The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-06-07

In which every ltallan InotneI """'o uP
the little newcomer, exactly after the
method OF the Indian mother who makes
her pa ppoose into neat roll and then hangs
Il on a tree to be out OF harms way.
The Italian baby's band is strip OF
cloth 3 or 81 yards in length and four or
Ave inches wide. II ia sometimes ~hite'
but more often has pink. blue or lemon
ground with raised white figures. III IN
OF cotton goods somewhat OF the order
OF Turkish towelling. Cunningly woven
In the texture are pet names Tor the naoy
.Ban,bino Diietto," "FdneiuHo Dtteho'
.Speronsa,- or "Bdmbino d. Mamma.
which correspond to Baby Daring
Mothers JOY" and similar pretty terms
OF endearment known to mothers the "orlo
over.
Whsn the black-eyed little mite OF hui
manity is 10 be strapped up he is laid on
his back on a square of cotton, when Is
folded over and falls far below his Feet
Then the band is put under his shoulders
and wound round and round him.
When the feet are reached the cotton
cloth il folded back over them and the
band passed over it and snugly tied by the
strings at either end When this is accom-
plished the poor little tots arms and legs
are strapped immovably down.
No American infant would stand this for
a minute. But the Italian baby endures
\ With mute. unearthly patience on which
an American mother gazes aghast
In Italy every baby high and low, is thus
treated. His arms are usually freed at the
end OF five or ak months but his legs stay
In durance vile for year or year and
half. In this country the custom Ia grad
ually peeling of, even in conservative
Mulberry street. The mothers rarely keep
the babies bound more than nine months
now, and sometimes only two or three,
and then only the legs.
Still the bright band survives. quaint
bit OF local color down in Mulberry street.
It Is not to be found in the Italian dry goods
stores generally. 1t comes by way OF in
dividual importation. A pedler, mer-
chant, or, perhaps, some woman with an
eve to business, writes to some friend IN
the old country to send out dozen.
which he or she dsposes Of among friends
They cost 20 cents in Italy and sell for so
here
As to the reason for this strapping the
Italian mother has a curious notion that
II makes the baby stronger and quotes the
Italian doctors and nurses in support OF her
opinion. This is directly opposite to the
ideas OF American mothers.
Italian mothers generally would rather
have boys than girls; and sometimes they
pray to the Madonna and burn candies at
her shrine in duplication for boy. But
this is only because life is hard and boy
can win through more easily. When the
girls come they are just as much loved a.
the boys.
"A man does not suffer as much as a
woman, says the italian mother. patiently.
They love their children very much.
and not only their own, but others. They
are fond OF children in general. There ia
poetry In the innocence and helpleesness
of childhood and the Italians. with their
keen sense OF beauty, recognize it.
The New York Founding Asylum, con-
Quoted by the Sisters Of Charity. has for
Years followed the custom Of giving infants
for the first year Of their lives into the care
of Italian mothers who have lost their
babies This employment Is eagerly sought
by the mothers, for 1t pays them Sloa month
and $40 pays the rent.
But they are always good and kind to
the little founding, and frequently weep
bitterly when they must give 1t up. 1t
gets loved and handled and petted like
one of the babies Of the house. and the GUS
tom has doubtless saved thousands OF infant
lives, for all orphan asylum history shows
that babies cannoebe raised by job lot
Hundreds OF babies are thus being cared
for all the time among the poor mothers
of the Italian colonies. Doctors think
that other things being equal. the Italian
mother makes a better wet nurse than
most Others As long as there is bread in
the cupboard and her man has job she IL
a placid soul, undisturbed by mental activity
or undue ambition: and tn at is good for
the baby.
The first important happening in the
baby's life is his christening. At home
in Italy this occurs within twenty-fouI
hours; but in this country American in
difference seems to he gradually invading
the quarter, and the christening is some
times put OF several months.
Eventually. however, the baby goes to
church in his godmother's arms, while the
godfather holds the holy candle at the
altar. The father goes along with variou.
relatives, sonnet lines enough to I'll two
or three coaches but the mother stays al
home to receive the company upon their
return
"A social day ensues, for the christening
Ia always upon a Sunday. Ice cream ans
the gaily frosted little cakes displayed IL
the windows Of the cafes and bakeries o
Mulberry street, are set forth, though al
general thing sweets never appear OF
an Italian table. Wine is there II it cal
possibly be afforded. But II these daintie,
are too expensive. the humble beer is mad'
to serve.
But whatever else it lacks, the christen
ing party Ia bound to have music 1t ma.
be a violin, harp or mandolin, or 1t ma.
he no more than the humble accordion
But some instrument; or other lends the oc
casion that atmosphere Of festivity whicl
only music can impair, to the Italian. The.
sing the little canzoni OF Naples or Rom
or Sicily, in all the wealth Of the dialect
or perhaps some poetic soul among tn
men is moved to musical improvisation. o
the kind he used to do in the vineyards a
home.
But the bambino cannot stay long In hi
mothers lap. He has hardly got accus
toned to his place there before anothe
little fellow comes pushing him out Presi
dent Roosevelt would be encouraged by
walk down Mulberry al rect.
Nine ten eleven twelve and even four