THE DANGERS OF PIANO PRACTISE.
THE following appeared in a recent daily paper: "The almost criminal insistence of parents in compelling their young daughters to practise the piano by the hour is sensibly receiving the attention of the family physician. The Berlin scientist who took ambitious mothers and fathers to task for inflicting nerve-wearing musical exercises on their children should find echo in this country of over-proud parents, and numberless prodigies. It is time the American doctors sought to put a stop to the universal piano playing, and save the nerves of the growing girl. Many complicated and often incurable diseases will thus be averted. Instead of encouraging much assiduity at the piano, the wise mother will curb it in her ambitious child. As for the compulsion often brought to bear upon the average little learner of music, the mere idea is revolting, yet too true. The Berlin scientist has sounded the alarm in time. Let the American mothers heed it before it is too late." The following words from the author of "Education" are familiar. "It is customary to send very young children to school. They are required to study from books things that tax their young minds, and often they are taught music. A nervous child should not be overtaxed in any direction, and should not learn music until he is physically well-developed."