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department: many churches find it essential in their city mission fields, and, except where a few have been opened to benefit the poor of certain parishes, there is absolutely no discrimination as to race or creed. The Roman Catholic and Jewish do not refuse Protestants, but give the preference to those of their own faith. It is impossible to mention in detail the cities and towns where this work is now established. Manufacturing centers such as Providence. Newark, and Elizabeth are well supplied in proportion to the population.

Chicago has no association combining the interests of its twenty nurseries. though an effort is being made in that direction. The free kindergarten movement has been so well developed there that one may well expect a similar success in this work when once the idea has opportunity to expand.

Philadelphia is carrying on nine nurseries in the most efficient manner possible without co-operation. In that city of homes there seems to be less need of this particular charity than in others where the herding in tenements must have a more demoralizing effect upon the

individuals who make the home. Brooklyn has six nurseries, and St. Louis, besides several independent organizations, has an association controlling two.

The methods of extension in three cities may be taken as examples of the various ways in which a field may be covered; but as all ultimately lead to co-operation, it is strongly advised at the start, for any of the larger cities where, as yet, there may be no nursery. In towns or small cities, where the future increase of the population would never demand more than two or three nurseries, there is no imperative need that all should work on the same plan, beyond a frier dly agreement as to territory and general purpose; but in the larger cities it is most desirable that there should be an understanding between the different organizations as to general rules, a similarity of methods, and some agreement as to districts to be occupied; otherwise there would probably be overlapping of benefactions, a lack of the best economy, and a disproportion of results to expenditure.

A very unusual circumstance attends the work in Boston, as instances are rare

where one woman has the means or energy to organize and support more than one such public benefaction.

In 1878 Mrs. Quincy A. Shaw opened the first of the seven kindergartens which are supported by her wise liberality. These were soon full-fledged day nurseries, the order of establishment being in this case reversed. Their control is vested in one board of managers, of which Mrs. Shaw is naturally the guiding spirit, though frail health has largely compelled her to step out of the vigorous activities of life. The influence of the high standard maintained in this group of nurseries is felt in the independent organizations, and all are working harmoniously toward the best ideals through a recently organized association. The scientific Boston mind is bravely grappling with the problems which beset one on every side, and the work at large will be greatly stimulated by the suggestions coming from the recent Day Nursery Conference.

In New York the circumstances were very different. During the past nineteen years nurseries have sprung into existence in all parts of the city, independently or as adjuncts to some other good work, all founded upon the same general plan but with much variation as to details. 1894 the Association of New York City Day Nurseries was organized for the purpose of holding informal semi-annual conferences. While 'no rules are made

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and no control attempted, the Association has a decided influence toward uniformity in methods. It has also proved its value as a means of giving to the newer boards of managers the helpful suggestions of others who have had long experience. Possessing accurate information concerning the neediest districts, advice can be given as to the location of new nurseries in neighborhoods not already occupied.

Buffalo is known as a model in its methods of dispensing charity, and one of its most conspicuous institutions, under the care of the Charity Organization Society, is the Fitch Crèche. Besides being an ideal nursery, it has carried on for some years an admirable training-school for nursery-maids. An experiment in this direction was tried three years ago in New York in connection with the oldestablished class for nursery-maids at the Babies' Hospital. It was not successful then, but in the autumn there will be another attempt, in conjunction with Boston, to establish a system by which maids may be trained in various nurseries, with an additional course in the hospital.

Cleveland has perhaps the ideal organization by which such work in any city may be controlled and extended, with no waste of time, effort, or money. It is the embodiment of economized force. The Association is incorporated, and is under the care of a board of managers, from which committees are selected to look

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favored with space for outdoor life which some of the Cleveland nurseries afford. In our crowded cities the problem of con

