KIDD’S OWN JOURNAL. 

273 

NOTES UPON NOTES. 
EDUCATION—NOVEL READING——DUPLICITY— 
SUPERFICIALIT Y—FASHION—MODESTY — 
THE REIGN OF MONKEYS. 

Fasuton’s law doth still disperse 
Its universal influence; 
And makes things right or wrong appear, 
Just as they do her liv’ry wear. 

BUTLER. 
The innovations of FAsuron are always a long way | 
removed from sense; and the present position of the 
bonnet is—FURTHER OFF THAN EVER. DI0GENES. 

» ES, OR NO, ARE THE TWO 
gg WORDS COMMONLY USED by 
the Editors of public Jour- 
nals. 
time for much debate; and 
when any question becomes 
troublesome to them, they 
dispose of it at once. It is 
either “unsuited for their pages,” or the 
disputants must bow to the editorial dictum. 
This is not our way of getting out of a 
difficulty. 
The communications which are now daily 
finding their way into the ‘ Lion’s mouth,”’ 
or Hditor’s Letter-box, must not be coldly 
treated. They are neither few in number, 
nor unimportant in their details. The truth 
is,—by our plain, honest, straight-forward 
manner of speaking out, we have created in 
certain high quarters a degree of interest, 
which, to us, is perfectly delightful. All we 
want is fair play. Let us argue quietly, 
patiently, and sensibly; and to the humblest 
individual, as well as to the highest, shall 
our columns be thrown open. 
It has too long been the custom—“ fashion” 
if you will—to live as if there was no other 
world than the present. The grand end of 
life has ever been regarded by the masses— 

those, too, whose education ought to have | 
taught them better—as consisting in one 
continual round of pleasure and amusement. 
Getting money is, of course, to be added to 
this; and we are sorry to say that 
“worshipping” money is also considered 
a duty,—a most pleasing duty! We ask 
every person who reads what we say, 
whether we do not state a plain matter of 
fact. Talk toa man about another world, 
and he regards you as his enemy. 
If, then, from the cradle upwards, we are 
all educated in this heathenish manner (and, 
where there are exceptions to the rule, dupli- 
city and deceit invariably are superadded),— 
surely we must not marvelat the world being 
what it is! How could it be otherwise? 
We want a radical reform; and that reform 
must proceed from a different mode of 
education. A child’s mind is susceptible of | 
the earliest impressions; and it becomes 
either virtuously or viciously inclined, 
Wore LV — 18. 
They seldom can find | 
| given them. 

! 

according to the “example” set before it. 
We have made this a matter of special obser- 
vation ; and consider that very few persons 
can speak more to the point than ourself. 
We have frequently before remarked, that 
we love children,—doat upon’them. In their 
tender infancy, we have often watched the 
progress of their little minds, and longed,— 
aye, longed to remove them from the custody 
to which we have seen them consigned. 
If they have cried for anything, it has been 
If they have struck their little 
arms or head against anything, the offending 
object has been immediately beaten,—to 
gratify the child’s revenge! And how many 
daily deceptions, and attempts at deception 
(too often detected by the infant) are there 
practised on these budding blossoms of hope ! 
We repeat it,— all children are badly 
brought up; and we, their parents, ARE 
(and ought to be) responsible for all their 
future ill-conduct in life. We can scarcely 
believe that any reflecting mind will con- 
tradict this ; it is so palpable a fact. 
The iteration of these domestic, though 
perhaps unpalatable truths, is that wherein 
we delight, for we always find when people 
begin to “ think,” and will reason with you, 
—that the point sought to be gained is 
almost won. Nothing gives us such real 
pleasure, as to listens to any person who will 
take the trouble to argue with us when we 
advance anything that appears incorrect. 
Indeed, it is a rule with us to try and add 
daily ‘‘something new” to our stores of 
knowledge. Inthe company of an intelligent 
mechanic (these men are always well 
behaved, though hated by the aristocracy), 
we have often spent hours aud hours most 
profitably ; and we hope to do so again. 
Many of them are among our “ true nobility,” 
despite the humble garb that covers the 
jewels of their minds within. We shall have 
much to say about this from time to time.* 
These remarks are drawn from us, by a 
perusal of certain letters to which we have 
alluded as being recently found in our Letter- 
* The word ‘‘ Gentleman” is much misunder- 
stood. It was nicely defined, on a recent trial at 
Bristol, by Mr. Justice Talfourd. We record it 
to the honor of that “‘ gentleman.”” The evidence 
| proved that the defendant, while in the theatre, 
had said to the plaintiff, “Do not speak to me; 
‘Tama gentleman, and you are a tradesman.” 
“‘ Gentleman,” said the learned judge, “is a term 
which does not apply to any station, but to the 
mind and the feelings in every station. The man 
of rank who deports himself with dignity and 
candor ; the tradesman who discharges the duties 
of life with honor and integrity, are alike entitled 
to it; nay, the humblest artisan, who fulfils the 
obligations cast upon him with virtue and with 
honor, is‘more entitled to the name of gentleman 
than the man who could indulge in offensive and 
ribald remarks, however high his station.” 

