BEDTIME TALES

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12193, 18 July 1925, Page 16

BEDTIME TALES

CHUDRKN OP ROMP

Ancient Home presents to us a fine example of how childhood training makes a nation of strong citizens. The Homan family included not only a man with his wife ana children, hut also the sons with their wives and children, unmarried daughters and sometimes other relatives. When a girl married, she became a member of her husband’s family. The headi of the Homan family was known as the pater fnmilias, who was immediate ruler of the household. The power of the pater fnmilias was shown after the birth of a child, as it was the custom to lay the new born babe upon the ground at his feet. If he raised it in his arms, it at once became a member of his family, with all the rights and privileges, such a membership signified.

The Roman parents spent all the time they could with their children, directing their rearing and education. The ordinary care of the children, which was done by slaves, was supervised by the mother. These little ones listened to stories and lullabies, and were rocked to sleep much the same as our own babies. After the Punic Wars, Greek slaves were often used as nurses. These slaves were for the most part better educated than the Romans, who were anxious that their children should learn the language of the cultured Greeks. There was a strong love between the Roman children and these slaves, and the young wife often, took with her into her new home the elave who had tended her from the cradle.

We know very little about the playthings of the Roman children, but they had small tools and implements, dolls made of wax and clay, carts, tops and hoops. They were fond of pets, the dog holding the place of ; honour. After him came birds, such as ; crows, pigeons, doves and geese. Early the little ones were taught : to respect the law, obey aui thority instantly and without question, bo truthful and self-reliant, and not to complain that they had no leisure. Contrary to the customs of many ancient people, Roman children sat at the table with | their elders or helped serve the meats. One of the first things the children learned was to speak their language correctly, the mother teaching both boys and girls until the age of 7. The

A ROUND OATH The Bishop of London is said to figure in the following incident. He had been salmon fishing in the Highlands, when two gillies were heard subsequently discussing his merits, and one of them remarked : "He’s a very nice gentleman, he is, but he do swear something dreadful/* "Swear P" exclaimed the other, aghast. •'And him a bishop?*' "Aye," said the first. "A salmon started to rise and I asked him, 'Shall X row after that fush, m*lord?' And he said, 'Yes, do I*** iiiiiinnHiiiiiinaHiiiiHinmniminmniimiimiiniiunmiiinimmiiin TONGUE-TIED TEACHER Little Millie had achieved great success at her school and was being moved to a higher form. When she returned home at lunch-time, the first question her mother asked' was this:— r "Well, darling,*’ she said, "how did you like your new teacher?'* "She seems very nice," replied Millie, "but X can't understand all she says. I think she's got a predicament in her speech." mmninniiiiniaMimiinHnminmniaiiiiiiiiniiC3iinimimanniiiinn PRINCESS OF THE AIR This is said to be the neatest compliment on record. The day after she had been taken to see Pavlown, Ethel sat busy with pencil and paper. "I am writing a fairy story about Pavlowa," she told her mother. "And how does it start?" "Like this—'There was once a feather named Pavlowa * !'* THE CUE Prompter (to leader of supers' dress rehearsal of stirring Roman drama): Now, are you all right with the cue? Leader: I am, Mr! When the man in the sheet hollers "Katv Field," we gets ready, and when he sings out "Rum and crackers" Prompter (frantic): "Caitiff, yield"— ."Romo and Gracchus," stupid! Leader: Jesso, sir! When he says that wo are to go for the chap in tne brass weskit. tiniiininc]iiiiiin:t3iinimniie3i[nuuiinnnniminiaHiiiin<mt3iuiii FOR A TREAT An old cu.stomer wa.s astonished to find one morning that, instead of his usual barber, there had-bcen assigned to him a mere apprentice, the son of the proprietor. "What!" exclaimed the old patron. "Are you going to let this boy shave me?" "Oh, come,*' said the* proprietor, "let the boy have his fun for once. Il*s his birthday, sir."

first principles of reading, writing and arithmetic came next. The boy’s school education was then given to a regular teacher, but the girl spent moet of the time with her mother. Although the schools were open to her, she usually had little schooling. She married early and must be taught to spin, weave, cook and manage the household, because the highest ambition of the Roman woman was to be a good wife and mother. When not at school the boy spent his time with his father where he was trained by practical experience in the father’s occupation.

