when, on the morrow, I drew up my window-blind, and approached the wash-hand stand to begin my ablutions. By some strange mishap, no water

had been put for me; door, I called aloud for

so, opening my chamber Sally, who came running,

with a face ruddy with health, and lighted up with good humour, to my assistance. No sooner

66

did Sally know what I wanted, than down stairs went the willing, but thoughtless girl, to supply my wants; this she did with so much good humour, that I heartily forgave her, or rather her mistress, for the neglect. I now prepared to wash in good earnest, but not a morsel of soap could I lay my hands on. Once more Sally was summoned, and once more did she disarm me by her ready alacrity to do my bidding. Sally! Sally!" said I, "I have got no soap! and stop a moment," for the girl was off like a shot, you may as well bring me a little spring water to wash my mouth with, for I do not see any on the table." Sally was very sorry," and winged her way down the stairs so nimbly that the soap and the spring water were soon forthcoming. When I took up the water-bottle, however, to pour a little water into the glass, no glass was to be found. I used the bottle without a glass, managing matters as well as I could. "Surely, surely," thought I, "mine is a chapter of accidents; the lady of the

household cannot always be so forgetful of her friends!" Breakfast passed off very well, but when I wanted my great-coat and shoes, neither the one nor the other had been brushed. Sally ran off with them to John, who hastily performed his task; but why could it not have been done before? It was not John's fault, nor Sally's fault, but that of their mistress; a good housewife would not have left me to the care of negligent servants. No; she would have seen that they did their duty. One glance of a kindhearted housewife is of great value to the order and comfort of every dwelling. I did not expect my friend's wife to carry me up water and soap; to prepare me a night-gown and night-cap; to clean my shoes, or to brush my great-coat; but surely it was not unreasonable to expect, that she would see these things were done for me.

Mistresses of families, let me tell you a plain truth; I know twenty households, that have worthy beings at the head of them, who seem to have almost every other good quality but that of good housewifery; and for the want of this, comfort, instead of being a stated inmate, is only an occasional guest.

There is a cleanliness, an order, a sprightliness given to the abode of a good housewife, that is absolutely alluring; but if the chairs are allowed

to be all sixes and sevens; the table littered over with work; the fire without fresh coals; the hearth unswept, and the candles unsnuffed, until a domestic attends to them, an air of negligence reigns around, that is forbidding. Many a husband, of a quiet temper, walks away from such a scene, not only seeing, but feeling, how little his happiness is attended to, to seek, in neater and livelier habitations, that comfort which he finds not in his own.

Old Humphrey, from the days of his boyhood, was dependent on these things: an expiring fire, an unswept hearth, an untidy room, and a candle burning in the socket, are all sources of annoyance to him. Come, ye mistresses of families! see if a useful lesson cannot be learned from these remarks.

There is one habitation at which I am an occasional visitor, that presents a pattern of good housewifery. Kind, quiet, and thoughtful, without bustle, and without ostentation; the mistress, by her systematic and persevering attention to her friends, renders her house one of the most comfortable and delightful in the world. All my wants are anticipated; all my peculiarities provided for; so that, whether I go out, or come in, I have constantly the feeling that I am cared for. There is no negligent servant in the establishment, and

She

why? because the mistress is a good housewife. She sees that the servants do their duty. has kindness enough to desire to make her guests happy, and industry sufficient to effect her purpose. Mistresses of families! again I say, listen to the admonitions of Old Humphrey, and be good housewives.

ON

THE FRESH FEELINGS

OF

YOUTHFUL CONVERTS.

AMONG the fair and beautiful things witnessed on earth, the fresh feelings and ardent desires of the young convert to Christ surely ought not to be disregarded. The green leaf of spring has a freshness and vigour that is delightful to the eye; and the love, the ardour, the disinterested devotedness of the young convert, are equally delightful to the heart. Alas, that the green leaf should ever become sere! that the warm-hearted disinterestedness of the young convert should ever languish!

True piety is a precious thing, in its beginnings and its progress; and though the pilgrim who has journeyed far, and borne the heat and burden of the day, may smile at the bustling alacrity with which the youthful convert sets out