loosely, to cover the pillow placed in the bottom of the basket; a square of flannel over this, if you desire, for a blanket, and a soft knotted comfort, with the knots outside, for the cover. The tiny pillow completes the furnishing for the sleeping basket. Put carefully away for remembrances all the handsomely embroidered pillow-slips, daintily trimmed with ruffles and ribbons, and the elaborate counterpanes of heavy piqué, made heavier with yards of hamburg trimming and ribbon. These will answer finely for heirlooms, but are not at all suited to either the baby's taste or comfort.

The soft knitted socks will be needed for a winter baby, and perhaps for summer, if the baby is delicate, the feet moving about, will get cold easily. But far better than encumber the little one with clothing, warm the basket bed with a hot water bottle or two.

For the later wardrobe, little more will be needed than a slight modification of these already described. We should consider the baby's comfort, first, last, and all the time. However proud we may be of it we should not allow ourselves to dress it for exhibition. The baby is the centre of attraction, not what it may be dressed in. A supply of the linen lawn or china silk slips, made larger but not

longer, two or three flannel skirts, fashioned without gathers at the waist, and attached to a thin muslin waist without sleeves; two or three cashmere or flannel jackets, for the little one is large enough to be out of its basket a part of the time, and needs a wrap that will not fall off easily, and leave it exposed. With this list you have all that is needed until the short clothes are provided; then a more generous supply will be needed, but never anything more elaborate.

CHAPTER XV.

THE CHOICE OF PHYSICIAN AND NURSE.

Choice of Physician and Nurse of Real Consequence. -Choose a Physician Whom You can Trust Implicitly. A Cleanly Man.-The Wife Should Make the Selection.-A Christian Physician.— Choice of Nurse.-Wife most Capable of Making Choice. Advice of the Physician Desirable.She Should be Pleasing to the Wife.-Cleanliness. -Gentleness.-A Person of Individuality.-Neatness in Manner and Clothing-Should be Intelligent.-Physician and Nurse Should Work in Sympathy. A Good Cook.-Able to Converse, but not a Gossip.-Many Such Physicians and Nurses.

THE choice of a physician and nurse for the ordeal of maternity, is a matter of real consequence. It is not enough that you have a physician whom you have trusted in the common ailments of life, and perforce must have him now, lest he think it strange; the question is, do you desire him to minister to you at this time?

Choose a clean man or woman as you value your life and comfort. Choose one to whom you can pin your trust, and in whom you can

confide implicitly. Choose one who is above reproach, and can inspire you with courage and hopefulness. Choose a clean doctor physically. They who do not delight in clean. linen, and clean hands, will hardly delight in cleanliness in their attentions to you.

Finally the wife should have the unbiased choice of the physician, unless there is some very good reason why she is not capable of a reasonable choice. Of course it is far better that the choice of one should be the choice of the other, and that there be perfect harmony between husband and wife in the choice made, both for their own peace of mind, and for the comfort of the physician. There are many cases on record of labor being delayed, and much discomfort being caused by disappointment in the physician desired.

Above all choose a Christian physician. The counsel of the Great Physician is never more needed than in birth travail, and it is comforting to feel that the human friend upon whom you depend, knows this power and helpfulness and can direct you to Him.

In the choice of a nurse as great care and consideration are needed. Do not depend upon the selection made by a friend; no one can choose for you. You alone are the one