The Project Gutenberg eBook of Rhymes for Harry and his Nurse-Maid., by Maria Arthington.

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.

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.

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.

RHYMES, &c.

My baby must be clean and neat,
With cap and pinafore complete;
I'll daily sponge its little head,
And wash its skin, so soft and red.
My seat must not be over high,
Lest babe roll off my lap, and cry:
Upon my knee, I'll safely hold,
And do it quick for fear of cold.
Hush, hush, my dear! I'll not be long;
Washing will make thee stout and strong:
Thy little nerves 'twill help to brace,
'Twill make thee have a rosy face.
Some helpless babes scarce ever get
A wholesome washing, like my pet;
Then weak, and weaker still, they grow,
No sprightliness or pleasure show;
Whereas, by constant daily care,
With skin so fresh, and clean brush'd hair,
They might have stouter grown, and stronger,
And liv'd in cheerful health much longer.

When a babe is uneasy and restless in bed,
"Child's cordial" will soothe it to sleep, it is said;
And ignorant people, who know not its harm,
Think this dangerous stuff has a powerful charm.
But one drop of such poison I never will give,
Because I would rather my darling should live;
And I know very well, if this cordial I try,
That baby will want more and more, till it die.
Tho' made with such art as to lull and give ease,
It lays the foundation for lasting disease;
No mother deserves a sweet babe for her prize,
Who would poison her infant, to silence its cries.
And a nurse who loves baby, or values her place,
Will ne'er use this drug; 'tis a sin and disgrace;
Well then, I will try with much patience and care,
To soothe my dear babe, or some food to prepare;
And the true satisfaction of doing my best
Will repay all my labour and sweeten my rest.

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.

How cheerful is the live-long day,
When babe and I together stray!
Among the fields and daisy-flowers,
We love to spend the happy hours;
But when Mamma shall send us down
To make her markets in the town,
Much we shall see to please the boy
And make him almost jump for joy:
Horses and carts will please him well,
And twenty things we need not tell.
But then we must not stop too long,
Mamma would say that we did wrong.
We must not saunter in the street,
Or chatter with the folks we meet,
But hasten homeward with our store,
Until we reach the well-known door:
With dirty feet we'll not be seen,
For Mary's steps are neat and clean.
If Harry for my basket begs,
I must not let him break my eggs,
Or lose my curds, or spill, or waste;
But find some toy to suit his taste:
Then Harry, nurse, and basket-store,
Will safely land at home once more.

Look out, my dear, how fast it rains,
Pelting upon the window panes!
We'll shut them till the storm is o'er,
Lest it should rain upon the floor.
When all above seems clear and dry,
Again we'll throw the windows high;
The shower makes all look green and fair,
And wholesome is the freshen'd air.
Come, Harry, get his ball the while—
(Harry loves play, it makes him smile.)
We'll roll it on the floor, and then
Quickly we'll fetch it back again.
And, if I think his looks betray
Some anxious wish for change of play,
We'll try a hundred little tricks,
We'll fetch his horse, his cart, his bricks;
And, when he seems well pleas'd, we'll strive
To keep good-temper all alive:
With kindness and obliging aim
I'll join in every childish game,
Nor interrupt with thoughtless air,
Aught that has claim'd my Harry's care.

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.

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!

What have I got in this blue cup?
'Tis senna-tea: come, drink it up.
Now come, my little Harry, haste;
What! say he does not like the taste?
These raisins, with a crust of bread,
Will make a pleasant taste instead,
There! now 'tis gone,—both taste and smell;
My little boy has managed well;
Mamma shall know her darling can
Drink senna-tea, just like a man:
For, tho' it is not nice to take,
Med'cine oft cures both pain and ache.
Some naughty children will not try
To drink their senna-tea, but cry;
Then worse and worse they grow, instead,
And often lie for weeks in bed,
When early care, without delay,
Might send their poorliness away.
When nurses have a sickly charge,
Their stock of patience should be large;
[27] Their kindness and obliging care,
Should teach them peevishness to bear;
But then, in what is needful,—right,
Their hold should be both firm and tight;
Then love and confidence would still
Meet in obedience to their will,
And children would not dare to be
Unruly with their senna-tea.

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.

A little girl, I also knew,
With cheeks of red, and eyes of blue;
And though she was at learning quick,
She had full many an awkward trick.
She ate so fast,—so often spoke,—
Mamma was much afraid she'd choke;
Her spice she ate, too, with such haste,
She would not let her brother taste.
And habits such as these 'twas thought,
She learn'd from what her nurse had taught.[4]
[30] This little girl would often climb,
And so it happen'd that, one time,
Attempting more than she was able,
She fell against a dining table.
Loud did she cry "I've hurt my head!
O, naughty table!" then she said,
And sobbing loud, and crying more,
Began to beat the table sore.
Mamma was sadly griev'd to find
Her darling to such tricks inclin'd,
But watchful care, with language mild,
Soon check'd this temper in the child.
"Such foolish ways, my Harry! shock!
He knows a table feels no knock:
And, if it did, he would not like,
He would not even dare, to strike.
[31] He knows the maxim of the good—
'Do as you wish that others should.'
Revenge makes naughty passions grow,
It plants the root of endless wo;
A boy that follows long this plan,
Will fight when he is grown a man."

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.

If children are taught the whole lesson of truth,
"'Twill bud in their childhood, and blossom in youth."
This maxim I learnt from the pen of a sage,
Whose vigor of mind was still green in old age:
And much do I wish that my charge may be found
On that ladder of learning where Truth is the ground;
The foundation so broad makes the ladder stand even;
And Truth's certain steps lead with safety to Heaven.
Then, first, I'll be careful what language I use,
That simple chaste words may express all my views:
I'll watch o'er my actions with studious aim,
That I may not, in future, deserve any blame;
[35] That bad habits may not from my errors proceed,
Or my fair little plants be o'ergrown with a weed,
My word and my promise shall always abide.
And Truth and Sincerity sit side by side.
Should I promise a thing which I do not perform,
I lay the foundation for much future harm:
If children learn falsehood from nurses or mothers,
When grown up they will practise deceit upon others.
Then nought but the truth to my child shall be spoken:
If I once make a promise, it shall not be broken.[5]
[36] As the best thing of all, I will constantly try
To watch over myself with a vigilant eye;
My passions and faults so to mend or remove,
That all may be lost in obedience and love;
That, in practice, I never may knowingly swerve,
From the wishes of those whom I honour and serve:
But with eye singly fix'd, to my duty inclin'd,
Let me show forth a meek and a teachable mind;
On reproof or instruction not daring to trample,
May I always remember the force of example!

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!

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