Woman's Work. 
CONDUCTED BY EMILY LOUISE TABLIN’. 
CHAT BY THE WAY. 
Frances Power Cobbe, one of the wisest 
examples of what is rather derisively called 
emancipated womanhood, says in the ‘ Duties 
of Women,” that a conscientious mother, 
aiming before all things at the moral good of 
her child, and feeling the tremendous respon¬ 
sibilities which rest on her a-s regards all its 
future life, tor weal or woe, must often be 
nearly overwhelmed with her task. Poor 
Margaret Fuller, recording in her diary the 
event of her child’s birth, must have ex¬ 
pressed the thoughts of thousands: “I am the 
mother of an immortal being ! God be merci¬ 
ful to me, a siuner ! ” The sense of her own 
unworthincas and incapacity for her sacred 
task was probably, however, the very best 
preparation for performing it well. The 
woman who thinks herself quite equal to the 
duties of motherhood, almost betrays by that 
fact that she has only the meanest notions of 
their nature and extent., 
* * * 
If only theories always worked well, how 
easy it would be to bring up children aright ! 
But unfortunately every child has a certain 
leaven of human nature which cannot be re¬ 
duced to any exact theory, and it is sure to 
break out in unexpected angles. Then we 
have to throw our theories overboard and 
start in a fresh place. We eau never bring 
up children with a rule and plummet, as our 
friend Mr. Gradgrind found out to his cost. 
* * * 
One thing we ought to do, and that is to 
bring up children with sound bodies as wqjl as 
sound minds aud morals. Boys are pretty 
sure to acquire muscle aud activity; they have 
the advantage of both eucouragement and in¬ 
herited tendencies. Butgirls are too often re¬ 
pressed with the epithet of tomboy when they 
seek to exercise their growing bodies, aud en¬ 
couraged iu sedentary amusements which they 
would be apt to seek without effort. 
* A * 
It positively seems as if a great many ail- 
meuts have really become the natural heri¬ 
tage of women. This ought not to be; “’tis 
true, 'tis pity ’tis.” But all the same we do 
not think any girl in her early teens ought to 
be a sufferer from chronic dyspepsia; yet we 
know of such cases. If the poor little victim 
does not kuow enough to be heartily ashamed 
of her ailment, her parents or guardiaus ought 
to be, for, save iu exceptional cases, there can 
be no excuse for it. 
A A * 
Physical training is as much a necessity for 
girls as for boys, though of course they must 
not overdo it. If Indian clubs, dumb-bells 
and regular calisthenics seem out of reach, 
walking may always be had, aud it is, taken 
all round, the very best form of gymnastics. 
Not dawdling listlessly along, but a good, 
springy, brisk heel-and-toe gait, with well- 
squared shoulders aud open chest. No other 
form of exercise so uniformly develops the 
muscles. One of the best authorities on exer¬ 
cise is William Blaikie; his book,“How to Get 
Strong,” ought to be in the hands of every 
bo} r , and girl, too; it teaches how to train the 
body aright, without danger from over-exer¬ 
tion. 
-- 
COMMON-SENSE DRESS. 
C. J. s. 
Your illustration of the reform dress as 
represented iu ‘'The Arlington” last August 
was certainly very attractive. Where can 
patterns be obtained? No one wishes to be 
conspicuous iu tlleir refusal to follow the pres¬ 
ent style of voluminous skirts aud immense 
touruure, yet what working housekeeper can 
be so burdened and attend to home duties. 
To modify the present style so as to have it 
of practical utility to the majority of womeu, 
seems necessary; for that reason we approve 
the style you have brought to notice. That, 
with uuiou underwear of merino, silk, or 
muslin as suits the season, simplifies the great 
question so oft recurring “What shall we 
wear?” Allow me to put in a plea for the 
silk underwear which you have before 
brought to notice iu another style of reform 
dress described, i do not know that it would 
be economy to make such garments of surah 
silk as there suggested, but 1 do know that the 
amouutof comfort derived from the wov jn silk 
is so great that no woman who can possibly 
buy them should go wi hout. Changes of weat.h- 
erso sudden in our climate are not telegraphed 
so quickly as iu other materials. Never put 
them iu to be washed with other clothing. 
Wash and handle with care aud they will 
last for years. 
