a regular order
should be established, and that no slight cause should be suffered to
break this, that there should be some well-defined and regular order in
which pupils should come to and go from their hourly duties--the
importance of these things to quiet and economy of time is as nothing,
compared to the results of regulations like these on the intellectual
and moral character. The daily and hourly habit in external observances
repeats itself in habits of thought and study. Unconsciously, facts are
learned, and thoughts take on regular habits, and the impress made by
the silent work of years is ineffaceable. It will show itself, in years
to come, if we refer only to so-called "practical" things--and this is
what our condemners of rules are seeking for,--in well-ordered homes,
where each duty has its appointed time, and where the necessary labor
goes on so regularly that it is hardly noticeable, except in an absence
of all confusion and a permanent sense of quiet;--homes where, because
of this regularity, time will remain for higher culture, and the whole
family will be elevated thereby.

Closely connected with this matter of regularity is that of Punctuality,
which should be no less trained at school into a habit, and the effect
of which, on the moral character, is no less important. As far as
school goes, punctuality is necessary in order that work be thoroughly
done, and that time be saved. But it is not for this reason so much as
for the far-reaching influences on the whole character, that the little
girl should be made to feel it a matter of importance that she is in her
seat when the bell strikes, and that she is ready for her work at the
precise minute appointed. Is it not at once seen how a requisition of
this kind will gently force her into habits of order? If she suffer for
being late, because, when she started for school she could not find her
rubbers or gloves, she will be more careful the next day that they are
in their proper places. If she is late at recitation because her pencil
was not to be found at the call, she will finally conclude that it would
be a better plan to keep arithmetic, slate and pencil together; and so,
almost insensibly, her books and appointments generally will fall into
groups and classes in her desk. Not only there, but at home, will the
same effect be seen; and not only now, but through all her life, the
habit will run. It needs only a moment's reflection to show how great
will