Mary Thacher Higginson, Thomas Wentworth Higginson: the story of his life

[120] somewhat aghast at the radical views propounded in the discourse, and wondered what would be said of a document ‘so bold, original, and independent.’ Early in his new career, she offered her son this bit of advice,—‘As to your admiring females, don't let your head be turned!’

Mr. Higginson's intense love of children enabled him to reach the little people in unusual ways. His Worcester Sunday-School is thus described in a letter to the writer by an eyewitness:—

It was unique, not at all modelled after the conventional type where the scholars are divided into classes and recite lessons to the teachers. He was himself the only teacher. He told them stories illustrating some simple moral principle—Truth, Generosity, Love, and Loyalty; talking familiarly with them of the perplexities which even children often suffer from, in deciding between Right and Wrong. These little talks were delightful to listen to, they were so simple and clear and impressive.

But companionship with the children was not confined to Sundays, for he ‘enticed a select circle of pet little girls to play Puss-in-the-corner on the green after tea.’ ‘I am plunging,’ he told his mother, ‘into parish visiting with great pleasure. It is rich to see the small children.’ In referring to one child, he said, ‘The little darling . . . showed me her dolly, with both legs broken off. It was a ’