Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1819-10-07
From the National Advocate.
DOMESTIC ECONOMY.

DOMESTIC ECONOMY.
There is no subject or special duty. which
is of SO much vital interest, and so little un-
derslood, as the management Of children
| am confirmed in the opinion, from attentive
observation, that this branch of domestic e.
economy is very much neglected, and that
children were better governed, some TWEEN
ty five years ago, than they are at present.
Parents. as well as society at large; the in
terest of country, and the welfare OF man
kind, depend, in great measure, on early
impressions--on proper impulse and drec-
ton, given to Children's mind ;.and this can.
not be neglected without violating those great
obligations which morality imposes. am
excessively fond of children when they are
not rude or noisy, and can possibly have no
| higher qualification than in mixing in their
innocent amusements and participating in
their joyful gambols-l take great de, u, II
conversing with sensible, modest h,y, md
can nurse rosy cheek'G infant tor lars, if
the urciin does not cry. With SUI II feelings,
| accepted an invitation, FROM friend, 10
dinner, who had large family q '"ung
children, and who seasoned his invitation
by assurances that should meet some gen
tlemen of intelligence, as well as being gra-
tined with the sight of promising family
These were sufficient inducements and at
the appointed hour was there, for nothing is
more rude than to ketpa family waiting din
ner beyond the hour of invitation. | met
with a friendly welcome and tie young
ones, consisting OF three boys and giri,
were, severally. ordered up 10 shake hands
with me, and be exhibited. They each made
some resistance, shufled of little, AID came
very reluctantly. did not augur we'll from
tbs specimen of breeding child should be
instructed to approach stranger with re-
spscttu confidence, di,rsled, alike, OF as u
rance or tiynidity. would not judge hastl-
ly, and dinner was shortly announced. he
children were almost tue first seated, anu
there was some indecent scufiing for chairs,
which required the interference OF In" father
In sinn and which ,eaa lone mt ~ilba''' =~,-..
difficulty, as mama begged him moi TO create
riot. Order being Restored, began to eat
my soup, bu, with little comfort the young
ones were again NOISY and clamorous /: one
did not like muton-the other voci.erousiy
demanded the ship oil turkcy--a third call
ed for beer, with an air Of auhoritj and
papa whispered the fourth to ask me to drink
a glass of wine with him, an honor WHICH |
would have declined, but was fearful oihurt-
ing the feelings OF the father, who was thus
running his child, 10y teaching him maxims OK
high Lille, and customs Of mature age. while
yet an infant. We got through the dinner AZ
ter some wrangljng: few tears, expostua-
tons from the father, and opposition from
the mother. The desert was introduced:
and the young ones made dash al the finest
of the fruit-helped themselves plcntiiully--
and, while two were fighting for peach,
they knocked over butter boat Nth sauce
Tor the pudding, which they safely lodged
parlv in mama's lap, and partly on my small
black clothes. was very near losing my
temper on the occasion it ireted me TO see
children SO much neglected. However, while
the urchins were busiy engaged in destroy
ing whatever they tancied, was conversing,
with gentleman who sat opposite to lie, Oh
the subject OF manufactures, and the means
of decreasing pauperism and giving employ
ment to our poor; but this deeply interesting
topic was interrupted by The nurse entering,
with an infant in her arms, and boy OF two
years Old, leading by the hand. A new scene
of uproar commenced: the children sslzed
the baby--the baby squalled for fruii--the
young one graspeu al every thing in his way
"a perfect riot ensued--and ii was with
great difficulty that the room was cleared, al
ter brbiug each Of them with something eat
able. took my departure with pleasure,
happy in terminating this unpleasant inter-
view.
Times are strangely altered, or rather
wholesome doctrines have become unfashon-
able. When was a boy, my breakfast, with
seven others, consisted Of milk and water, or
very weak coffee, which was placed in a
large earhen pan. and each 0. US had tin
cup, and two good slices Of bread and but
te-: all OF our meals were served up, in this
manner, under the superintendance OF one OF
the family, and we were dispatched to schooi