Now, were a young lady to play and sing only that which she could sing and play well, how much more pleasure would she give: and were she also to comply at once, modestly and gracefully, with the request that she would do so, her good taste and sense would be appreciated far more highly than, probably, her skill in music ever will be.

Another thing I would recommend, is to take few lessons from a good master rather than treble the number froma second-rate person. Depend upon it, a great name is seldom gained undeservedly. There is some intrinsic worth to sanction it. Therefore a dozen lessons from such a man as Henry Smart will be more profitable than a year's instruction from a less gifted teacher.

When unable or unwilling to continue to take lessons, musical exercises should be very assiduously practised. Herz' and Czerny's are excellent; but in some respects, perhaps, Bertini's are still better adapted for advanced pupils. Great care should be taken to exercise the left hand, in the use of which English performers are sometimes considered deficient.

Finally, whatever we may attempt in the way of accomplishment, let us aim at doing it thoroughly. Languages, especially, have a use beyond that of mere personal amusement, or even benefit. A knowledge of their respective languages draws nations together in a way which nothing else can do. At this moment we are experiencing the beneficial effects to the whole of the two greatest nations in the world, from the mutual knowledge of each other and of each other's language they have acquired within the last few years. And perhaps it is not unreasonable to hope, that as the confusion of tongues separated the one family of mankind into many peoples, so an increasing acquaintance with the language of others may bring about that reunion which will cause

81

CHAP. V.

CHARITY.

“Nay, this was kind of you. He had no claim,
As the world says.

None but the very same
As I on all mankind, were I as be
Fallen to such deep reverse.”—SHELLEY.

Upon no virtue is so high an eulogium passed in the whole Bible as upon CHARITY; and assuredly there is none which confers so much and such general happiness in the exercise. Indeed the whole scope of religion, which teaches us to live for others rather than for ourselves, has for its object the diffusion of happiness throughout the world. To be in charity with all men, is, we are taught, the perfection of our duty to our neighbour, and to women, of whatever creed or country, the duties of charity are especially devolved; whilst for a girl to confess herself deficient in that virtue would almost be to acknowledge herself unworthy of the name of woman.

In what then does charity consist ? Not only in almsgiving, or many thousands would be almost deprived of the power of exercising this virtue? What charity is not, as well as what it is, we may gather from that beautiful chapter, the 13th of 1st Corinthians, in which we learn that we may bestow all our goods to feed the poor, and even give our body to be burned, without possessing true charity.

In the exercise of benevolence, the motive is that by which our conduct will be estimated. If we endeavour to relieve the poor around us, because they are Christ's legacy to us, our exertions cannot fail to be productive of good. If, on the other hand, it is "to be seen of men," we shall have the reward we seek in the

approbation of our fellow mortals; but He who looks into the heart will estimate our conduct very differently.

Of the duty of aiding the less fortunate around us, there will not, however, be two opinions. It is so clearly the destiny of woman,

I

that she can hardly be said to live at all who lives for herself alone. The only question is, how shall the most good be effected, especially by girls with limited purses ?

Before entering on this question, suffer me to exhort you, in this, as in all else, to be honest. If you give, give that which is really your own, and do not seek to induce your parents to indemnify you for such expenses. If you have little money to bestow, some portion of your time may surely be devoted to the welfare of your fellow-creatures, and this, with very little money, will go a long way. But the charity which involves no self-sacrifice is unworthy of the name. “I tell you," says our Saviour, “ that this poor

widow hath cast more in than all they which have cast into the treasury : for all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living."

Like every other act, to be beneficial, benevolence must be begun and carried out on principle; with a view to improving, as much as possible, the position of those we would aid.