Rhymes for Harry and His Nurse-Maid

Maria Arthington

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.

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.

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, 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.

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.

В В В В M. A.

NURSE'S FIRST THOUGHTS ABOUT HER BABY

Little Baby, just new born,

Naked, trembling, and forlorn,

My hand the willing help supplies,

To ease thy pain, and soothe thy cries;

Nor can I tell thee little dear,

How much we're pleased to see thee here.

O, it will be my sweet delight

To serve thee with this milk so white!

But tho' my babe so nicely feeds,

I'll only give just what it needs;

If I the spoon too often fill,

'Twould make my baby sick and ill.

Mamma too will be able soon

To feed her babe without a spoon,

And that we know is better far

Than milk and barley-water are.

FINDING A PIN WHICH HAD PRICKED BABY

Hark! I hear my baby weeping,

Tho' it seemed so nicely sleeping;

Sure its wrapping is not right!

I fear there is some string too tight.

Ah! now I find the reason why, —

My precious baby well might cry.

Upon its bosom, close within

The barrow-coat, I