The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1819-10-13
g[0isreitanp.
From fhe National Advocate.
DOMESTIC ECONOMY.

DOMESlIC ECONOMy.
There is no object or special duty, which
is Of SO much vital interest, and so little un-
derstood, as the management of children. /
am confirmed in the opinion, from attentive
observation, that this branch OF domestic c.
economy 10 veSy much neglected, and that
children were better governed, some .weniy
Eve years ago, than they are at present. Pa
rents, as we'll as society at large the interest
ot count, y, and the welfare OF mankind, de.
pend, in great measure, on early impress
ioDs--on proper impulse and rection, Civ
en- to chidren's mind and this canno, be
neglected without yioleting those great obi
cations which morality imposes. j am ex-
cessively fond OF children when they are not
rude Or NOISY, and can possibly have no high
CT qualification than IN mixing in their iDno-
ecu, anuscmcn,s and participating in their
ioyiui gsmbols--I take great delight IN con
vorsiDg with sensible, modest boy, and Gao
nurse a rosy chez d infant for hours, If The
urchin does not cIy. Win such feelings,
accepted an invitation, from a friend, TO din
nor, who had a large family OF young children,
and who seasoned his invitation by assur aDces
tba, should meet some gentlemen OF intel
hgesce, as we'll as being grained with the
sight OF promising family. These swere
sufficient inducements: and at tho appointed
hour l was there, for nothing is moro rude
than TO keep family waiting dinnsr beyond
the hour OF invitation. ] roet with a friendly
welcome and the young oOos, consisting OF
three bcys ard girl. were scyasally, osteyec
up'to shske hands with me, and be exh,bi,ed
They Zach made some resistance, sbuttied of
q iiule, and came very Reluctantly. l didsnol
augur well from this specimen OF breeding !:
o child should be instructed 10 approach a
stranger wieh respectful confidence, divesled
alike, OF assurance or timldity. would no,
Judge hastily, and dinner was shortly annouD-
ccd. The children were almost the first seat
ed, and there was some indecent scuthlng for
chairs, which required the interference Of the
father TO stop, and which was done not with
, out sosue difficulty, as mama begged him not
% create q riot.--O der being restored, be
gan to eat my soup, but with little comfort,
The young ones were again noisy and clamor-
ous /: one did not like mutton--,he other vo-
ciferously demanded the hip Of turkey
third called for beer, with an air OF AUTHORITY
and papa whispered the fourth to ask NE
TO dcink glass of wioe with him, an honour
which l would have declined, but was fearful
Of husting the feelings of the falhet, who was
thus unlng his child by teaching hin, max
inns of high life, and customs Of mature age,
while ye, an infant. We got through the
dinner after some wrangling a few tears, ex-
pos,ula,ions from the father, and opposition
from the mother. The desert was introduc.
ed and the young ones made dash at the
finest of the irut--hclpcd themselves plenIi.
fuly--and, while two were fighting for
peach, they Knocked over a butter boat with
sauce for the pudding, which they safely lodg-
ed, paytly in mama's lap, and parity on nv
black small clothes. l was yciy osar losing
my temper on the occasion |, rreued mo to
sec children so much eglested.---Howev-
or, while The urchins were busiiy engaged 10
destroying whatever they fanc,ed, was con
vetsing, with gentleman who sat opposite to
me, on tho subject Of manufactures, and the
means OF decreasing pauperism and giving
employment 10 80; poor bet this deeply To-
terc,ting topic vss interrupted by tho nurse
entering, with an infant io her arms, sod
boy, OF two years old, leading by the hand.
A new scene of uproar commenced: the
children seized tho baby-the baby s9uellcd
for frui,--tbe young one grasped at every
thing in his way-a perfect riot ensued--aDd
IL was with great difficulty that the room was
cleared, ofer bribng each Of Them with some.
hing ea,sole. ] took my departure with
ples,ure, happy IN terminating this unpieas
ant Interview.
Times arc strangely altered, or rathc'
wholesome doctrines have become unfishion-
ablo. When wss boy, my breakfast, with
seven o,hers, consisted of milk and water, o.
very weak cofoe, which was placed IN largs
esrtaen pan, aud each Of Us had q Tin cup, and
Two good slices of bread and butter : all Of
our meals were served, up, ia this manner,
under tae supe rintendsuce OF one Of tho fam
ily, and we were dispatched TO school at the