1502. William Baron (or Barons), Feb. 1. (Note). CORRESPONDENCE. A MAGAZINE FOR YOUNG LADIES. To the Editor of "THE GOVERNESS." SIR,-Your excellent periodical is so well suited to its purpose, and, so far as I can judge, gives such universal satisfaction, that it may be great presumption in me to suggest what I think would render it additionally attractive and interesting to those of my profession; as, however, I have mentioned the subject to several of my friends who are on your list of annual subscribers, and they are quite of my opinion, I have less hesitation in addressing you. We think that instead of "THE GOVERNESS" being addressed exclusively to Educators, it might, with very little difference as regards its general tone and character, be made a serviceable Monthly Magazine for Young Ladies. The important truths so ably enunciated and advocated by yourself and your talented coadjutors should be impressed on the minds of those who in a few short years will in all probability be "Female Educators." But we cannot put "old heads on young shoulders." However interesting "THE GOVERNESS" may be to teachers and parents, it would, we think, require a little alteration to make it a favourite with young people. Could you not devote a few pages especially to the young? I do not mean that they should be for junior pupils, but for those who, if attracted by a little light literature, might take as lively an interest in, and profit as much by, a perusal of “The Governess" as those for whom it is specially intended. French, Italian, or German translations, Enigmas, Questions, or themes on various branches of Education, Historical Tales, and so on, would, I believe, be counted an improvement. I quite like your plan of rejecting verses miscalled poetry. I wish that many other editors would act so; bad prose composition is objectionable enough, but doggerel rhyme is insufferable. Now, I think that if youthful efforts in poetic composition were encouraged by you, it would be productive of good, and I do not think that your subscribers would object to a page being occasionally occupied by young lady contributors. I have named this subject to my pupils, and they appear quite delighted with the idea. Five or six are willing to become yearly subscribers; but if, as I am an original subscriber for three copies, you will allow my pupils the privilege of having "THE GOVERNESS" at the reduced price, I believe that nearly all my senior pupils would become subscribers. If you consider this letter worthy of insertion, you are very welcome to publish it. There may be objections to the alteration I propose, which have escaped the observation of my friends and myself. We must defer to your better judgment. Clifton. I am, Sir, your obedient servant, A GOVERNESS. EXERCISES FOR PUPILS. To the Editor of "THE GOVERNESS." SIR,-During the recess I had the pleasure of meeting with several ladies of my acquaintance, who, like myself, are engaged in tuition, and, strange to say, they are all subscribers to "THE GOVERNESS." Allow me to congratulate you on your success. I can testify that "THE GOVERNESS" gives the greatest satisfaction to persons whose views on religious doctrinal points differ very much, but who are equally earnest in the work of education. I believe that my friend Miss of Clifton intends to write to you on the subject of adapting "THE GOVERNESS" somewhat more to young ladies, without altering so materially as to detract from its present usefulness. I have much pleasure in saying that I fully concur with her. I assure you my pupils have taken great interest in the “Notes and Queries on the Reign of Henry VII." and also on the very excellent “New System of Arithmetic." I think that if exercises not too difficult were given on various subjects in each number of "THE GOVERNESS," to be answered by pupils only, and that the best answers were published with the names of the young ladies, it would cause "THE GOVERNESS" to be a welcome Magazine in the school-room. I may add, that several other ladies think as I do on this subject; and, should you adopt the plan, I think you may depend upon a large augmentation of your subscription list, for a large number of young ladies will, I am sure, become subscribers. I am, Sir, Yours truly, M. A. S. 407 SELECTIONS FROM OUR SCRAP BOOK. TRUE POLITENESS. POLITENESS is best to be known by description, definition not being able to comprise it. I would, however, venture to call it "benevolence in trifles," or the preference of others to ourselves in little, daily, hourly occurrences in the commerce of life. It is a perpetual attention to the little wants of those with whom we are, by which attention we either prevent or remove them. Bowing, ceremonies, formal compliments, stiff civilities, will never be politeness: that must be easy, natural, unstudied, manly, noble. And what will give this but a mind benevolent and perpetually attentive to exert that amiable disposition in trifles to all you converse or live with ?