No other reason could be assigned than the long, regular walks, and the vigorous state of her bodily health. Taking a hint from these facts, in all her subsequent pregnancies, she adopted the plan of taking a large amount of out-door exercise, and keeping her mind occupied by useful employment, and in every succeeding birth the same happy results were obtained. That she was engaged in an absorbing and congenial occupation, no doubt had much to do with the fact that maternity to her seemed only one of the incidents of life. She had no time to foster aches and pains. The conviction that, by her business management, the support of the family was maintained during her husband’s illness, inspired her with unusual energies and hopes. Could women uplift their _home life_, realizing the noble work they are accomplishing in their every day duties, they would find in them an inspiration which avails much against physical debility. Let me prophesy that different and improved methods will be devised to accomplish woman’s work. The mothers of the future will be less burdened, and at the same time achieve more satisfactory results in the labor performed. This can be done, and the ideal home preserved. Under the present system, many instances of demoralization in domestic life are in consequence of the mother’s inability to fulfill all the requirements of her position. She is the tie that holds the home--the mainspring of home-life. In the prophesied future, she may not wash all the dishes and bake all the bread, any more than she now does the spinning and weaving; yet the maternal love, life and instinct will build a nest far more adapted to successful rearing of offspring than is done under present conditions. DRESS. “Give me a form, give me a face That lend simplicity and grace; Robes loosely flowing, hair as free,-- Such sweet neglect more taketh me Than all the adulteries of art; They strike mine eyes, but not mine heart.” From first to last, the pregnant woman’s dress should be physiological and hygienic. Perfect freedom for every physical power must be secured. What does this demand? Emphatically looseness and lightness, as well as sufficient and equable warmth. See to it that not one article of dress impedes, in the slightest degree, the functions of the body. To accomplish this, one must do away with bands, bones and petticoats. One already dressing healthfully needs to make but little change for pregnancy. Under all circumstances and at all times, dress should cause no restriction to respiration; no interference with digestion; no obstruction to circulation. In pregnancy, furthermore, there should be no hindrance to the development and elevation of the uterus. To accomplish this, a radical change must be made in the usual dress of woman. It is now a complete failure as far as fulfilling any useful requirements, and for decorative purposes rules of art are violated.