This shews how improper it is to confine children by themselves, or to threaten them in the manner described.

Many persons continue nervous all their lives through such treatment, and are so materially injured, that they are frightened at their own shadow.
It is also productive of much mischief to talk of mysteries, ghosts, and hobgoblins, before children, which many persons are too apt to do.

Some deal so much in the marvellous, that I really believe they frighten many children out of their senses.

I recollect, when I was a child, hearing such stories, till I have actually been afraid to look behind me.

How many persons are frightened at such a little creature as a mouse, because the nature of that little creature has not been explained to them in their infancy.