The Mottoes and Commentaries of Friedrich Froebel's Mother Play

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. 1895 Excerpt: ... Illustrated Title-page (see page v). Surrounded by her children is a mother whose whole being is penetrated by a sense of the dignity and solemnity of her vocation. In her loyal and loving heart echo the words, Come, let us live with our children. Through song she seeks to reach the hearts of her little ones, and to prepare them for an all-sided harmony of life. Attracted by this active motherliness, other children--the children, perhaps, of relatives and friends--flock towards the joyous circle. Although sure of a welcome, they approach with modest diffidence; for the spirit of harmonious development hovers over this family group, and in the presence of such a spirit who does not feel shyness and reverence? Those whose souls are thrilled by the musical accord of life will revere that which is, will guard that which is possessed, will nurture that which is in process of becoming. Hence the little girl in our picture is impelled to care for the growing plants. Most of all she loves to water the lily, the flower of childhood, the stainless type of childhood's innocence. The. vigorous boy, on the contrary, is prompted by the feeling of life's inner harmony to the observation of activity and growth, and his eager and wondering gaze is fixed upon a bird's nest, or rather upon the fledgelings within the nest, who are so rapidly gaining the strength which shall enable them to fly high in the air. The plays of childhood become the realities of later life. Our little boy has grown into a vigorous youth, our little girl into a fair and gentle maiden. They seek in Nature for an object which shall be, as it were, a counterpart to their own inmost life. The fragrance of the lily stills the heart-yearning of the youth. Its form, at once strong and delicate, appeals to...