audience which thoroughly appreciated a most interesting and helpful paper. The second lecture will be delivered on Dec. 18th, at 7, Heriot Row, by the kind permission of Mrs. Greenfield. The Rev. Harry Miller will read a paper entitled "A Boy's Religion." Farnworth--At a meeting held on Nov. 22nd, the members of this branch decided to attend the Bolton lectures this season. By this means we hope to have better audiences, and the expense will be shared by the two branches. Glasgow--The first meeting of the session was held on Nov. 22nd at Redlands, by kind permission of Mr. and Mrs. Mirrlees. The Rev. Jas. Stalker, D.D., delivered a suggestive address on "Temperament." After dwelling on the unlikeness of children even in the same family, and on the need of studying the individual child, the lecturer explained that temperament (literally mixture) is a term derived from the old belief that human nature consists of four elements, that the individual is sanguine, phlegmatic, choleric, or melancholic, according to the element that preponderates. . . . However doubtful these distinctions may be on physiological grounds, they are really to be seen exemplified in every group of children. The practical import to us is that each temperament has its peculiar temptations. . . . But there is a bright side. Each temperament has its own possibilities of good. . . . Some discussion followed as to the practical bearing of the lecture on education and as to how far parents are warranted in trying to repress or to cultivate a strong natural bent in one direction. Dr. Stalker reminded the members that it has been said that we partake more strongly of each temperament in succession as we pass from childhood to old age. The meeting closed with the usual votes of thanks. Harrow--Two lectures have been given lately to this branch--one on Nov. 15th, at 3.30 p.m., at Mrs. Herbert's house in Roxborough Park, by Mrs. Dowson, on "Service and Rule," and the other by Mrs. Clement Parsons, at Northwood College (by the kindness of Miss Buchan Smith), on Dec. 13th, on "A Waverley Novel for a child." Both lectures were fairly well attended. In the course of a very thoughtful address, Mrs. Dowson said that to get the organic idea of society into a child's head, and the fundamental dignity of service, would be doing him a great service. Mrs. Clement Parsons gave us some very inspiring suggestions as to how to introduce Scott's novels to the child, and how to make them endeared to him. She said that through all his writings there blows an out-of-doors atmosphere--there is nothing enervating in them; and she went on to suggest that one should read one salient scene aloud, and added that "an anecdote dramatically told is the best way of driving in memory's nail." That one should not be afraid of giving scrappy information, because there will be plenty of time to specialise later on, and that one's main object after all is to open up vistas and widen the world in the days of childhood. The lecture was keenly appreciated by all present, specially by the elder girls of Northwood College, who were able to be present. Hastings and St. Leonards--On the 29th of Nov., at St. John's College (by kind permission of Miss Blunt, the Principal), a lecture was given by Miss Beth Finlay, subject, "The restlessness of modern youth." The chair was taken by Miss Blunt. The lectures arranged for young people on "The Wonders of Creation," By Mr. Cecil Carus Wilson, will probably begin Friday, Feb. 8th. Hyde Park and Bayswater--Hon. Sec., Mrs. Franklin, 50, Porchester Terrace, Hyde Park. "At Home" Thursday Mornings--On Saturday, Jan. 19th, a lecture to children will be given at 3.30, at 50, Porchester Terrace, by Mrs. Crump (F.R. Hist. S.), on "Nursery Life 300 Years Ago."--On Tuesday, Jan. 22nd, at 5 o'clock, at 29 York Place, Baker Street, by kind permission of Mr. E. T. Bull, who will take the chair, Miss Isabel Fry will lecture on "Economics and Every Day Life."