Training the Child

Everyone has an opinion about how to raise a child.  I am not braver enough to offer my own however I will defer to an opinion piece from 1936

THESE are times when one hears much concerning the bringing up of children. I was glad to notice that Professor Lovell, speaking in Sydney, referred to some of the theories that, are current regarding the training of boys and girls in which any kind of repression is considered wrong. Professor Lovell offered a few words of sane thought to parents that are worth their study. America is, I believe, the centre from which came the view that a child should be allowed to manifest every emotion and desire with little, if any, check. This always seems as absurd as tho opposite view prominent in Britain in the mid Victorian era, and also in Puritan times, which sternly repressed every tendency and desire. Going back to Sir Walter Scott's day he tells how, when a little boy, he said during dinner: . "How good this soup is," on which his father ordered a pint of cold water to be poured into it as a lesson not to think of his appetite. But one extreme is as foolish as another, and while one condemns Sir Walter Scott's father as a stupid per- son, we must also condemn those who believe that the child does not need checks. There is a difference between, guidance and training even to the extent of forbidding certain things, and that rather dangerous plan of permitting children to follow their wishes without hindrance. Just as an engine needs a governor to control its power, so does the human engine require a governor, and this is supplied by that rational training that breeds discipline within, and imposes its own restraints by the use of reason and judgment.

Source


1936 'DAY BY DAY.', The Mercury (Hobart, Tas. : 1860 - 1954), 12 May, p. 6, viewed 16 June, 2012, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article25217232

Self Discipline

The virtue I am presenting for consideration is self discipline.  The New Oxford Dictionary defines it as  "the ability to control one's feelings and overcome one's weaknesses; the ability to pursue what one thinks is right despite temptations to abandon it."  If I am honest my life has been influenced in various degrees by both its possession and its absence. Unfortunately the latter has prevailed by means that are so familiar to me I do not feel the need for any further self flagellation by presenting them here.  

An opinion piece in the The North Territory Times (1917) encapsulates its meaning for me; self-discipline is, or should be, the end and aim of all other discipline.   In the same breath I am earnestly informed that a test of its quality; and an indication that I will be thankful for the knowledge of having cultivated it in my life, is when it has gradually merged into a feeling of self-control. This is I presume is where my intention manifests as an action, such as the intention of  actually doing what I say I am going to do. The times I have actively embodied the character of  self discipline has provided me with glimpses of the meaning and the blessing of freedom. Its brief possession has allowed me to realise that with its abscence, my mind is a scene of disorder and confusion in which I am its powerless victim.  

I am painfully aware the modern world is relentlessly acting upon me and I am constantly being tempted by an almost continuous flood of conflicting impulses, feelings and emotions.  I sometimes feel I live in a world that requires me to manifest every emotion or whim without any check. This reminds me of a story that I recently read about Sir Walter Scott when he was a little boy.  He was said to remark during dinner, "How good is this soup?" in which his Father responded by ordering a pint of cold water to be poured into it as a 'lesson' not to think of his appetite.  I do not presume that I should be able to follow my wishes  without hindrance however I am mindful that 'self discipline' nurtured allows me to make my choices with a degree of personal responsibility.

Frankly no wonder I am seeking words of inspiration and guidance with the urgency of a divining rod.  My submission to excess has been complete however in  my defence if it was measured with a bell curve, I would like to believe that I share a place in its shade with all the other 'normal neurotics'. My version of  excess  manifests itself by the need to mindlessly consume as my iTunes account is a testament. I sometimes ashamedly believe that my gadgets are more important than my relationships and disturbingly I have been seduced by a fear that is drip fed by an unforgiving environment (media, internet etc..). It has invaded my consciousness as imperiously as stronger country invades a weaker one.  

In "Discipline and Self Control" (1926) it is eloquently articulates the problems of living in the midst of a technologically advancing world. Its sage advice is just as relevant to my modern ears as it is to the decadents of those 'roaring' times. Accordingly the problem I assume is like many others of my generation is to actually determine how I can  organise and associate all my life experiences so as to weave them all into a harmonious pattern of peace and happiness.  Perhaps the weaving is the act of self discipline and akin to the actual craft of fabric production it also a creative process. Reassuringly and at the same time equally baffling is  that my own happiness is essentially  a volition of my mind manifesting itself as intent.

Referennces

1917 'SELF-DISCIPLINE.', Northern Territory Times and Gazette (Darwin, NT : 1873 - 1927), 20 September, p. 13, viewed 8 June, 2012, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article3285672

1926 'DISCIPLINE OR SELF-CONTROL.', Advocate (Burnie, Tas. : 1890 - 1954), 27 October, p. 13, viewed 8 June, 2012, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article67537182

1936 'DAY BY DAY.', The Mercury (Hobart, Tas. : 1860 - 1954), 12 May, p. 6, viewed 8 June, 2012, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article25217232

Penny By Haenigsen

1946 'PENNY.', The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), 17 April, p. 6, viewed 7 June, 2012, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article17976552

Poor Ma

Bobby- "Mamma, what would you do if that big vase in the parlour got broken?
Mamma- " I would whip whoever did it"
Bobby- " You'd better get your muscles up, "cos pa's broken it."

