The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1896-12-13
GOTHAM GOSSIP.

IL Is unfortunate that the society Tor the
Prevention OF Cruelty to Children cannot
extend Its Jurisdiction over the children
Of the rich who are entrusted to the care
/ OF incfficicnt nurse maids. The fact can
have escaped no one familiar with the
parks and squares of this city, that not a
small number OF the women employed as
nurses are hopelessly untitled for their
position. Many OF them are coarse In
voice. In manner and In appearance The
wealthy woman OF fashion would on no nc
count permit her child to associate with
those not It's equal In social standing, yet
she allows It to be day aud night In the
company and under the charge Of rough
grained. ignorant and sometimes brutal
person. II is not uncommon TO see prettily
dressed ana refined looking little children
dragged about by an overwhelming Irish
girl. They are jcrked over crossings by the
arms. They are scolded in voluble brogue,
They are ad1ured to behave, under threat OF
being handed over to the policeman, tho
black bear. the "boSy" or what not. This
vulgar ofIlciousness frequently alternatos
with finished Indifference TO the probable
fato of the small boy or girl The little
wards may be lost. or stolen or run over
whilc the stold guardian chatu with others
OF her kind. or holds converse with a
friendly officer.
II goes without saying that the majority
OF mothers whose children are entrusted to
maids would not willingly permit them
TO be ill-treatcd. The extent of their cut
pability In the matter is merely tho extent
, OF their thoughtlessness. They do not think
far enough to understand that a ohild's
nurse is In a sense Its foster mother. Tho
child will receive not a few OF Its lifelong
= impressions from this second mother.
whose individuality. however pale. has in
fueDce for good or evil. II is not SUM-
Client to be assured that tho nurse Is not
rough in her treatment Of the child. that
she doer' not neglect It's physical needs.
There should be also certain knowledge OF
her character and disposition The ques-
ton has been discussed lately Of tina desir-
ability OF obtaining educated women as
child nurses. The plan IL excellent In
theory. but the difficulties In the way OF Its
realization are wcll-nigh insurmountab bio.
The bost substitute for ar educated woman
is woman OF whose kindlnoss. purity o.
heart and conscientious intentions there
can be doubt. Such n nurse will never
harm the character Of hor nurslings. ever
II she cannot do much to further It's gen
eral culture. That side OF its education
should devolve in any case upon the
mother.
= = y
Petticoats are a most essential feature II
every costume. and IT is quito as necessar!
that they should At and hang well as tina
the gown Itself should be well cut. Agai'
and again costume Ia seen. says "lIar
per'u Bazaar" which is itself very smart. yo
looks somehow exceedingly dowdy and quit
lacking In style. Just wha. tho trouble l
II would be Mt first diflcult to ray. Appsr
entity Il is wolf cut and well hung and III
materials ueed are Of the best. and yet
will not have tho same appearance OF beiu
In style az will come costume that has cos
a third Of the money. Tho real reason 10
this Is that tho pet:icoa,s worn beneath
are not well cut. Women who are reall
IN other ways neat never seem TO realiz
knu ,,trh IN hn H..
slowed upon this particular article OF drcs
Tho new styles in petticoats are bewildel
ingly pretty: better still, they nre eminent
~ aensible in material and cut. SILK
tho favorito material. and as there new,
was n time when silk could be bought
cheap. It ia quite possible, even for II
woman who has 10 consult economy,
have several. Fashion roquiros that tn
Innings OF tho cOth cults thiA year sha
be of contrasting SILK md ono OF the newer
fads is to have n petticoat to wear und'
The gown made OF The same color as II
gown Itself. bu, Just shade or two lighte
All thcse are fuller than they were. but II
fullness ia gathered into n small space
the back, quite like the skirts OF the gown
and the ut over the stomach and hips
carefully attended to. deep Spai
,eb Nounce is etill the fashion but the aki
itsolf extends under the nounce now. or
or more ruflies to Trim the fiounce. and 1u
al many inside ruches or little founces
can be put on, are added. Lace inscrtlt
&c very much uDed-black lace on u
1ounces ~ pe,ueoats TO wear win sur.
no,yns white lace on those to be worn wi
Shite Gowns IN the house. In all the pc
,icnats there ia come attempt at wirin
either with a feather bone. run throu'
net ahoye and Just below the founce.
me dress offenders. which arc really ca
ial put into the saGk ' p aHn wise % the o
,oc,ion often raised that silk pettlcoats a
10 ,oo cold Tor wiuter wear is quite done avn
, eS , ,v,,h nv lining them with thin flannel
ba ,,r as the knee; this docs not add 70 Il
sct we,gh,. and yet gives sufficient warmth.