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

derslood, as the management Of chiidren.-
| 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 wears 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
impressioAs-on proper impulse and direc-
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 delight in
conversing with sensible, modest boy, and
can nurse rosy cheek'G infant tor hours, if
the urchin does not cry. With such feelings,
accepted an invitation, from friend, 10
dinner, who had large family of young
children, and who seasoned his invitation
by assurances that should meet some gen
tlemen of intelligence, as well as being gra-
tilted with the sight OF a promising family
These were sufficient inducements; and at
the appointed hour was there, for nothing is
more rude than to keep family waiting din
ner beyond the hour Of invitation. met
with friendly welcome; and tie young
ones, consisting OF three boys and girl,
were, severaly. ordered up 10 shake hands
with me, and be exhibited. They each made
some resistance, shuiHed of little, AID came
very reluctantly. did not augur we'll from
this specimen of breeding !: child should be
instructed 10 approach stranger with re-
spscttul confluence, difesled, alike, OF as u
rance or tinidiiy. would not Judge hasti
ly, and dinner was shortly announced. The
children were almost tue first seated, anu
there was some indecent scuiiiing for chairs,
which required the interference OF lh" father
In sinn ana which ,saa-d lone mt vii sa-,-.s
difficulty, as mama begged him moi to create
a riot. Order being Restored, began to eat
my soup, but with little comfort the young
ones were again NOISY and clamorous one
did not like mutton-lhe other voci.erousIy
demanded the ship oil turkcy--a third call
ed for beer, with an air of authority --and
papa whispered the fourth TO ask me to drink
a glass of wine with him, an honor whca |
would have declined, tut was fearful ofhurt
ing the feelings Of The father, who was thus
running his child, by teaching him maxims ct
high Lille, and customs Of mature age, while
yet an infant. We got through the dinner af
ter some wrangljng lew tears, expostula
tons from the father, and opposition from
the mother. The desert was introduced {:
and the young ones made dash at the finest
ofthe fruit-helped themselves plcn,iiully--
and, while two were fighting for peach,
they knocked over butter boat with sauce
Tor the pudding, which they safely lodged
parllv inmama's lap, and partly on my small
black clothes. was very near losing my
temper on the occasion it iretted me TO see
children so much neglected. However, while !
the urchins were busly engaged in destroy
ing whatever they fancied, was conversing,
with gentleman who sat opposite to NE, 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 seized
the baby--the baby squalled for truIi--the
young one grasped at every thing in his way
"a perfect riot ensued--and it was with
great difficulty that the room was cleared, al
ter brlbiug 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 untashion.
able. When was boy, my breakfast, with |
seven others, consisted Of milk and water, or
very weak coffee, which was placed in a
iaisc Cal aieh pail dho edeu VA 10 hoo d I'LL
cup, and two good slices Of bread and but. |
te-: all OF our meals were served up, in this |
manner, under the superintendent of one OF
the family, and we were dispatched to schooi
at the proper hour; we had reasonable pro
portion OF deiicacies reserved for US, and al |
night We joined the family party, who were
all pleased to see us, and that was the season |
Scr n, nth and ;ud;c;oue h;,,ritv mr. educa-