The question of holidays for the family will soon arise, and once more if there is a baby or very small children the old problem will have to be thrashed out "Ought we to travel with baby?" or "How are we to ensure the little ones are safe and happy in strange surround. ings?" This problem is one which mothers of all classes have to face fat one time or another, and it has Row engaged the attention of an experienced woman traveller, who an Ambassador's wife speaks with experience not only of land travel, but of the difficulties attached to a sea voyage for the juvenile members of the household. Some of the advice given by the Hon, Bernard James, in a book published by the Parents National Education Union, is as. follows.
'Endeavour to: keep to' the usual hours of meals and sleep, and the good habits which it has perhaps taken weeks or months to form will not then be broken.
If bottles are needed, take a thermos of boiling water with you and another of very cold milk. Milk keeps best if clean and iced. If kept warm it soon becomes poisonous. The thermos can always be refilled with hot water.
Take a hot-water bottle in winter, also an empty _pillow-case, which, when stuffed with cloths oF newspapers, makes a comfy pillow to lie baby on. A Japanese pilgrim basket makes the nicest travelling cradle. A damp sponge in a rubber bag is useful on a train journey.
Children got very thirsty on Journeys, and x bottle of boiled water should always be taken. There are dangers of infection to guard against, and one's own towel and soap should be included.
For The Sea Voyage Incessant watchfulness is needed with high-spirited children, for the experience they have learned in freedom on shore is nor of much ay under different conditions.
It baby is on bottles, several extra ones should be taken for fear of accidents, and he should be accustomed to the food he is to have on the voyage for at least a month beforehand.
Take a good supply of food for voyages often last a few days longer than the scheduled date. Inquiry should be made beforehand as to the milk supplied on board, 'When booking a passage to the tropics, remember the importance for children of securing a cabin on the north side of the ship, or, if it going to South Africa' on the eastern side, with porthole or window.
A plentiful supply of all clothes is needed, particularly little washing frocks or rompers. Save trouble by avoiding starched' clothes and Keeping to soft voile and colton crepe. Brightly coloured ones will require less washing.
For colder voyages a fur or leather coat -and warm leather gaiters }are needed, as the wind- blows through woollies.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.