toilsome operations, and the family irritated by the general want of punctuality and arrangement.

But how has the other proceeded? She began by making up her fire, with due calculation of the time it would be required to last; and set before it the meat-screen or reflector to assist it in drawing up, and to strike heat to the joint of meat. At top she placed a vessel of water, to be heated ready for use when occasion might require. Having put down the meat to roast, she prepared to make the pudding; while the milk was boiling, she beat up the eggs, buttered the dish, and got together the other ingredients to mix with the milk the moment it boiled; and put it immediately into the oven. This would have been the operation of ten minutes or less, and the meat and other articles would have been in progress during the same time. She would then clear away the vessels used in mixing the pudding, pick the greens and wash the potatoes, put the plates and dishes to warm, and then find herself with an hour at her disposal before it would be time to boil the vegetables. This hour she would be sure to turn to good account, either in the improvement of her mind or the performance of some other duty, domestic or benevolent. She would then find water boiling for her vegetables; having put them on, she would have time quietly to lay the cloth; all the several arrangements would be completed together; and the dinner would be served hot, well dressed, and with punctuality. By cultivating a habit of doing every thing in its proper time and order, all is properly performed at the least possible expense of time and thought. It is method, or the want of it, that con

stitutes the chief difference between an enlightened economist and a vulgar drudge.

It may be recommended to the young disciple in domestic economy, to have a plan not merely for the daily details, but for the general outline of engagements; to have seasons allotted for the weekly, monthly, or yearly inspection of certain articles which do not require to come under daily notice: this is the only method by which to preserve the whole affairs of a house from neglect and confusion. That which is left to be done at any uncertain time, is often not done at all, or not done until serious mischiefs have resulted from the neglect.

It is a good plan, once in three or six months, when a thoroughly rainy or snowy day occurs, which precludes the possibility of taking the usual exercise out of doors, and at the same time secures against the interruption of visitors, to devote a part of it to a general inspection of linen, bedding, and family stores. The date and result of such a survey should be entered in a memorandum book; and each article marked off, when repaired or replaced, as required. Those who have not tried the experiment, can scarcely imagine the difference in the cleanliness, order, duration, and consequently in the expense, of household furniture and stores, resulting from this method being attended to or neglected. As few persons commence such a practice late in life, youth is the time for receiving good suggestions, and forming good habits. Also here it may not be improper to hint, that these periodical inspections of the apparel, bedding, and stores of the family may be made the occasion of laying aside such as will no longer

be used or worn by the inmates, and assigning them to some benevolent object. The writer well remembers a family, who often expressed their surprise at seeing a neighbour, in odd minutes, make up a decent garment for a poor child, of old materials, and their regret that they could not afford to give clothing to the poor. In course of time this family removed from the neighbourhood, and left in the care of their neighbour two very large chests: after remaining a year or two untouched, these chests were opened by the owners, when out flew thousands of moths from the contents, which proved to be heaps of cast-off clothing of all descriptions, that had been for many years accumulating, thus to become a prey to the moths, instead of being a comfort to the poor. It is hard to say whether niggardliness or slatternliness most prevailed in occasioning this waste; but it is certain that neatness and order are friendly to benevolence, and greatly enhance its resources; while negligence and indolence, not less than stinginess, dry up the channels that might flow for the relief of our fellow-creatures. There are very few mistresses in ordinary life, who take their daily and weekly survey of the kitchen and pantry, and their monthly and quarterly inspection of apparel and household stores, without being reminded of some object, and some opportunity of doing good, which might otherwise have escaped unnoticed. It is surely not degrading the apostolic injunction, to apply it even to the humble details of domestic life. "To do good, and to communicate, forget not; for with such sacrifices God is well pleased." Heb. xiii. 16.

Connected with the superintendence of household business may be noticed the truly feminine employment of needle-work, in which it will be to the honour and advantage of the young female, to be thoroughly expert, dexterous, neat, and orderly: these qualities will be displayed in the arrangement of her implements, the care of her materials, and the completeness of her performances. Without pleading for the close and the ruinous application of former days, when the eyes were strained, the body bent, and the cheeks deprived of their bloom, in ornamental needle-work, which is now equalled, if not outdone, by the productions of the loom, we do consider a young female the object both of censure and of pity, who cannot happily employ herself in the quiet occupation of needlework; and who is at a loss to cut out and put together, with neatness and dexterity, any article of wearing apparel; it may be added-who cannot mend stockings with a grace.

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The third branch of female employments, especially belonging to young persons in the middle classes of society, which we shall notice, is, social and benevolent intercourse. Here may be properly introduced a judicious remark of Dr. Earle : beauty of Christian completeness appears in so arranging all our concerns, that no one duty or engagement shall jostle out another." Here then we return to a sentiment already advanced, the importance of acting on a plan. A judicious and conscientious allotment of our time and resourcesto ourselves, our family, our friends, the poor; to retirement, to literary society, to neighbourly intercourse, to religious improvement, to benevolent

engagements—would be found the best guard against neglect and confusion; and would secure to any given proportion of means and ability, the largest extent of satisfaction and usefulness.

Young persons are too apt to be excited by novelty, and to take up with eagerness any fresh object that is presented to their notice; and if they possess that kind of elasticity which attends upon energy, method, and perseverance, it is matter of joy to see them embracing every worthy cause that claims their aid; but in too many instances, the adoption of a new project is the indication of abandoning or neglecting old pursuits. Over too many we have to sigh, and say, "Unstable as water, thou shalt not excel." These remarks are not intended to discourage well disposed young persons from lending their aid to as many of the philanthropic pursuits of the day, as their means and circumstances will allow; but merely to caution them against undertaking more than they can accomplish, and so neglecting all; and against satisfying themselves in having their names set down as subscribers, managers, or visitors of benevolent institutions, without making conscientious efforts to fulfil the duties which those offices involve.

"Method is the hinge of business;" and by well directed diligence and perseverance, some persons are enabled to assume a Proteus-like form in the work of benevolence. Go where you will in their neighbourhood, you will find that they are the presiding spirits in every good work; they are not much seen, and still less heard, but their benign influence is universally left; wherever they go,