There is but one more word to be said. Grown-up people are so greatly distracted by the cares and occupations of their daily life that it needs special preparation before they can understand little children. To anyone who wishes to influence their simple yet imaginative minds the task is almost hopeless unless he will try to fulfil that most difficult command and himself “become as a little child.”
Appendix
It is of considerable interest, and may be in some cases of practical value to those interested in the well-being of children to notice in order some of the principal Acts of Parliament which have been passed during the last twenty-five years on behalf of children:—
1883. 46 & 47 Vic., c. 53. Employment of Children
in Factories and Workshops.
1885. 48 & 49 Vic., c. 69. Criminal Law Amendment
Act, relating to criminal assaults on
children and to the finding of children in
disorderly houses.
1887. 50 & 51 Vic., c. 58. Employment in Coal
Mines.
1889. 52 & 53 Vic., c. 44. The Prevention of
Cruelty to Children Act. This was the first
of the three Acts, the others being passed in
1894 and 1904 respectively. Sometimes called
“The Children’s Charter.” It is very wide in
application, making it an offence to assault,
illtreat, neglect, abandon, or expose a child under
sixteen years of age in a manner likely to cause
such child unnecessary suffering or injury to
its health.
1891. 54 & 55 Vic., c. 3. The Custody of Children
Act, dealing with the power of the Court to
decline to issue a writ for the production of a
child to an unfit parent, and with the power of
the Court to order repayment of costs of bringing
up a child.
1891. 54 & 55 Vic., c. 75 & 76. Further enactments
concerning employment in Factories and
Workshops.
1892. 55 & 56 Vic., c. 4. Betting Act, whereby
it became a misdemeanour for anyone for the
purpose of earning commission to send circulars,
etc., to invite an infant to make any bet or wager.