rs upon her children from her great store
house innumerable blessings, to those who "see books in running brooks,
sermons in stones and good in everything."

From the fern by the way side to the study of psychology--the most
fascinating of all studies--there is something in which all can interest
themselves, but more especially for women, for to me this seems woman's
kingdom. With much quicker perceptive faculties than men, they are
better able to see the finer more delicate portion of nature's handiwork
and mysteries. Unfortunately in small towns if a woman tries to
investigate spiritualism, she is immediately called a spiritualist. If
she takes an interest in mesmerism and psychology, she is called
visionary. If she takes an interest in the religious discussion of the
day, she is called an atheist. If she takes an interest in pathology she
is called _strong minded_, and who does not abhor the so-called strong
minded woman. A woman may be essentially womanly and take an interest in
all these things. Brain was given to woman for reason and investigation,
and "I rather choose to endure the wounds of those darts which envy
casteth at novelty, than to go on safely and sleepily in the easy ways
of ancient mistakings." Life cannot but be pleasant to those who are
fond of books, "our silent companions." They speak a language all their
own and we can find companionship for every mood, grave, gay, dreamy,
discursive, philosophical and scientific.

If you are a busy worker in a large city and wish a breath of country
air, a breeze from the meadow, a ramble along a country road, read
Whittier's "Among the Hills."

"Pleasant it was when woods were green
And winds were soft and low,
To lie amid some sylvan scene
Where shadows dark--and sunlight sheen,
Alternate come and go."

If you are weary with brain work and seek repose, read Longfellow.

"And the cares that infest the day,
Shall fold their tents like the Arabs,
And as silently steal away."

If in an heroic mood read Milton.

"For with thee
Certain my resolution is to die,
How can I live without thee? how forgo
Thy sweet converse, and love so dearly joined."

If fortune has smiled upon you and flattery falls sweet on your ear, and
you are in danger of forgetting the final end of all ambition read
"Grays Elegy."

"Can storied urn, or animated bust
Back to its mansion call the fleeting breath