From Chambers's Journal.

THE SECOND BABY.

BETWEEN the first baby and the second, what a falling off is there, my countrywomen! Not in intrinsic value, for the second may chance to be as pretty a piece of flesh as any in Messina," but in the imaginary value with which it is invested by its nearest kin and more distant female belongings. The coming of the first baby in a household creates an immense sensation; that of the second is comparatively a common-place affair. The first baby is looked for with anxiety, nursed with devotion, admired with enthusiasm, dressed with splendor, and made to live upon system. Baby Number Two is not longed for by any one, except, perhaps the mother; is nursed as a matter of course, and admired as a matter of courtesy; is dressed in the cast-off clothes of Number One, and gets initiated into life without much ceremony or system.

Such was my reflection the other day as I watched the assembled family welcome the little stranger-the second in our household. I am but a bachelor uncle, and my opinion on such matters may be little worth; but it seemed to me that this second child was a great deal superior to the first, seeing that it was larger, quieter, and not nearly so red as his elder brother. Thereupon, retiring to my accustomed corner of the spacious family parlor, I indulged in various lucubrations apropos of babies generally and secondbabies in particular, which I took care not to deliver viva voce at the time, but which I amused myself afterwards by committing to paper, and now offer to the reader.

blood! From the care and the love of this creature nothing, I thank God, can set me free!" So it is with the first child. Indeed, one would think no child had ever been born into the world before, when one listens to a couple talking of their first-born during its first year. To them it is as it was to Adam and Eve when they hung together over their infant Cain: it is a new and grand experience. Thoughts of God and Paradise are in it: God is near above them, smiling his blessing; the gates of Paradise are close at hand, and wide open; and the angels look forth with sympathizing eyes upon their joy. Ah! there is scarcely any joy in life equal to that joy at the birth of a first child! It never comes again: there is never another first child. Of course, parents will say and will feel that the second "is very precious;" that "indeed they love it as well as the first; " that "each child brings its full share of love with it;" and that

True love in this differs from gold and clay-
That to divide is not to take away:

so that they can love a dozen as much as one. But let them compare their sensations at the first birth with their sensations at the second, and if they have any faculty of self-observance, be sure they will acknowledge a wide difference to the love of the child itself in the one case, is superadded the novelty of parentage.

But it by no means follows, that because the first child creates so much more vivid a sensation in the household than the second, it deserves to be loved more. As a general rule, you will find the second child, in various ways, superior to the "A babe in the house is a well-spring of joy," first-often superior to all the succeeding chil saith a modern philosopher. He speaks from cx-dren, where the family is numerous. The law perience, doubtless; and the saying shows that he hath never had misgivings about getting the daily bread for the babe, or for the mother that should give it suck. Yes, to people with health, peace, and competence, a babe in the house is a well-spring of joy; but to people who are indigent, harassed, and of doubtful health, I fear it is a well-spring of something very different.

and society give the preference to eldest sons and daughters; fairy tales invariably give the preference to the youngest. I set myself, in this particular, against both the existing social system, and the wont and usage of fairyland, and think the second child is generally the best, physically, intellectually, and morally. With all due consideration for the Octavias and Septimuses, for Sextus and Quintus, and with the usual undue consideration for Mr. Primus and my Lady Una, I contend that their second brother or sister is likely to excel them all. I am not prepared to go to the stake as a martyr for this opinion, but I am prepared to wield a pen in its defence, and now add a few of the strongest arguments in its favor.

