TALKS WITH THE CHILDREN ABOUT THEMSELVES.
em anticipated by some one, who has thereupon put the answers Into a book. When we were children we used to ask our elders to explain things to us, and the knowledge that came in eager con- versations with a father or a mother or an elder brother had a lasting charm far beyond that of the most delightful book. In saying this we do not for a moment undervalue the conscientious and excellent work that is put into children's books, nor the quality of the instruction and pleasure that is to be got out of them, but we fathers and mothers should remember Carlyle's words and apply them to ourselves if we want to influence our children and be remembered by them: " Of this thing, however, be certain, wouldst thou plant for eternity ? Then plant into the deep infinite faculties of man, his fantasy and heart ... what will grow there." This train of thought was suggested to the present writer by the book before him, for some of the " Talks " recalled happy recollections of real conversations held many years ago on the same subjects, and in these memories beloved personalities live again. Miss Barnard's first chapters are on elementary anatomy and physiology, and the various functions of a child's body are well described under headings such as "The Wonderful Body," " Protective Coverings," " Why we Eat," &e. Then comes a very sensible " Talk " on " Taking Care of the Body," of which this is a specimen : "' What we all want,' say the digestive organs, is enough nourishing food and drink at regular intervals and a good rest between. Those are the main things. We are all hard workers. . . . My chemical laboratory does frantic work, but scmetimes you hurry things too fast for me—I nearly said "bolt" —and sometimes I'm sick of sweets and cakes.' But as he seems cross, and can't be referring to you and me, we bow him aside and say, ` Next, please.'" After the body, character, and what we may make of it, and duty in various forms is the subject of some "Talks." England will deteriorate, she says, "if we lessen our keen sense of justice and fair dealing in trade, if our boys and youths are content to look on at football matches instead of playing or spending their time in getting knowledge, if boys and girls fail in rsspect for others, and if they are backward in standing np for the right, forward in preferring amusement to work ; if, indeed, they are shirkers, then it will be a poor look-out for the British race. Yet this country will not sink into an insignificant little island if the boys and girls appreciate the great heritage of Empire and determine to be worthy of it." In the chapters on " Truth" Miss Barnard tells how Dr. Johnson shut himself up in his study when he did not wish to be disturbed rather than tell his servant to say " Not at Home," but she does not suggest a way out of this difficulty (if it really is one) for people who have not got a study to retire into, but who want to spend their time in other ways than in " neighbour talk with man and maid." " Days in Bed," "Hard Lessons," " Treats and Holidays," are also among the subjects which the author discusses with common sense and sympathy.
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