"Our birth is nothing but our death begun,
as tapers waste the moment they take fire."
--Young.
The arrival of the stork with the new baby is an event of vast family
interest, especially if it is the first visit of the bird to the domicile.
In America it is not customary to announce a birth in the newspapers, as
is often done in England, especially among the nobility. The personal
friends of the parents receive the visiting card of both, or of the mother
only, to which is attached a small card bearing the baby's full name and
the date of his arrival. These are enclosed in an envelope, this again in
an outer one, and mailed.
It is proper for those thus notified to call at an early date to inquire
as to the well-being of mother and babe. As it is not customary for the
mother to receive any but a very few of her nearest relatives under at
least three weeks, callers should not be expected to see her, but are to
leave cards. A note of congratulation is often sent instead of calling,
and offers to the ingenious and witty an excellent chance for the display
of delicate pleasantry. Thus it is entirely proper to address the note to
the baby, and congratulate him on having chosen such charming parents, and
such a lovely home. Flowers are not infrequently sent to the mother, and
little gifts--soft booties, little gold pins for sleeve and neck, little
crocheted or knitted sacks, or dainty bibs--to the baby.
[748 MOTHERS' REMEDIES]
The Ceremony.--The baby is usually christened when it is six or eight
weeks old. Clergymen prefer this should be done at the church, and
generally arrange to perform several baptisms at the same time--Children's
Day being a favorite time. Otherwise, the christening usually takes place
after the congregation is dismissed at the conclusion of a service. Only
those interested and a few specially invited friends remain for it. There
is no objection, however, to having a child christened at home, when the
affair is made one of more festivity.
Most young married people prefer to have the clergyman who married them
christen their first baby, when practicable.
Sponsors.--The baby's sponsors are chosen, by the parents' agreement, from
among their relatives and close friends, almost always those of their own
communion. The request is preferred verbally or by personal notes. A boy
has a godmother and two godfathers; a girl two godmothers and a godfather.
Occasionally this rule is broken and a godmother alone chosen for a girl,
and one godfather for a boy. Godparents are supposed to stand in a more
intimate relation to their godchildren than to others, and to take a more
personal interest in them, especially in case of the parents' death. It is
a serious relation, involving a certain religious responsibility, and is
not to be lightly entered into.
The godparents are expected to make christening gifts to the child on his
baptismal day. They are usually in the form of silver cups, porringers,
silver spoons, forks, etc.; these should be solid, never plated ware. If
the babe is named for one of its godparents, the latter is expected to do
something handsome in the way of a christening gift. Sometimes a bank
account is opened in the child's name, the sum deposited being left at
interest until he becomes of age.
Church Christenings.--At a church christening, the babe is dressed in its
handsomest robe and cap. Formerly the robes were very long and miracles of
lace and embroidery; at present the finest of linen lawn or batiste, with
a little real lace at neck and sleeves, and a bit of fine French
embroidery, is thought in better taste, even in the case of the very
wealthy. And many a blessed baby is given his name in a simple little lawn
robe with no embellishment beyond a little tucking--done by the mother's
own hands, perhaps.
The nurse carries the child into the church. Sponsors and parents group
themselves around the font, which is often decorated with white flowers.
The godmother has the privilege of holding the babe until it is time to
lay him in the clergyman's arms, the cap having been removed. The parents
make the responses; after the naming the godmother takes the little one
again, holding him until the close of the service. She should not wipe
away any of the water placed on the child's head. A good baby is expected
not to cry during the ceremony, and one advantage of an early christening
is that the little fellow is less liable to be alarmed at strange
surroundings.
The same forms are observed at a home christening, the hour being usually
in the afternoon.
[MANNERS AND SOCIAL CUSTOMS 749]
A luncheon to which the clergyman and the christening party, and a few
friends if desired, are invited, customarily follows the church
ceremony--unless several children of other families are baptized at the
same time--and always follows the home christening. It is not unusual to
make some recognition of a clergyman's services at a church christening,
and always is in order at the home rite, though it is not expected as a
clergyman counts on his wedding fee.
If church or house is decorated for a christening, white flowers only are
employed, in conjunction with palms and ferns to relieve them. White
lilies are particularly beautiful. The table is adorned with white
flowers; the cakes and bonbons are white. Any desired refreshments may be
served, those for afternoon tea being suitable. That old-fashioned
beverage known as caudle is never served at any other time. It is
dispensed in bouillon cups.