I know I shall seem like an old brute of a bachelor to sentimental ladies, married and single, for saying such things; but this is a land of freedom of speech, where "a man may speak the thing he will." And this I will say, on behalf of the poor babies themselves, that if they had any sense at all, they would wish they had never been born at all events, the second would, and every succeeding baby of the aforesaid unhopeful pa- In the first place, a second child of ordinary rentage. The first baby is generally welcome, parents, tolerably well off, benefits in infancy and even to parents who are doubtful about the mor- childhood by the experience they gained with the row's meal. It flings a poetry over their poverty; first. They try experiments with the first; ask they look on it with unutterable love, with tender advice of doctors and old ladies; and are so respect, as a charge committed to their trust by anxious to help nature, that they often hinder her God himself, as a renewal of their own lives -a operations. The child is never let alone; it is mystic bond of love that no time, and perhaps always being taken notice of by some admiring not even eternity itself, can untie. It is a new and nurse or relative. Now, the proverb of the kitchwonderful thing! They can't get familiar with en, that "a watched pot never boils," applies, the wonder of it! Its whole little being is a mar- mutatis mutandis, to the nursery, and it may be vellous work; and the hearts of the parents, said that "a watched baby never thrives." But especially of the mother, glow with the purest the second child profits by the experiments made ecstasy when they take it in their arms, and with the first. The parents, having discovered think: "This is my child, my own flesh and that "let well alone" is a safer maxim than

"trust nothing to chance" in the case of an in- with those which appertain to another grade. fant, are content to let Baby Number Two lie on The eldest son is not obliged to work hard at the floor sometimes, instead of being always in either seminary, and he never does work harder the arms; are not anxious to coax it to walk be- than it suits his inclination or sense of duty. fore it can get up on its little feet and stand; will The second son, being duly warned by his father allow it to ask for food, instead of forcing food that he must study for a profession, and that on down its throat; are not frightened into foolish his success in that profession he must depend for ness because it looks up to the open sky without a maintenance, goes to school and college detera hat on. So when it can run about, they do not mined to work; or if not, he is speedily made to mount guard over every motion, remove from the know the difference between an eldest and a child's path every obstacle, and help it to over-second son. His tutors force him to work; and come every small difficulty; they have learned if he have profited by his home education as a that all these acts of love are not so good for the child, in the way I have already described, he child as its acquiring habits of self-help and self- very soon learns that work of all kinds well done reliance. If they have any faculty of prevision, is worth more than its wages to the doer; and they will see that a child who requires to be he blesses the accident of birth which made him watched and helped all day long, will probably Baby Number Two, instead of Baby Number want watching and helping when he grows a One.

man.

Baby Number Two escapes most of the medicines administered to Number One, and a great deal of the dressing-in which respects Baby Number Two has decidedly the advantage.

Baby Number Two escapes the evil effects of flattering tongues, which tell Number One twenty times a-day that it is "the sweetest little thing that ever was secn."

Baby Number Two escapes the evil effects of jealous suggestions, such as: "Ah! your nose is put out of joint. You're not the only one now! The new baby is the darling now."

Baby Number Two has the advantage of the company of an elder brother or sister: he learns a thousand things more easily in consequence. His own voluntary imitation is worth all the direct teaching mothers and nurses can give.

"But," says some reader, and with considerable show of reason, "do not all these advantages which you attribute solely to the second son, belong also to the rest of the younger children?" I think not, and for these reasons:

After the second child is born, parents get quite familiar with the birth and infancy of their children; and whereas the first child attracts too much attention, it often happens that the third, fourth, and fifth, do not attract enough. They are cared for well, in a general way, but they do not get that particular care and attention which the eldest child got, and which was too much; nor the half of it, which was bestowed on the second child, and which was just enough. Parents with limited income- -as if any incomes were unlimited-find that to educate the younger children at as great a money-cost as the two Then, again, if Baby Number Two be followed elder, is more than they can manage; and so the by more of his kind, he is sure to take to them younger children are not so well off as the second kindly; as he has never been the only one, he sees child. Of course, I speak only of average chilno harm in the coming of " another, and another, dren; here and there you have a genius born and another." among the younger members of a numerous famIt is also an advantage to him to play the pro-ily-a Wellington, a Nelson, a Scott, a Napoleon; tector and the teacher in his turn he cares for such children arrive at their destination in life, the little ones, and is patient with them. I don't whether they be eldest, second, or younger childeny that this advantage he shares with his so- dren. The exceptions may prove the rule, but cially-favored elder brother. they do not weaken its truth.

