Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1877-12-15
NEW YORK'S BABY SHOW.
InfantiIe Wonders on Exhibition COmpe {
ing Babies and their Surroundings.

InIantiIe Wonders on Exhibition-C Compe {
ing Babies and their Surroundings.
The recent opening of the baby show
in New York is thus described in the
columns of the World of that city
The baby show opened in Midget's Hall,
in Fifth avenue, at $50 yesterday morn
ing. 1t was gathering to be remarked
in several of its features, but most re-
markable was its suggestion of wisdom.
At the hour of its opening the babies
were fresh, wide-awake, unvexed and
absorbed. No laggard twin, clipped of
its vitality, had fallen into leaden and
precarious sleep, and the noisiest boy
had not yet opened his mouth or got his
preposterous legs into the throes of
irresponsible motion. The flush of the
vigor of morning was on the faces of all,
and the alert intellect peered out of
every baby's eyes. Under the circum-
stances, with every infant deeply seri-
ous, silent and absorbed, there never
was such gross display of facial wis
dom.
The babies were assorted and
arranged in the large hall on the second
floor, which was trimmed profusely with
American flags. At the Fifth avenue
end were the twins. On the side to-
wards fourteenth street were arrayed
| single babies and all babies with defects
and remarkable histories, while babies
of different merits sat on the side op-
posite and were strewn casually through
the center of the hall. The whole num-
Der Of babies entered is nearly four hun
dred, and all these will be out doubtless
by tomorrow ; but yesterday the show
opened with $50. There will be several
sets of triplets, and arrangements have
been made and will probably come to
fruition with a phenomenal Brooklyn
father for quartet. The management
requires the presence of babies and
their mothers from nine in the morning
until ten at night, though wearied babies
are dismissed or put to bed on the fioo1
above and their places supplied with
fresh and vital specimens. Nurses are
supplied to assist and relieve the moth.
ers; also intelligent and instructed
women to explain and interpret to visi.
tors. In the hall above lunch is al
ways spread for mothers and nurses, and
there are cribs and baby-jumpers for
the soothing and reinvigoration of speci,
mems.
A number of prizes are to be given,
the recipients to be determined by
popular ballot. Every visitor will FIND
attached to his ticket coupon with
| printed instructions as to what qualities
are to be voted for, thus: Hand.
soonest mother" "rrettiest baby,
'finest triplets," "prettiest twins, >
"greatest novelty" and the four babies
n.erder who are next pretGest. Each
| child and mother has a printed card will
a number, which the visitor, having
made his selections, ascertains and writes
upon his coupon, depositing the same
i'll box afterwards. The handsomes
mother is to have prize of a gold watcl
and chain, and money prizes ranging from
| 800 down are to go to the elected
babies. AS for other qualities not men
toned on the coupon, they are to be de-
cided by selected committee.
Yesterday the show was well crowded
with visitors. Elderly gentlemen came
| plenty, and chuckled over the marvels
ofscomeliness and fatness which they
found, and ladies in silks and seal skins
pondered and consulted. The twins ant
the fat, pretty babies got most notice
the babies with defects were studied
mostly by the reporters. In nearly
every case the mother sat with the child
and was ready to tell everything con
cerning it. Two conspicuous mottoe'
hung on the walls, one being "Wha
is home without baby?" and thu
other "The hand that rocks the era
die is the hand that moves the world.