and he who expects to go there without doing any, may shake hands, for one is as deep in the mud as the other is in the mire.

When I see the profusion of daisies, primroses, buttercups, and cowslips of the fields, and the hips, the haws, the sloes, and the blackberries of the hedges, and think of the freedom of the insect tribe, I burst into the heartfelt ejaculation, “What a garden has a grasshopper!"

Never do we so truly value our bits and drops, as when we see the hand of God stretched out to bestow them.

True religion embraces the highest degree of love for God and man. When I meet a man too wise, too upright, and too virtuous, then I shall expect to meet with one too religious.

He who punishes an enemy has a momentary pleasure, he who forgives one has an abiding satisfaction.

The Christian's heart cannot always be merry, but it must be sadly out of tune when it cannot sing of mercy.

N

ON HOUSEWIFERY.

NEVER am I put out of temper without sinking in my own estimation: but, notwithstanding this deserved punishment, it too often occurs, in spite of all my attempts to the contrary, that my stock of patience is exhausted, and I am angry. Willingly would I be employed, from the crowing of the cock to sunset, in speaking in praise of what is estimable, rather than in censuring what is faulty; but, now and then, circumstances occur that require more forbearance than Old Humphrey possesses, to put up with them without a reproof.

Mistresses of families, I have a word to whisper in your ear.

The duties of a well regulated house are many; some of these occur every day, and others at periods more remote from each other. Among the latter, there is one that requires considerable address. Most families have occasional visitors, that pass a few days and nights with their friends

in a sociable way, and then take their leave Now, it is respecting your duties when you have a visitor in the house that I wish to speak. I will not indulge in a wearisome exhortation, but merely mention the circumstances of a late visit of my own, from which, I do trust, you will contrive to extract a hint or two that may be useful.

Weary and worn, I arrived at the house of a friend, and was received in the most hospitable manner; I felt that I was welcome. But though the wife of my friend had many excellent qualities, she was sadly deficient in some departments of good housewifery: she did not know how to make a visitor comfortable. At my time of life a little attention is absolutely necessary to my peace. I like to feel that there are those around me who are mindful of my comfort. We all have our little whims and peculiarities, and I have mine. A little attention wins me over directly, while the want of it sadly disturbs my accustomed serenity.

Soon after my arrival, I was shown into an upstairs chamber, that I might wash my hands and face, adjust my cravat, and pass an opening comb through my few remaining grey hairs; and here I heaved a sigh at the want of good housewifery on the part of my hospitable hostess. A piece of soap lay soaking in dirty water in the wash

hand basin; a dirty towel lay on the dressingtable; and dirty shoes, slippers, and clothing of different kinds, occupied the chairs and floor at the far end of the room. The looking-glass was so dusty that I wrote my initials on it with my finger, to render any other admonition unnecessary. Now, why could not the good lady of the house have given a glance round the room before I was shown into it?

I must acknowledge that I felt far from happy; but, "Come, come," said I to myself, "the best housewives are sometimes a little negligent. I am an unexpected visitor, and must not expect to find things so orderly as if they had looked for me."

The day passed, and the night came, and once more I was shown into the chamber, which had then undergone considerable alteration. The slippers and the clothing had been poked all together into a closet, the door of which was left half open. An attempt had evidently been made to wipe the dust off the looking-glass, for only a small part of very initials could be seen upon it. The dirty water had been emptied out of the wash-hand basin, and a clean towel hung on the small clothes-horse. So far, so good; and I congratulated myself accordingly.

my

Aged people generally attach a great deal of

It is so

importance to a good night's rest. wearisome to lie, hour after hour, listening to the ticking of a watch, or to the clock as it lazily strikes the slow-footed hours. For my own part, perhaps I am a little too particular in my preparation for the night's repose. A good long night-gown, and a comfortable, clean, warm nightcap are indispensable. Alas! alas! neither night-gown nor night-cap were placed in my chamber for my accommodation. Now, why could not my kind-hearted hostess have seen that these things were provided for her aged visitor? "Well," said I, a happy turn of mind will make the best of every thing; with a little management I shall do very well :" so, tying my silk handkerchief around my brows, I looked forward, being very weary, to a hearty slumber. Turning first on one side, then on the other, I wrapped the bed-clothes around me, drew up my feet, and tried all sorts of contrivances, but in vain: the night was cold, and the blankets scanty, and it was not till I had spread my coat over the bed that I felt comfortable.

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I was sure that the good mistress of the house did not mean to neglect me, but it would have been thoughtful of her to have seen that I had an extra blanket.

Bright were the sunbeams that welcomed me,