The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1854-10-19
WHERE rHr pAprEs COMB PROM.

WHERE THE BABIKs COMB FROM.
One Hundred and tscenty,xvsn babies wero
entered for exhibition. And they came from
almost everywhere. Several counties, includ-
ing Hamilton, of Ohio, were well represented,
and then there were babies from Indiana,
Louisiana, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts,
We would publish the names but for tho seri-
Gus protests of the parents, who do not desire
the world to know that their babies entered
for the prizes and did not get il. We appreci-
ate their feelings and submit to their request.
In such an immense crowd we could not with
any propriety get anything like personal de-
scription of the babies, but we will mention a
few which attracted general attention.
THE PRETTIEsT BABY.
IL was generally admitted that decidedly the
prettiest child on exhibition was from Cincin-
natl it is the daughter of Mr. Henry Howe.
1t is really sweet child, and, without pre-
tending to be judge, we must coincide with
the general opinion.
Large and fat children seemed 10 prcdomi-
nate One from Indiana, one five months old,
weighed twenty-seven and half pounds
Another, four months old, weighed twenty
pounds.
pair of twins, of Clark county, attracted
much attention. They were very pretty, and
as near alike as two peas.
An elderly lady was present with her seVen-
feenth baby only two months DID, She claim
ed nothing extraordinary in the child, but
thought she was deserving Of a premium-and
she certainly is
Without attempting to particularize we will
just say, that zoe think all the babies present.
ed were really pretty, and that their parents
have just cause to be proud of them.
THE JUDGES DELIBERATE
The judges were long time in their investi-
cations. After they retired, the mothcrs, with
their children in their arms, walked into the
Floral Hall, where they remained, while the
spectators crowded past them to take look
at the babies. This ended the great Baby
Show-the first, but certainly not the last in
Ohio
Though the "show u was ended, the excite
mont was not over. Everybody wanted to
know the premium babies, and the Judges were
not ready to report. Some ladies were sure
that "this duck Of . Child" or that Glove of
baby" would carry of the silver ware, while
every parent Interested was sure of a prize.
The judges not being able to consult without
interruption on the ground, retired to the An
thony House in the city. There they were
followed by hundreds anxious 10 learn the re-
suit
PRIZES AwARDED-EAMEs OF THE vICToRs
The session was a long one, bat about six
o'clock in tho evening the final decision was
made, and the prizes awarded as follows:
First prizs, a splendid service of silver plate,
including a large salyer, TO the daugher of
VIM. Romner of Vienna Clark county, aged
10 months.
Second prize service of silver plate, to the
son of VIM. Mcdowell of Fulton, Hamilton
county, Ohio, aged 10 months.
Third prize, plain service Of silver, to the
daughter of Mr. A. Canon, OF Philadelphia.
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. PRIZE.
Great dissatisfaction was expressed at the
award of the first prize. IL was thought it
would be given at once to the daughter of
Mr.. Howe, of Cincinnati; and il was even pro-
posed to take up subscription on the spot, to
purchase her gift worth at least a. much as
the prize. It was understood that her claim
had been strongly urged, and that the prize
was awarded to the other child by majority
of only one vote.
Those in the minority were determined she
should not pass unnotoed, and, after the awards
had been made known, waited on the little IA
vorite, and through Mr.. Do Graft of Dayton,
presented her with largo and costly statuette
of our Saviour Blessing Little Children. This
act was highly applauded.
Thus ends our report of the National Baby
Show. We understand it will be repeated
next year, when, with the experience Of this
year before them, tho managers will be able
to prepare all the necessary accommodations
for the "entries.o
LETTER FROM FANNY FERN.
NEW YORK, Sept. %, 1854.
SrR In thanking you for the compliment
tee to award the premiums at the Baby Con-
vension, would also express my deep regret
that my present engagements will nos admit
of my leaving New York. Nothing would de-
light me more than to visit your beautiful city,
which have 80 long wished to rec, and the
added temptation you hold out, in the shape
of babies ia almost irresistible. God bless
their little sweetneeses! But how could
choose? |, who love everything in the shape
of ohild-who believe that they are all who
are left to us Of Eden-who never come into
their presence without a feeling such as a de-
won't Catholic must have when be crosses him.
self before the image of the Virgin Mary
How could choose? should turn from black
eyes 10 blue, from blue eyes to gray, from gray
to hsze; should be led captive by a dimple,
fascinated by a ringlet, enchanted by rosy
cheek or snowy shoulder My dear sir,
lot of full blown roses. Please sooops my best
and admirable enterprise.
May the anathemas of no disappointed
mother haunt the sleeping or waking dreams
of the awarding committee.
Yours, very truly, FANNY Fern.
Mr.. J. Pdist.
THE DoISGs OF OLDER BABIES.
Previous TO the Baby Show, there was con-
test for prizes for the best workmanship by f.
malos The judges awarded the prizes to the
following ladies:
First prize, q magnificent lsdy's saddle,
bride, and whip, to Miss Julia Linn. Second
prize, q silver bowl, to Miss Rachel Fisher.
Third prize, set of silver spoons, to Mrs. DR..
Parks. Fourth prize, pair of silver tongs, TO
Miss D. Linn, aged Is years The prizes were
awarded this afternoon, in the presence Of q
large oonoourse of people.
A TRAP FOR A TRoUBLEsohE TONGUE
Sheridan was one day worry much annoyed by
q fellow member of the House OF Commons
who kept crying out every few minutes, @hear
hear!v During the debate, he took occasion
to describe political contemporary that wish
cd to play the rogue, but had only sense enough
to play the fool "Where," exclaimed he with
great emphasis, "wherc shall we find more
foolish knave or more knavish fool than he 2"
" Hear hear :" was shouted by the troublesome
member. Sheridan turned round, and, thank
ing him for the prompt information, sat down
amid roar Of laughter.
A SINGULAR WkGER.-A young woman had
laid wager she would descend into vault in
the middle of the night, and bring from thence
q scull The person who took the wager had
previously hid himself in the vault and as the
girl seized SOUL, cried in q hollow voice:
"Leave me my head"
aThere it Isl said the girl, throwing ID down
and catching up another.
3Iaave me NV head ~ cried the sanne vo;oe