A treatise on the physiological and moral management of infancy / [Andrew Combe].

  • Andrew Combe
Date:
1847
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A treatise on the physiological and moral management of infancy / [Andrew Combe]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    gresses the third, because it is impos- sible to admit of the undue gratifica- tion of any of the lower feelings with- out disregarding the dictates of reason and the moral sentiments. Tested by the same standard, the error of over-regulation in even the minutest details, is found to be equally an infringement of the rules. The kind of happiness which we ought to seek for the child, is that springing from activity excited by the objects na- turally related to its individual facul- ties. But the inclinations, wili, and judgment of the mother stand in no such relation to the faculties of the child as to render it probable that the objects which please the former should necessarily be equally agreeable to the latter. Let us test this by the not un- common example of a mother attempt- ing to entertain a child by some means which she thinks very amusing, but which it considers as wholly uninter- esting if not distasteful. In such a case the mother obviously forgets that her own experience is no proof what- ever that the objects which please her perceptions are equally adapted to the undeveloped and feeble faculties of the infant; and, therefore, she ought not to be surprised when the latter pushes them aside to lay hold, in preference, of some toy or object in nature which is in her eyes remarkable only for its plainness or want of meaning. Such objects may be adapted to the state of the infant mind although not to hers, and it is by that adaptation that their choice ought to be determined. Taking the same principle for our guidance, we can easily understand why the orderly, sober, and persever- ing regularity which is so laudable in the graver employments of grown people, should be peculiarly distasteful to the more volatile and mercurial tem- perament and mental constitution of early childhood; and why, in acting up- on general rules, such modifications in their application ought always to be made as may be required to adapt them to the individual case, instead of at- tempting to fulfil them to the letter under every variety of circumstances. To adhere inflexibly to any rule with- out regard to existing differences, would be nearly as absurd as to enve- lope a child in flannel or furs in sum- mer, because warm clothing had been recommended and found useful during The child is the same and the clothing the same, but the relation of the one to the other is wholly changed by the altered temper- ature ; and hence the necessity for mo- difying the manner in which the rule is to be fulfilled, even while still ad- hering as closely as ever to its spirit, cessive protection from the weather. In all cases, then, adaptation to the wants, feelings, and nature of the in- fant ought to be made the guiding principle of our management; and, in accordance with this, the child ought, as far as possible, to be allowed a cast- ing vote in the choice of its own occu- pations and amusements, and to become the chief agent in the development and formation of its own character. So long as it manifests feelings, desires, or intellectual wants, which are in themselves right and proper, we can- not in any way contribute to its wel- fare and happiness so much as by al- lowing it due scope for their gratifica- tion. In this respect the lower animals teach us a valuable lesson. The young kitten gradually developes its own muscular powers, and peculiar instincts and qualities, by their free and playful exercise according to its own wishes and desires; but it does so under the vigilant guardianship of the parent cat, which, while leaving it ample liberty of lecomotion and amusement, is yet ever ready to interfere in case of dan- ger. If, however, the cat were to in- sist on prescribing to the kitten in what manner it should amuse itself, when it should begin and when leave off its frolics, the harmony and affec- tion which characterize their ordinary intercourse would speedily come to an end. Under the guidance of an in- stinct which supplies the place of rea- son, the cat allows the kitten to pursue its frolic in its own way; and if she does not always take an active share in it, she at least never puts a stop to it unless her interference is required
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