It is with feelings of great humility, from a sense of her own
deficiency in the important duties of a mother, that the writer of the
following rhymes submits them to the public. Her wish is to convey a
few useful hints to nurse-maids, as well as to those mothers who have
had but little experience in the care of children.
Many young mothers, more especially in the middle circles of life, have
scarcely leisure to make education a study; while others, perhaps,
do not reflect on the very great importance of early habits; to such
persons, the few practical observations contained in the notes, may
not be unacceptable.
The subjection of the will, in the first place, by _mild_ yet firm and
persevering conduct, will generally ensure success to the parent, and
will save the child _hours_ and even _days_ of fretfulness and sorrow.
The employment of a nurse-maid is a responsible one; those who really
perform their duty from pure and conscientious motives, will not lose
their reward; and though such may feel _themselves_ to be placed in
a very humble situation, they are, in reality, laying the foundation
for future happiness or misery. In the first three years of childhood,
that basis is often formed upon which the conduct of future life is
built. If self-will, and a spirit of contradiction, be allowed to take
deep root in the infant mind, Divine Grace _only_ can counteract their
evils. But, on the other hand, if good feelings be cherished, and the
evil passions (which _all_ have more or less, by nature,) be gradually
subjected, early blossoms of virtue will appear; and, by the blessing
of Providence, those beautiful fruits will be matured, by which the
tree may be known to be good; and by which, from the cradle to the
grave, the designs of the benevolent Creator will be accomplished.
[Illustration: Nurse's first thoughts about her baby. _pa 7._]
[Illustration: Finding a Pin which had pricked baby. _pa 8._]
The writer only wishes to say, that these rhymes were undertaken at
the particular request of a valued friend of hers, who has bestowed
much of his time, with truly benevolent intentions, in adding to the
instruction and amusement of the rising generation; and she cannot but
acknowledge the obligation she feels for the kind assistance he has
lent her in several of the subjects which occupy the following pages.
The design of the writer is, that _each piece_ shall convey some
hint which may tend to the physical or moral advantage of the child,
in those duties which immediately devolve upon a mother, and her
nurse-maid; so that, while they are amusing their little ones with the
recital of a simple narrative, adapted to the most humble capacity,
they may sometimes be pleasantly reminded of their own obligations.