Since the Romans were a nation of soldiers, early in life the boys learned the use of arms, military drill, riding, swimming, boxing and wrestling. They emphasised strength and agility in their physical development instead of the grace of movement and beauty of form to which the Greeks gave such strict attention. After the Punic Wars the school system was changed. The Greek language was learned and Greek ideas of education became prevalent. After finishing school the children of the wealthier families sometimes visited other countries, especially Greece, Rhodes, and Asia Minor. In a sense the schools of Rome, during this later period were public schools. They were not kept up by the State, but Were open to everyone, no distinction being made among the classes of people. Attendance was not compulsory and the fees charged were very reasonable. The teacher’s pay was small, hut the children helped him out by bringing gifts now and then.

Generally speaking, the schoolhouse was a shed built on the side of another building. The roof slanted toward the weather and three sides were open. The children sat on crude benches without backs. Owing to the intense heat of the noonday, the morning session began before sunrise, so the children brought candles that they mi cl it see; to study until daylight. School was dismissed at luncheon time, but the children were called together again after they had taken a nap. The exact length of the school vear is now known. The Romans observed many holidays and during the hot season there were probably few if any schools.

LITTLE STORIES OF BIG MEN e A few senators were watching Presia de n t Coolidge exercising on his electric 11 horse. £ "That horse. Cal,"- said one of the senators, who had come out of the West, l- "wouldn't be worth a cent on a racecourse." :. "Well," replied the Presidently, dryly, “it might be good in the. ohm :- stretch." v And yet they say Coolidge hasn't a e sense of humour. in oiiiniHiiiiniiiiiiiiiinniiiiiiiiiiiiDiiiiiiiiiiiiaiiniiiiiiiiDiiiiiiiiiiiiciiiii INFORMATIVE s She was an- amiable old -lady, - and a volunteered much information to the e fair stranger who had come down to see i. an important event in the county town —the laying of the foundation stone of d the new church. , "Yes," she said, "that is the duke and >• duchess, and the couple behind them I are the mayor and mayoress, and those r two on the right are the vicar, and—er—vixen." ill iiiiimniiiiiiiiiiniiiiiuiiiiiouiiiniiiiiniiiiiiiiiiirtiiiiiiiiiiiiioiiiiiiiniii INSTINCT The famous regiment, were all lined up ;1 for inspection by the “late Parly Ypres. t Accompanying them was their mascot, a a Great Dane, and during the proceedings ' something annoyed the dog and it utt tered a loud "bow.-wow!" a The effect was magical. The whole regiment formed fours. iiiiKiiiiiiHiiiHnimiiiiiiiioHiiiHiiiiiaHHiiiiiiiiamiiiiiiiiiaiiiiiiiiinitiiii EVERY PRECAUTION s Mary’s employer was receiving a morn- : * n g , ca 1 1 in her dressing-room from Mary. ’So you wish to leave to get married, a Mary I hope you have considered the e| matter seriously." .... U "Oh, I have, mum. I’ve beon to two fortune tellers and a clairvoyant, and - looked in a sign book, and dreamed on a loc-k of his hair, and I've . been to a s medium and an asterologist, and they e all tell mo to go ahead, mum. I ain't one to marry reckless like, mum." II iniiiaiiiiiiiiiiiipiiiiiiiiiiiiaiiiiiiiiimaiiiiiiiiiiimiiiiiiiiiiimiiiiiiniiii PONY AS MOURNER 3 When Richard Beard, a well-known 1 Brighton fish hawker, was buried, his t black Shetland pony, named Tich, fol- - lowed the coffin from the church to the cemetery, wearing on its back a black . and white cross. 5 Mr Beard, an ex-soldier, had 20 children, of whom 11 survive. Five of his t sons, who were of military age, served i in the forces in the war, as did five of his sons-in-law.