contemptible words, and in their stead is set up only Pilate's question, 'What is truth?' The Articles of the Christian Faith that are treated with scorn we could scarcely dare to specify. Newspapers, literary ones especially, in their notices of books, their partizanship of causes, their strictures on manners, take for granted that their readers have their minds in the same state of solution as themselves, and like them look with scornful pity upon positive belief and those obliged to proclaim it.

It is this taking for granted that is of so much force. Assertion always goes further than argument, and young people who turn over such pages as they meet on the drawing-room table, or in the railway carriage, are not willing to be ranked among those who are too dull to hatch a doubt, or be left behind in the old world with their fathers, mothers, aunts, and the curates.

Perhaps one cause of this temptation may be that one class of the writers of ephemeral literature form a little world of their own, scornfully ignorant of the real state of things beyond it, and finding the assumption of doubt and common-sense views a good opening for smart and clever writing. Their shafts are too slight and widely scattered to be seriously answered, their anonymous position shields them, and thus they can shoot their tiny but fiery darts from their ambush. I verily believe there never was a time when, without wilful running into temptation, so much of mischievous neology, rationalism, and irreverence, was placed before the young.

Now what is to be done? I am not thinking of those in whose flesh the darts are rankling, or who have been led on to doubt and bewilderment, but of those who are just passing beyond the age when every book is chosen for them, and who begin to think it their privilege to handle the papers and read the publications that fall in their way.

I do not tell them to abstain. To stop short of any individual article that is manifestly dangerous, is of course desirable; but to avoid the whole of the reading current in ordinary society is hardly possible. No; all that can be done is this: 'Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the darts of the wicked.'

But how take it? They think they have it! I hope they have. But how long do you think they will keep it if they are content to let your religious studies stop where Confirmation left them? Perhaps they have learnt to think that 'reading good books' is a Puritan burthen to Sunday, and that reading sermons on other days is like a maiden aunt, or the tiresome person in a novel. And the Bible? Moreover, there has been a cruel cry against Sunday schools by those who are impatient for visible fruit, and there is in consequence a disinclination among young people to undertake the task of teaching, which involves constant recurrence at least to first principles. And among all these neglects, it may come to pass that when the blasts of various doctrines begin to rock the vessel, the tacklings are loosened, the anchor has been let go!

Let me then entreat of the young to strengthen their faith by some real study of religion. Do not choose those books only that treat on what are called subjects of the day. Go deeper. Take some real old divine of cooler times, or some sound comment on Scripture, and also some devotional practical book, and read ever so little, but read that little every day, and depend upon it, your mind will thus acquire a shield against which the darts will fall harmless. You will not be ignorant end shallow enough as not to see their fallacy. The majestic oneness of Scripture will have made itself felt. One difficulty with many girls at present is want of access to deep books. If they see a library, they think bound books are dry and unreadable; and often they live in places where their provision is from Mudie and Magazines. But the boks that I mean are real possessions-worth an effort of self-denial to purchase, and study one at a time; or they can almost always be borrowed from a clergyman, or from any ordinary

