influence it is intended to subdue; while the latter too, under such circumstances, always remain with undiminished force. Human laws are intended for the criminal, and their excellence consists not in the sanguinary nature of their penalties, but in the nice adaptation of punishment, to the varying shades of crime; and in the uniform infliction of that punishment, when a conviction of criminality has been established: hence it follows, that the milder the code can be framed, consistently with the great interests of society, the more completely will it be calculated to obviate crime. There is however this grand difference between political laws, and parental discipline, that whereas the former do not contemplate rewards for good conduct, but consider such conduct, and the esteem which it ensures, as in itself a sufficient reward: domestic discipline has for its object the recompense of virtuous action, the formation of the character, the production of good habits, the development of amiable feelings, the substitution of correct motives, the consideration of intention and design, and the education of the several faculties of mind. And if mercy should temper justice in dealing with virtual crime, à fortiori, should pity, compassion, tenderness and forgiveness form the basis of good discipline. Severity then is entirely out of place; and while one instance of insubordination should never pass unnoticed, such notice should have for its object the reformation, rather than the punishment of the offender; the correction and the sub

jugation of the evil tendency, and the growth and development of a principle of affection, to operate as a counter-agent to the evil, and to establish itself in its room.

How are these combined objects to be obtained without a sacrifice of either? Parental sorrow and displeasure should be observed as the consequence of every instance of filial insubordination; not always with the view of fixing the mind upon the crime or its punishment, but with the intention of producing repentance, and of shewing forgiveness of disposition; thus rivetting infallibly the affection of the child, and obviating the recurrence of disobedience, by the fear of grieving so kind a parent. Mere terror will be an inoperative principle, except in so far as it hardens the heart and leads to duplicity and concealment; but the fear of giving pain to a friend so dear, will exert an extensive influence over the mind; the happiness of the child will be increased, while its affection is kindled, rendered stronger, and more permanent.

In the arrangements of discipline, parents must avoid austerity; they are not to become unapproachable, inexorable judges, but should seek by all means the confidence of their offspring. The necessary influence of austerity, is to drive the meek and gentle spirit to the deepening shades of artifice; while the obstinate and the pertinacious throw off all kind of restraint, and openly contemn the maternal authority, or shelter themselves within the confines of despair, and a cer

tain recklessness of feeling, which boots not what may be the consequence of its actions. Deceit and cunning on the one hand, and on the other perversity of continuance in evil, are the consequences of this most ill-judged manifestation of authority; for this is the common ground on which it is maintained, and on which unsubdued temper is too frequently allowed to dominate. Thus the evil is increased instead of being diminished; and the timid and the weak may be led to conceal impropriety of conduct, and to hide speciously the existence of bad disposition; while neither the one nor the other will be corrected or subdued. That which alienates the child from the confidence of its parent, which inspires it with a dread of her scrutiny, instead of with the uniform desire of openness, may indeed drive it to seek the shelter of impunity, but will never lead it to repentance and reformation; while the feeble display of authority and its symbols, but in reality the strong arm of affectionate sorrow, and the manifestation of a readiness to forgive, and an anxiety for reconciliation and restoration

favour, will scarcely fail to melt the stoutest heart, (and this is the only basis on which we can expect, or ought to hope for success) and allow it to take the form of that mould, which parental solicitude has prepared. Forgiveness will merit confidence, and the child will be thus led to confess willingly and candidly, faults which otherwise perhaps, would have lurked unseen: and thus it will serve to enlarge the sphere of mater

nal knowledge, and her consequent power of exerting successful discipline.

Is it possible that this advantage can be overlooked, or not duly appreciated? It is possible, and not only possible, but actually is frequently, knowingly, and willingly thrown away, under the mistaken apprehension, that it derogates from the dignity of parental authority to encourage freedom of access, and filial confidence. And yet there is not one fault the more because each one is confessed, although more may be discovered, and the means of prevention may be devised; but in the one case, from being known, an opportunity is afforded for their correction; while in the other, they prey upon, undermine, or destroy the mental system.

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CHAP. XIII.

THE SAME SUBJECT CONTINUED.

IN regulating the exercise of discipline, it is of the first consequence to ascertain not only the general character of the child, but also the weight and proportion of each individual trait, as compared with the specific influence, which it ought to exert in a well regulated mind, and as contrasted with other features of the character. The same kind and degree of discipline will not be suitable to the harsh natured individual, the form of whose mental manifestations is diversified by many inequalities, and even asperities, and obscured by much that is useless and injurious; the quality of whose mental soil renders it vigorous in its productions, although those productions are not always of sterling value; whose prominent characteristic it is to be possessed of strong passions, and to be mutually influenced by them, however much such influence may have been softened and disarmed of its frightful tendency, by the counterpoise of many amiable dispositions it cannot be that the same species of discipline is required for the character in which obstinacy prevails, in whom the unyielding soil