LONG AGO STORIES

Taranaki Daily News, 13 July 1935, Page 6 (Supplement)

LONG AGO STORIES

MARY-ANN’S CHRISTENING PRESEN Mary-Ann wore a long embroidered robe for her christening. Her father was a gentleman with a big waxed moustache and side whiskers, and her mother was a lady who wore a dress with a bustle. Mary-Ann was a nice quiet baby, but her sister, Margaret-Jane, was a little girl who asked questions all day long although she was told not to. Now when Mary-Ann was christened Margaret-Jane discovered something very strange. You see Mary-Ann was given three presents by her godmothers and her godfather. She had a silver mug, twelve Apostle spoons, and a coral necklace. “I had exactly the same presents when 1 was christened!” cried Margaret-Jane. “And so had my cousin Thomas, and so has every baby. Why?” Everybody frowned at Margaret-Jane and told her to be quiet. But she went on asking why babies had mugs, spoons, and coral necklaces when they were christened, and at last she was told that it was the fashion. “I think people are very silly to give all babies the same presents,” said Mar-garet-Jane to her godfather who happened to be a professor. “Not at all,” he replied sternly. “You are a silly little girl who knows nothing. Babies are given mugs because ancient people communicated with the gods by drinking from sacred cups which were

dedicated to them. And coral was supposed to charm away wicked things and protect the baby from illness. LBng ago a coral necklace was a sort of guardian angel and it was supposed to make the baby cut its teeth without any trouble. When we became Christians a spoon showing a model of the head of one of the Apostles was given to the baby and the child often took the name of the Apostle who became his patron saint. Then people began to give two or three spoons, and then the whole twelve Apostle spoons. Soon they will be giving porridge spoons, and nobody will know why they do it.” “Then I shan’t be a silly little girl because I shall know!” cried MargaretJane. “I have found out why babies have the same christening presents, and I shall find out anything else I want to know.”

“Margaret-Jane,” said the professor sternly, “I fear you will grow into a new woman.”

“I hope so,” nodded Margaret-Jane—-and she did. You see girls who wanted to learn, and do the same sort of work as boys, and play games, were called “new women” in Margaret-Jane’s time.