arly ruined by his teacher and parents constantly telling him
that he was stupid and dull, and that he probably never would amount to
anything. A little praise, a little encouragement, would have made a
superb man of this youth, because he had the material for the making of
one. But he actually believed that he was not up to the ordinary
mental standard; he was thoroughly convinced that he was mentally
deficient, and this conviction never entirely left him.

We are beginning to discover that it is much easier to attract than to
coerce. Praise and encouragement will do infinitely more for children
than threats and punishment. The warm sunshine is more than a match
for the cold, has infinitely more influence in developing the bud, the
blossom, and the fruit than the wind and the tempest, which suppress
what responds voluntarily to the genial influence of the sun's rays.

We all know how boys will work like troopers under the stimulus of
encouragement and praise. Many parents and teachers know this, and how
fatal the opposite policy is. But unfortunately a great majority do
not appreciate the magic of praise and appreciation.

Pupils will do anything for a teacher who is always kind, considerate,
and interested in them; but a cross, fractious, nagging one so arouses
their antagonism that it often proves a fatal bar to their progress.
There must be no obstruction, no ill-feeling between the teacher and
the pupil, if the best results are to be obtained.

Many parents are very much distressed by the waywardness of their
children; but this waywardness is often more imaginary than real. A
large part of children's pranks and mischief is merely the outcome of
exuberant youthful spirits, which must have an outlet, and if they are
suppressed, their growth is fatally stunted. They are so full of life,
energy, and so buoyant that they can not keep still. They _must_ do
_something_. Give them an outlet for their animal spirits. Love is
the only power that can regulate and control them.

Do not try to make men of your boys or women of your girls. It is not
natural. Love them. Make home just as happy a place as possible, and
give them rein, freedom. Encourage them in their play, for they are
now in their fun age. Many parents ruin the larger, completer, fuller
development of their children by repressing them, destroying their
childhood, their play days, by trying to make them adults. There is
nothing sadder in Ameri