after the welfare of each of its six day nurseries and ten kindergartens. Statistics are not always interesting, but two items reported may help to prove the eccnomic value of nursery work. The sum of $1,500 was paid in daily fees by the mothers for the care of their children, and it was learned, by careful account, that in the course of one year the mothers whose children attend Bethlehem Nursery earned $5,000 in daily wages. The Association is most fortunate in the generosity of its patrons, for several of the nurseries are either wholly or in part supported by individuals. Perkins Nursery, of which an illustration is here given, was a gift outright, and, though it is situated in the midst of a manufacturing district, has the smallest attendance. One would naturally conclude that the Cleveland nurseries have less need than most others for special effort to secure fresh-air outings for the children, if the others are so well favored as the "Louise," judging by the lawn and yard view here given, which is attractive enough to cause some little children of the rich to sigh for the privilege of such a sand-box and chicken patch. Moreover, there is a kitchen garden, where the children may plant seeds and watch the growth of vegetables. There are other things in this garden of delight; a swing, of course, and a turning-pole, besides a profusion of shrubs and roses. District visitation, mothers' meetings, sewing and cooking classes, boys' clubs, familiar talks to mothers, and social gatherings for families, are among the adjuncts of the work, and a trainingschool for kindergartners was started a few years ago, in affiliation with the Chicago Kindergarten College. At Wade Day Nursery there is a lending library for mothers a feature worthy of imitation.

Few indeed are the city institutions so

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struction, rent, or adaptation sets limits to one's indulgence in carrying out large plans. But let not one enthusiast be deterred from organizing, even under the strictest limitations, if there is even a fair prospect of support. In this as in many other works of benevolence, one must not despise the day of small things.

Bethany Nursery of New York City began its career in one small basement room, and to-day occupies a fine building, erected for its use by private means, and has the largest average attendance of any in the city. The rooms are not wide, but deep, and, having side light, are always cheerful. The short tables in the diningroom are a relief from the long, narrow tables so commonly used in institutions. On last Thanksgiving Day one hundred and seven children were invited to dinner and seated at one time in this capacious room. The children (formerly in the nursery) who are in the public schools are allowed to come after school hours. The babies have their own apartments, and, if they could be arbiters of their own fates, would doub: less choose to live every day in this lovely home, sleep always in these snowy, warm cribs, and grow up under all these sweet, refining influences.

Virginia Nursery has long been in occu

pation of a model building, which seems to contain all that such a building can on an ordinary twenty-five-foot lot. The rooms for infants are in an extension, the second floor having a small room set apart for kitchen purposes, where the food for the babies can be heated more conveniently than in the general kitchen.

The newest construction of this kind in New York City-St. Thomas's Nursery is built on a nineteen-foot lot. No space for halls is taken from the width, the rooms all occupying the full width for a great depth. The stairway winds about an elevator at the extreme end of the building, while the plumbing is nearly all confined to the rear. The space to the front is clear, and for convenience the divisions are made with sliding glass doors. The building is absolutely fire-proof.

Now, with their varied equipment, more or less complete, what are these institutions doing beyond the primary idea of giving physical protection to the children? Are the mothers helped or influenced? Is the home life uplifted?

Beginning with the tiny infant, for those that are taken regularly to the nursery, they are establishing health and regular habits by wholesome and proper feeding. Mothers are taught how to bathe, dress, and feed their babies, and in one nursery at least sufficient milk is sterilized each day, and sold in bottles at cost price at night to the mothers, in sufficient quantity to last till morning. This one step alone lessens the chances that baby will be fed tea, coffee, or beer. The improvement of the babies and the appreciation of this course by the mothers is ample compensation for the extra trouble.

From infancy the child grows to kindergarten age, and the value to society of that increasing host of children, brought up under kindergarten influence, is incalculable. Only those who are familiar with the conditions under which most children of the tenements are obliged to live and develop can appreciate the physical and moral value of the healthful, cheerful environment of the nursery during the age when lessons of self-control and habits of mind or body are easily impressed. The testimony of public school teachers has been given frequently that the nursery child is amenable to dis

cipline, and is easily distinguished from others by many indications of character and training. But, after six years of age, the limit in most nurseries, what becomes of them? That is the question which next confronts the earnest manager. There are several years of protection, loving care, and instruction yet needed before the child will have stability of character enough to repel in any degree the degradation of the street, where must be spent the hours between school and mother's home-coming. To such chil dren also many of the nurseries open their doors. In several instances these former charges are allowed to come to the noon dinner and after school hours, and on Saturdays they are welcomed and given books and gaines. Sewing classes have been opened for the girls, and manualtraining classes for the boys. In the Westside Nursery classes the pupils may remain until sixteen years of age, and many go from there directly to positions in business. In one or two instances lending libraries exist for the use of the older children in the families, and many books are specially selected for the mothers. There can be no question that this wholesome environment gives a better start in life than can be obtained in the average tenement-house. The parents of to-day are largely the product of street education.