[The patterns for the Arlington costume, 
aud also for divided skirts and other reform 
garments, may be obtained from Mrs. Annie 
Jenness-Miller, 696 Broadway, New York 
City. While not agreeing with ail of 
the changes proposed by this lady, we must 
give her first place among dress reformers; 
while aiming at comfort aud utility she does 
not ignore the claims of beauty, as many ex¬ 
cellent but misguided women do. Relative to 
the knit silk underwear, we have no doubt of 
its utility, though we have had little personal 
experience of it. We can also recommend the 
knitted underwear of fine Lisle thread, as be¬ 
ing a useful protection from summer changes. 
It is impossible to get through our uncertain 
summer without something of the sort, unless 
one risks the mauy ailments having their 
foundations in cold.—E d.] 
HELPING HANDS AND LOVING 
HEARTS IN THE HOME. 
Whose are they—the father’s mother’s 
daughter's or sou’s? They should be all if a 
happy household is desired, and who would 
wish to be satisfied with less? The burdens 
should be equalized as much as circumstances 
will allow. 
The household is woman’s domain, conse¬ 
quently it is but fitting that the duties should 
be largely assumed by the mother and daugh¬ 
ter, but the father aud son, who help to make 
up the home, should feel it incumbent to lend 
their aid when necessity calls. There is actual 
work that they can do, but more especially 
can they, b}' a painstaking that will save 
many stops, relieve the brain and lighten 
the heart. 
The home-keepers should see to it that their 
work is done at its respective time, if strength 
allows, and should not permit themselves to 
sink into a drudge, but rather dignify their 
labor. Use of brains as well as hands is 
necessary to accomplish this desired result. 
If work is properly planned, part of the 
battle is fought, and when the time comes 
that should be given to rest and recreation 
the enemy will be routed and the outside 
workers will return to a place of comfort. 
There are things that should not be expected 
of a woman, and if the father and son have 
proper consideration, will be performed by 
them; or if sickness comes or unlooked for de¬ 
mand on time and strength renders it neces¬ 
sary, the hands will readily respond to the 
dictation of the hearts, if they are filled with 
love. 
Again, the mother aud sister may be able to 
assist the father, son or brother, if it is need¬ 
ed, in their vocations. The brains and hearts 
at all events will lie called upon to advise, 
console and cheer. If, however, one should 
fail in what seems duty, let the others be care¬ 
ful to consider why lest they misjudge and 
thus sow nettle, seeds that will spring up into 
rankling weeds. If the spirit that Christ 
possessed is not exercised the hands and hearts 
will not be guided into that haven—a happy 
home. Further consideration of this theme 
is suggested iu the following Hues, written by 
Mrs. M. A. S. Kidder. They are applied to 
but two individuals, but are equally applic¬ 
able if the number is multiplied: 
LET BOTH TAKE HOLD. 
“Let me carry your pall, my dear. 
Brimming over with water ?” 
“No, I’ll take hold and you lake hold," 
Auswered the farmer's daughter. 
And she would have her own sweet way. 
As her merry eyes grew brighter: 
So she took hold and he took hold, 
And it made the burden lighter. 
Aud every day the oaken pall, 
Over the well-curb slipping, 
Was upward drawn hy bunds of brawn, 
Cool and so softly drlpplug. 
And every day the burden seemed 
Lighter by being divided i 
For he took hold and she took hold, 
By the self-same spirit guided. 
The wedding bells were rung at morn, 
The bridal blessings given. 
And now the pair, without a care, 
Entered an earthly heaven. 
When storm and sunshine mingled, they 
Would seldom trouble norrow, 
And when it came they met the same 
With a bright hope of to-morrow. 
And now they're at the eve of life 
While the western sky grows brighter, 
For she took hold and he took hold, 
And It made the burden lighter. 
—E. A. C. 
A WORD TO MOTHERS. 
BY DOLINDA MIX. 
Mothers, be kind to your children. Many 
mothers who read this line will pass it by, 
thinking, as a mutter of course, that it cannot 
apply to) them. They clothe and feed their 
children; they send them to school; they al¬ 
low them time for play aud recreation—what 
more is required ? 
But there are mothers who do all this, and 
yet are uot kind to their children. How mauy 
u little heart has ached with care and pain (as 
hard for the childish heart to bear, as are 
our trials to us) who, rather than go to mam¬ 
ma, would fret and grieve all alone. 