As he advances in life, I have no hesitation in saying that the second son has frequently the best of it. In cases where the eldest son succeeds to a fortune and an estate- - that is to say in a fam. ily of family your second son is almost always first in everything but birth. He goes to school and college as the relative to his antecedent, if I may be allowed a grammatical pun. He has there all the advantages of equality, together

In conclusion, I invite my readers to study the family history of their friends and acquaintances, and see if they do not find my assertion good. The second child is generally the best of the family. I ought to know, for I am a second child myself, and on that ground alone I began to turn my attention to the subject; and having come to the foregone conclusions, I make a point of watching the career of a second baby.

HOW TO DRINK CLARET.-On one occasion] I observed to him "that the weakness of his the Vice Chancellor said to me very abruptly, stomach resembled that of Dr. Topping, a phyyou have been looking at me some time, I know sician at Colchester, who, when a gentleman what you are thinking of; you think that I cat with whom he was dining expressed some disa confounded deal!" "No sir," I said; "I am satisfaction at his not taking claret, which had surprised that you eat of such a variety of dishes." been provided expressly for him, answered, "I "The truth is," said he, "I have a very weak have no objection to take a bottle, or a couple, of stomach, and when it has digested as much claret, but I have so weak a stomach, I am oblig as it can of one kind of food, it will set to worked to drink a bottle of port first!'"-Gunning's and digest some other." Reminiscences.

THE convenience of a brother is, in not being when mamma is anxious to go home, and you able to find the carriage at an evening party, are anxious to stop.

JA

From Chambers's Journal.
A HONOLULU NEWSPAPER.

I possessions. "Their position," says Jarves, "is central to both the neighboring continents, being nearly equidistant from Central America, Mexico, California, and the north-west coast, on the one side, and the Russian dominions, Japan, Chi

We have lying before us a recent number of the New Era and Weekly Argus, a newspaper printed at Honolulu, island of Oahu, one of the Ha-na, and the Philippine Islands, on the other.waiian group-better known to many of our readers as the Sandwich Islands. Ere proceeding to give some account of this remarkable voucher of the prosperity and civilization of the country which has been aptly termed the Heart of the Pacific, it may be interesting to trace briefly the modern history of the islands, which are certainly destined at no distant period to become an important and powerful maritime state.

When a civilized and enterprising population shall have developed the resources of these coun tries, these islands will bear the same relative importance to them, in proportion to their extent, that the West Indies now do to North and South America."

