A
Gift in the Viewing
Graceful;
a lovely sounding adjective, and a quality full of gift-having and gift-giving.
For
the teacher observer it is most wonderful
to observe this in action in a little girl - invariably its highest expression
- where deftness of movement takes on a balletic quality and unintentionally
displays the innocent equivalent to the high style of a lady. This perfection
of poise carries over to stillness, with no loss of marvel and power. The same
gracefulness in little boys translates to a miniature musketeer. Properly
considered, the graceful is the means whereby the numinous enters our life; a
small sort of golden moment by which beauty suddenly and naturally reveals
itself in the otherwise mundane life of school.
The expression of such gracefulness is not only a
delight to the grateful observer, but a positive power to the holder. Alas,
although this is a natural attribute of young children, it seems to be fighting
against cultural trends. For it does seem that modern sofa-bound habits, and
slovenly templates displayed in screen life, have conspired to deny and even
denigrate this quality to those who need it most. And parents and teachers, themselves
victims of a lamentable lack of instruction in this regard, pass the same habits
of movement, posture and expression to their children, as can be seen at
handing over time daily -it is as if EastEnders
has come to the playground!
As adults we need to fight back against this trend, in
order to properly empower our girl children. Grace and charm are not signs of
feminine weakness, but of essence. Nor is a soldierly bearing in little boys
evidence of an unwholesomely masculine home life, but rather of boyness encouraged.
Luckily, though, where degeneracy has taken from nature, correct instruction
can return it.
As we note:
Marie de Guise Academy in Leith, having abolished
tolerance, is replacing it with daily gracefulness. The girls practice walking,
sitting and various charming gestures of assent; the boys marching and standing
to attention in silence. It seems to be working, as press reports confirm the
Venetian ambassador’s words in his attempt to purchase the children for the
Doge:
Che ragazze
affascinanti avete in Scozia. E i tuoi ragazzi scozzesi sono così dignitosi.
Vorrei che avessimo questi bambini a Venezia.
What think ye?
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