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for both feet, mama works at it with the greatest ease. Our little boy is with us since two weeks yesterday. It took him several days to become familiar with our faces and to change his be wildered state into smiles. Yet he has a bad habit of being awake and crying of nights while generally he keeps pretty quiet during the daytime. We had a girl, quite green, to take care of the baby, but she was so terribly stupid and awkward that we were almost glad, she left last Friday. For, instead of being a help, she was actually a hindrance to everybody. I have advertised for another girl but none have applied yet. Poor mama suffers quite perceptibly under the great tribulations the the merely little boy causes her. It is too much for her strength and I tremble lest the continued exertions and cares should endanger her health, scarcely restored. What she most needs is exercise in fresh air, but as long as we do not get a good reliable girl to take care of the baby, she can have very little of it. Altogether I knew very well what I was about when I preferred the baby's staying with Miss Sherman. The mere satisfaction of having him with us would be very poor consideration for the shattering of his mother's health. _ Girls are exceedingly rare here. Ten are advertised for before one offers. Although we have had very chilly days yet, spring has appeared here with a suddenness utterly incredible. Ten days ago all trees were bleak and bare as in mid winter; _ to day they are all covered with the most luxurious foliage and the lilac is full blown. Nothing equals the beauty of the residence streets in our part of the city, unclear as they are by continuous rows of trees on each side. Little Jefferson Park is a perfect gem. Your affectionate father, H Raster