Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1897-01-22
SPLENDID GIFTS FOR A BABY.

.
Mr.. ard Mrs. George Gould receiv, d
cablegram from Paris on Monday an
nouncDg that boy had been born to
Count Castellane. They were xtreme-
ly well pleased at being made au uncle
and an aunt, and particularly at the
news that the child was boy.
Mr.. and Mrs. Gould had expected the
event, and provided for it. And so,
too, did other friends of the former
Miss Anna Gould. Mr.. Gould had
sent a porringer such as few babies
who come into the world gaze at. This
polringer is incrusted with gems, is
wonderfully engraved, and is solid
gold, antique. Not knowing whether
the coming Castellane would be boy
or girl it was not easy to select pres
ents. But Mrs. George Gould thought
of pretty plaything that any baby
would be proud Of, at least for time.
So she sent string of sapphires and
diamonds.
OF course, all babies have to be wash
ed, no matter what their sex. With
| considerable foresight, therefore, other
members of the American family select
ed suitable presents, and Mr.. Howard
Gould contributed toilet set silver
mouDted, and set with uncut sapphires
aud diamonds. And as babies always
require lot of scrubbing, and like it
Immensely, as everybody knows who
has had anything to do wi h babies, or
who has been baby himself or herself,
Mrs. Kinpdon sent silver bath tub,
and Mr.. Il Twin Gould silver basin and
ever.
No one can ever tell, so one of Mr..
Goud's lawyers said Monday, from the
clothes of baby whether it is boy or
girl. What will suit one will suit the
other, said he, and consequently Miss
Helen Gould was not far wrong in pro.
vidng the usual habiliments that no
self-respecting baby would be twenty.
four hours in the world without wear
ing. she sent about eiehty-four
dozen ''pieces"-"pieces" is the
generic laundry name. Likewise
there are cloaks. Young Castel-
lane may call them Jackets" if
he likes, or if he can, but "cloaks" i
he proper term. The pieces are O.!
the finest linen cambria, and the em
broidery is beyond comparison. There
are satin caps for outdoor wear, pillow
cases for the baby carriage, all trimmed
with the finest Valenciennes lace, silk
knitted skirts, and lot of other things
such as only woman could think Of
aud baby not appreciate.
They were all packed in satin cover
ed, lace edged hamper, which bore the
Castellane coat of arms. And if this
blessed baby will open his eyes wide
enough he will see the coronet worked
in his every garment.
There is one decidedly appropriate
present for the young fellow-it is q
silver spoon which he might have put
in his mouth right away. But it is not
an ordinary one. 1t is with diamond
centre and bears the motto "Sois lie
bien venuo-"Be thou welcome" II
the gift of Howard Gould.
Miss Alice Gould went her brother
one better, indeed, eleven better. She
sent twelve gold nursery spoons, bear
ing the Castellane crest in exquisite de-
5 gu.
For centuries there has been in the
Castelane family massive drinking
mug of gold, inlaid with sapphires
The Marquis de Castellane. the baby's
grandfather, sent this lovely old mug
for the child to imbibe from-wheu he
is able
The clothes Miss Helen Gould sent
are not likely to drop off for lack of
costly safety pins, for Count Castel-
lanes younger brother has sent lot of