We are inclined to anticipate a far more magnificent destiny for the islands than that indicated by their historian. In less than another genThe whole group is of volcanic origin, and on eration, they will become one of the greatest deHawaii is the largest active volcano in the world. pots of commerce in the world. Australia was The mountains attain the enormous height of comparatively unimportant in relation to the 14,000 feet, and the general scenery of the 'isl-Hawaiian group at the time Mr. Jarves wrote, ands is picturesque and beautiful. Even thirty but the case is very different now. years ago, upwards of fifty whaling-ships have And now for our newspaper-one of the two been in the harbor of Honolulu at one time. At or three weekly broad sheets published at Honothe present day, hundreds of whalers, chiefly from lulu. Of its contemporaries, we only know that the United States, Sydney, and Hobart Town, one, The Polynesian, is the semi-official organ annually visit the ports of Honolulu and Lahai-of government. The number of the New Era, na. In 1820, the first missionaries landed at before us, bears date June 8, 1854. It is a paper Hawaii, idolatry having already been abolished by of four pages, somewhat smaller in size than the the will of the king, and of a number of the leading London Globe, yet its price is twelve and a half chiefs and priests. From this period, civilization cents per copy, or six dollars per annum, paid progressed steadily and surely. In a few years, in advance. So high a price indicates a very many churches were erected, schools were estab- small circulation, or else great expense of prolished, printing-presses were at work issuing duction. In its general appearance it precisely books in the native languages; England, France, resembles an American local newspaper, but it America, Spain, Russia, and other countries, had is well printed, on shabby paper. Nothing conresident consuls; a considerable trade sprang up; veys a better idea of a strange place than a copy and the whole group was rescued from the slough of the local newspaper. A glance over the colof gross and degrading superstitions. Suffice it, umns of the New Era, gives the coup de grâce to that at the present time the Hawaiian Islands any lingering romantic fancies associated with form a recognized independent kingdom, possess the name of Honolulu, and that of the island of ing a regular constitution, code of laws, and sys- Oahu, of which it is the capital. We are struck tem of government. The power of the king is with the one pervading idea, that Honolulu is a limited, and he is aided by ministers of different place where business traffic-ordinary, prosaic departments of state to administer the laws and buying, selling, and exchanging-is the general, govern his kingdom. The laws themselves are if not the sole, pursuit of the people. All that enacted by a House of Representatives, chosen meets our eye in the paper has some connection by the people, and by a House of Nobles. Not-with dollars and cents. At the outset we count withstanding the various unhappy differences one hundred and seventy-five advertisements, occupywhich have occurred from time to time between ing thirteen out of the twenty columns of the paper. the Roman Catholic and Protestant missionaries, These advertisements are addressed to all whom and the jealousies and struggles for predomi- it may concern, by tradesmen, merchants, and nancy between the American, English, and French consuls and settlers, the little kingdom has really been very judiciously governed on the whole, considering its antecedents, and its unique position and character. Its trade and commerce is increasing at a very rapid ratio; and accord-clothiers, hosiers, hatters, shoemakers, iron-moning to some recent writers, the decrease in native population is likely to cease erclong, although others predict, that by slow and sure degrees the race of pure-blooded aborigines will become altogether extinct.

professional men of all kinds. A dozen or more hotels solicit public support, on the score of providing first-rate comforts and luxuries; and drapers, grocers, provision and other merchants, butchers, bakers, brewers, confectioners, tailors,

gers, watchmakers, jewellers, perfumers, auctioneers, estate commission, and shipping agents, masons, lawyers, physicians, surgeons, druggists, etc., all set forth their claims to patronage in excellent Queen's English, and in the orthodox Mr. Jarves, the able historian of the islands, advertising style. We are only occasionally redeclares that "this group is capable of support-minded that they hang out their signs on an ing a dense population. With the exception of island in the heart of the remote Pacific, by such metals, its natural resources are sufficient to names of streets as Nuuana, Kaahumanu, Mauna meet all its necessities." It is, however, the re- Kea, Alakea Street, etc. The majority of the markably advantageous geographical position of streets, however, appear to bear common English the islands, which is certain eventually to ren-names.

der them populous and exceedingly important One circumstance, also, is very suggestive

Kaumaca was cloquent;" that Messrs. Kalama and Maika very earnestly advocated the bill;" that " Mr. Kamaipelekane read for the first time a bill," etc.

