training of his will, his energy, and his self-control, by his
mother at home. "Nobody had any command over him," says one of
his biographers, "except his mother, who found means, by a mixture
of tenderness, severity, and justice, to make him love, respect,
and obey her: from her he learnt the virtue of obedience."

A curious illustration of the dependence of the character of
children on that of the mother incidentally occurs in one of Mr.
Tufnell's school reports. The truth, he observes, is so well
established that it has even been made subservient to mercantile
calculation. "I was informed," he says, "in a large factory,
where many children were employed, that the managers before they
engaged a boy always inquired into the mother's character, and if
that was satisfactory they were tolerably certain that her
children would conduct themselves creditably. NO ATTENTION WAS
PAID TO THE CHARACTER OF THE FATHER." (4)

It has also been observed that in cases where the father has
turned out badly--become a drunkard, and "gone to the dogs"--
provided the mother is prudent and sensible, the family will be
kept together, and the children probably make their way honourably
in life; whereas in cases of the opposite sort, where the mother
turns out badly, no matter how well-conducted the father may be,
the instances of after-success in life on the part of the children
are comparatively rare.

The greater part of the influence exercised by women on the
formation of character necessarily remains unknown. They
accomplish their best work in the quiet seclusion of the home and
the family, by sustained effort and patient perseverance in the