The ridiculous falsities* which are told to children, from
mistaken notions of modesty, tend very early to inflame their
imaginations and set their little minds to work, respecting
subjects, which nature never intended they should think of till the
body arrived at some degree of maturity; then the passions naturally
begin to take place of the senses, as instruments to unfold the
understanding, and form the moral character.
* Children very early see cats with their kittens, birds with
their young ones, &c. Why then, are they not to be told that their
mothers carry and nourish them in the same way? As there would then be
no appearance of mystery they would never think of the subject more.
Truth may always be told to children, if it be told gravely; but it is
the immodesty of affected modesty, that does all the mischief, and
this smoke heats the imagination by vainly endeavouring to obscure
certain objects. If, indeed, children could be kept entirely from
improper company, we should never allude to any such subjects; but
as this is impossible, it is best to tell the truth, especially as
such information, not interesting them, will make no impression on
their imagination.
In nurseries, and boarding-schools, I fear, girls are first spoiled;
particularly in the latter. A number of girls sleep in the same
room, and wash together. And, though I should be sorry to
contaminate an innocent creature's mind by instilling false
delicacy, or those indecent prudish notions, which early cautions
respecting the other sex naturally engender, I should be very
anxious to prevent their acquiring nasty, or immodest habits; and as
many girls have learned very nasty tricks, from ignorant servants, the
mixing them thus indiscriminately together, is very improper.
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