we do not notice a single native name among the subject of the Honolulu Reef Bill, "Mr those of the hundred and seventy-five advertisers; four fifths bear English patronymics, and the residue are German and French. Goods of every conceivable description-in some cases, entire ship's cargoes-are offered for sale. Arti- About half the names of the representatives cles of utility and luxury from every quarter of are English. Here are two curious items: "Mr the globe, almost everything the epicure can Nahakuelau read first time a bill to make soldiers wish to eat and drink, or people of fashion to of all illegitimate persons: laid on the table. Mr. wear, can be procured at Honolulu-for a con- Uma read first time a bill to forbid the king sideration. Literature, we reget to add, appears to sell any of his lands to foreigners." A singu to be at a discount. At any rate, there is not a lar instance of roguery at Honolulu, comes out in single bookseller's advertisement, although there the discussion on a bill to reduce the duties on certainly is one of the "Honolulu Circulating alcohol imported for medicinal or mechanical Library Association," which announces that "do- purposes. "Mr. Bowlin, in advocating this bill, nations, whether of books or money, will be stated that there was in Honolulu at present, a most thankfully received. Only one advertise- very good article of Brandy labelled "Heard's ment is given both in English and Hawaiian, Sarsaparilla," which was imported as sarsapabeing an intimation "by command of the king," rilla, entered as brandy, and afterwards withto the effect that "it has pleased the king to ap- drawn from the custom-house under a minister's point William Webster, Esq., Assistant Agent permit for medicinal purposes, infused with a for the sale and letting of His Majesty's lands, slight tincture of cloves, and then sold as and for the collection of all rents due and accru-"Heard's Sarsaparilla." In other words, by uning for the same." There are also a couple of derhand manoeuvring, brandy was openly sold noticeable advertisements which announce the forthcoming meetings of the Excelsior Lodge of Ancient Foresters-or perhaps Shepherds, for a couple of crooks are affixed, and the letter-press is somewhat mystical to us-and of a lodge of freemasons. It is easy to see from the advertisements, that many of them are addressed more especially to the captains of ships entering or calling at the port. In fact, not merely does Honolulu supply hundreds of ships annually with what they need for their own crews, but it is a grand depot where whole cargoes of miscellaneous goods are bought by vessels from all countries bordering on the Pacific, to carry elsewhere for sale and barter. The same observation applies to European ships trading in that great ocean on a roving commission.

under a false name, thus evading the heavy duty on that article. The proceedings of the Upper House of Parliament are reported under the head of "House of Nobles." Judging by this newspaper, the proceedings in both houses ap. pear to be conducted with great decorum, order, and deliberation; and the speeches of some of the representatives, both native and naturalized foreigners, are straightforward, and replete with good sense.

Turn we now to the editorial department, to which is prefixed the motto: Open to all-controlled by none." Adverting to the expected arrival of the English and French squadrons, the editor calls the attention of the legislature to the necessity of deepening and widening the harbor; and "as under almost any circumstances, a Of the remaining seven columns of the paper, proper dredging-machine could not be sent for nearly four are occupied by reports of the Hawaiian and arrive from the United States or England Legislature; one contains foreign intelligence, before some time next spring, we are absolutely and the residue is occupied by editorial para-obliged to fall back on our own mother-wit and graphs. The foreign news is relative to the war power of contrivance to meet the dilemma."between Russia and Turkey, England and France And so "we, the poor, libelled, vilified editor of the -the declaration of war by the Western powers New Era and Argus, offer 200 dollars to any perhaving just reached Honolulu. The reports of son who, within a month from to-day, shall lay the Hawaiian parliament are novel and interest- before the government for its acceptance the ing. As in England, the real burden and busi- cheapest and most feasible plan of clearing out ness of legislation is evidently done in the Lower the sand and mud of the passage of the harbor House-or House of Representatives, as they of Honolulu; the work to be performed by the call it. The proceedings appear to be based on first of December next." Patriotic editor! Sevthe English and American system. There were eral paragraphs on local subjects of interest fola number of petitions presented of the usual low; one being an acknowledgment of a present local character-one of which, by the way, curi- of "a bag of new corn meal, ground at the stear ously enough, shews that the canine race is be- flouring mill at Honolulu." It would appear coming as great a nuisance in the Hawaiian that the personal comfort of the editor is worthily group as with us in Britain. It prays "that the held in thoughtful remembrance, for he begs that dog tax be raised to five dollars per head." We" the person, gentleman or lady, (for kind hearts read of speeches on many subjects that sound are of both sexes,) who, during our absence the exceedingly familiar to English cars. Thus, other day, furnished our sanctum with a commothere were the "Orders of the Day;" discussions, etc., on the "Landlord and Tenant Bill;" the "Bill to Amend the Laws on Smuggling" a "Bill to Amend the Law of Evidence;" a "Discussion of the Militia Bill," etc. We meet with native speakers, the reporter telling us that on

dious editorial chair, will be pleased to receive our grateful acknowledgments." May the editor live to read six months hence, this article descriptive of his newspaper while he lounges, like the luxurious fellow he probably is, in that very chair!