Gas, or much better, electricity, certainly may be used in the late afternoon and evening. During the night hours, should a light be constantly required, the best means of obtaining it is from one of the regular night lights.

A very admirable form of such a light is shown in Fig. 7. This light, called the "Pyramid Night Light," consists of a low brass stand having a movable pyramidal glass chimney, and provided with a porcelain cup upon which the candle rests. The candle itself is about one inch and a half in height and breadth, and is so constructed that the combustible material is completely incased in a fireproof plaster-of-Paris cup. Each candle will burn eight or ten hours. These lights are perfectly safe and may be utilized for the further purpose of keeping water warm.

Fig. 7. - Night Light.

For occasional use at night, nothing can be better or of more ready service than electricity or gas.

The safest way to make a light is to use a safety-match. The taking of a flame from an open fire or the use of ordinary friction matches are dangerous and to be strongly discouraged.

Furnishing. - This heading may be made to include the finish of the floor, walls and ceiling, as well as the necessary articles of furniture and their arrangement.

The floor, which ought to be laid with good yellow pine boards, should have a hard finish. To accomplish this, the crevices between the boards and all the nail holes must first be filled with putty, then, after this has dried, coated with a rapidly-drying, hard shellac varnish, next sandpapered, when the varnish has had time to harden thoroughly, and, finally, finished by a second coat of shellac. This gives a light-colored floor that brightens the room and at the same time is readily cleaned. A dark staining, besides being sombre, always looks soiled. A painted floor is not easily cleaned. Should either of the latter be already in a nursery, their defects may be overcome by a well-laid parquet floor.

A carpet tacked to the floor is not to be recommended; far better is it to have rugs, which can be frequently taken up and well shaken, the housemaid having in the meanwhile free access to the floor itself.

Paint is the best finish for the walls. Individual taste will of course weigh in the selection of the color and amount of decoration, though a light tint, but still one not trying to the eyes, is most desirable. Next to paint, varnished paper is to be preferred. Within the past few years light and soft-tinted fabrics, covered with the representations in figure of familiar nursery legends, have been for sale by paper dealers. Such papers render the nursery attractive to older children, and, to a'great extent, take the place of pictures. Paint, however, has the advantage, in that it may be washed and thoroughly disinfected in case of the occurrence of contagious disease.

To return to the subject of pictures, it is best to interdict any that are valuable or expensively framed. A few well-colored, striking, prints taken from one of the good weekly illustrated papers, and fixed to the painted wall by glue, will give as much pleasure to the childish eyes as the works of the best artists. They can, too, be changed from time to time, and after exposure to contagious germs may, without regret, be removed and burned in the process of cleaning.

The ceiling of the rooms should always be painted with some light color, and be perfectly free from ornamentation.

In the matter of furniture, the windows of the day nursery should be fitted with dark shades, but never with curtains or hangings. In summer when the windows are often open, they must be carefully screened to keep out insects, especially mosquitoes and flies. These not only annoy the child but the mosquito may introduce the germ of malaria or poison with its sting, and the feet of the fly may carry the germs of such diseases as typhoid fever, diphtheria or tuberculosis. Other furnishings are: a table, at which the older children may take their meals or use in play and study; one or more large chairs and several small ones; a plentiful supply of toys and picture books, and, if there be room enough, a chest of drawers or wardrobe for clothing, and so on. All the furniture must be plain, that it may be more easily kept clean.

The center of the room must be kept clear, to give an opportunity for play. The table, therefore, should be a folding one, that it may be placed out of the way against the wall and take up the least space possible when not in use. Any other heavy article of furniture must also occupy a position against the wall and be fitted with casters, so that it can be readily moved to facilitate cleaning the floor beneath.

The toys may vary in character with the age of the child - soft, white India-rubber ones for infants, more complicated mechanisms for older children; but inexpensive toys are the best, because they can be more frequently changed. The same is true of books. For both, by the way, there should be a special drawer or closet provided, where they can be put out of the way when not required.

A few plants, a bird, or a globe of fish add brightness to the child's room and greatly assist in cultivating good taste and in affording amusement.

The night nursery must contain the beds, the bathing and toilet utensils, several chairs - one being a rocker - a small table, a medicine closet and a chest of drawers or other convenient receptacle for clothing and extra bed covering.

It is essential to have a separate bed for the nurse and one for each child. They should be placed so as to be protected from any chance draught of air, be far enough apart to allow of a free passage between; and the bed of the youngest, or of an ill child, ought to be nearest the one belonging to the nurse. About these beds nothing that may not be washed can be allowed.