despises her because she is in the
alms-house. This pitiable state of mind is the natural result of her
education.

Her father was a respectable mechanic, and might have been a wealthy
one, had he not been fascinated by the beauty of a thoughtless, idle,
showy girl, whom he made his wife. The usual consequences followed--he
could not earn money so fast as she could spend it; the house became a
scene of discord; the daughter dressed in the fashion; learned to play
on the piano; was taught to think that being engaged in any useful
employment was very ungenteel; and that to be _engaged to be married_
was the chief end and aim of woman; the father died a bankrupt; the
weak and frivolous mother lingered along in beggary, for a while, and
then died of vexation and shame.

The friends of the family were very kind to the daughter; but her
extreme indolence, her vanity, pertness, and ingratitude, finally
exhausted the kindness of the most generous and forbearing; and as
nothing could induce her to personal exertion, she was at length
obliged to take shelter in the alms-house. Here her misery is
incurable. She has so long been accustomed to think dress and parade
the necessary elements of happiness, that she despises all that is
done for her comfort; her face has settled into an expression which
looks like an imbodied growl; every body is tired of listening to her
complaints; and even the little children run away, when they see her
coming.

May not those who have children to educate, learn a good lesson from
these women? Those who have wealth, have recently had many and bitter
lessons to prove how suddenly riches may take to themselves wings; and
those who _certainly_ have but little to leave, should indeed beware
how they bestow upon their children, the accursed inheritance of
indolent and extravagant habits.

* * * * *

APPENDIX

TO THE

AMERICAN FRUGAL HOUSEWIFE.

Those sentences marked with a star relate to subjects mentioned in
other parts of the book.

To PRESERVE GREEN CURRANTS.--Currants maybe kept fresh for a year or
more, if they are gathered when green, separated from the stems, put
into dry, clean junk bottles, and corked very carefully, so as to
exclude the air. They should be kept in a cool place in the cellar.

CANDLES.--Very hard and durable candles are made in the following
manner: Melt together ten ounces of mutton tallow, a quarter of an
ounce of camphor,