EDUCATION OF GIRLS. "Give me the fair one in country and city Whose home and its duties are dear to her heart, T is a moral and social wrong when girls are brought up to be comparatively helpless in the household life. It is still worse when they come to think it not respectable to be indus trious, for then principles, as well as habits, have become perverted. All girls should begin when young to take an interest in the concerns of the family, and daily to do something for its comfort. They should be taught to come promptly and cheerfully to the aid of the mother in her cares. They should know something about the yearly expenses of the household, as well as to keep an accurate account of their own. Says a sweet and gifted mother, "Be assiduous early to implant domestic tastes in the minds of your daughters. Let your little girl sit by your side with her needle. Do not put her from you when you discharge those employments which are for the comfort of the family. Let her take part in them as far as her feeble hand may be capable. Teach her that this will be her province when she becomes a woman. Inspire her with a desire to make all around her comfortable and happy. Instruct her in the rudiments of that science whose results are so beautiful. Teach her that not selfish gratification, but the good of a household, the improvement of even the humblest dependent, is the business of her life. When she questions you, repay her curiosity with clear and loving explanations. When you walk out to call on your friends, sometimes take her with you. Especially if you visit the aged or go on errands of mercy to the sick and poor, let her be your companion. Allow her to sit by the side of the sufferer and learn those nursing services which afford relief to pain. Associate her with you. Make her your friend. Purify, and perfect your own example for her sake." No girl should consider herself properly educated until she has mastered some employment or accomplishment by which she can gain a living, should she be reduced to the necessity of supporting herself. And who can tell how soon this necessity may present itself before her? How many families by unexpected reverses have been lately reduced from affluence to poverty. And how pitiful and contemptible under such circumstances to see strong women helpless, desponding, and embarrassing those whom it is their duty to cheer and aid. ASSIST YOUR PARENTS. "I have lost my whole fortune," said a merchant, as he returned one evening to his home. "We can no longer ride in our carriage; we must leave this large house. The children can no longer go to expensive schools. What we are to do for a living, I know not. Yesterday, I was a rich man. To-day, there is nothing left that I can call my own." "Dear husband," said the good wife, "we are still rich in each other, and in our children. Money may pass away, but God has given us a better treasure in these active hands, and loving hearts." "Dear father," said the children, "do not look so sober. We will help you get a living." "What can you do, poor things?" said he. "You shall see, you shall see," answered several cheerful voices. "It is a pity if we have been to school for nothing. How can the father of eight healthy children be poor? We will work, and make you rich again." "I shall help," said the youngest girl, hardly four years old. "I will not have any new frock bought, and I shall sell my great wax doll." The heart of the husband and father, which had sunk in his bosom like a stone, was lifted up. The sweet enthusiasm of the scene cheered him, and his nightly prayer was like a song of praise. He left his stately house, and the servants were dismissed. Pictures, and plate, and rich carpets, and stylish furniture were all sold, and she who had been the mistress of the mansion, shed no tear. "Pay every debt," said she, "and let no one suffer through us, and we may yet be happy." The father took a neat cottage and a small piece of ground a few miles from a city. With the aid of his sons, he cultivated vegetables for the city market. The wife, who had been nurtured in wealth, became economical in her management of the household, and the daughters soon acquired efficiency under her training. The eldest ones assisted her in the work of the home, and at the same time instructed the younger children. Besides, they executed various works which readily brought a price in the market. They embroidered with taste, they cultivated flowers and sent them to market with the vegetables, they plaited straw, they painted maps, they executed plain needlework. Every one had a post, and was at it, busy and cheerful. The cottage was like a beehive. "I never enjoyed such health before," said the father. “And I was never as happy before," said the mother. "We never knew how many things we could do, when we lived in the great house," said the children, "and we love each other a great deal better here. You call us your little bees, and I think we make such honey as the heart feeds on." Economy, as well as industry, was strictly observed. Nothing was wasted. Nothing unnecessary was purchased. After a while, the eldest daughter became assistant teacher in a distinguished female seminary, and the second took her place as instructress in the family. The little dwelling, which had always been kept neat, they were soon able to beautify. Its construction was improved, and vines and flowering-trees were planted around it. The merchant was happier under its woodbine-covered porch in a summer's evening, than he had been in his showy drawing-room. "We are now thriving and prosperous," said he; shall we return to the city?" "Ah! no, no!" was the unanimous reply. "Let us remain," said the wife, "where we have found health and contentment." "Father," said the youngest, "all the children hope you are not going to be rich again. For then," she added, "we little ones were shut up in the nursery, and did not see much of you or mother. Now we all live together, and sister, who loves us, teaches us, and we learn to be industrious and useful. We were none of us as happy when we were rich and did not work. So, father, please not be a rich man any more." Ah! how many glad pæans of thanksgiving would have gone up to heaven from crushed and broken. hearts, during the many years of financial depression in the past, if all who had lost property and been compelled to go into bankruptcy, had been blessed with families like this one, to help put them on their feet again! Every woman should have a practical knowledge of housework, whether rich or poor, for if not overtaken by reverses of fortune, disorder in the kitchen department reacts directly upon the parlor, and discomfort in the family deprives the head of it of all power of pleasant or profitable mental application. It is especially necessary to be sufficiently acquainted with the duties which we demand of others, to know whether they are properly discharged, and when the wearied laborer requires repose. Novices in housekeeping often err in these matters. They are deceived by specious appearances, without knowing how their domestics spend their time, or they impose toil at the proper seasons of rest. TREATMENT OF SERVANTS. "I have an excellent cook," says a young housekeeper, "but I think I shall have to dismiss her, she |