The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1867-08-02
The Home Of Homeless Babies in Paris
How they are Taken in and Done

The Home of Homeless Babies in Paris
How they are Taken in and Done
For.
A Paris correspondent of the New York
Times says of model Glib for babies at
the Exposition:
In a quiet harbor of that strange and
murmuring ocean of nationalities called the
Park stands modest little gabled dwelling,
surrounded by fowers-as indeed is every
thing-and looking fresh and young and
pleasant. 1t is very small personality in
such an august throng, and it is not won
derful that nine out of ten pass it by with
out care or consideration. Yet it is here
that one of the best pulses of humanity can
be touched. The little house to which |
have referred is called the "Creche Sanite-
Marie" and is intended for the accommO-
dation of twenty children. They are the
children Of poor people whose mothers are
compelled to seek their livelihood away
from their homes, and they average from
fifteen days to three years old.
The creation of the creche (the word
means crib-but the English word lacks
strength and defnitsness) dates from the
year 1874, and was initiated by the benev-
olent M. Marbeau, who is still one of its
principal promoters. Its aim are to pro-
cure for the children Of poor workwomen
who have to leave their homes in order to
make living, pure air, healthy and suffi-
cient food, suitable temperature, cleanli-
ness and uninterrupted attention to give
to the mother full freedom of her time, and
enable her to pursue her labors without
distress of mind or uneasiness. The creche
n hp E,yn nj
of 100 metres 1t cost 5000 frances to
build, and the materials amounted to ! 800
frances more The largest apartment con-
tains in the center fattened. oblong ar
rangement of little armchairs, ordinary
seats, and ring or fence, running all
round about the height of two year old
child. There is table in the center, and
on this are placed toys and objects that are
interesting to children. The youngest are
in their little chairs or Chamber around the
railing with the greatest gee. The ar
rangements are so simple that single at
tendant can supply the wants of dozen
.children. Indeed, the latter are so pleased
to find themselves In the company of other
children, that they need but little care save
for the ordinary wants OF nature. For
creche of twenty children, like that | am
describing, 1t Is only necessary to have a
superintendent and two nurses Around
the arrangement | have mentioned are sew
eral cradles, and in adjacent apartment
are wardrobes, wash room, drying room
baths, kitchen, saloon for the mothers,
linen closet and toilet. Outside their is a
little garden, with toy carts, perambula-
tors, &c. This tiny establishment is
managed according to the following rules;
1t is open from 81 in the morning until 81
o'clock at night, and is closed on Sundays
and .fete days. Only those children whose
mothers are poor, and we'll conducted, and
work away from home, are admitted. 1t
is necessary that the child should not be
sick, and that it be vaccinated The fact
of birth and the certificate of vaccination
must be deposited with the Secretary
The mother brings the child properly wrap
ped up, and visits the creche during her
meal hours to suckle it. She leaves suffi
cient linen for the day, and at night calls
for the child and takes it home. Every
thing else that the child needs, in the way
Of food, ETC., is supplied by the crccbe,
and for this and the attendance is charged
the sum of four cents, OF twenty confines,
per day. Where there are two children,
the sum is reduced to six cents or thirty
confines for both.