DOLLS.
Give your girls a number of substantial dolls to play with, and pieces of cotton cloth, calico or muslin-delaine, ribbons, &c., with which to make dresses; and do not buy elegantly dressed dolls, which can only be used on great occasions. I will tell you how a little girl I once knew played dolls. Her first doll was a “rag baby” that her aunt made and dressed for her, like a real child. She had even a night-dress and cap. She would amuse herself by hours together, dressing, undressing and singing it to sleep; she would have it in her arms every night. As she grew older she carefully treasured all bits of finery, and everything she could manufacture into clothing for her doll. A little girl lived near and they used to visit daily with their dolls. Christmas always added to their treasures, and they finally concluded to join forces and commence a baby-house on a large scale in a spare room. They had a parlor, dining-room, bed-rooms, kitchen and pantry, all completely furnished, and a dozen nice dolls. Every leisure moment was spent in this baby-house. They had regular washings and ironings. They had little tubs and flat-irons of their own. They baked bread, cookies and ginger-cakes, for their mother’s cook would good-naturedly show them how to mix and make wee bits of loaves. A thimble was often used as a cookie or biscuit cutter.
Such plays give girls a taste for domestic employments, and aid them in becoming good housekeepers, and good housekeeping is always a desirable and sometimes a very necessary accomplishment.
They would often “play school,” and in asking questions, and answering for their dolls, the lessons they were taught at school, were more firmly impressed on their minds.
If they had birthday parties, company was always invited at two; and their “party” (that is, refreshments,) were served at half-past four in Winter, and five in Summer. Beaux they did not think of. If little boys joined them, they were their playmates, and no more. They always took their dolls, and after playing simple games they would resort to them as their chief amusement.