St. Paul daily globe., 1889-10-22
A WORD ABOUT BABIES.
Gifts for the Latest
Arrivals From Paradise

When the wise man wrote that there
was nothing new under the sun he for
got about babies. Babies are always
new. True. they have been in stock
more or less for the last 1000 years, but
that does not prevent each individal
baby that has come into the world in
this year OF our Lord from being just as
new to its admiring parents and rela-
tives as was the little Cain to Mother
Eve and her cOnSort Adam. Indeed,
when one considers of the uncommOnly
common nature of this phenomenon it
is hard to account for the joyful and al
most awesOme surprise with which each
little wrinkled mite of humanity is
greeted, not only by its immediate pro-
genitors, but by a whole retnue of
worshiping neighbors and friends as
well.
Only few days ago newly made
father. who had probably never given
the subject of babies five minutes con-
sideration in his life, informed in all
seriousness a group OF fellow brokers
on 'change that his .'baby was born
with every nail on its ten tiny fingers
and toes as perfect as yours Or mine,
sirs, at this mOment"-this trium-
phantly and almost defiantly. as though
challenging any one of them to dispute
this wonderful Statement-and every
man of them looked as much surprised
as though he had told them the child had
been born with two heads. This is simply
to illustrate how utterly new Baby" is,
and being new and altogether precious,
and undoubtedly superior to anything
of the kind ever produced before, it is
only meet. right and our bounden duty
TO welcome him-Or her-in a manner
becoming to such preciousneSs and
uniQuenesS of creation. Hence has
arisen the custom of bringing gifts to
the altar-gifts of gold and frankincense
and myrrh-of purple and fine linen.
True, the modern form, but just what
form they should take is what puzzles
who would no doubt be truely grateful
for timely hint as to just what is most
suitable to select as love Offering to
the latest arrival out from paradise.
First and foremost there is the basket,
an elaborate affair of gilded wicker
work upon a stand just conveniently
high for daily use. This is lined with
silk or satin, pure white or palest pink
or blue-pink for boys and blue for
girls, the gossips say; but that's mat
ter of taste. The edge is trimmed with
lace, and bows of ribbon are tied wher-
ever there is space, and the whole
scented with daintiest of sachets. This
basket cen be stocked. if you wish to be
munificent, with silver pOwder-box and
tiny silver backed brush and velyety
spOnges, and finest soaps and gold
safety pins. But everyboey cannot
give baskets since one is an abundance;
so for the aunt who knits there are tiny
silk shirts and socks just too dainty for
anything whe n done in palest tints or
cream or pearl white. Then there are
sacQues crOcheted in silk or made OF
finest cashmere and sprigged with silk
embroidery. And the matinees-fOr
baby has his matinees as well as mamma
dainty, long, loose robes, to be thrown
on in the morning, made of India silk
or fine cashmere or flannel, and all her
ring boned with silk floss and tied with
narrow ribbons. A pretty gift is
swansdOwn pillow, just big enough for
baby's head, made Of white silk and
hand-painted with some delicate flower
in one corner and suitable inScrip-
ton, such as ''Angels Guard His Slum-
bers."
The pillow must, of course, be edged
with lace. Then there is the carriage
robe, in nnmberIess designs. but the
SlmpieSt is apt 10 De tne prtttleSt. a
square of white flannel, edged with lace,
a handsome bow of ribbon in one cor
her and a spray of embroidery or paint
ed flowers is as pretty as anything.
Baby's jewelry is limited, but there is
always the traditional drinking mug Of
silver, ring or two for the finger, gold
studs linked by tiny chains, necklace
of amber beads to Ward Off disease and
evil influences. There are boxes of
finest powders, most delicately scented,
imported especially for Baby, and per-
fumed sprays with which to give the
last touch to the infant toilet and make
him. if possible. sweeter than his own
sweet self. These are only few of the
dainty and expensive things which
every properly appreciated baby gathers
unto itself ere it has seen its first moon
upon earth, for it has grown to be an
understood thing that 10 one shall come
empty-handed to pay his respects to the
''royal guest" of happy family circle.