The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-08-18

is hearty meal and the little ones are
stiuted in nothing. After dinner it is
again bathing time and when each little
founding is thoroughly washed the aft
ornoon nap is in order. From half to a
full hour is spent in this way. when lib
erty to play is again given them. light
meal is served at 5 o'clock. and at 6
o'clock all the little ones are tucked away
in their beds
There are many facilities for the chill
dren to amuse themselves They can roam
at will through the grounds of the sum
mer home. and find there an excellent
playground. stony hillock of peculiar
formation is the favorite spot for their
recreatons. Here they build stone forts
or dig in the dirt without restraint. Al
most every child is provided with a small
hammock These are swung on the porch
or under the trees. On warm nights.
wheg sleep does not come quickly 70 the
tired eyelids. liberty TO sit up and play on
the porch for an extra hour is frequently
extended
Health is everywhere apparent among
the older children. Fat little figures and
smiling faces are the best evidence of
their happiness and well being. Activity
and rudy color preclude the idea of i'll
health or insufficient diet.
Many Difficulties Experienced.
Among the timer ones, those who are
not yet beyond the bottle stage, the great
est difficulty is experienced by the matTon
in bringing them to the proper conditions
CT health and strength Infants are fire.
quently brought to the institution in an
siil, or even dying, condition, and others
with hereditary tendencies to disease or
weakness of constitution. This. added TO
he, iv,fa nF
mother milk as a nourishment for the
infants. is a sufficient explanation OF their
emaciated condition. Once past the age
when the bottle provides the only diet
their advance to strength and health is
rapid
This is the second year of the summer
home at Bethesda. The buildings were
completed in 1899, and the months OF
August and September last year We're
spent at the home. This year the home
was opened on the 18th day OF May, end
will remain open until late in the fail.
or until the last vestige of warm weather
has disappeared. ~
The matron, Mrs. R. B. Cate, is moth
erly woman. whose pleasant countenance
bellies her grey hairs. She is known as
Mother Cate" by all the children, who
evince great fondness for her. Her, Kind
illness and sympathy are clearly discern
ible in her features. and the manifesto
ton of her affection for her charges is at
all times apparent in her tenderness to-
ward them and in the fondness with which
they regard her. She has been the matroa
of the Washington Hospital for Foundlings
since January, 1895, a period of nearly six
years.
The institution is supported by an an
nual appropriation of $4,000 from Congress.
by the assistance of the Pierce Guild, and
the lady visitors connected with the hos
pital. and from general contributions. The
Pierce Guild provides the clothing for the
children and the bed linen and coverings
used in the institution. The lady visitors
have been holding entertainments for the
benefit Of the Institution, and have been
enabled to provide through this means
some considerable contribution to the
funds of the hospital.