Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1893-07-06

AWNINGS keep out the strong rays Of the
sun The light Is dull and soft. A line al
cribs extend around the outer edge Of the
apartments Each crib has baby in it, and
the nurses. trim and pretty in their simple
blue gowns and white caps, have more
babies in their arms, some Just entering
the land Of lullaby and others already
there. These are waiting their turn in the
cradles. A dozen or more little tots are
playing ON the floor, with great variety
of toys 70 amuse themselves with. The
toys have been contributed from all the
nations Of the earth, and he is hard in
FAINT to please who cannot be satisfied with
his choice from this collection.
At the door which leads to the office Of
the nurseries . number Of women are
waiting with babies In their arms. These
are visitors to the fair, who want to de-
posit their infant charges and receive
checks therefor. They are so tired. some
OF these poor mothers. that one feels sorry
when he hears the clerk say, I'VE are full
now and can't take another baby for two
hours" 1t seems u pity that when they
thought of such a happy idea as this day
nursery where for a quarter of dollar a
mother may leave baby and be sure that
1t will have good, intelligent and skillful
care, they did not make the building large
enough to accommodate all comers Every
day mothers with weary arms and hag-
gard faces that tell of the struggle they
have been making to see the exposition
and take care of their babies at the same
time, present themselves at the door of the
nursery only to be disappointed with the
word that all the space is taken.
V,, ~ he Saria hah aH-
mitted along with their own private
nurses, and made the suggestion to the
ladies in charge of the building that they
amend their rules and keep out such in
fants AS were already provided with regu-
lar attendants. People who have nurses
employed to look after theirinfants should
remain away from the Childrens building
and leave what room there is in that bene-
ficent structure for the accommodation OF
babies who have no nurses except their
tired mothers. If the Children's building
Is good for anything it is as haven OF
rest to babies who have been made sore
and peevish by being lugged about the
fair grounds, without the opportunity for
restful sleep, and for the mothers who
have carried them about from building to
building with aching limbs and weary feet,
One Of my own babies was left here day
or two in charge Of her nurse, and it
seemed a great convenience to all con
cerned. But as soon As discovered that
there wasn't room enough in the nurseries
to accommodate the nurseless babies l
said mine could remain at the hotel. IL
the ladies in charge of the building are
wise they will make u rule that only
babies without nurses shall be admitted.
Upstairs are some more interesting baby
pictures There are class rooms in which
you may look through another glass parti-
ton and see about fifteen little men and
women going through the kindergarten
exercises There are plenty OF people In
this country who have never had an op-
portunity to see what a kindergarten Is
like, and this is an opportunity which
they hail with much delight. 1t is pretty
scene, sure enough, and familiarity seems
never to rob it Of its destinations. Besides
the Kindergarten there is a school room in
which sloyd is shown in full operation.
Sloyd is something comparatively new In
this country, but as near as ! can make
out it is an enlarged sort OF kindergarten,
suitable for older children and extending
the Froebel principle through great
variety of exercises, thoughts and train
ings of the mind. In sloyd they use all
the geometric forms, AS they do in kinder
parten work, but, going much farther, use
also tools with which to make these forms
and to change them. The new system is
taught by competent teachers from the
east and by many who have come from
Europe, and now that the schools are
closed and beth teachers and pupils are
free to spend their vacations at the fair
the Attendance from the public schools OF
this country is becoming distinct daily
feature at the exposition
The Worlds fair is a splendid place FOR
the children, if one can make arrange
ments by which they may see what they
wish to see without wearying themselves
and every one else in the party. A very
good method, pursued by several friends
Of mine with large families, is to take the
lttle folks about two afternoons week,
ll,.yoting the whole of those half days to
their amusement, and leaving them AZ
..e 20 remainder OF the tInA
N>AS