domestic library. A few names, old and new, may serve as an illustration: Bishop Jeremy Taylor's 'Life of Christ;' his 'Holy Living and Dying;' his 'Golden Grove;' Bishop Bull's, Bishop Wilson's, Jones of Nayland's, Sermons; 'Plain Sermons,' by the authors of Tracts for the Times;' Isaac Williams's 'Sermons on the Epistles and Gospels,' on 'Old Testament Characters,' and on 'The Catechism.' All these afford much field for real and profitable study, if only of a few pages at a time. If you would build your foundations deep and strong, take for those of general Christianity, Butler's Analogy; for the individual Articles of the Faith, Pearson on the Creed. Read ever so little, only really read, and look out the Scriptural references. For actual devotional reading no meditations are equal to those of Thomas à Kempis. The daily habit of reading one of his short chapters at bed-time has no doubt leavened many whole lives; for Biblical study, it would be well for the young, to whom we chiefly write, to read a small portion of Mant's Bible each day with its notes. Much of research has gone on since Bishop Mant's time, and there is an avoidance also of doctrinal depths, but it is the best accessible comment for beginners, and if it be well studied, it will be a forearming against half the shallow difficulties that are talked of now-a-days. Most houses possess the old quartos, but in case they are not within reach, the notes can be had from the S. P. C. K. in a separate volume. Separate studies on the Gospels can be found in 'A Plain Comment on the Gospels;' Isaac Williams's Commentaries; or Archdeacon Churton's New Testament; and again, in such comments as Horne on the Psalms; A Plain Commentary on the Psalms. Dr. Pusey's Minor Prophets;' Archbishop Trench's 'Parables;' Dr. Goulburn's 'Acts of the Deacons,' &c., illustrate parts. Paley's 'Hora Pauline;' Blunt's 'Undesigned Coincidences,' teach much, and confirm the faith without controversy. I have mentioned things new and old without exhausting the store; but the great thing to guard against is the taking up some book of the day, because it is talked about either as controversy or novelty, thinking that because it is about religion it is religious reading. Not to be invidious, I will mention as instances very opposite books: "The Church and the World;' Dean Stanley's 'Lectures on Jewish History;' and F. Robertson's Sermons; are all engrossing, but they are not to be taken instead of religious reading-they do not build. I do not say never read them, but not without other reading. Ruskin has said that no woman should learn theology—this is absurdity, for how else should she learn faith? but to throw her sympathies into modern controversies, without strengthening the foundations, or cultivating the more Catholic and universal points, is to become liable to be either a mere narrow partizan, a reed shaken by the wind, or still worse, a mere rootless toy of every

blast.

This consummation, a pleasing uncertainty, is what we are in these days taught to think sublime, and the characteristic of a great soul. But look back. Did you ever find a doubter who became a real great man? Frederick the Great is the nearest instance, but his Deism was the mere reaction from his father's tyranny into the fashion of the day, his nature was practical, and he never really gave himself time to feel or sicken over doubt. Joseph II's unhappy failures come much nearer the general rule; and the real thinking doubters, Voltaire, Rousseau, and the rest, were mere literary men, great in nothing but intellect, and absolutely small as doers. Every real great man, who has done a deed worth doing, has been a believer. Such we verily believe will be found by examining history. No one can act with his feet on a morass. It is the falsest lie with which the power of evil arms his unconscious messengers, that a want of faith (sentimentally lamented) is a sign of grandeur. It is only a sign of conceit, and of fancying oneself wiser than God's own Revelation, and than eighteen centuries of wise, learned, and holy men.

I remain,

ONE OF THE NARROW-MINDED.

VOL. 5.

42

PART 30.

Dear Sir,

TRAINING FOR LADY NURSES.

A few months ago there was a question in The Monthly Packet from E. C. K., as to whether there were any other means, by which a lady could earn her own livelihood, besides the usual resort of becoming a governess. This question was answered by the information that the Superior and Sisters of St. John's House trained as nurses ladies, whether or not associated with them.

But there is another answer to that question. Those whom God calls to work, not for love only, but for remuneration, have another sphere, and very large and important one, opened to them by the Nightingale Committee. The nature and extent of the prospects placed before ladies, (as well as a lower class,) by this committee, are too little known.

There are many ladies, obliged by circumstances to maintain themselves, and perhaps to assist relatives, who, at thirty or upwards, would prefer a wider field than that of a governess, and a less dependent position; or they may have less natural love for teaching, than for nursing and superintending. To such as these, if they are willing, patiently, to learn their profession, (for, like other branches of learning, it does not come by nature) and if they are found, when trained, to have the requisite qualifications, a variety of responsible and well-salaried situations are now open, in connection with various hospitals and infirmaries; situations where the good that may be done by Christian ladies is incalculable.

