The Washington times., 1905-07-10

"madam< is as nothing compared to
that of ''bebe'' when he arrives TO dis
turb the tranquility cf a well-ordered
household. and takes the reins of gov
ernment into his own tiny hands. Every
one bends to his will-ey-n the awe
inspiring "nou-nou," whose privilege II
is to minister to his wants and attend
him when he takes the air.
As his nurse this handsome peasant
woman, in her gorgeous ribbon cap.
with ends reaching to the edge of her
long, bright-hued circular cloak, Is a
person OF great Importance in the house,
for not only is she his majesty's servant.
but also his foster mother, it not being
the custom for French ladies to nurse
their own babies, and the wet nurse
being preferred to the bottle
The wages of .nou-nou" are from
a3 to e5 a month, with all her uniform
and food. She stays, of course, until
the baby is weaned. and is very often
kept on as ordinary nurse afterward As
such she takes complete control Of the
nursery, with the help of a younger
servant for the rough work.
Baby Resembles a Parcel.
French babies do not begin life with
|
are wrapped in real swaddling clothes,
which are turned up round the feet, so
as to make them look like neat parcels
with human heads and effectively pre-
vent them from kicking their little legs
about
Neither are they brought up on the
bare feet regime, but always wear
woolen or silken boots until they are old
enough for kid.
Tneir white lingerie is OF the finest
most elaboratciy embroidered. and a
really good nurse takes as keen an IN
terest in turning out ner baby smartiy
as the maid does in the tout ensemble
of her mistress.
Baby's wardrobe Is a dream. les Of
lace-trimmed little garments tied up
with coQuettish bows and colored RIB
bon lie on the shelves, rows of little
boots heaps of fine fiannels and several
exquisite robes, with outdoor coats and
capes, are carefully arranged bet,
sheets Of white soft paper. In specially
fitted boxes lie half dozen of the most
fascinating head coverings, and as to his
toilet basket, his cradle and his peram-
bulator, they are all in the latest and
most Iuxurious style, as BELTS so i'm
portant pers5hage.
Hush-a-By, Monsieur Baby! Behave as
a Gentleman Should.
The order of the bath is also different
tumbled wholesale into his tub. and be
allowed to kick and splutter to his
hearts content.
The nurse generally takes him on her
lap. and washes him all over with luke
warm water, and then wraps him at
once IN warm towels.
If he cries. he is addressed sternly as
monsieur and requested to behave as
a gentleman should
If he is good, he is called mon petit
COCO. mon petit chou. ana q thousand
other endearing names, by both mother
and nurse, fer though the actual work
ly on the nurse, mother is in and out OF
the nursery at every hour of the day,
and always finds something TO suggest,
or ask or alter, or worry about, as IS
the way Of mothers She also very often
drives with 'nou-nou' aid her precious
charge to the Bois de BoUlogne. where
they all get out and walk majeStically
up and down the stately avenues. while
the carriage follows at a respectful dis
tancc.
The baptisnal ceremony, especially If
the family be good Catholics. IS very
cercmonious affair-and very expensive
one. TOO, not only for the parents. but
for the godmother and godfather
The. godrnother comes off best. as she
Is OILY expected TO provide either the
whole Of the baby's toilette for the occa-
sion. part of Il, make an Offering
10 the church. and give the nurse a
present in silver.
The godfather. on the contrary, has
countless obligations. He must give a
handsome present to the baby ard his
mother, tip the verger. and the choir
boys, give considerable gift to the
nurse, and send boxes of bon-bons to
the friends of the parents. who provide
him with a list beforehand
Considering these multifarious duties,
the choice of godfather is naturally a
very delicate matter, and 1t is q COM
mon custom for the grandparents, If
there are any, to stand TO the first two
children. then expenses can be arranged
by family consent.
Baby's Deportment-"Toes Out"
Failing these, the friends who are rich
est IN worldly goods are invited to take
the responsibility and discharge its
duties.
The baptisrnal fees, which are, OF
course. the affair Of the parents, are
also somewhat alarming. The verger,
the bell ringers. The choir boys, the
church and the cure all have their regu-
lar charges. which vary according to
the social position Of the parish.
AS soon as French babies can walk,
especially II they happen to be girls,
great attention is paid to their deport-
ment-
Toes must be turned ont. little arms
must not be allowed - swing, and
sturdy backs must be held upright
AS regards table manners and food,
iish. 1t Is quite common for small per
sons of six or seven to lunch and dine
with their elders. and to cat whatever
comes on TO the table with ali the relish
of venerable gourmands.
French parents take an active and
In LODI n hle ir0fo in .hi g