If you would make your children happy you 
must win their confidence. You must teach, 
them to trust you. You must ever be ready 
to listen to their joys or griefs. Many moth¬ 
ers, worn and weary with the heavy burdens 
of the household; out of temper because things 
go astray, often speak quickly and harshly, 
without really intending to do so, How of¬ 
ten we hear such words as “Don’t bother me; 
I’m too busy to liste.u to you!” or, “You al¬ 
ways come tormenting me just when I'm so 
busy,” and the like. Little do such mothers 
imagine how they wound the hearts of their 
little ones, and instead of binding the children 
closer to them as the years go by, they are 
causing them to drift farther and farther 
away. 
Some years ago my neighbor’s little girl 
died. She was a good little tiling, with a ten¬ 
der, clinging, affectionate nature. Her mother, 
though a good-hearted woman, never under¬ 
stood her, and often, unconsciously, wounded 
that teuder little heart. 
When dying, the minister of the church 
where she went called to see her 
“Essie, dear,” he said, “do you kuow that 
you are goiug to Heaven?” 
She opened her eyes aud looked at him for a 
moment, aud then closed them wearily, say¬ 
ing: 
“ Will I be iu anybody’s way there ?” 
Her mother, although careful of her bodily 
comfort, never thought of anything else, aud 
often, when Essie would ask her questions, or 
hover around her while at work would say, 
“Oh ! do go out and play; you are always in 
my way!’ Imagine that poor mother’s feel¬ 
ings, when her little one said those dying 
words! She had, she thought, always been 
good to her children, but here was her child, 
dying, feeling almost glad to go, because she 
imagined she had always been in her mother’s 
way. Well, hadn't her mother said so ? Yes, 
to be sure she had, but theu, she didn’t mean 
it. This is just the point. Mothers must not 
say to their children wliat. they r do not mean. 
Children are trusting little tilings, aud 
drink in what we say; believing everything, 
until after a series of deceptions being prac¬ 
ticed upon them, they learn to distrust every¬ 
thing. 
Make Truth the basis of all you do where 
children are concerned. They will soon find 
you out when you tell them what is untrue, 
and will not believe you again, even if you 
do tell them the truth. Then, agaiu, they 
may imitate you, aud how can you correct iu 
them what you have actually taught them by 
your own example l 
Some years ago 1 took a friend’s little girl 
to have her picture taken. She wouldn’t sit 
still, so, after repeated efforts and failures to 
make her do so, I said: 
“Now if you sit still, without moving, and 
watch that little window, (meaning the front 
of the camera) a little bird will come out and 
whistle,” 
She was interested immediately, and sat 
like a statue watching “ that little window.” 
She was so still that the photographer suc¬ 
ceeded in getting a very good picture. I had 
accomplished my cud and forgot all about the 
little bird. 
“Come,” said I. “now we will go home and 
get some dinner. ” 
She looked up at mo in amazement, saying: 
“Me’s waiting for the little bird.” 
“Come," said 1, “I guess the bird has flown 
away.” But still she wouldn’t come. 1 
coaxed aud coaxed, but all she would do was 
to say, “Me won’t go till the little bird 
comes. ” 
I had not intended to toll her an untruth. I 
had done as I bad heard lots of mothers do. 
Said anything to keep her still. When finally 
convinced that the bird was a myth, she 
came home with me, but with very poor 
grace, and a very bad temper. 
A long, long time after this 1 was spending 
the afternoon with her mamma. I asked her 
to do some little thing, at the same time mak¬ 
ing her a promise in regard to it. She stood, 
for an instant, in the middle of the room, 
looked at me with the most comical, knowing 
look on her baby face, and said with a shrug 
of her shoulders, “Guess it will be like the 
little bird,” and turned and walked out of the 
room. 1 was surprised, as a matter of course, 
but learned enough from this never to promise 
children things which I didn’t mean to keep. 
How blessed is the child who can go to sleep 
with his mother by his bedside I How sweet 
the horn- when she tucks her little ones in 
and listens to the recital of their sorrows or 
joys; of the battles or triumphs of the day! 
How many Joving, but careless or thoughtless 
mothers, send their children off to bed with 
nuisc, little dreaming what golden opportun¬ 
ities for their good she is throwing away. 
