Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1893-07-05
THE AMERICAN CHILD.
What an Englishman Finds to Say About
Him.

1.-The American Child, by a Returned
Traveller" is the significant title of a
long article printed in the London
Queen. 1t must be admitted. says the
New York Times, that this traveller
meets young American in a much
less cavilling spirit than his country
men have heretofore shown toward
the adult product of this republic. The
writer begins with a proposition: 1.-THE
most sacred person in America is the
child" and then goes on to demonstrate
1t:
SIN all civilized countries the newly
arrived baby is a small potentate, be-
fore whose tiny whims and caprices
every member of the household bows;
but the American baby exercises this
prerogative long after his advancing
age has ceased to be counted by months,
and, indeed, he does so all through his
years of childhood"
After deploring the general and ham,
pering wearing, first, of long frocks in
babyhood, then of the long Kate Green
Always in childhood and girlhood, we
are told that the 'American child be-
gins very early in life to take personal
interest in her toilet, and | have seen
a baby aged precisely one year and
eight months select the dress she
wished to wear from the pile of
clothes just sent up from the laundry.
Every baby is the proud possessor of
at least one ring, and many childish
hands fairly glitter with tiny dia-
monds. In certain circles in Chicago
this adornment of children positively
runs riot, and at the dancing school lit
tie bepowered and berouged damsels,
in the most elaborate evening attire
may be seen any afternoon practicing
their step Dances But such state
of things I believe to be exceptional,
and existing only among the most vul-
gar of the nouveaux riches"
The word about the maternal parent
of the sketch subject is true and perth
nent, and should be read by those
Americans who like to deplore the de-
cadence of mothers:
1.-The average. American mother is
most sincerely anxious to train her
children we'll; and there is on their be-
half constant tendency for jewellers
in cities to take refuge in the fresh air
of the beautiful and often distant
suburbs which are now springing up
everywhere.
cit is true that the first laws of
health are lamentably neglected in the
rearing of children, but if the Amer
lean mother is still behind the English
in this respect, she certainly carries
away the palm in the matter Of per-
sonal devotion and self-sacrifcing care.
No expenditure of time or trouble
seems too great, she is absolutely re-
gardless of self, and does for her chill
dren much that we should relegate 10
hirelings.
''She is if possible, too unselfish, and
the consequence is that the child is apt
to become eXacting. But it is precisely
this peculiar trait that runs through
all American society-it is characteris-
tic of men no less than of women. Hus-
bands slave for their wives, regardless
of recreation even IN the most heated
days of summer, while the wives in
their turn lavish all their thought and
care upon the little ones
Concerning our nurseries or absence
of them the writer says:
1.-THE American home, like the
French, rarely possesses a nursery, as
we understand the meaning of the
word Even in homes where special
rooms are set apart for the children,
they are allowed free access to their
mothers morning room, and, indeed, to
any part of the house at all hours of
the day. High baby.chairs are invaria-
bly, provided in restaurants and hotels,
while al railway stations and in the
cars the children are always with u.s.
''But their society is usually pleas
ure, for they are, as rule, good, sensi-
bic, companionable little ere atures,
and the reports so often circulated as
to their >disagreeable forwardness are
positively libelous. They have, it is
true, no self-conscious timidity; they
will enter into conversation, frankly
and intelligently, with any visitor who
may choose to address them; but, on
the other hand, when making a morn
ing call, the children are never forced
upon one to be kissed and admired;
they remain unconcernedly in the
corner with books or toys, and an in
PRODUCTION to the stranger is deemed
superhuous.
From all this it will be gathered
that good oldfashioned parental
tyranny is thing unknown in Amer
lea. The parent treats the child with
respect, and the child loves, if he does
not always appear to respect, his par
ent. Every command is prefxed with
that most invaluable word, Please
Unnatural or even unflial, as this
relationships may at first sight appear
to be, it bears fruit both sweet and
abundant in later years. The child,
respected by his parents in early
youth, grows up with an almost
quixotic wealth of affection ma his
young heart for the father and mother
whose heads are now turning gray
His home viii be their home and both
he and his wife will be ready to well
come the old folks with open arms
Live and let live is truly the Ameri-
can motto, and, inspired by the feel
1ngs it represents, three, and even four
generations may be seen living under
one common roof in the most perfect
love and harmoney."