Interesting Charlotte-ish snippet from my reading

I was feeling a bit under the weather yesterday and was looking for something yummy to read.  I’m always on the look for books with exemplary mothers, and yesterday I stumbled upon Elsie’s Motherhood (from the Elsie Dinsmore series).  I haven’t read the whole series, but from what I know of it, it seemed like it would be a good read. 

Imagine my surprise when I read the following in the third chapter, where they are describing how the children learn at home, with their mother:

“They had been taught to notice the beauties of nature – the changing clouds, the bright autumn foliage, plants and flowers, insects, birds, stones; all the handiwork of God; and the elder ones now never returned from walk or ride without something to tell of what they had seen and enjoyed.

It was surprising how much they learned in this easy and pleasant way, how much they gained almost imperceptibly in manners, correctness of speech, and general information; by this habit of their parents of keeping them always with themselves and patiently answering every proper question.  They were encouraged not only to observe, but to think, to reason, and to repeat what they had learned; thus fixing it more firmly in their minds.  They were not burdened with long tasks or many studies, but required to learn thoroughly such as were set them, and trained to a love for wholesome mental food; the books put into their hands being carefully chosen by their parents.”

 Wow!  Lots of CM – type learning, right!?!!  

(I really enjoyed the first few chapters of this book, but I’m not sure I’m going to finish it.  It’s gotten kind of sad and depressing – not what I’m looking for right now.  I really wanted something that focused more on family life/an awesome mother in action, but this has turned into more of a commentary on political issues of the day.  I’ll start a new thread about what I should read next. LOL)