and save her from an irreparable folly.

If mothers will remember that children are not dolls, and that mothers
are not children to take pleasure in bedecking them, they will need no
advice about dressing their little ones. There is only one rule for her
to follow: She should consult the comfort and health of the child, and,
as far as consistent with these, the convenience to herself. It may be
"cute" to dress a child like a miniature man or woman, but it is cruel
to the child. There is no reason for distinguishing sex by dress in
young children. "Jumpers" form the best dress for either a little boy
or little girl in which to play. Even when they are older and a skirt
distinguishes the girl, bloomers or knickerbockers of the same material
beneath, approach the ideal of dress for comfort, health and decency
more nearly than white petticoat and drawers. Indeed, the skirt is best
when it is a part of a blouse, which is also a suitable dress for a boy.
A child should never be tortured with a large or stiff hat. The heads of
children come up to the middles of men and women, and such a hat will be
crushed in a crowd, and its poor little wearer placed in mortal terror.
Indeed, children should be allowed to go bareheaded as much as possible,
and, when they wear hats, have these simple in shape and soft in
material. The plain cap is the best head covering for a boy. The girl's
may be a little more ornamental, especially in color. The universal
seizure by the sex upon the boy's "Tam o'Shanter" as peculiarly suited
for a play and school-hat, is therefore right and proper. For a more
showy style, lingerie hats are justified. But the most beautiful and
appropriate form of the "best hat" for a little girl is one of uniform
material, straw, cloth or felt, with simple crown, and wide, and more or
less soft brim, ornamented by a ribbon alone. The addition of a single
flower may be permitted, though this is like the admission of the
camel's nose into the tent,--it may lead to the entrance of the