Visit of the Countess of Meran to the Meran Infant Nursery

Meran, 2 June. The marksmen have departed; their loud cheers and the crack of rifles and small mortars have died away. Yet everywhere they arrive, in the countryside, in the mountains, and in the quiet valleys, echoes will linger of the joy over the grand and splendid generosity displayed at this private shoot by Archduke Johann, the eminent donor of such magnificent prizes and banners. Others have already reported on this to you; allow me therefore to tell you of a noble deed of quiet, unassuming charity. In Meran, as you know, there exists an infant nursery, which many noble and upright women of the town—foremost among them the wife of our district captain, filled with the most ardent zeal and caring with tireless devotion—champion with the most praiseworthy emulation. This institution now had the honour and good fortune of being visited by the Countess of Meran. She, once called the “first German woman”, appeared with such engaging condescension and kindness that the children, drawn by her gentleness, acted towards her with the most naive unreserve, devoid of the shyness usual for their age. It happened to be mealtime. In order to convince herself that the food was well prepared, the Countess tasted from the little bowl of one child. But the noble lady was soon in a predicament; for at once many small hands raised their little bowls, with the childish cry: “From my little bowl too!” and bright, sweet children's eyes looked beseechingly at the gentle, gracious lady, eager to be granted the same honour and joy. Not content with having delighted and honoured the institution with this visit, the Countess yesterday, before taking her leave, presented the directress with fifty gulden Conventions-Münze for its benefit. She expressed immense satisfaction, particularly that food is provided for the children so that they remain under supervision throughout the day. An equally pleasant impression was made upon her, and must be made upon everyone, by the children's clean, neat, and uniform dress, as well as their cheerful disposition reflecting the greatest contentment. For a long time to come, the lovely image of this noble lady will remain before the children's eyes, and in Meran, through this donation to the fledgling institution, she has raised an enduring monument to her beneficence. If only many such helping angels were found, so that step by step an even more necessary institution might be founded: namely, where children of an age when they are most exposed to the dangers of early moral corruption could be kept under wise supervision and occupied with work. From ages two to six, the danger of seduction is less to be feared; but for how many children from their sixth, or at least ninth, up to their eighteenth and twentieth years are protective angels needed to shield them from the temptation that creeps in darkness or at times attacks openly!