The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-10-25
CHILDREN OF
THE NOBILITY
An Interesting Sketch Concerning the
Blue Blood Of Britain.
The Children OF Noble Lineage Are Turned
Over to the Care of Experienced
Nursss-How They Are Educated.
erecial for THE SUNDAY CALI.

LONDON, Oct 10, 1S91.-During a number
Of Years travel in England, Ireland and
Scotland l have often been situated so that
observation was both proper and possible
on the manner in which children of the
nobility are reared, and have personally
found exceeding interest in understanding
more and more the dtt ills of everyday life.
My purpose is simply to speak of the
nobility as children; and to follow their
everyday care. training and experiences
from birth to an age where they are inter-
estng no further as children, and, for that
matter, of very little interest as anything
else.
Months before n new scion of a British
house makes its ordinarily human red-and-
speckled appearance the order for his ap-
pareling has been made. II the child
ever has much OF an advantage over pie
beian little ones it thus early receives a
marked and important favoTitiSm. Its
layette usually comprises from two to four
dozen pieces, each, Of lands, shirts, skirts,
dresses or robes pinning blankets, stock
ings, caps and carrying cloaks." Its
skirts, shirts-except it be winter baby"
when they are then all made of silk flannel
and robes are of the finest Irish linen
lawn; its bands and pinning blankets of silk
flannel Its cap of real lace and the most
delicate ribbon; and its carry clOaks of surah
SILK or faille and lace. These are usually
ordered from Infant oufitters of note in
London, Liverpool, Belfast, Dublin, Glas-
gov and Edinburgh; but occasionally they
are prepared by several artistic seamstresses
and embroi1eTers who work under the imme-
date direction Of the housekeeper or milady
herself. In either case the dainty fabrics
are covered with expensive hand embroid-
cry are misty with rare Valencienes lace,
number from 400 10 500 pieces, and undoubt-
edly cost from $1,000 to $1,000.
The event in the homes of the nobility is
accompanied by an extraordinary attend
anCe of medical and surgical talent. No one
physician, however eminent, is relied upon.
Two or three are always present, and often
half dozen; while several trained nurses
have been secured from famous hospitals
The fees expected and paid are often out Of
all reason. and frequently the douceur will
equal the fee The occasion is always wei
coined by the entire rrtuue of servants In
many great houses q ] of these receive gifts
Of money; the official nurse, particularly if
she be an old retainer, is munIficentiy re-
membered and The Tower house" is usu-
ally allowed to indulge in quiet merry
MAkltB at lul4OIu uuRIuuEel expense.
Another matter of the gTaveSt import has
had to be arranged Titled ladies never
nurse their own children. The woman who
is to be the real mother of the helpless lord
Ing for the first twelve to eighteen mOnths
OF its bRhyhood career is often the subject
of extraordinary and anxious search.
her CHARACTER MUST BE BLAMELEss,
Yet she must be situated so that for this
length uf time she can fOrs wear her own
babe and home. These and other suppOSiti-
tIOuSly necessary conditions are not easily
satisfied; and perhaps some of the most
entertaining aud curiouslv wOrded sdver-
uSements found in the columns of the
British press are resultant from these pecu-
liar quests. No other person in any capacity
Of household service commands such wages
as do these women when they have been
found. They never receive less than 500
per month, and often from $3.50 to $500 is
paid. The nurse is always provided with
two or more under-nurseS. With her pre-
clUus charge she is not consigned TO the
regular nursery of the castle, which is al
ways a capaciOus apartment well removed
from those of the chief inmates. but is pro-
yided with room or suite of rooms, which
III ordinary use are guests chambers, not
tar distant from milady'5 bOudyir This
provision is a temporary one, and the little
lord or lady'S surroundings are for the time
being OF the plalneSt character The Gus
tomaTy furniture is removed and packed
d
swinging cradle, a chair or two. the biiou-
tere of babyhOod necessities only, and in
an Open CRATE a tiny coal fire, which is
never permitted TO 90 out in winter or sum
mer, are all that the titled baby's eyes may
lock upon during IFS first year OF two OF
life. Its nurse-mOther may occupy the |
same room. Usually she is given an ad-
joining apartment
The first real event in the babes career is !
its christening or ''churchiug" as the ser
wants, surrounding dependents and vii |
layers persist IN calling it; and its robes for |
this occasion are marvels of the needle |
workers art. Christening always occurs |
between the ages OF six weeks and three |
months. British conservatism and form at
tach double Importance to the event. The |
child IS thus authOrtatlvely signed, sealed |
and delivered over to the ranks of the rock |
rooted nobility; and its titled mother is Off |
cially permitted TO resume her place in |
noble society. Attached to nearly every
castle or manOrlal hall is private chapel, !
or more frequently the ancient parish |
ways in the gift of the lord of the manor. |
Christenings among the nobility are inyari- !
ably celebrated in these, and pri- |
vaiely. Possibly the parish register
may be present. Occasionally near
relatives and close friends are in |
vitrd. These aud the immediate house
hold servants are the only attendants. But |
The incumbent Of the living, though he may |
be assisted by noted canon or prelate |
always performs the Office a christie ling |
dinner follows, and while of most exclu- |
sIve character 1t is always An expensive and |
superb feast, the clergyman or priest who |
has Oficiated being the guest of honor. The |
affair Is also one OF considerable expense to |
near relatives and friends. Il is the chief |
occasion between birth aud marriage for the |
bestowal Of gifts. Many Of these are in the |
form of toys and objects Of pastime ranging |
from what might amUse
THE FINEST BABE
To articles which have interest even to |
grown up boys and girls, and these are
often toys Of marvellous construction and |
workmanship; while other gifts take the
form of properties and jewels.
From the moment of christening the
babe, which has received not only its
Christian name, but its title, often n jun
Bile Of family and property appellatives as |
Outlandish as long, Is never addressed by |
parent or servant in any other manner
than by its title. Its parents may Occa-
ply some tender nickname or love-word to |
the child; but this could only occur in |
moments OF great secrecy and weakness. |
Il is spoken of to all friends and servants |
IN the third person, as Lady Helen" or |
Lord Arthur" the epithet of nobility |
being Drefxed to the child's Christian |
name. Its distinct title is applied only |
after the death Of the person from whom |
such title dPscends, formally in necessary |
legal instruments, or when its age of major |
ity Is attained. Eldest sons carry their
titles from the date Of christening. To il |
Iustrate. take the house of Manchester. |
The eldest son of the late Duke was Lord |
(WIlliam George Victor Drego) Vaudeville. |
He was Lord Vaudeville from christening |
He is the present Duke of Manchester. His |
younger brother, Lord Charles Montagu, |
was always Lord Charles" simply, In |
childhood and minority. The only son of the |
present Duke of Manchester is Lord will |
IAN George Kim bolton. The lad is there |
fore now Lord Vaudeville" and successor |
to the dukedom.
At about years's age the nurse mother Is
relieved. Perhaps for another year special |
nurses are employed in the care OF the child. |
At from to years of age it is transferred |
TO the household nursery, although the |
special nurses may be somewhat longer re- |
tanned. This nursery is always a most spa |
cious apartment. Connected with it, or |
leading into it from an adjoining hall, are a |
dozen or more pleasant little rooms, where |
older children sleep, sometimes with nurse |
In each room, and for nurses, the governess |
and her assistants. The principal room of |