exam

young ladies would but acquaint themselves with the details and practical working of these matters, and promulgate the knowledge among their poorer neighbours—not forgetting that “ ple draws where precept fails,”-they would be the greatest philanthropists, the most practical improvers that society has ever been blessed with.

The sick and suffering have ever peculiar claims on the tenderness of woman. Whilst .urging all to provide, by their own exertions, for the day of sorrow and affliction, we are in the interim bound to do our utmost to succour those who are in trouble. Here the visitor's field of exertion is a wide one; and she needs much discretion and good sense to become really the friend the suffering poor need. But let her not imagine that while she is bestowing such comforts as the invalid requires, or reading a chapter to her who is unable to read for herself, that the good done is not quite mutual. How many a young girl has learned, in the humble cottage, lessons of patience and resignation, aye, and true wisdom also, for which she will be a better woman all her life.

And we need to know the poor in their own homes to appreciate their many good and sterling qualities, their genuine and unselfish

sympathy with each other in the hour of trial, the true benevolence that so often characterizes them. If they are improvident, they are not alone in their error; but for it they have excuses the educated portion of society do not possess. Let every lady therefore, who visits among the poor, strive to enlighten them on all great social questions, most especially on all connected with forethought and providence.

The question of casual almsgiving is one that is much discussed; and undoubtedly it is open to much abuse. Are we then to shut up our purses altogether, because we may be deceived ? Certainly not; but in lieu of relieving casual beg. gars, and so adding, as you almost certainly will do, to the labours of the police, it will be better to confide a sum to the discriminating clergyman or magistrate, before whom cases of real hardship are sure to come. But whilst avoiding the encouragement of impostors, beware of hardening your heart to real distress. There are some cases of trouble about the genuineness of which there can be no mistake. Let not such be met by the reply, "I never give to beggars." Better be deceived a dozen times than once suffer a case of real distress to pass unaided. I remember hearing an anecdote of one of the kindest-hearted beings that ever lived, who, walking in his brother's park, was accosted by a poor emaciated woman. Mr. S. gave her half-a-crown; his brother, the baronet, a penny, saying, “ Charles ! Charles ! what will you come to ?” “Many strange things, I dare say; but never to being a poor woman with a sick child

back." Whilst on the subject of charity, I cannot too strongly reprobate the practice of giving away, under this pretence, such articles of castoff dress as cannot with propriety be worn by the recipient. Many a poor girl may trace her ruin to the love of finery first imbibed by a present of a cast-off ball-dress or gay bonnet from a young lady. Whatever part of your own wardrobe is suitable for them often forms an acceptable present to servants, or, altered and

a

on my

a

mended, to the poor ; but in giving them that which is not fit for them to wear, we inflict an injury as cruel as is in a woman's power.

And whilst making every effort to aid our fellow-creatures in every tangible way, let not the gentle looks, the consoling words, the evidences of human sympathy, be wanting. If she gives twice who gives quickly, she who gives with womanly gentleness and tenderness may be said to do the same.

“ The quality of mercy is not strained :
It droppeth, as the gentle rain from heaven
Upon the place beneath. It is twice bless'd :
It blesseth him that gives and him that takes :
'Tis mightiest in the mightiest. It becomes
The thronèd monarch better than his crown;
And earthly men the likest Gods appear
When mercy seasons justice.”

96

C H A P. VI.

THE HEALTH.

" Cleanliness

next to godliness.”-OLD PROVERB.

“We are fearfully and wonderfully made,”.is the reflection of the Psalmist; and the most cursory examination of the human frame will show us the truth of the observation. We cannot consider any part of the mortal habitation of our immortal souls without wondering at and admiring the marvellous adaptation of each part to the use for which it is designed, and to its connection with all the others. Look at the contrivances for protecting that delicate and invaluable member, the eye, from any accidental injury: the overhanging brow, which forms a pent-house over it; the eyelashes, which themselves receive any particles of dust that might otherwise hurt it; and let us watch the rapid

: