The children : how to study them : a course of lectures / by Francis Warner.

  • Warner, Francis, 1847-1926.
Date:
1887
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The children : how to study them : a course of lectures / by Francis Warner. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    influence of “conflicting emotions.” Suppose a child has hurt his finger, but is trying hard not to cry, we shall see the muscles of the mouth quiver, until finally the effect of the injury to the finger acting upon the nerve-centres becomes the stronger force, the angles of the mouth are depressed, and the outbreak of sobbing follows. The signs of the action of mind are seen in the face. Let me tell you a true story which illustrates this and some other things. An English merchant in China had lent a Chinaman money to trade with; a sudden outbreak among the native population drove all Europeans from the settlement, and none of their property could be saved. Three days later this China- man came to the merchant, who had fled like the rest, and brought him his money in full. When asked why he had acted thus, knowing that the money could not be recovered from him by force, he replied “ My no can spoil face.” He would not have his face, the index to the action of mind, marked with the expres- sion of dishonest thoughts and actions. This story illustrates physiological fact; another use may be made of such knowledge in dealing with children. If by any means you can remove a bad expression from the face, you help to remove a bad condition or bad thoughts from the brain. Skilled actors know when they have brought the right expres- sion to their face by the accompanying feeling, be it of anger or merriment. Do not let children play at making bad faces; when the face does not look right try and change the brain condition; a good hearty laugh is often most useful in this way to the face, the mind, and the brain.