And while we make these suggestions to the boys, we would 

 also suggest to the parents that they encourage their children 

 in anything of this nature, in which they show a special interest. 

 We knew a little girl Avho had gathered a few relics, which, no 

 doubt, were precious tilings to her, but which were thrown out 

 of doors by her father, :i,s so nuich good-for nothing trash. It 

 may be, with that, died out the little girl's love for, and interest 

 in an innocent and healthful amusement, which would have 

 given her a great deal of pleasure all through her life. 



No doubt there are thousands of children who might fill the 

 place of an Agassiz, an Audubon, a Franklin or an Edison, if 

 their childish experiments were encouraged, and that for which 

 they show a special fondness in childhood were regarded with 

 favor by their parents. " My mother's smile made me a painter," 

 said Benjamin West. Are there not multitudes of people today 

 living almost useless lives, who, if some endeavor or experiment 

 in childhood had been met with a smile instead of a frown, 

 would have lived to be a blessing and and a benefactor to the 

 world ? Many parents regret that they have not the means to 

 give their children an education. A smile, a word of encour- 

 agement will often help a child to rise above difficulties to a place 

 in life and in the world, to which money, without the word and 

 the smile, never would have brought him. 



S. B. STEVENS. 



