Sorrows put permanent wrinkles on the face, in maturity; on the mind, in childhood. Only strangeness may produce fear in babyhood but, with a baby, strangeness is everywhere. Darkness and strange noises frighten. Forms of phantasy float on the imagination; when gradually, it’s comedy; when suddenly, it’s tragedy.
These tragic moments left their impressions on Clara Barton’s plastic mind. Such impressions ever must remain. Miss Barton said she remembered nothing but fear in her earlier years; and terror-stricken she remained to the end, except when she could serve someone in distress, or rescue someone from danger of death. An English philosopher says: “the least and most imperceptible impressions received in our infancy have consequences very important and are of long duration.” The greatest minds of earth, in all ages, have tried to recall baby experiences, and have wondered what they had to do with success or failure.
At three years Clara Barton was taken a mile and one-half to school on the shoulders of her brother Stephen; at eleven years she ceased growing, then but five feet three inches. THE AUTHOR.
When I found myself on a strange horse, in a trooper’s saddle, flying for life or liberty in front of pursuit, I blessed the baby lessons of the wild gallops among the beautiful colts.
Clara Barton—The memories of her childhood belong to our little town, and are our most precious heritage.
Remember that you were once a child, full of childish thoughts and actions. CLARA BARTON.
Sweetly wild Were the scenes that charmed me when a child. LYDIA H. SIGOURNEY.
The sports of children satisfy the child. GOLDSMITH.
Children’s plays are not sports, and should be regarded as their most serious actions. MONTAGUE.
When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child. I CORINTHIANS.
A sweet child is the sweetest thing in nature. C. LAMB.
Sweet childish days, that were as long As twenty days are now. S. WORDSWORTH.
The scenes of childhood are memories of future years.
I do not like to beat my children—the world will beat them.
How dear to this heart are the scenes of my childhood When fond recollections present them to view. S. WORDSWORTH.
Deep meaning often lies in childish plays. SCHILLER.