By such measures as have been recommended, accompanied by a quick sympathy with the peculiar characters, and peculiar infirmities of children, much may be done towards forming among them a habit of good temper. But, such is the irritability both of mental and bodily constitution in childhood, that, with our best efforts, we must not expect unvarying success.

From some hidden cause, generally to be traced to their bodily state, many children, perhaps all occasionally, are prone to a certain fretfulness, or irritability, which will baffle every attempt to overcome it, and which, therefore, is rather to be borne with than opposed, never to be humored, but to be received with unmoved serenity and patience. In such cases, there appears to

cleanliness is indeed indispensable; and children, whether it teaze them or not, must be thoroughly washed. But their clothes should be so contrived as not to inter-fere with their freedom and enjoyment, or to require any great degree of attention. It is desirable to keep them as neat as the case admits of, but, to this, a nurse must take care that neither her own temper, nor their's, is sacrificed.

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be no other method of proceeding. This, indeed, calls for great patience; but, without great patience, who can perform the duties required towards children?

JUSTICE.

"Impartiality is the life of justice, as justice is of all good government." It is necessary diligently to enforce upon children principles of strict justice, and invariably to act upon them ourselves. We must have no partialities, but to give to every one his due; to the elder as much as to the younger, (in this a deficiency may often be observed;) to the unattractive as well as to the more pleasing; each according to his deserts, and not according to our own particular feelings. "On every occasion our decisions are to be regulated not by the person, but by the cause. We are not to infringe upon the rights of children; remembering that their feelings are a counterpart of our own, and that human nature is the same at every age. It is, therefore, a great, though very common error, to suppose, that, because they are placed under our power, we are not bound to the same laws of justice and honor, in our deal

ings with them, as with our equals. It is a well known remark, that the "greatest respect is due to children;" and this is especially to be manifested in a conscientious regard to their just and natural claims. We should hold their little property as more sacred than our own; and insist upon the same principle in their conduct towards each other: not allowing one child to use the playthings of his brother, especially in his absence, without his express consent; teaching them the true import of "thine and mine ;" and making it a point of honor to consider the rights of others, as their

own.

Children ought not to be obliged to give and lend; this is a very frequent mistake.. One of them, for example, is eating a cake, and the infant cries for it: the nurse begs for a piece in vain; and irritated by the unkindness of the one, and the cries of the other, she hastily breaks the cake, and gra tifies the desire of the younger, by seizing the property of the elder. The latter feels himself injured; his anger is excited to

wards his oppressor; and his kind feelings towards his brother impaired whilst the former is strengthened in the idea, that, by crying and impatience, he shall obtain the gratification of his wishes. Or, an elder child has a cart; he has played with it till he is tired: the younger begs for the use of it; the elder peremptorily refuses. The nurse persuades; she complains, urges, and remonstrates, till she obtains a reluctant consent: or, if not, seizes the cart, and gives it to the younger. Here the law of justice is broken: and the rights of the elder child are violated. It is true, he was unkind and unobliging; but the cart and the cake were his own; and by taking them from him, without his free and full consent, we shall not teach him generosity, but injustice.