The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1860-11-12

In a novel, recently published, occurs the
following striking picture ofdomeste felicity,
which old bachelors will read with interest:
If"the baby" was asleep no one was allowed
to speak except in whisper. on pain OF instant
Punishment; the piano WAS closed, the guitar
was IA booed boots were interdicted, and the
bell was mufied. Ii Mr.. Vincent wished 10
enjoy quiet cigar he n ust 60 out OF the mouse,
les. The smoke might hurt "the baby, ard lest
the street door might disturb its siumoers, he
must maze his exit by the garden gate. The
doctor was hardly ever out OF the house, not
because "tne baby was i'll, bur because she
was afraid it might bs taken with some dread
ful disease, and no doctor near. If coal was TO
be placed in the CRATE, either Mr. Vincent was
10 put IL in lump BY lump, with his fingers or
Thomas must come in on iptoe, leaving his
boots below lest the noise shou Id disturb 1.-The
baby" Dir. Vincent must lie in Que position
tiil he was full of aches from the crown OF his
head 10 The sole OF his foot he must not turn
over for fear OF awaking "the baby" And yet
surely he must not take bed III another part
OF the house, because 1.-The baby might be at
tackled with the Group or might cry TO nave
some one walk up and down the moor with IL
In their arms, and then he would not be within
call In short, when 1.-The baby" slept, the
whole house was under spell whose enchant-
ment consisted in profound silence aud I'M
broken Stiffness, laying all under its influence.
On the other hand, when "the baby" was
awake, the household was equally subject 10
tyranny, which seemed 10 be II condition CT its
existence.
If Mr.. Vinceuts watch chain attract led its
attention, the watch must come from the pocket
and be delivered over 1T the imminent risk and
frequent smashing of crystals and face. II
"tae baby" cried for the porcelain vases on the
mantel, or the little Sevres card basket on the
table, they were Immediately on the floor or
On the crib beside it, and soon afterwards IN
many pieces. II it wanted papa's papers.
either they must he forthwith given up, or both
baby and mother would concur in raising
domestic storm. II any important paper or
anything else was missed when inquiry was
made for il, the chances Were twenty 10 one
that it had been given 10 "the baby :" ana. on
all such occasions Mr.. Fincents veEation was
treated With merited indifference II, as often
happened. after obtaining everything within
its mothers reach, and breaking up everything
that could be broken, sine baby" sill cried I'M
moderately and anuoyingly, it was quite rs
much as Mr.. fInce0ts life was worth TO eI-
press the least vex1tion or impaiencs He
ight be roused from sound sleep, and forced
TO get up ten times in Il night for something Tor
"the baby" and yet a murmur or natural
wish expressed to know the necessity Tor ali
these things was treason to the household sove-
reigntV. The lawful master OF the premises
HAD sunk like deposed monarch, 10 utter in
sigatdcauCe and became the lowest servant Of
tie ycang usurper. The mother was the grand
yisier OF the little Sultana, and in her name
ruled every one, herself inc inded, with an iron
rod. There was no law but the will and plea
sure of the despot and no appe,l from her de-
examinations. And this was The woman that
Abraham Glen had loved.