To Crkam Hill. — Thanks for your oliivalroiis hiking up tlio gaiuillet in behalf of "women'a 

 pons and tongues." Do wo not noctl some able chaniidoneliip to [larry tiie s-liafts of satire, some- 

 times ruthU's.'ly winged by merciless marksmen? The pain of one invidious arrow is amply 

 atoned for in the present iustancOT by an unknown knight, who all unexpectedly steps forward 

 in our defence. 



Tliat "ungallant remark," is made to reveal an opinion of which I might otherwise have 

 remained ignorant Diffidence, and consciousness of deserving tlie hint, forbade any attem[)t at 

 excuse, even by the assertion that Atticus' letters were so suggestive that only half the thoughts 

 they evoked found expression. 



Xow allow me to defend Mr. Barry against your "hard thrust*." Mr. Bauuy, though not alto- 

 gether felicitous in expressing himself, was right in so far as that letter was concerned. It doesn't 

 do for editors to be too tender-hearted. It behoves them to take into consideration the general 

 good of tlieir readers in preference to the personal feeling of individual contributors. They must 

 needs whip about their criticisms sometimes seemingly unmerciful, in order to keep the vast 

 horde of writei-s not only wide awake, but in their places. When people don't do as they should, 

 tlioy mustn't always expect to be told of it with gracious suavity. Editor's thoughts, like other 

 people'^, will sometimes out, just as they arc prompted, unmellowcd by circuitous softness. This 

 outriglit-ppokeness is doubtless a good thing, since often nothing like a little knocking about so 

 develops some people's energies, and wakes up their wits, (not necessary in our case, however.) 



Mr. Barry has already disproved your supposition of the obtuseness of his appreciative faculties, 

 and has invited this pen to make itself useful. Usefulness, like charity, "should begin at home." 

 After "good works" in this my sphere have well nigh exhausted the energies, my "willing spirit" 

 would benevolently extend the residue thereof to others, if to them it may be made either pleas- 

 urable or useful. 



Mr. Barry, feeling assured that he hasn't hushed this pen into silence, guesses that some 

 "special cares" must absorb my time. " Where tiicre's a will there's a way," and the heart and 

 hands are seldom so crowded with duties but still another, if agreeable, may be added. One 

 may not elongate time, like a gum-elastic band, to compass desired undertakings, but is it not 

 vastly strengthening to one's powers to expand the capabilities by strong endeavor — to exercise 

 the genius in concentrating effort and duties — till a dozen are finally performed in the space one 

 formerly occupied ? 



Thanks for your hearty invitation. Mrs. XIit-L and I would doubtless get on famously in the 

 exercise of our "women's tongues." In chatting with that "respectable aggregate," the public, 

 one can only skim the surface of heart and feelings. Cold, superficial, or inexperienced in life's 

 lessons, must the heart be that holds not in reserve something deeper, warmer, truer, than it 

 reveals to a "great and unknown community." The delightsome pleasure of diving into those 

 deeper recesses, is reserved for congenial ietc-d-ictes. Enthusiastic pleasure do agriculturists, 

 pomologists, and florists, evince, as they commune and interchange ideas and experiences. So do 

 we mothers and housewives, as we recount the efforts and failures, the trials and successes, of our 

 particular fields of labor. Right creditable and noble might the revealing of these hidden dei)th3 

 be to our womanly natures; but while the diatribes of the aforesaid personages may be pub- 

 lished to the world, many of our discussions and delineations, though involving the well-being 

 and comfort of a good portion of that world, may only be disseminated in our cozy chats. 



It is one of the pleasant things of this pleasant world, to make friends and keep them. One of 

 these years, when the anticipated resting time comes, I may call on my far-away friends ; and 

 shall I number among them same to whom this little pen has introduced me? Kot slight efforts 

 w-ould I make to commend myself to the possossoi-s of the "little bright eyes" that enliven 

 humble homes, beautiful homes, and ha]ipy homes. 



now gladdening to eyes long accustomed to the newness of western things, to visit once more 

 those older and more cultivated portions of our country, where time and w.altli have produced 



