Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1875-12-24
The Education Of TOYS.


eUEsrION-BARONEss BURDETT- coUrrs
ON THE SUBJECT.
Baroness Burdett-C outts writes to the Lon
don Daily Telegraph, on November GOTH
"'Ihe child is father TO the man. This truth,
formulated by the poets mind, directs pub
lie attention, through a leading article in the
Daily Telegraph of Friday last, TO the forth
coming toy show at the Alexandra Palace.
1t is even intensified in the child-woman,
who early wears upon her baby brow the
round and top of that sovereignty which she
must display hereafter as queen of the house
hold. While the boy-child yet happily and
unrefectly rolls about on the floor, in uncon-
trOled delight at the use of legs and arms,
while his baby lips have scarcely learned to
frame those wonderful monosyllables which
his fat fingers pick out To spell in his A G.,
the girl has mastered her part and is already
soothing her doll 10 sleep, planning its ward
robe, or considering the arrangement of her
kitchen range or her di3ner table. The mind
Of the infant house mother. to use a German
phrase, is full of thought for the well-being
boy rarely cares 10 nurse or tend imaginary
things. While often very gentle TO a real
baby, he would rather pick fictitious one
10 pieces; but none the less Important to him
are the toys put into his hands And wheth-
or for boy or girl, venture 10 ask You to
draw further public attention to the toy
question.
"At the jubilee meeting OF the ROYAL
Society for the Prevention OF Cruelty TO
Animals, held in London last year, the cues
ton OF toys and the education they convey,
conference, and the German delegates prom
tsed 10 bring IL under notice in Germany,
whence spring the Christmas trees, with
tneir magical fruits, so dear TO children's
eyes. The French delegates also prom
1sed 10 consider the subject, and they
seemed TO confirm an opinion which pre-
walls, that French toys are especially open
10 the charge of cruel teaching. How
ever, we have seldom TO look abroad to
Ind out faults 10 correct, and have seen
In our toy shops very ugly arrangements for
AnlnninQ heads n nd nj
various mechanical toys whose chief amuse-
ment and merit seemed TO be derived from
the fact that by pressing and squeezing they
made squeaks and noises suggestive of pain.
i feel certain, from the kindly countenancs
given 10 the proposed exhibition, that the
underlying lessons which may be conveyed
through dear toyland may not be forgotten;
on the contrary, that mothers true in
stinct has raised the forthcoming exhibition
into prominence which may lead in the fu-
ture 10 many beneficial result. What is
nrst loved in life influences probably, in no
small degree. what is loved throughout life;
and on the ductile brain of childhood the
nrst Impressions should be bright, sweet,
"In connection with the dolls part of the
exhibition, in which dress and taste must
play no unimpOrtant part, can not conclude
without expressing a most earnest hope that
the pretty little puppets shortly 10 become
the earrings OF so many creatures and to
eneer their hours OF sickness, may not be
made mediums 10 convey predictions for
feathers torn from bleeding and palpitating
hearts, and wings broken instead of cleaving
10 the sky, and the fiaxen and dark haired
dOllies will not teach their curly-headed
owners selfish and stupid lessons of cruelty
such as a recently published paragraph
seems too clearly to indicate is common
enough among the older seekers after fashion
and ornament. Even in the case of those last
4 feel persuaded that the evil arises from
want OF thought rather than want OF heart.
81 do not for moment think any one
would deliberately consent to the wholesale
destruction OF bird life If the facts were set
before them. II Is for fashion 10 direct the
current of the general taste. Wherever its
1mpalpable essence resides, whether with
Beauty, rank or talent, within its limits it
rules with omnipotent power, and, as with
all power, those with whom IL resides should
use IL seriously. Doubtless there are cur
rents above and below its Subtle influence;
and the fashion Of this world will pass AWAY
But while of the world, IL is in the world for
good or for evil, and cannot escape the COM
mon lot of responsibility.