The Norfolk post. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1865-1866, 1865-10-27
NATURAL HISTORY OF BABIES.

Babies are of two kinds, male and
female, and are usually put up in pack
ages of one, though sometimes two, in
which cases they are called twins, when
nearly of the same age. They are not
confined to any particular locality, but
are found plentifully distributed over
all parts of the inhabited countries.+
Their ages are various and have a wide
range. We have known them as young
as It's easy to calculate time on a watch
dial, and then again we have seen them
where they have acquired the healthy
age of twenty-five, with q fair prospect
of advancing still further into baby
hood. Their weight depends a great
deal on their heft; but as they have
tWenty-one years to grow in before it
costs them anything, it don't matter so
much how big they happen to be when
they commence.
Probably babies have more pet names
than any other article of their size. In
the tender years of life, say the first
two, they are lovingly addressed by such
endearing names as Old Beautiful,
Sweetness, Honeycomb, Him Darling,
Papa's Hope, Old Blessed, Mama's JOY,
Noble Andsome, supposed to be con-
tradiction of Old Handsome, and hun
dreds of other appellations which we
never could translate.
For several years, until they get old
enough to play out of doors and soil
their faces, their lives are one long con-
tinuous game of Copenhagen, everybody
labOring under the delusiOn that all
babies are for is to kiss, consequently to
see one is to kiss it. We cannot recol-
lect of ever finding Ourself in the
presence of baby, but what the fond
mother would say to it, Now, be a
good, little deary, ana give gentleman a
nice kiss" OF course we accept it,
though kissing amt our forte. We are
naturally modest, and don't care to be
seen kissing anybody. We don't banker
after it as some of our friends do. We
are willing to kiss a pretty girl occa-
sionally for her mothers sake, or even
for her own, rather than have any
trouble, yet we think, if said pretty girl
owed us kiss, we should much prefer
to have it remain on interest to having
1t paid when it became due; we never
should present our bill and demand
payment-not If we continue perfectly
sane. We understand that there are
quite number of persons who differ
from us in regard to kissing if so let
them differ, we cannot stop to argue the
point, as our subject treats of babies.
The monotony of babies lives is
varied by such little incidents as an at
tack of the measels, humps, or Group,
and we would not neglect to speak of
cutting teeth. A baby that has safely
got through all these infantile. troubles
is considered worth some seventy-fiye
dollars more than one who has them in
prospect. The diseases, are, however,
easily treated, and in case of the measels,
all that is necessary is to have them
break out well, and see to it that
they don't "strikc in" With humps,
just let them 90 mump" round a day or
two, and they will come out all right.
With the Group it is necessary to
/" strike lie "-generally "goose lie -
and if applied in season, twill soon
lubricate the throat, without much trOu-
BILE. Cutting teeth runs longer than
either of the other diseases, yet by q
timely investment in rubber ring and
rattle, you get rid of a Doctors bill.
When we were young, we cut our teeth
on silver dollar, but as dollars are now
made of paper, they don't stand the
wear and tear of o whole set of teeth,
and it is cheaper in the end to invest in
a rubber ring.
Learning to walk and talk are two
achievements about which too much
canpot be said. The walking, though
it is mere nothing compared to talk.
ing, yet it is more dangerous, and acct
dents oftener occur; still they usually
acquire the art with necessary breaking
of some crockery or furniture which
they frantically clutch in order to save
fall. During the season of practicing
nothing can drop in the house, or al
least noise be made, but what mother
will drop whatever she has in her hanC
and cry out, There goes Willie; wha
has he done now?" and rush to the
scene of action, to find, perhaps, {
| flower-pot on the floor, and Willie en-
gagged in scattering its contents abou
| the room. After clearing up the debris
the mother returns to her work thank
ing her stars that it was only choic'
verbena that was ruined, and no
Willie's neck.
! Their conversation in the beginning i
a little difficult to understand. The!
abreviate a great deal, and throw aside al
pronouns as perfectly useless. Listenin!