Win your children’s confidence, if this is 
done when they are little you will save your¬ 
self many a heartache iu the years to come. 
Be gentle and kind to them, but also be firm 
Firmness and gentleness may go hand in hand. 
Always try to be just. If a child has done 
something which is wrong when called to ac¬ 
count listeu patiently to what he may have 
to say in his defense. A Child reasons—per¬ 
haps according to bis mind what he did was 
uot wrong. After listening to him, point out 
exactly where the wrong lies, and then cau¬ 
tion him against repeating the offense. 
Many good mothers believe in the old adage, 
“Sparc the rod and spoil the child.” There 
are instaneet, no doubt, where it is well to use 
the rod, but it should be used sparingly. 
Never punish a child while in a passion your¬ 
self. Such punishment will accomplish no 
good. If "you do you arc apt to be much more 
severe than you otherwise would be. 
The slapping habit so many mothers in- 
dulge in is to be avoided and guarded against. 
Children, as a general rule, are full of mis¬ 
chief , or rather, full of the desire to know 
what everything is; full of the wish to handle 
and examine everything. A child who does 
not have those desires would, to my mind, be 
stupid. So, instead of slapping them for 
touching things, rather encourage them to do 
so, but put things which are in danger of be¬ 
ing broken; things which you do not want 
handled, out of the baby's reach, or keep the 
baby away from them. How mauy a heart 
has echoed the sentiment of the following 
touching lines, by Mrs. Kidder—echoed it, 
alas! after it is too late. 
“ Could wo know the baby-tlngors, 
Pressed againsl Ihe window pane : 
Would be cold and stiff tomorrow, 
Never trouble us again - 
Would the bright eyes of our darling 
Catch the frown upon our brow. 
Would the print of rosy lingers, 
Vex us men as they do now ? 
Ah 1 those little lee-cold lingers! 
How they point our memories back, 
To t he hasty words we've spoken 
All along the backward track. 
How the little bunds remind us. 
As in snowy grace they lie ; 
Nol to scatter thorns, but roses, 
For our reaping, bye and bye." 
GOLDEN GRAINS. 
Man has been called a bundle of habits. He 
is like a cable, which may be made up of a 
thousand threads, but it is shaped and welded 
and moulded into one. So it is with all of us, 
as regards our character, which is our life, aud 
which is made up of our habits. “Sow a habit 
and you reap a character.”. 
A sound discretion is not so much indicated 
by never making a mistake as by never re¬ 
peating it. 
There are no corner groggeries on the road 
to prosperity... . 
God’s Word has been well likened to that 
rock which a ship of war fired at all night— 
mistaking it for au enemy—but could not pro¬ 
voke it to answer, nor succeed in siukiug it. 
To obstruct free access to this divine fountain 
of truth, or to adulterate its pure waters with 
theological errors, ure high crimes against hu¬ 
man souls... 
How curious it is that a man may seriously 
doubt if ho is a Christian, but is very certain 
that he is a Baptist, or Presbyterian, or Meth¬ 
odist . 
It is wonderful, the exquisite pain we con¬ 
trive to give people whom we really love very 
much. We give it by snarling and snapping, 
saying sarcastic and biting things: the idlers 
of the family being busiest in this occupa¬ 
tion....... 
God fits our shoulders to the burdens we 
are to bear. Many of the trials that iu our 
ago seoiu trifling enough, iu our youth would 
have crushed us utterly, and a merciful Provi¬ 
dence has so arranged it that as we come 
nearer to death, life is less and less attrac¬ 
tive... 
Lesser things will drop out, jus the hand 
closes upon the larger duty or the greater 
blessing. Just as the baud that reaches out 
to grasp the great stroug oak, lets go its hold 
upon the blade of grass it had gathered. 
Our homes are like instruments of music. 
The strings that give melody or discord are 
the members. If each is rightly attuned, they 
will vibrato in harmony; but a single discord¬ 
ant st ring jars through the instrument aud de¬ 
stroys its sweetness. 
Don’t snub any one. Not alone because 
some day, they may far outstrip you in the 
When Baby was nick, we gave her Cantoris 
When she was a Child, Bho cried for Castorla, 
When she became Miss, she clung to Castorla, 
When she had Children, sh9 gave them Castorla. 
