The creche—­so called in remembrance of the crib of Bethlehem—­is an institution of the greatest use to poor women obliged to work for their living.  They either find their children an insuperable bar to their labor, or else a source of constant anxiety during their absence.  To the creche, however, they can take the little ones in the early morning and leave them till late at night, paying only a small sum, such as five cents a day, if they are able, while if circumstances warrant their being exempted even this is not required.  The house is supported chiefly by voluntary contributions, and the sisters often have lay assistants eager to share in their labor of love.  The children are taken in at all ages, the tiniest, unweaned infant not excepted:  there are little cots of all sizes prepared for them, an abundance of milk, toys for the older ones, picture-books, etc.  They are fed three times a day, washed and combed before being sent home (although constant applicants are expected to bring their children tidy and neat on first arrival), and if the mother fails to return at night, they are of course housed with the tenderest care.  As there would be no room to accommodate permanent baby-boarders without impairing the original intention for which the creche is opened, these little waifs, if not claimed after three nights and days, are sent to the foundling asylum:  this, however, does not often occur.  There are many of these institutions scattered through France:  London has two, and New York will soon have one—­perhaps by this time it has already been opened.  A woman earning her bread by hard work would have to leave her children in the care of some neighbor, who most likely would fail in her task or teach the children bad things, and demand some compensation all the same.  If the eldest child were left in charge of younger infants, as is so often the case with the honest poor, the chances are that it will break or injure its spine by carrying the little ones.  All this anxiety is avoided by this beautiful and inviting arrangement, which is generally under the management of the Sisters of Charity.  The London creches have a night school for working girls and grown women in connection with the principal part of the institution; also a Sunday school for children.  Among the rules is one which forbids the wearing of artificial flowers or any tawdry finery during school-time.  But in another part of London artificial flowers in a Sunday bonnet are a sign of a reclaimed female drunkard, as the clergyman has hit on the ingenious method of advising the women to leave off drinking, that they may be able to afford some Sunday finery wherewith to please their husbands’ eyes and to hold up their heads with the best in church!