The Call of Education

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1921 Excerpt: ...scene between Hector and Andromache, the little Astyanax, terrified at the plume floating from a helmet, fails to recognize his father, throws himself, crying, upon his nurse's breast and wins from his mother a smile bright with tears, what ought to be done to soothe his fear? Precisely what Hector does. He places the helmet on the ground and then caresses the child. At a more tranquil moment this should not have been all. They should have drawn near the helmet, played with its plumes, and caused the child to handle them. At last the nurse should have lifted the helmet and laughingly set it on her own head If I wish to familiarize Emile with the noise of fire-arms, I first burn some powder in a pistol..... By degrees I accustom him to the noise of a gun, to bombs, to cannon-shots, to the most terrific noises Commonly children fear thunder only when they have been taught that thunder sometimes kills or wounds. When reason begins to affright them, then let habit reassure them. By a slow and well conducted process the man or the child is rendered fearless of everything.76 I would that the above reference, especially the first part of it, might be deeply engraved into the consciousness of our civilization. But let us continue with Rousseau in more of his words of wisdom: If Emile fall, if he bruise his head, if his nose bleed, if he cut his finger, I should, instead of bustling about him with a look of alarm, remain quiet.... all my anxiety will only serve to frighten him more, and to increase his sensitiveness. After all, when we hurt ourselves, it is less the shock which pains us than the fright. I will spare him at least this pang. If he sees me run anxiously to comfort and pity him, he will think himself seriously hurt; but if he sees me keep my...