DUTIES OF MOTHERHOOD.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 60, 8 June 1907, Page 3

DUTIES OF MOTHERHOOD.

Under the limiting, "Why don't women take MotherHood Seriously," Ella Wheeler Wilcox, the well-known American writer, writes sensible words to American mothers, much of her advice, being applicable to mothers the world over. She savs:—

"What are the mothers of the growing generation of American boys and girls thinking about?'' Most of them are looking for "careers." 1 know, and. wishing they had a wider sphere of influence—at least so they write me by the score.

Meanwhile they are neglecting that vast field of limitless influence the training and guiding of their little minds they hnvfc in their care. Every day I see young American boys —the future men of the nation, the possible presidents, millionaires, college-pro-fessors statesmen, artists—indulging in habits that arc an oU'ence to good taste and which- will be a serious reflection upon our national manners when these boys become men.

Mothers, I pray you, instead of sighing to bo "famous," teach your boys a few

important items. Teach them to stand aside and let "ladies" or charwomen or tired servants enter a public vehicle or pass through a door before them, and to offer a seat to anyone in woman's attire or to an elderly man.

livery day J. see women pushed aside by Young America in such situations. Teach your boys that it is inexcusably vulgar to attend to any portion of their toilet in (he presence of any one.

Nails .should not be (rimmed or otherwise treated, teeth should not be touched in public places. Train your boys to go to their rooms or into retirement for such duties.

Teach them not lo lounge or tip back in their chairs in the presence of women or girls or to enter a room with covered lii.-ii.ls.

Make them realise the courtesy of touching their hats lo women and oldei people ami of uncovering their heads in an elevator when a woman en(crs. All these simple acts render the world a more pleasing place for the abode of our fellow men.

Teach lliciii not to lie with their elbows on the table while at meals, and not to take their food audibly or voraciously, nor to sit in short sleeves and suspenders in the presence of the gentler sex, nor to talk loud iu public places. Then turn to your girls.

Day after day we are shocked by the manners of many young girls whom W3 encounter. Little girls coming from school, well dressed and fair, give vent to loud shrieks of laughter after passing some older person. If the person happens lo be fashionably attired such expressions as "Oh, Don't she feel smart!" or "fsn't she trying to be somebody!" often greet her ear. If she is noticably shabby ridicule often falls from the lip's of tins future wives and mothers in America.

Teach your Ml He ..iris, dear madam, thai kindness and modesty of behaviour are the first two important factors in the education of woman. If she possesses every talent and the apparel of the Queen of Sheba she can Jiever be a lady if she is cruel, thoughless and rude. Teach your girls to avoid the use of slang, not to chew gum in public, not to talk aloud, not to criticise others, and lo show consideration mid courtesy. T saw three young school misses convulsed with amusement while they watched a lady trying to collect her scattered purchases which had broken out of the parcel on I lie street. j

Tlio mothers ol' (hose little gi,|s il:t , in fiinlt for not bringing them up to be helpful and polite to anyone in embarrassment or troiihle. They would have proved themselves refined little ladies hail they gone to the assistance 0 f the woman. Scarcely a day pusses that we do not see young girls whispering behind their hands in street cars and giggling while ihe.v look at some one opposite. This is the height of vulgarity. Think less about a career, madam, and more : nhimt the liiaiinr rs of your children. It reipiires close companionship ami tender [eonlidence between parents and children |" l'"'-i' precept and example leave their inlliieiice, and once telliu..; a child what I" "l» an,! chat uo t to ,|„ ~.„, |,. m] | v ,„, '".peeled to Kullice, iind more than'one reading lesson sutlers.