Selfishness.—­When parents spoil their children, it is less to please them than to please themselves.  It is the egotism of parental love.—­Carlyle.

Method.—­Now that school days are here, mark umbrellas by writing name on muslin with ink and sewing to inside of top with black thread; overshoes and rubbers by writing name on the lining, and handkerchiefs by writing name across the center with ink.

System.—­Marshal thy notions into a handsome method.  One will carry twice more weight packed up in bundles, than when it lies flapping and hanging about his shoulders.—­Fuller.

Baby’s Meals.—­To make a healthy baby of eighteen or twenty months wait for the meal times of adults before feeding, is putting too great a strain on the little system.  Its diet should be adapted to its needs, says a careful mother.  Five light feedings are much more scientific, the first at about six-thirty in the morning since baby keeps early hours.  Milk and toast should be given at this time.  At ten-thirty a. m., well cooked and well strained cereal might be served with rich milk.  Cream is for older children.  Stewed prunes, baked apples, and oranges are also good.  Dinner at one-thirty might include meat broth, or soft boiled eggs, and bread and toast.  Soups must be free from grease.  Crackers or toast with a cup of milk should be served for the five o’clock supper, and another cup of milk at bedtime.

Forbearance.—­There is a limit at which forbearance ceases to be a virtue.—­Burke.

The Romper.—­The romper has become an essential part of the young child’s wardrobe.  They are developed mostly in linen, galatea, and less expensively still in chambray.  The best colors are dark blue, brown, green, tan and natural colored linen; green perhaps is best for summer.  It is cool looking and it does not show grass stains.  Short flowing sleeves are most satisfactory.

[808 Mothers’ remedies]

Baby’s purpose.

With mighty purpose in his mind,
He clambers up.  And then,
With purpose quite as well defined,
He scrambles down again. 

                            From “Seven Ages of Childhood.”

Picnic Supplies.—­Women taking small children to picnics should carry along a heavy quilt or blanket to place on the ground for the babies to sit on.  There is always more dampness in the woods than out in the open, and summer colds are not pleasant for grown folk, much less wee tots.  A few safety pins, needle and thread will not take up space in the big basket, and how often such articles are needed.

THE MYSTERIOUS FUTURE.

I’ve been a little girl so long,
That, somehow, it seems almost wrong
To think how grown-up I shall be
In days that have to come to me. 

                                    —­Carolyn Wells.