Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-06-09
Young America IN Arms -Bsrnuna's Baby


The great Baby Show got up by Mr.. Banum
of which SO much has been said for the past few
months, was opened at his museum, in New York
on Tuesday morning The total number Of ba
bies already hand is l43, consisting of singles
twins, and triplets, with the quarerns ON thelI
way from Ohio. The Post, of Tuesday evening
has long account of the novel exhibition, from
which we extract the following:
Flags and steamers from every window and
available nook of the Museum announce the
great event of the day. transparency, occu-
plying goodly proportion OF the whole front OF
the building, represents babies in arms, babies in
cradles babies on sofas, babies under tho Ameri-
can flag, and babies wrapped in the American
flag. Babies in every variety and in amy guam
tity.
The exhibition is, without exception, the
greatest novelty we ever witnessed. 1t consists
Of mixture Of the feathered tribe, the hairy
tribe, quadrupeds, diamonds, rare stones, ancient
war implements, the happy family, the bearded
woman, and the bearded infant, the fat woman,
and the giantess, the statuary, and lastly, though
by no means the least the sweet, 'dear little
darlings' and their amable nurses, who form
conspicuous and important portion OF the audi
ence, while the "darlings" serve TO attract the
young and married women, the spinster and the
THE NURSERY.
Over the door leading to the babies retiring
rooms is tile following placard:
"NuRsERY RooMs.--None but the babies and
their female attendants admitted"
This room is tastefully fitted up with blue mus
lin drapery and hangings, and supplied with all
necessary accommodations for its infantile occu-
pants. There are cradles, rocking chairs, wash
ing conveniences, and an efficient supply OF
nurses all of whom appear to be personally IN
terested in baby progression. One OF the most
prominent objects in this room is showcase,
containing numerous unknown articles, Tor I'M
known purposes, and to which the visitors atten-
ton is attracted by the placard surrounding it,
ssDr. c. H. Needham's patent improved breast
pumps and nipple-shields. N. B.-Any lady re.
curing the use Of one Of those instruments will
please apply to Mrs Needham, at the show case
A hall on the eastern side is prepared as
waiting room for the children, and is consequently
thronged with visitors. On raised platform is
a sufficient number Of seats to accommodate the
little ones, and a couple Of baby-jumpers for
their occasional entertainment Twins, triPlets,
and single miscellaneous, attred in holiday cos
tune, and attended by their several maternal re-
latyes, occupy the places of honor, and Won
deripg crowd of male and female visitors sur
round them.
THE BABIES EXHIBITED,
The statuary hall, formerly occupied by the
wax figures, is the principal scene OF the exhibit
ton Flowers, fresh and beautiful (nearly two
hundred varieties) are distributed throughout the
building. Those floral offerings arrived from
the private residence Of MIR, Barnum, at iranls-
tan.
AS the children are brought In we observe that
t1cv are neatly alfred, and are labeled "twins,
g triplets," &e., as they chance to be. They are
accompanied generally by their mothers, who oc-
cupy their places.on the exhibiting platform with
a conscious pride, evident in manner and feature.
One fine little fellow, two years old, was attired
in full Highland costume, and appeared to ENJOY
the whole affair amazingly. One singular IN
stance appeared Of child four years and three
months DID, weighing scventy-fve pounds. This
was Miss Helen Eckhart, of Easton, Pennsylvania.
The obesity of this young creature is most unna-
tural and yet, according to the description OF her
grandmother, she enjoys excellent health, and is
of quite lively temperament. Another unusual
sight was little girl named Phoebe Ann Baker,
who possessed bosom prematureiy developed
The curiosities in baby-dom were quite hume
rous md not the least conspicuous was youth
til 81 Jersey Blue, Master Edward Baker--two
wears of age, and who weighed about fifty pounds.
These unusual objects constituted great attrac-
ton for the visitors, who crowded around the ex-
hibiiion stands, and thronged every avenue lead
ing to the galleries in which the exhibition took
place. The Museum was filled to its utmost
pacty, and at least wo-thirds of the audience
consisted Of ladies.
"This is the most ridiculous thing that ever
saw in my born days" says one young woman to
another g 1t beats all the, Shanghai shows.
Some of the babies crow, and others are nursed
by their mothers, and such scene was never be-
fore presented in New York.
The platform Of the babies was crowded by
females, to the inconvenience Of sight-seers.
Barnum came along, and ascending the steps,
said, "Ladies, the old ones are very interesting,
but the ladies and gentlemen wish to see the
babies" at his request, then, the elevated plat
form was cleared,
TRfpLETs AND TWINS.
Mr.. J. r. Sprague and his wife, of Danbury,
Connecticut, exhibit five chldren-two girls and
three boys-trplets and twins All of them were
born in Knox county, Ohio. The triplets
FIVE years of age, and named Harriet Elizabeth,
Hannah Jane, and Harrison Taylor. The twins
are named Willard Frann and Willis Francis.
There age is three years. The little girls
dressed in pink, and the boys in blue jackets and
white pantaloons, with patent leather CATERS.
They are fine looking children, whose mother
generally hathes them in cold water, All sorts
of questions are asked of the parents. One in
quistive gentleman said to Mr.. Sprague, ARE
these children warranted triplets I" The father
replied, eyes" The stranger continued, ga
woman must be blcst TO have FIVE children at two
births"
Mrs. Paulina herman, of Newark, New Jer-
sey exhibits twins, girls. They are three years
old yesterday, and named Flora and Augusta.
They are also pretty children, dressed in blue
frocks. Washing and bathing in cold water is
resorted TO by the mother for the health of the
children.
Robert ii. Owen, Of Fort Byron, Cayuga coun-
ty, New York, exhibits three little boys, five
years old They are named William II. Seward,
John Quincy Adams, and Ebert Lamartine.
They are bright looking little fellows, dressed
in gray suits. The mother is in attendance.
Mrs McFlynn, Of New York, exhibits three
children-twe girls and boy, eight years Of age.
The children were born in Ireland They
intelligent looking children; the little girls are
dressed in pink, and the boy In pink sack and
white pantaloons.
Mr.. Jacob Deuss, Of New York, exhibits twins
two little boys, aged four years. They are
dressed in calico sack and plaid pantaloons
Mr.. Robert Baker, of Kane's Point, New Jer-
sey, exhibits fat boy, two years old. He is al
most as broad as he is long, and heartily enjoys
himself with munching soda biscuit. He is dress
ed in a blue frock. His name is Edward Walter
Baker. The ladies are particularly pleased with
the little fellow.
Mrs. Ann McCabe, Of Glove Road, Brooklyn,
exhibits twins-boys, eight months old. They
ora very bright lookinU infants and dressed