1900 'HUMOUR.', Liverpool Herald (NSW : 1897 - 1907), 11 August, p. 9, viewed 7 June, 2012, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article37254959

Comic- Penny- 09/05/1949

Penny- 09/05/1949
SMH

Source

1949 'PENNY.', The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), 10 May, p. 7, viewed 9 May, 2012, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article27578599

If you fear change..

I know Australia is generally not a tipping culture, but sometimes the message is compelling.  This little Girrafe can be found at Cafe Newton, Mezze Bar.  They are located at the intersection of Enmore Rd and King Street, Newtown.  The barista is great and she even remembers your order.

Fear change Giraffe.

Getting There:

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1500 Miles in a Lifeboat: 27 Days on the Open Sea

I used a a random number generator and chose the year 1902 for todays story.  It is a nautical adventure something that Joseph Conrad could have have written. This is the actual article as it appeared in the Sydney Morning Herald, May 9th 1902. This ship was a frequent visitor to Sydney Harbour over the years.

S.S Boveric 1906

The anxiety which was felt regarding the overdue steamer Boveric was relieved to an extent today by the receipt of a telegram from Fremantle announcing, as was generally surmised, that the vessel had met with no more serious misadventure than the loss of her propellor. This, under the circumstances, welcome news was brought by the chief officer of the Boveric, Mr Hayman, who together with three of the crew of the Boveric had sailed 1500 miles in an open lifeboat to seek assistance for the disabled vessel.

The heroic adventurers were picked up off the coast near Fremantle on Wednesday afternoon by the steamer Willyama, and brought on by that vessel to the Western Australian port they had had a long and arduous experience, having been no less than 27 days in the life before they were discovered,  and their cruise has probably established a record as regards distance and time in lifeboats

At the time of her mishap the Boveric was approximately 500 miles north of the regular track of steamers coming from South Africa, and the chances of her being discovered by vessels coming from the Cape were remote. When going from Australia to South   Afica steamers especially those with live stock on board-proceed over a much higher latitude than that taken by vessels coming the reverse way. The object of this is to escape, as far as possible, the strong westerly winds which sweep the lower latitudes of the Southern Ocean. More favourable conditions are found over the higher latitudes, and it was for this reason that the Boveric, with her valuable freight of 960 horses on board, was ordered to steer a course between the parallels of 28° and 32°. Upon the receipt of the news of the accident the Howard Smith Company entered into negotiations for the despatch of one or two steamers from Western Australia to search for the disabled vessel. The company has not at present a steamer in the west which would be suitable for such a mission, and they are therefore arranging for assistance outside their own fleet. The negotiations which are in progress were not concluded up to tonight but it is almost certain that aid will be sent to the helpless steamer to morrow.

The voyage of the Boveric began inauspiciously for Mr Hayman, the chief officer, and there seemed a prospect at one time that he would not be able to   go away in her. Whilst the last batch of horses was being shipped at Port Melbourne the day before the departure of the vessel one of the animals made a savage attack with its teeth on Mr Hayman, inflicting an ugly wound on one of his shoulders. The injured officer suffered acutely from the effects of the bite but resolutely stuck to his post. Mr Hayman is well known in connection with coastal shipping Before joining the Howard Smith line he was in the service of the   Adelaide S.S. Company, Limited. Although it is  understood that the Boveric is amply provided with provisions for the crew, there is grave doubt as to how the horses will fare in event of the voyage being much further prolonged. When the Boveric left here she took sufficient fodder to last the animals for 45 days, but it is more than likely that when the accident occurred their daily allowance of fodder was reduced in order to provide as far as possible for a protracted sojourn at sea. The vessel has now been 48 days out from this port the opinion is expressed by several nautical men that a vessel following the course of the prevailing current from the spot where the Boveric began to drift would probably be swept across to the coast of Mauritius.

The manager for Howard Smith and Co. received a telegram tins afternoon from the chief officer of the Boveric at Fremantle as follows : -"Boveric lost her propeller April 3, latitude 30°42 south longitude 93 42 east drifting till 11th, when chief officer left, about 25 miles per day north-west directions Should be well northward of Australian-South African track " .

For those who like a happy ending

The Boveric arrived at Freemantle in tow of the steamer Narrunm, which turned back from her journey to South Africa to render this service. The passengers and crew of the Boveric, and the horses on board, are well and in splendid condition.

Sources

1902 'THE S.S. BOVERIC.', The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), 9 May, p. 7, viewed 8 May, 2012, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article14440755


1902 'THE BOVERIC.', The Horsham Times (Vic. : 1882 - 1954), 16 May, p. 3, viewed 8 May, 2012, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article72847971