We might as well expect flowers to grow amid the cold and storm of winter.
"But gentleness, important as it is, is not all that is required in education.

There should be united with it firmness--great firmness.
Commands should be reasonable, and given in perfect kindness; but once given, it should be known that they must be obeyed.

I heard a lady once say, 'For my part, I cannot be so very strict with my children.

I love them too much to punish them every time they disobey me.' I will relate a scene which took place in her family.
She had but one domestic, and at the time to which I allude, she was very busy preparing for company.

Her children knew by experience that when she was in a hurry she would indulge them in any thing for the sake of having them out of the way.