226 Wisconsin State Horticultural Society. 



selves to poring over daily occurrences and petty trials, or we 

 may rise above these and let our thoughts take a holier and 

 nobler direction. Therefore let us not be vs^illing slaves to the 

 common every-day occurrences of life, but practically fit our- 

 selves for a higher level. The remedy lies within our reach. 

 Let us take a few moments every morning for reading, having 

 previously made the selections; and let these selections be of an 

 ennobling character, and of a nature that requires study; then we 

 shall have a theme for thought through the day. If we read an 

 article or hear anything read that is truly elevatmg, study it, 

 write it down, enlarge upon it, and make it our very own. 



Methinks I hear some domestic toiler say: " Oh, that advice 

 will apply very well to those that have but little to do, or such 

 as keep servants." I think it will apply to a certain degree to 

 every case. It will take but a few moments of time to read a 

 short chapter or a sketch, and a little food for the mind will give 

 you elasticity and cheerfulness, and quicken the energy, and you 

 will have accomplished as much when night comes as though you 

 had toiled all day, thinking of nothing but commonplace events, 

 and you will have the satisfaction of having developed, benefited 

 and enriched your mind. 



Allow me to relate an incident which I read not long since: 

 " In the report of the secretary of the Boston Home Society, 

 mention was made of a student, a farmer's wife, who had charge 

 of a dairy of twenty cows, and the care of four children between 

 the ages of two and twelve. She wrote: ' I feel that it is just as 

 necessary to my family that I improve my mind, as tliat I patch 

 pants and darn stockings. If I allowed my interest in study 

 to wane while I have the care of my children, it would be buried 

 beyond all hope of resurrection.' The same lady contributed an 

 admirable paper on the ' Science of Mathematics ' which was 

 read at the meeting." If a lady with all these cares can find 

 time for mental culture, why cannot every woman of our country 

 do the same. 



The road we are traveling is steadily leading us away from 

 what our ambition should desire most to achieve. It is the am- 

 bition of all true women to prove good and agreeable companions 