The nursery is helping to

educate and prepare for life the parents of to-morrow. There are many mothers, forced to self-support, who are tempted to place their children in institutions in order that their young lives may be protected from the evil culture they themselves knew. The day nursery shows the way to accomplish this, and at the same time to preserve home life for the few hours at evening when parents and little ones may be together. Just here comes in the reflex influence. The prattle about innocent child-life each day, the memory of moral or religious instruction which will find some expression, the insistence upon meals eaten with all seated at table, and in some cases the demand that grace shall be said, the habits of cleanliness acquired in the nursery and demanded at home by these little people, are a leaven for the elevation of ideals. Truly "a little child shall lead them."

There is no surer road to a mother's

confidence than kindness to her child.

The opportunities offered for vast influence are innumerable to a matron whose heart is in her work, whose sympathies are true, and who has sincerity and tact. Her visits are never unwelcome in the home, and, to the mother, she may become oracle and guide.

This brings us naturally to the inquiry, By what means is the home directly benefited? In the reply, the benefits may be summarized thus: that with space and means at command, the well-organized day nursery may, and in several instances has, become a social settlement in miniature. The earliest feature of this phase of work is the Mothers' Meetings, which occur at various periods and under various conditions. Some take place on Saturday afternoons, others in the evening, perhaps monthly. The entertainment provided may be something amusing --music is always a delight. Occasionally a short talk on hygiene or any instructive physical or moral theme may be introduced-ropes of sand these, some may say, to stay the flood of ignorance, prejudice. and superstition. But no good word is lost, and there are many evidences of appreciation of the instruction given, and more intelligent motherhood is fostered by these opportunities wisely used. Not to confine the good times to mothers, other members of the family are sometimes included in the social invitation, as in the exceptional cases where there are fathers. In one nursery the managers, by turns, are "at home" at the nursery every Sabbath evening, extending a welcome to all who may come, whereby, with music, singing, and the serving of tea, a healthful enjoyment provided, friendly relation is established, and influence secured.

Another very practical custom prevailing somewhat is to have tea or coffee ready to serve to the mothers when they call for their children at night, especially in winter. Too many must home to cold, cheerless rooms to prepare the evening meal, and this warm drink may help to ward off the craving for a harmful " warming" draught.

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The exaction of a daily fee, usually five cents, is almost universal. and helps to sustain the mother's dignity and sense of independence. It is a rule which should

allow of some discretionary exceptions on the part of the matron; and the wise use of an emergency fund is a powerful lever -such assistance often being voluntarily repaid by services in sewing or cleaning. We hear too little of the gratitude of the poor. One matron kept account of one dollar, which, although it once disappeared for four months, was lent forty times before it was finally lost.

Although our nurseries are in the vanguard of progress, they are only in the infancy of their opportunity, but their scope will widen in time. "Le Bulletin de la Société des Crèches" gives many interesting items concerning crèches throughout the Continent. The greater number are still confining their attention to children under three years of age. There are a few exceptions, notably those of St. Petersburg, where the age-limit is six years. An excellent work is done there. In illness, if the child can be cared for at home, the mother is allowed to have suitable food for it from the nursery; and provision is made for keeping children overnight in exceptional cases. At Granges, France, the young girls of the community are trained by turn in the care of infants. In Paris there is agitation of the question whether the écoles maternelles shall not be situated in close proximity to the crèche, because of the inconvenience to those mothers who, having several children, take some to the école, others to the nursery.

The value of this work was so well appreciated in 1844 that the authorities of Paris established a crèche in each arrondissement; there is an appropriat on of public money for their support, and private benevolence has opened many others.

The importance of kindergarten and industrial training in conjunction with public education is only beginning to be recognized, and those who are interested in the Day Nursery system hope that the day is not far distant when day nurseries will be recognized as having an equally practical and important influence in the aid and elevation of the laboring class.1

This article forms one of the series called "Work by Women," to which Mrs. Ellen M. Henrotin, Miss Susan E. Blow, and Mrs. Candace Wheeler have already contributed. It will be followed by an article on The First Working-Girls Club," by the Hon. Maude Stanley, one on "The Trained Nurse," by Mrs. Bedford Fenwick (Secretary of the British Nurses' Association), and one by Lady Henry Somerset on "Temperance Work in England."

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