Frontispiece.

to "Rhymes for Harry and his Nurse-Maid".

Nursery Furniture. pa 21.

[ii]

RHYMES

FOR

HARRY

AND

HIS NURSE-MAID.

A simple tale will oft prevail,

When sober prose is spurn'd;

The charm of rhyme beguiles the time,

And still a lesson's learn'd.

Thus lines for youth, in simple truth,

We never will despise;

For maxims old, tho' frequent told,

May still assist the wise.

LONDON: WILLIAM DARTON AND SON, HOLBORN HILL.

[iii]

PREFACE.

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,[iv] 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,[v] 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.

Nurse's first thoughts about her baby. pa 7.

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[vi] 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.

M. A.

[7]

RHYMES, &c.

NURSE'S FIRST THOUGHTS ABOUT HER BABY.

[8]

FINDING A PIN WHICH HAD PRICKED BABY.

The crust.—Teething. pa 15.

Babes are fretful when suddenly aroused from sleep. pa 16.

[9]

BABY ASLEEP AGAIN IN THE COT.

[10]

WASHING.

[11]

RESTLESS NIGHTS.

[12]

A WALK IN THE COUNTRY.

Baby asleep again in the cot. pa 9.

Washing. pa 10.

[13]

Note.—Children are sent out into the country for the benefit of fresh air and exercise; but it is impossible to say what evils arise through the thoughtlessness of some nurse-maids, who will even let their helpless babes sit upon the cold grass, in order that they may loiter with their associates.

[14]

A WALK IN THE TOWN.

[15]

TEETHING.

[16]

BABIES ARE FRETFUL WHEN SUDDENLY AROUSED FROM SLEEP.

Learning to walk. pa 17.

In-doors play. pa 18.

[17]

LEARNING TO WALK.

[18]

IN-DOORS PLAY.

See how my Harry hangs his head. pa 19.

Bed-time.

Now, on the little cap we'll put. pa 20.

Never grieve one to please another. pa 22.

Warm Feet. pa 24.

[19]

HARRY HAS A SISTER.

BED-TIME.

[20]

Harry has a Sister. pa 19.

And, though he kiss'd or patted her,

Too hard he did not press. pa 19.

[21]

NURSERY FURNITURE.

[22]

NEVER GRIEVE ONE TO PLEASE ANOTHER.

[23]

N. B.—A little publication, entitled "Hints for the Improvement of Early Education," the writer recommends to the increased attention of every conscientious mother.—These rhymes make but very humble pretensions, and are likewise much limited, from various considerations; so that many of the more important subjects of education could not be touched upon.

[24]

WARM FEET.

HARRY AT DINNER.

Nurse telling Harry a tale, about catching flies. pa 27.

The girl who hurt herself with the table. pa 30.

[25]

Note. What a privilege those children enjoy who are allowed to take their meals with their parents! Many children are really brought up in habits of daintiness and gluttony, through the mistaken kindness of nurses, who are not aware that they are laying the foundation for future misery. And who is more miserable than the epicure? surrounded by the blessings of a bountiful Giver,—and yet dissatisfied with all! Surely poverty, with thankfulness, is not half so wretched a condition!

[26]

TAKING MEDICINE.

Note. The practice of giving children sweet things, such as comfits and lozenges, cannot be too much reprobated. They fill children with ill-humors, by impairing digestion; they disorder the bowels, by producing an unnatural fermentation; they prevent the relish and enjoyment of plain food, and create in the little sufferer a continual craving for indulgencies. A little dried fruit, on proper occasions, is not unwholesome.

NURSE TELLING HARRY A TALE, ABOUT CATCHING FLIES.

[28]

A little Boy who was afraid in the dark. pa 32.

Nurse's reflections on the advantages of truth and sincerity. pa 34.

[29]

ANOTHER TALE.

NURSE'S THIRD TALE, ABOUT A LITTLE BOY WHO WAS AFRAID IN THE DARK.

[32]

Harry at dinner. pa 24.

Taking medicine. pa 26.

[33]

Note. Nurses are not sufficiently aware of the importance of guarding against early impressions of fear. In this respect, as in many others, it is much easier to prevent a bad habit, than to cure one. Too much care and tenderness of feeling cannot be used towards those children who have unfortunately imbibed a fear of the dark; yet, on the other hand, judicious care should be exercised, that the habit may not be fostered by over-indulgence.

[34]

NURSE'S REFLECTIONS ON THE ADVANTAGES OF TRUTH & SINCERITY.

FINIS.

J. May, Printer, &c. Dover.

A walk in the country. pa 12.

A walk in the town. pa 14.

FOOTNOTES:

[1] The writer has been told that one species of the buttercup is poisonous: and there are many flowers which it would be hurtful for children to suck.

[2] The writer was recommended to try a piece of leather, and has found it to produce less irritation than any of the hard substances so often used. Some mothers prefer Indian-rubber.

[3] Spirits of hartshorn, if immediately applied, will likewise effectually remove the pain of a sting.

Spirits of turpentine, in case of a burn or scald, is a valuable acquisition to a nurse-maid's closet. Its constant application till the fire is extracted, prevents those bad consequences which sometimes arise from neglect, or inefficient means.

[4] In order to induce children to take their food, some persons are apt to say, "Come, my dear, make haste, or brother (or sister) shall have it! no, no, brother! you shall not have it!" Now every expression of this kind will infallibly create selfishness and greediness. A mode of conduct directly opposite should be enforced; that children may be taught to find their chief happiness in promoting the pleasure of their brothers and sisters, even by the sacrifice of their own.

[5] Nurses should also be very cautious how they use threats to children. If they threaten to tell Mamma any thing, or to withhold any indulgence in case of naughtiness, let it be strictly attended to. If it be not attended to, children are great observers, and will soon find that but little regard is paid to truth; and thus incalculable evils may be the result. Some nurses, and even mothers, are apt to bribe their children in this way: "If my dear will do this, I'll give him a sugar-plum;" or, "Will he do so or so, if I give him a sugar-plum?" thus bringing down the standard of parental authority to the petulance or caprice of the child.—Can obedience ever be expected from one whose self-will is thus nurtured? Surely it must be from want of reflection, that mothers entail so much trouble upon themselves and their children!