Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1892-11-04
in A RUSSIAN FOUNDING ASYLUM.
Babies as Observed by a Travelling
American Clergyman.

American Clergyman.
Accompanied by young Englishman,
visited the celebrated founding asylum
which has attracted SO much attention.
Ny companion spoke French, which we
found a great help. After being shown
through the reception rooms and corridors
by soldlerlike looking men. we were placed
in charge Of pleasant little lady in black.
who spoke French and whose first question
was. do you wish to see the legitimate Or
illegitimate chiidren?" Both" we re-
piled.
We were Immediately shown babies in
such quantities that it seemed as though
there must have been shower Of them
from the clouds. We passed through
building after building. and every foot of
space seemed to be covered by baby. At
last We were shown into the receiving
focE,, where we observed, sitting in cir
Gle. about fifty mothers, each holding a
fresh baby. The average number taken in
each day IS from sixty to seventy-five.
As we entered the DOM Next" was
called out-or a word which was the Rus
sian eQuivalent-and the first mother in
line walked with her infant up TO the
desk. By the side of the desk stood an
assistant, who took the baby, placed it
upon large pillow, and then proceeded at
once to undress it, throwing its old cloth
ing into a basket. After the last rag is re-
moved it is placed in the hands of another
assistant, who puts it ON the scales and
calls out to the woman standing at the
desk, who keeps the records, the exact
weight of the child. She also measures
the chad-its height. breadth, circumfer-
ence of the head, etc. A number on a card
Is given to the child attached to a string
which encircles its neck.
Then this mite of flesh is wrapped in
napkin and handed to all assistant, who
gives it warm bath. If it has not shown
its lung power before it makes display of
1t now. Sobbing. dripping and screaming
1t comes from its bath and is handed to
still another assistant. who having wiped
1t dry. places it on top Of a bundle of nap
kins and wraps it up AT each fold of
the napkin we noticed the sobs lessened,
and as the last tuck is made under its tiny
chin the last sob has died away, and the
little thing lies as tranquil, happy and
noiseless as a sunbeam. 1t is then handed
to the last assistant who places it in its
cradle. The baby knows not when we
strangers go, for it sleeps, it lis sleepingP'
1t is wonderful the dexterity shown in
the handling of these babies 1t reminded
me Of poultry have seen handled, where
thousands were picked, dressed, thrown
about and prepared for market in re-
markably short space Of time. This asy-
lum is only for wee infants for as soon as
they have grown out of their napkins they
are shipped into the country to make room
for fresh arrivals. Some women deposit as
many as three OR four of their infants |
there. 1t is beyond my comprehension
how that great genius and powerful phi
losopher and teacher, Jean Jacques Ros
seau. could justify his act in sending five
Of his children to founding asylum. If
he and Therese could do SO, suppose it is
not surprising that the poor peasants of
Russia do likewise. l still think of the !
first question which was asked u.s. DO |
you wish to see the legitimate or illegiti |
mate children" They certainly looked |
alike to me, and hardly think our Heaven.
ly Father will make any distinction over
there. Statistics will show, however that |
Russia has fewer Legitimate children than
most other nations Church Union