Afternoon Gowns.—­Short afternoon gowns are proper for formal wear; especially for those who can wear the full skirts attached to narrow hem-bands.  The dresses escape the floor by several inches and reveal the slippers and an inch of the colored hosiery.

A SONG OF LONG AGO.

A Song of Long Ago: 
Sing it lightly—­sing it low—­
Sing it softly—­like the lisping of the
lips we used to know
When our baby-laughter spilled
From the glad hearts ever filled
With music blithe as robin ever thrilled! 

          
                                                      —­Riley.

Rather Hard on the Baby.—­Here is some advice that appeared in a paper for mothers the other day:  “The bottle must be kept perfectly clean.  When the babe has finished drinking it should be unscrewed and laid in a cool place under the tap.”  One feels rather sorry for any babies thus treated.

Learning Wisdom.—­We learn wisdom from failure much more than from success; we often discover what will do, by finding out what will not do; and probably he who never made a mistake never made a discovery.—­S.  Smiles.

Nursery.—­Today the nursery is looked upon as an essential apartment in a house where children abide, and from a hygienic standpoint, it may justly be called a sensible room, for children after they walk should not sleep in the mother’s room.  Whether the room is large or moderately small it should, by an means, have plenty of ventilation, the more windows the better.  The room should be papered in light colors, also painted in light tones, though the blinds should be the darkest shade, to darken the room when necessary.

[Nursery hints and Fireside gems 811]

Cares of Matrimony.—­Husbands and wives talk of the cares of matrimony, and bachelors and spinsters bear them.—­W.  Collins.

Awkwardness Due to Eyes.—­A school teacher has remarked that many children are awkward, not through being ungainly in walking, but wholly because of impaired vision.  It has been her experience with children in her department who were usually awkward and who had their eyes examined that there was something wrong with the vision, which was quickly overcome when glasses were purchased.

Medicine.—­The disease and its medicine are like two factions in a besieged town; they tear one another to pieces, but both unite against their common enemy, Nature.—­Jeffrey.

Baby’s Petticoats.—­Fine white flannel is the best material for baby’s petticoats.  They may be made in one piece, in princess style, or may consist of a flannel skirt attached to a loose cambric waist.  These are decidedly preferable for summer and are really quite warm enough for any season.

Charity.—­Prayer carries us half way to God, fasting brings us to the door of His palace, and alms-giving procures us admission.—­Koran.