544 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



If boiirtliug-housos and Hals are ou the iucrease, and there are many 

 women ■who contribute nothing materially, intellectually, or morally, to 

 society, let lis bear in mind that many flats are real homes, though surely 

 not the most ctosirable, and Rood-ior-nothing women will grow fewer as 

 the true idea of Avomanhood asserts itself. There will always be silly 

 women, Avho care more for an empty social position than for home and 

 children, who lind in extravagance of living and dress their "only expres- 

 sion of a vague desire for the beauty and elegance of life." Such speci- 

 ments are no more discouraging nowadays than "all the generation of 

 thoughtless fair who have danced idly down the forgotten past." We can 

 not judge correctly by tliem, for if tliey had been real forerunners we 

 sliould not have advanced, but stood still, or gone backwards. I prefer to 

 believe that we are the descendants in -a direct line, through long cen- 

 turies of wandering and travail, of that virtuous woman whose price was 

 far above rubies: 



"The heart of her husband trusteth in her. 

 And he sliall have no laclv of gain. 

 She doeth him good and not evil 

 All the days of lier life. 

 She seeketh wool and flax. 

 And worketh willingly with her hands. 



She considereth a lield and buyeth it; 



With the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. 



She girdeth her loins with strength, 



And malvcth strong her arms. 



She perceiveth that her merchandise is profitable: 



Her lamp goeth not out by night. 



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She spreadeth out her hand to the poor; 



Yea. she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. 



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Her husband is known in the gates 



When lie sitteth among the elders of the laud. 



Strength and dignity are her clothing, 

 And she laugheth at the time to come. 

 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; 

 And the law of kindness is on her tongue. 

 She lookcth well to the ways of her household, 

 And eateth not the bread of idleness. 

 Her children rise up, and call her blessed; 

 Her husband also, and he praiseth her." 