Numbers of such appointments are now placed at the disposal of this Committee. The want is for people qualified to fill them. But then-'Ladies don't like to be trained!' It is wonderful the want of thought which exists on this point-as if a woman could undertake hospital management, in which more than in anything else thousands of lives are involved, without having learnt anything about it; any more than a man can undertake, e. g. to be professor of Greek without having learnt Greek. The best will in the world, the utmost talent for languages, indeed, will not do, if he has no teachers in that particular branch. And in the same manner there is a technical and a practical knowledge of nursing, which can only be properly learnt in a large and well-appointed hospital.

There has hitherto been a moderate charge for the year's training; but, at present, the Committee are able to admit a few gentlewomen gratuitously, to study at St. Thomas's Hospital. And should any Probationer shew signs of prospective fitness for the work, the Committee would even be prepared, after a month or two, to allow her a moderate salary during the time of training. The Committee have, at this time, applications from Institutions in want of Superintendants, Matrons, or head nurses-from hospitals in India, and at home; and for a Lady Assistant in a large workhouse infirmary.

Perhaps some of the readers of The Monthly Packet may have read, a few weeks since, a touching account of the life and death of Miss Agnes Jones, at the great Liverpool Workhouse Infirmary. She was one thus trained and sent forth, and nobly she did her work. Those who can at all realize what that work was, the way in which she raised the whole tone of the institution by the astonishing influence for good which she had over nurses and paupers alike; the devotion of her whole life and energies to the service of God's poor; and their love to her in return-those, I say, who can realize to themselves the blessedness of such a life as hers, must see that this is a sphere worthy the energies of really superior women, and a most fruitful field of labour.

But then a lady must be willing to be trained for it, as Miss Jones was. The Nightingale Committee do not say, 'The test of your fitness for such a work is to be willing to do it all without pay.' They rather say, 'The test is whether you will

consent to be trained and taught, so as to command the highest pay, and so as to be henceforward a more useful and helpful woman, whether you abide continuously in the profession or not.' For three years after training a lady is expected to accept such posts as she is found qualified for; after that, she is free to do as she likes.

Will our readers make these facts known among such of their acquaintance as may feel the care of the sick and poor more congenial to them than the work of education?

For further information apply to

MRS. WARDROPER,

MATRON, ST. THOMAS'S HOSPITAL,

NEWINGTON,

SURREY. S.

NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS.

No MS. can be returned unless the Author's name and address be written on it, and stamps beent with it.

Contributions must often be delayed for want of space, but their writers may be assured that when room can be found they shall appear.

Declined with thanks.-E. S. T. R.; F. H. D.; 0.

X. Y. Z. wishes to know if any of The Monthly Packet readers can inform the writer for what reason are Hot Cross-buns eaten upon Good Friday, and when and by whom was that custom first introduced.

Maud will be glad to know to what address she can send a manuscript, on approval, for The Monthly Packet.- -ANSWER.-6, Paternoster Row. Also, can anyone tell her of a simple plan of drying flowers so that they retain their colour.

K. A. asks if there is any practical book on teaching a child of two years old the principles of religion.—Madame Neckar de Saussure's is by far the best we know; but it is unfortunately lengthy, as well as being French. Its première age is excellently

treated.

The words

"What did thy song bode, lady?

Hark, canst thou hear me? I will play the swan,
And die in music.'

are to be found in Othello, spoken by Emilia after Desdemona's death, in Act V., Scene II., of The Blackfriars Edition, edited by Charles Knight.-M. H. C.

Bessie would be much obliged if any of the Correspondents of The Monthly Packet could inform her who is the author of the following line:

'Though lost to sight, to memory dear.'

A. A. L. would be glad to know where she could get a book with directions for Fret-work, the price, and whether the tools necessary for the work are expensive.-Also, in which of Wordsworth's poems are the lines commencing

Had this effulgence disappeared.'

Also, who is the publisher of Mr. J. Dayman's Terza-rima translation of Dante's Divina Commedia, and the price of the work. Also, the publisher and the price of Robert Browning's Poems-not the small collection, but the edition containing The Christmas Eve, King Charles, and King Victor, Lines on Trafalgar, &c., and all his later poems. Please mention the cheapest edition of Browning's Poems.

