of light shines on the monarch's brow, and his eyes are illumined
with heavenly fire and inspiration. In the background are the people,
surrounded by plenty, and guarded by myriads of angels. Our painters
have the art of giving to their delineations of angels an incorporeal
vapoury appearance, like that of forms sometimes seen in sleep. The
Tootmanyoso is in the act of accompanying his hymn of praise with the
grand music of the harp. This instrument with us is of gigantic
proportions, and, touched by a skilful player, produces lovely effects.
It is not supported by the executant, but revolves easily on a ball and
socket, to which, having been placed at the exact inclination required,
it is fixed by a small bolt before he intones his hymns.[1]

[Footnote 1: See p. 243.]

It was delightful for me to go down occasionally to the great room, and
to meditate on these pictures, and the subjects that had inspired the
painters. The light and tone of the place, and the general impression
made upon me, seemed to savour more of heaven than of earth.

XIX.

WOMAN.

CHOOSING BY HAND--CHOOSING BY FOOT--GIRLS'
DOBMITORIES--EARLY RISING--PRAYERS.

"Let woman be as soft as down, as sharp as a lancet, as sparkling
as the diamond, and as pure as Stainer's fount." [1]

[Footnote 1: See p. 149.]

Woman is the object of much solicitude and consideration, and enjoys
many privileges. The tendency of her education is to qualify her for the
position which nature intended her to hold as the companion and helpmate
of man. However she is instructed, though not to so great in degree, in
many branches of art and science, cultivated by the stronger sex, the
design being to enable her to appreciate the efforts of man and to
encourage and comfort him in his progress, but not to take his place.
With us women are happy and contented, and words of complaint rarely
fall from their lips.

Great precaution, however, is taken lest they should overwork themselves
in the severer studies, or even in the lighter occupations, the tendrils
of their nerves being so delicate, that, if once injured, they would
seldom be restored to their normal condition.

There is this marked difference in the education of the two sexes. Boys
are educated in manly and athletic sports, in all that can give them
strength and physical development, and call out their masculine
qualities, while the occupations and exercises allotted to girls tend