all times; and had not to learn, when death stared them in the face, how to control their fears and put their energies to account. When Miss Fearon (Lady Palmer) kept by her gallant father's side as he stood on the burning deck of the “KENT," and saw every man and woman into the boats before they prepared for their own escape, think you it was her first effort to control the natural timidity of woman? Was it not rather the effect of long self-discipline, as well as natural courage? True, some natures are naturally more fearless than others; but whilst the bravest may allow themselves to become cowards if they lose their self-control, it only needs a strong will to enable even the timid to show courage in the time of danger.

Only the beginnings of evil, in this as in all other follies, must be checked. Habituate yourself to preserving your presence of mind in the trifling alarms which are continually occurring. Seek to be calm and resolute in the midst of peril, which is a very different thing to rushing needlessly into danger. Remember there is no natural defect of character which re

a

solution and perseverance will not conquer. Demosthenes, one of the greatest orators of ancient times, had naturally a defect in his speech; Nelson, our great admiral, never throughout his career went to sea without suffering from mal de mer. To less brave and resolute spirits such constitutional defects would have been insurmountable difficulties. Does our feminine fear present a more insurmountable obstacle?

Yet. some women, from giving way to idle apprehensions, become a real torment to themselves and a source of annoyance and danger to others.

Only recently a boat was upset and the lives of a boating party were endangered by the folly of one girl jumping up in the boat. Every one of the party was immersed in the water, and narrowly escaped drowning. What would have been the self-reproaches of the cause of this calamity had fatal consequences ensued ?

I know more than one lady with whom it is positive pain to drive in a cab. Not another vehicle approaches, but a little shriek announces

the fact; not a corner is turned, but your arm is seized, and she exhibits every symptom of hysterics. Is not this contemptible folly? She cannot help it now, it is true; but, had she checked herself as a girl, could she not have learned to control her fears and prevent exclamations the more foolish that they are far more likely to accelerate than to prevent a catastrophe ?

In illness, also, the want of self-command endangers many a valuable life. In fact, there are no circumstances of danger or difficulty in which calm resolution and courage will not be of benefit, and weak cowardice injurious to you. Study, therefore, in little things to maintain perfect self-possession-vulgarly speaking, to have all your wits about you. The habit will be invaluable when real danger presents itself. Never, either from weakness or the wish to be interesting, give way to these feminine weaknesses, and remember that the poet says,

“ And yet, believe me, good as well as ill,

Woman's at best a contradiction still!
Heaven, when it strives to polish all it can,
Its last, best work, but forms a softer man.”

222

CHAP. XIII.

DEPENDENCE OR INDEPENDENCE ?

Seest thou a man diligent in his business, he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.”

The history of all ages abounds with examples of reverses of fortune by which the prince is reduced to beggary, and the labourer becomes possessed of untold wealth. In a great commercial country like England, such vicissitudes of fortune are even more common than among many other nations. How many of the greatest as well as the wealthiest men of the past and the present generation have risen from the most obscure position, and by genius or indomitable industry, or by extraordinary commercial talent and unflinching rectitude, have made for themselves a position among the greatest and noblest of the land !

But inasmuch as it is ever easier to descend a

mountain than to climb to its summit, so there are many more examples of loss of fortune than of winning its great prizes. Very few of us but could point out in our own immediate circle families who, from a state of comparative affluence, are reduced to circumstances which compel them to economise in every possible way; who first laid down their carriages, then dismissed one or two servants, and finally have been obliged to seek to earn as well as to save; when the education which has been given to the daughters, and any talents which they are presumed to possess, begin to be considered as a part of their still remaining property, a source of income to themselves and families.

And happy, indeed, may those daughters be considered, who in such a season of trial discover that they have the power of alleviating the cares and contributing to the comforts of their parents. Happy, too, the parents who have so trained the minds and cultivated the hearts of their children, as to have earned that filial love and affectionate devotion which will make the hardest trial a pleasure, and the most painful