The record-union., 1891-10-24

the lord of the manor Christenings
among the nobility are invariably cele-
bratcd in these and privately. Possibly
the parish registrar may lee present. Oc-
casionally near relatives and close friends
are invited. These and the immediate
household servants are the only attend
ants. But the incumbent of the living,
though he may be assisted by noted
canon or prelate, always performs the
office. A christening dinner follows, and
while of most exclusive character, it is
always an expensive and superb feast,
the clergyman, or priest, who has OFF,
ciated being the guest of honor. The
affair is also one of considerable expense
to near relatives and friends. 1t is the
chief occasion between birth and mar.
riage for the bestowal of gifts. Many of
these are in the form Of toys and objects
of pastime, ranging from what might
amuse the tiniest babe to articles which
have interest even to grown up boys and
girls, and these are often toys OF marvel
Gus construction and workmanship,
while other gifts take the form of prop
critics and jewels.
From the moment of christening the
babe, which has received not only its
Christian names but its title, often jum-
BILE OF family and property appellatives
as outlandish as long, is never addressed
by parent or servant in any other man
casionally so far forget themselves as to
apply some tender nickname or love-
word to the child, but this could only oc
cur In moments OF great secrecy and
weakness. 1t is spoken of to all friends
and servants in the third person, as
Lady Helen," or Lord Arthur" the
epithet of nobility being preixed to the
child's Christian name. Its distinct title
is applied only after the death Of the per-
son from whom such title descends,
formally in necessary legal instruments,
or when its age of majority is attained.
Eldest sons carry their titles from the
date of christening. To illustrate, take
the house of Manchester. The eldest son
of the late Duke was Lord (William
George Victor Drego) Mandeville. He
was Lord Vaudeville from christening.
He is the present Duke of Manchester.
His younger brother, Lord Charles Mon
tagu, was always Lord Charles simply
in childhood and minority. The only
son of the present Duke of Manchester is
Lord William George himbolton. The
lad is therefore now Lord MandeVille'
and successor to the Dukedom. 1t is,
perhaps, irreverent to imagine these little
tots as other than beings superior to the
ills of flesh under such aristocratic condi-
tions, but Lady Helen'' has wind ON her
little stomach, and Lord Arthur has
to run the gantlet Of paregoric and rash,
precisely as with your child or mine.
At about a years age the nurSe-mother
is relieved. Perhaps for another year
special nurses are employed in the care of
the child. At from two to three years Of
age it is transferred to the household
nursery, although the special nurses may
be somewhat longer retained. This nur-
sery is always a most spacious apartment.
Connected with it, or leading into it from
an adjoining hall, are dozen or more
pleasant little rooms where older children
sleep, sometimes with a nurse in each
room. and for nurses, the gOverness and
her assistants. The principal room of the
nursery is not only fantastic museum
Of everything conceivable with which TO
amuse children, but it is also their library,
music-room, study, dining-room, play
room in unpleasant weather, and the sit
ting-rOom and prison-room of milady's
professional goYerness.
This individual is expected to educate
and form the manners and morals of the
children, of the girls 10 the age of twelve,
and the boys TO the age of seven or eight
when tutors for the latter are provided.
These are both instructors and slaves.
The gOVernesS must read, write, speak
and teach French and German, and be
able to instruct in the rudinents of Latin
the sciences and philosophy. She must
sing, and teach vocal music, and play and
instruct upon the piano and harp. In
fact she must be the superior companion
and servant of her charges. Her compen-
satiOn is $40 to 500 per annum. In the
greatest houses she is allowed two, and
sometimes three, nursery maids at from
3I0 to sl6 each.
The daily regime of these children of
the nobility is about as follows: They
rise at Z O'Clock the year round. They
are given a short walk before breakfast,
which is served in the nursery at 8, and
consists OF oatmeal and cream, a little
baked or mashed potato, perhaps bit of
cold lamb, milk and fruit. Then they
must assidiously study until 10. Then
comes the walk in the grounds, or a drive
in donble phaeton, the goyernesS in
charge. and the under coachman or sta
ble boy as driver. on their return they
are allowed to romp a little until dinner.
At this meal they are served with soup or
bOuillion, tri1ie OF fish, Sparingly of
roast meat or grilled chops, a small
help" of vegetables and little fruit, or,
instead, custard or rice pudding. The
younger ones may nap, and the older
ones play until 3 O'Clock. Then comes
study until o'clock. A half-hour'S drive
or walk is had, when they are entertained
by the governeSs with stories improvised
or read, with music or by games, until
o'clock. Then the supper, when weak
chocolate, cocoa or tea, with crackers or
is served. By haif-past O'Clock every
one of these lordlings is in bed and sound
asleep.
Whether the castle is asleep in its in
ane home-life, or is stirred with the pres
ence of many noble visitors, its child-life
ever remains the same. Children are al
most exclusively reared without seeing
their parents save by chance. The re-
gime of meals is as strict and formal as
that with their elders. The governess is
always with them at meals, and indeed
practically never absent from them.
Their study, play hours, meals, outings
and hours for rising and retiring are as
vigorously observed as at q military
school. Their clothing is wholly pre-
pared under the direction of the gov
erness. Her ladyship simply receives
reports Of discipline and progress. She is
in no wise their mother. On rare occa-
sions when her ladyship is alone, or
when guests who are close friends are
present, they are permitted to appear
with the goyerness at the family table.
But these occasions, while regarded as
rewards are dismally formal and austere.
Some thlngs.theSe children gain. The
vast grounds are full of sweetness, sun
light and song. They are kept in these
every moment permissible from their
studies. | believe them TO be from in4
fancy TO their departure from school, and
sometimes until their entrance to noble
society, the healthiest children and youths
in the world. Something else is gained.
AS a rule their compulsory and habitual
abnegation before their elders prevents
that insufferable arrogance and turbulent,
insulting self-consciousness of the aver
age petted and spoiled American youth.
So. too, If they lose the society of their
titled parents, they gain within and with
out castle doors, if the same be not al
ways retained, as have seen in progress
about these unduly grand palaces, a de-
mocracy of affection and growth of