-Swedish drill and drawing classes are being arranged. Ipswich--The annual meeting of this branch was held on Dec. 5th, at the High School. Much regret was expressed at the loss of our Secretary, Mrs. P. H. Bagenal, owing to her removal from this neighbourhood. The President, Lady Farren, asked if any member would volunteer to act as Secretary; no affirmative response being made, Mrs. F. G. Bond, who has been carrying on the duties (pro tem.), consented to act for the remainder of this session. After the election of committee for 1901, a most inspiriting address was given by Miss Frances Blogg, on "Development and Growth in the P.N.E.U." The following lectures have been arranged for this session:--"Influence of Home in the School," by Miss Kennett; "Professions and how to choose them," by Hon. and Rev. Canon Lyttleton; "Neurotic Children," By F. Ward, Esq., M.D.; "Children and Romance," by Mrs. Clement Parsons; "The Spirit life in Childhood," by Rev. W. E. Fletcher. In connection with our Natural History Club, a series of "Talks and Walks with Children" will be given by Mr. F. Woolnough, Curator of the museum. St. John's Wood--A meeting was held on Oct. 19th, when a discussion was opened by Miss Eva Young, her motion being "That Punishment should never be used in Home Education." Miss Young considered that control, but not punishment, is all that is necessary. The motion, however, was lost.--The second meeting of the Branch was held on Nov. 27th. Mr. White Wallis gave a most interesting description of the human eye, dealing with the commonest forms of defective sight. The lecture was fully illustrated by models and diagrams, and the Chairman (Major Lamorock Flower) spoke on the near-sightedness of our soldiers as compared with the Boers. Leeds--A meeting was held on Tuesday, Nov. 27th, at which Dr. Lucy Buckley gave an interesting address on "Some Nervous Manifestations of Childhood." After pointing out various ways in which they hypersensitive brain shows itself in children, Dr. Buckley emphasized the fact that nervous diseases are becoming more frequent, especially among the educated classes, and that this is the case with our children, as well as with ourselves. She considered that one cause of this is the hurry and excitement in which we live, and that though change of work may be rest to grown up people, it is not so to children, but is only exciting. We are too apt to give them a great variety of occupations, and not enough real honest leisure. There was a fair attendance. Lewes--A meeting took place on Wednesday, Dec. 5th. About 55 people were present, in spite of a terribly wet afternoon. Mr. Bicknell's address, "About Stars and the easiest way to know them," was very much enjoyed. Fourteen new members have joined the branch this season. Richmond and Kew--An address was delivered on Nov. 26th at the High School, Richmond, to a large audience, by the Warden of the Lady Warwick Hostel, Reading, on "Agriculture as a Work for Women." An interesting account was given of their very excellent scheme, but questions elicited the fact that it is still in its infancy. Dairy work is taught without a cow! Horticulture, bee cultivation, and poultry farming on twelve acres of suburban land. The arrangements of the houses for the girls seemed very satisfactory.--A lecture to members and their children was given to about 100 young people, with their parents and teachers, on December 7th, by the Rev. Theodore Wood, on the "Wonders of Ant Life." Everyone listened enthralled to the wonderful stories of these very wonderful insects. Mr. Wood is an accomplished lecturer, and has the great power of illustrating his lectures by drawings on the blackboard. Young and old came away delighted and instructed.--On Jan. 24th we hope to hear the Hon. and Rev. Canon Lyttleton, on "Character and Surroundings." Wakefield and District--Miss Ravenhill gave a most instructive and interesting lecture on Dec. 3rd, on "The A. B. C. of Child-Hygiene." There was a very fair attendance of members in spite of a wet afternoon. Miss Ravenhill gave some most practical information on the various forms of food for infants and little children, the importance of fresh air, suitable clothing and the proper amount of sleep and exercise. Woodford and Wanstead--The autumn session was opened on Wednesday, Oct. 31st, by kind invitation of Mr. and Mrs. Beecham Martin, Wanstead College. Mrs. Clement Parsons gave her most interesting lecture on "Simplicity." The audience showed by their extreme attention and subsequent discussion how near the subject was to many present. The winter's work was afterwards spoken of. The Secretary announced that the nucleus of a small permanent lending library was formed. There was quite a demand for Canon Lyttleton's "Home Safeguards," etc., some copies being on sale at the close. In December, extracts from Canon Lyttleton's book, "Mothers and Sons," are to be read and discussed. The next lecture is a public one, by Mrs. Lemon, Hon. Secretary of Society for Protection of Birds. |
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