e
fairest.

Upon this text, or something very like it, Mr. Wharton spake to Mrs.
Elwyn, when Agnes had carried Lewie into the next room to spin his top
for him.

"Lewie is a most beautiful little fellow, certainly," said he; "but,
Harriet, take care; he is getting the upper hand of you already. It is
time already--indeed, it has long been time--to make him understand
that his will is to be _subservient_ to those who are older."

To which Mrs. Elwyn replied, "How absurd, Mr. Wharton, to talk of
governing a child like that!"

"There are other ways of governing, Harriet, besides the whip and the
lock and key, neither of which do I approve of, except in extreme cases.
Lewie could very easily be guided by the hand of love, and it rests with
you now to make of him almost what you choose. A mother's gentle hand
hath mighty power."

"Well, Mr. Wharton, to tell you the truth, nothing seems to me so absurd
as all these ideas of nursery education; and the people who write books
on the subject seem to think there is but one rule by which all children
are to be governed."

"I perfectly agree with you, Harriet, that it is very ridiculous to
suppose that one set of rules will answer for the education of all,
except, of course, so far as the Bible rule is the foundation for all
government. I think the methods adopted with children should be as
numerous and different as the children themselves, each one, by their
constitution and disposition, requiring different treatment; but still
there are some general rules, you must admit, which will serve for all.
One of these is a rule of very long standing; it is this--'Honor thy
father and thy mother;' and another--'Children, obey your parents in the
Lord.' Now, how can you expect your son, as he grows up, to honor,
respect, or obey you, if you take the trouble to teach him, every day
and hour, that _he_ is the master, and you only the slave of his will.
There is another saying in that same old book from which these rules are
drawn, which tells you that 'A child left to himself bringeth his mother
to shame.'"

Mrs. Elwyn, during this conversation, kept up a series of polite little
bows, but could not altogether conceal an expression of weariness, and
distaste at the turn the conversation had taken. She had a sincere
respect, however, for Mr. Wharton, who always exercised over her the
power which a strong mind exercises over a weak one, and she felt in
her heart that he was a real frie