until they voluntarily venture alone: this will afford almost equal relief to the attendants, and prevent all danger of accident, or distortion, from falling, or confining them too long in one posture. Happily, those pernicious inventions the go-cart, standing stool, and walking stool, are rapidly growing obsolete, and nature begins to assert her sway in that as in many other particulars of infant management; and I and I sincerely hope they will ere long be consigned to complete oblivion, together with the scull caps, forehead cloths, swaddling bands, and stays, in which our great grandmammas used to imprison their hapless offspring. I have heard my grandmother relate, that one of her sons walked down cellar in a walking stool and almost killed himself.

Hence we see it will not do for us to draw analogous conclusions from the brute creation, in this article of infant management at least; for, designed by nature to seek their own food, and take care of them. selves, they are formed by the hand of infinite wisdom with athletic limbs and instinctive perceptions suited to their necessities, while

the helpless little infant is consigned to our care, a weak tender little being formed to arouse the softest and the finest feelings of our nature, "A bundle of tender vessels," calling for constant care and attention, or it must inevitably perish; and such it remains in a degree for many months, gradually acquiring strength as its mental perceptions unfold themselves, rendering it in some measure aware of the dangers that surround it. Hence we perceive the first passion children discover is fear; awakened, doubtless, for wise purposes, by their divine protector. As their strength increases their fears subside, until at length we see them advance by little and little, feeling their way, till finally

"They spring exulting like the bounding roe,"

which, that they may be enabled to do, it will be necessary, as early as their health and the seasons will permit, to let them feel their feet unconfined by clothes. Infants' clothes should be shortened as soon as they incline to stand upon their feet, or show a desire to get upon the floor, unless the wea

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ther should prove inclement at that time; if so, it will be best to defer the innovation to a more propitious season. On the other hand, if the infant will arrive at a proper age (which I think may be fixed at five or six months) at a season when the winter begins to advance, it may be better to shorten them a month or two earlier, as no danger need be apprehended from the change provided the weather is warm, and infants will walk the younger for feeling their feet at perfect liberty. Some ladies insist, in compliance with the fashion of their vicinity, that the poor little creatures must continue enveloped in an exuberant length of muslin and other articles of dress until twelve months old, when probably they would have ran about rejoicing in less time but for that encumbrance. Others again never put long clothes on their infants at all, and we see their little tender feet exposed to all weathers from the birth. Both these extremes are to be deprecated; as it conduces to the health and comfort of a very young child to keep its feet wrapt from the cold, not less than it contributes to the welfare of one of

six months old to use them as much as it will.

A mother's cares, however, do not cease when her infants are firmly on their feet. Then, like the unfledged bird, they are always overstepping their bounds, or incautiously venturing too far. She feels far more secure while her babe only creeps about and she can close the door upon its excursions. When once they feel themselves capable of walking like other people they are impatient of confinement, and wish to roam at large; few attendants are to be trusted with them; too often the child is permitted to wander, while the servant is otherwise engaged, until some precipice or pitfall arrests its feeble steps. But where shall we place the boundary of a mother's fears, or how prescribe for their relief? It is found only in a sincere and humble reliance upon that omniscient Being who suffers not a sparrow to fall to the ground unnoticed." And here she may rest secure that the pious effusions of a mother's heart committing her children to his protection shall never be in vain.

CHAPTER III.

SECTION I.

Directions as to the best manner and time of weaning Infants, and the diet best adapted to promote their health after they are weaned.

"Since there's no help, come let us kiss and part, "Nay, I have done, you get no more from me, "And I am glad, yea, glad with all my heart, "That thus so clearly I myself can free."

DRAYTON.

THIS is perhaps one of the severest trials a mother is called to endure; and no one can possibly conceive the pang she feels when compelled to relinquish the sweet office of nurse to her babe, but those who have themselves experienced its fascinations. What sensation can equal the rapture of that mo

ment,.