PHYSICAL EDUCATION. 459 



ery ; but freedom from restraint is a still more essential element of 

 mirth. Even in the despotic countries of the Old World the represent- 

 ative of the Government attends the public /e^es in disguise, and, if the 

 schoolmaster wants to watch the recess-sports of his pupils, let him do 

 so unobserved ; if you can trust your children at all, trust them not to 

 abuse the freedom of their recreations, or else conduct your surveil- 

 lance as unobtrusively as possible. Children detest ceremonies ; in 

 our etiquette-ridden towns too many boys are aliens under their fa- 

 thers' roof ; give them one hour in the day and one corner in the 

 house where they are really at home, where they can feel that the per- 

 mission to enjoy themselves is granted as a right rather than as a con- 

 cession to the foibles of youth. If I had to board my children in an 

 old hull, like Anderson's sea-shell peddler, I would let them store their 

 toy-shells in the caboose, and keep it sacred from the intrusion of the 

 forecastle folk, to let my little ones know that the believers in the 

 divinity of joy, though in a sad minority in this pessimistic world, 

 have rights and perquisites which I mean to maintain against all 

 comers. 



It does not cost much to make the little folks happy ; time, and 

 permission to use it, is all the most of them ask ; but make them sure 

 that the pursuit of happiness is not a contraband affair, but a legiti- 

 mate and praiseworthy business. Kor can it do any harm to let* them 

 accumulate a little stock in trade marbles, tops, dolls, and magic 

 lanterns, and, if possible, a few pets ; in winter-time, and for the 

 bigger boys, a private menagerie of squirrels and gophers is a better 

 aid to domestic habits than a hundred interviews with the home-mis- 

 sionary. Connive at a snowball-fight or a torn hat ; and be sure that 

 a pair of skates, fishing-tackle, and a base-ball outfit are a better invest- 

 ment than a medicine-chest. Make your children happy ; all Xature 

 proclaims the plan of a benevolent Creator ; let them feel that their 

 life is in harmony with that plan that existence has a positive value, 

 an attraction that would remain, though the fear of death were re- 

 moved. 



And, above all, let no cloud of superstition darken the sunshine of 

 your Sundays ; and, in countries where the knell of the church-bells 

 drives your children from the play-grounds of the city, take them out 

 to the woods and mountains, and let them worship the Creator in his 

 grandest temple ; teach them to love his day by making it the hap- 

 piest day in the week. Or, disregard the bells and brave the conse- 

 quences : till we can repeal the sabbath laws, let us defy them in 

 every way and at any risk ; in dealing with the despotism of the 

 mythology-mongers, legal obligations are out of the question ; the 

 rio-ht of Nature enters the lists asfainst the ritrht of brutal force 

 leagued with imposture. 