Pen would be much obliged to anyone who could point out to her a means of obtaining money for charitable purposes. Writing of any kind, translating, or illuminating, Pen would gladly undertake. Also, can any use be made of etchings or coloured architectural sketches?

Henrietta.-One St. Edith's Day is the 16th of September. She was daughter to King Edgar the Peaceable, and was Abbess of Wilton. Another St. Edith was daughter of Earl Frewald, and Abbess of Aylesbury. -Henrietta also asks for a very easy book on Confirmation, for very ignorant village girls.

Mr. Allnutt acknowledges with thanks the following further contributions to the funds of The Portsea Nursery :-E. N. H. J., (Second,) 5s.; Anonymous, 1s.; T. L. A., £1; E. M., 18.; Lady Eden, £2; S. M. M. S., A Parcel of Clothing.-The Rev. T. D. Platt acknowledges, with thanks, for the same Charity, A Parcel of Clothing from Farnborough Station; and A Large Box of Clothing and Picture Books, &c., from the Misses Gilbard.

M. L. K.-It is in the last number of Events of the Month, published by Messrs. Mozley.

Theophila believes that the words and music of the hymn, Pilgrims of the Night, may be obtained from the publishers, Sinclair and Co., Great Marlborough Street, London, W. Mannella would be much obliged if any of the Subscribers to The Monthly Packet could tell her of an effectual means of preserving drawings and crayons from being rubbed. Also, what crayons are considered the best.

H. M. informs A. L. H. G. that the character of The Gay Lothario is taken from a play by Rowe, called The Fair Penitent.

May F. H. D. be permitted, through the Editor of The Monthly Packet, to recommend to the Correspondent O.-who asks in the number for this month for a book of Daily Texts, &c., and a nice book of Daily Meditations, for girls-first, Ridley's Every Day Companion, published by James Parker, London and Oxford, price 3s.; d for the second, a little book published by the S. P. C. K., Meditations for Three Weeks on The Mind of Christ, for the use of young persons, price 6d. Both these books appear to F. H. D., who knows them well, to be exactly such as O. wishes to meet with.-M. E. R. recommends Daily Steps Towards Heaven, (Parker,) price 2s. 6d.

We have received a letter from the Author of Queen Bertha, giving a quotation from Dean Hook, explaining that the Pall sent by Gregory the Great to Augustine was not the same as the modern one. We therefore retract our criticism with apologies; but we think the explanation should have been given.

Hilda will be much obliged to the Editor of The Monthly Packet if she can recommend her some book which clearly defines the Church's doctrine of the Holy Eucharist, suitable to one who earnestly seeks after Catholic truth, but is unsettled by the extreme doctrines put forth by many leading High Churchmen.- If Hilda wishes for an easy book—i. e. if for one that deals in a mere popular way with the subject-Conversations on the Catechism. (Mozley.) If for a really deep one, nothing is equal to the Rev. J. Keble's Eucharistic Adoration. (Parker.)

G. C. L. begs to inform K. A. E. that the best tunes to the hymn, Endless Alleluias, are by Arthur Henry Brown, published by Masters, with other hymns, chiefly of the Eastern Church, price 1s.; and by J. Barnby, published by Novello. The best books of Organ Instruction are by Rink; and the Voluntary Books, by Travis, Westrop, and Best, are very good, and may be obtained at any good music shop.

I beg to recommend to K. A. E. Stone's Organ Student's Guide, in three volumes, which may be procured from any bookseller.-VIOLET.

In reply to K. A. E., in the May number of The Monthly Packet, I should recommend Fifty Soft Voluntaries, from the Slow Movements of the Great Masters, arranged by Westrop, price 1s. And Rink's Practical Organ School, edited by Best, price 268.; or in sir books, 4s. each. Also, Book XVIII. of Hile's Short Voluntaries for the Organ; but these voluntaries are more difficult.-E. C.

John and Char.cs Mozleg, Printers, Derby.

NOV 15 1316