Year: 1861

The first baby was a great institution As soon
as he came into this breathing world, as the late
Shakespeare has it. he took command in our house.
Everything subverted to him. The baby was
the balance wheel that regulated everything. He
regulated the temperature, he regulated the food he
regulated the servants, he regulated me. For the
first six months of that precious existence he had
me up on an average six times night. Ar. Blif-
kins says my vile, bring that light here, do, the
baby looks strangely; / am so afraid it wi. have
fit Of course the lamp was brought and of course
the baby lay sucking his fist like little white bear,
as he was Mr.. Bfkins,' said my wife, I think
feel draft of air; l wish you would get up, and
see if the window is not open little because baby
might get sick Nothing was the matter with the
window, as knew very we'll. Mr.. Blifkins, says
my wife, just as | was going to sleep again, that
lamp as you have placed it. shines directly in babys
eyes-strange that you have no more consideration
arranged the light and went to bed again. Just
as was dropping to sleep again, Mr.. Bfkins,'
said my wife, did you think to buy that broma to-
day for the baby?' My dear, said l. will you do me
the injustice to think that could overlook matter
so essential to the comfort of that inestima5e child?
She apologised very handsomely, but made her
anxiety the scapegoat. | forgive her, and without
saying a word more to her, addressed myself to
sleep Mr.. Blifkins, you must not snore so you'll
wake the baby says my wife. Jest so-jest so,
said l. half asleep thinking was Solon ShingIe.
'Mr. Blfkins, will you get up, and hand me warm
cruel from the lamp Tor baby !-the dear cnlld II IL
was not for his mother l do not know what it would
do. How can you sleep So Mr.. BlifkinS?'


suspect my dear, said |, that it is because am
tired oh it is very we'll for you men to talk
about being tired; do not know what you would
say, if you had to toll and drudge like poor wo-
man with baby


tried to soothe her by telling her she had no
patience at ALL and got up for the posset Having
aided in answering the baby's requirements slip
ped into bed again. with the hope of sleeping. Mr.
Slifkins' said she in louder key. / said nothing
oh dear said that estimable woman, in great ap-
parent anguish, 'how can a man, who has arrived
at having live baby of his own, sleep, when he
don't know that the dear creature will live till NOR
ningY | remained silent, and, after awhile, DEEM
ing Mrs Blifkins had gone to sleep, stretched my
limbs for repose. How long l slept don't know,
but was awakened by furious job in the forehead
by some sharp instrument l started up ard Mrs.
Blifkins was sitting up in the bed, adjusting some
portion of the babys dress. She had, in state of
semi-somnolence, mistaken my head for the pillow
which she customariy used for a nocturnal PIN
cushion. I protested against such treatment in
somewhat round terms, pointing to certain perfora-
tions in my forehead. She told me should will
lngy bear such trihing things for the sake Of the
baby. insisted upon it. that did not think my
duty as parent to that young immortal, required
the surrender of my forehead for pincushioa-
This was one Of many nights passed in this way.
The truth was, that baby was what every man S
first baby is, an autocrat-absolute and unlimited.
Such was the story of Blifkns. as he related it to
us the other day. 1t is little exaggerated picture
of almost every mans experience.