No. 7. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICXILTURE. 301 



only say, that if women from the highest to the lowest, were system- 

 atically educated to wield properly the great power they possess, 

 a power which can be made to move the secret springs of actions, 

 and the machinery of business, they would have little reason to 

 complain of the want of influence. And were they so trained to 

 enter actively and energetically into domestic employments and af- 

 fairs, that none could deem it a pursuit unworthy of them, they 

 would find ample scope for the exercise of their faculties, and the 

 acquisition of means to live. Neither would I have domestic econ- 

 omy and home duties vaunted, or made the constant theme of con- 

 versation; they are the private employments of a woman. She 

 must study other things in order to entertain her relatives and 

 friends. Those who talk most of their duties are generally those 

 who perform them most imperfectly. 



When a man returns to his home, or enters his sitting room, 

 fatigued and perhaps disappointed by the business of the day, ba 

 does not want to be annoyed by the detail of domestic accidents, 

 the misdemeanors of servants, and the cheatings of trades-people. 

 He has had his worries during the day, too, and with that pride, 

 or reserve, or want of confidence which is peculiar to most men. 

 he perhaps keeps them to himself. Let his example be followed in 

 all cases, where advice, or support, or assistance is not absolutely 

 necessary and pleasant, cheerful themes be chosen, or some amuse- 

 ment be selected which shall render the evening and leisure hours 

 those of relaxation, and enjoyment and tend to give a charm and 

 zest to home which no other place can possess. Men are free to 

 come and go as they list, they have so much liberty of action, so 

 many out-door resources if wearied with indoors that it is good 

 policy, if nothing else, to make home attractive, as well as comfort- 

 able. 



This world is a beautiful one, spite of what grumblers say, and 

 thousands would find it a much happier one if they studied more 

 what they ought to do, and sought their pleasures, or indulged their 

 fancies less. Every human being exercises some influence on the 

 character, happiness, and destinies of others, and is accountable for 

 opportunities wasted and blessings neglected or transformed. This 

 is especially true of women. Every sensible, high minded, right 

 hearted woman, be she peeress or peasant, is, or may be, a blessing 

 to many; if not by great deeds or achievements the world calls 

 heroic, by a simple, quiet, straight-forward performance of the 

 duties which lie before her and are therefore given her to do. 



Thinking of happiness, we think of home. It seems to me that a 

 happy home is the nearest approach to heaven we are likely to find 

 here on this terrestial ball; it almost seems to me that it is the ex- 

 pression on earth of that ideal which the race has so long held of 

 a heaven after death. Where happiness, where love is, there is 

 heaven. The most beautiful mansion in the world, magnified in pro- 

 portions, with furnishings beyond the ordinary power of descrip- 

 tion, is not home unless the inmates thereof are filled with the spirit 

 of loving and giving. Indeed, it seems to me that the palaces of the 

 very wealthy — in money — are never homes in the true sense of the 

 term; that the highest type of home is found among people of the 

 middle class. In such homes the members are united. They are 



