_Mrs. Whittelsey_:--"The influence of poetry," says another, "in forming
the moral character, and guiding the thoughts of children, is immense.
How often has a simple couplet made an indelible impression on their
memories, and been the means of shaping their conduct for life! It
cannot be a matter of indifference, then, whether the poetry they read
and hear be good or bad, healthful or poisonous. And every parent should
see that it be of the former kind; such as not only to cultivate the
taste, but such as will form the character and mould the heart to all
that is holy and excellent."
These thoughts have come up to my mind with strong interest, since I
have lately examined a little work published by Mr. M.W. Dodd of your
city, entitled, "Select Poetry for Children and Youth," a book worthy to
be in every family, and possessed by every mother in the land. It is
full of just the kind of poetry to interest children deeply, and profit
them truly; and is such a work as every parent may safely and wisely
introduce to his household. As a parent, I have taken it home, and read
it to my own family circle, and have found all, from oldest to youngest,
absorbed in attention to its choice selections, which are from such
writers as Mary Howitt, Jane Taylor, Mrs. Hemans, Cowper, &c., &c., &c.
And I am persuaded that if other parents will make the same experiment,
they will find it attended with the same result.
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