BABY SHOW AT THE SKATING RINK.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 932, 10 January 1890, Page 14

BABY SHOW AT THE SKATING RINK.

The public taste, palled by frequency of theatrical and sporting amusements, agricultural shows and other enterprises of much pith aud moment, organised for the edification of the mind and the fascination of the eye, has demanded something new. Mr R. H. Donnolly, arriving on the scene at an opportune moment, has undertaken to provide that something new, in the shape of a baby show. The baby, as all deep-thinkers are "aware, is not a new institution. The days when he was a novelty as a component part of society have long since passed away, and ages of philosophical investigation and scientific research have developed the bright truth that the baby is necessary to the well-being of all nations, and that no household should ba without one. It has also been made manifest that any attempt to deal with the baby as a subject of political economy—such as a poll-tax on him (not to speak of the drastic Herodian method) — would be unpopular with the mass of the people. Such being the case, political economists have decided to leave baby alone, and he remains an exclusively social and domeatio problem—a loud-voiced, lusty, lunged, always hungry lord of the house. The 1 baby on show is exceptionally fine, because when he is benched and ticketed and posed to the gaze of the world at large, and liable to be prodded by the walking, stick of a competent judge, nervousness o’eroomes his customary self-possession, and he is content to lie quietly in his attendant’s lap, gazing stupidly at the critic, and deriving much nourish meut from the end of his own chubby, jointless thumb. Mr Donnolly has got one hundred and nine very fine specimens on exhibition, ranged around the Skating Rink (in Ingestrestreet). and attended by maternal parents with uniformly proud smiles. There are babies, male and female, of all kinds—-fat heavy eyed little customers with no visible joints or points ; thin aristocratic ones with nicely-chiselled features and delicate com plexions ; sturdy democratic ones of independent mien and bold bearing ; twins staring at eaoh other and wondering what it all means and in short, all sorts and conditions of babies. Such an assemblage of youthful beauty is a highly valuable testimonial to the Colony, and we unhesitatingly declare that a country that can produce such a fine array of babies has a great and glorious future immediately before it. The interest evinced in. the show on Tuesday afternoon aud evening is an liiiication of the popularity of the undertaking, and demonstrates the fascination that such an exhibition has to people in all classes of life. Giving visitors an opportunity of assisting in the judging is a happy idea, also. Everyone who goes in at the door is handed a coupon with which he (or she) records his (or her) vote for the baby championship, and for the best twins, best-dressed girl and boy, prettiest boy and girl, and best boy and girl. Accordingly it Ts incumbent on everyone to view the specimens, to weigh the respective qualifications carefully, and above all not to allow any mother to see that he is not impressed with the appearance or points of any progeny. One child has already been instat ed favoerite for the championship, being a young gentleman of great avoirdupois and serene behaviour, a perfect Daniel Lambert in fact. Another one. who was very nicely dressed, and consequently m-icn fancied for one event, got loose late last night, and went around, like the precocious young female alie was, to see the other u Kinchins, thereby moving respectable citizens to follow her about with a view to “getting her number. As an entertainment, *:he Baby Show may safely be prescribed for all, because it is amusing, and instructive. It will remain open until Friday (this) evening, when the prizes will be distributed, and there will be a promenade concert.