-Chatham. THE MAN. THE lover who dares to be a man, and to "hint a fault, and hesitate dislike," even though the happiness of his whole life seem to him at stake-one who may forget a bouquet, or neglect a compliment, arrives a few minutes too late, or be disinclined for a waltz or polka, not admire a fashion, or disagree with a sentiment-such a lover, despicable and indifferent as he is pronounced to be by astounded mammas and indignant aunts (jealous for their daughters and nieces as for themselves), and, far as he falls short of romantic sisters' and young friends' exacting notions-may turn out the best of good husbands after all. If he dared to be a man when he had everything to gain, he will not be a coward when he has (in the world's opinion) nothing to lose.-Courtship and Wedlock. MARRIED LIFE. DECEIVE not one another in small things nor in great. One little single lie has, before now, disturbed a whole married life-a small cause has often great consequences. Fold not the arms together and sit idle. "Laziness is the devil's cushion." Do not run much from home. One's own hearth is of more worth than gold. Many a marriage, my friends, begins like a rosy morning, and then falls away like a snow wreath. And why, my friends? Because the married pair neglect to be as well-pleasing to each other after marriage as before. Endeavour always, my children, to please one another; but at the same time keep God in your thoughts. Lavish not all your love on to-day, for remember that marriage has its to-morrow likewise, and its day after to-morrow, too. Spare, as one may say, fuel for winter. Consider, my daughter, what the word "wife" expresses. The married woman is the husband's domestic faith; in her hand he must be able to intrust to her the key of his heart, as well as the key of his eating-room. His honour and his home are under her keeping-his well-being in her hand. Think of this! And you, sons, be faithful husbands, and good fathers of families. Act so that your wives shall esteem and love you."-Fredrika Bremer. DOUBT. It is the business both of religion and philosophy "to prove all things," and, therefore, to doubt all things until we have proved them, or otherwise satisfied ourselves of their having a reasonable basis. Let us shrink, not from doubt, but from that moral degradation which is involved in the act of simulating a devotion not felt. Let us direct our abhorrence, not against atheistical confessions, but against those atheistical hypocrites, too common, we fear, in the conventional state of society in which we live, where doubts of the existence of a Divine Being are often cherished, and not acknowledged; where religion is worn as a mask; where, with the name of God upon the lips, the heart is set upon the attainment of rank or wealth, and the only God really worshipped is "the god of this world." -Westminster Review. "" WOMAN cannot be too cautious, too watchful, too exacting in her choice of a lover, who, from the slave of a few weeks or months (rarely years) is to become the master of her future destiny. What madness, then, to suffer the heart to be taken captive by beauty, talent, grace, fascination, before the reason is convinced of the soundness of principle, the purity of faith, the integrity of mind of the future husband. It is not always the all-enduring, devoted, and impassioned lover who makes the kindest, the most attentive, and forbearing husband. We have often seen the coldest inattention, the most mortifying disparagement, the most insulting inconstancy follow even in the first months of matrimony, on the most romantic devotion and blindest adoration of courtship. The honeymoon seems to exhaust every drop of honey, and leave nothing but stings in the jar.-Courtship and Wedlock. NEW BOOKS AND NEW EDITIONS. Alford's (H.) Sermons on Divine Love, 12mo., cl. Arnold's (D. W.) Palace at Westminster, p. 8vo., sewed. Arnott's (N.) Smokeless Fire Places, cl., 8vo. Bacon's Novum Organum, with English Notes, 8vo. Bartlett's Brief History of the Church of Christ, 12mo. Beaumont's (Rev. W. J.) Catharine, cl., fcap. Chambers's Course: Key to Mathematics, cl., 12mo. Cherpillond's Versions, new ed., 12mo. Clarke's Poetical Grammar, 12mo. Clark's Railway Machinery, 2 vols., imp. 4to. Coles (E.) On God's Sovereignty, 12mo., cl. Colquhoun's (J. C.) Short Sketches of Notable Lives. Drawing Room Sibyl, 1 vol., cr. 8vo., cl. Curse of the Village, 12mo., bds, Embassies and Foreign Courts, cr. 8vo. Fletcher's Family Devotions, new ed., cl., 4to. Freeman's (P.) Principles of Divine Service, cl., 8vo. Gregory's Conspectus, 3rd ed., cl. 12mo. Handbook of Southern Germany, new ed. for the Ruins and Museums of Rome, p. 8vo. Heartsease, 1 vol., p. 8vo., cl. Herring's (R.) Paper and Paper Making, cl., 8vo. Hinds (J.) Elements of Algebra, 6th ed., 8vo., bds. Howitt's (Mary) Illustrated Library for the Young. Jay's (W.) Autobiography. Jobson's (J.) Mother's Portrait, cr. 8vo. Jones's (E.) Battle-Day, and other Poems, cl., 12mo. Kaye's (Bp.) Government of the Church, cl., 8vo. Kingsley's Glaucus, 2nd ed., cl., 12mo. Kitto's (Dr.) Biblical Cyclopædia, Abridged, cl., 8vo. Lessop's Isthmus of Suez Question, 8vo. Lion of Flanders, 12mo. Little Walter, 12mo., cl. Longfellow's Poetical Works, 12mo., cl., illustrated. Long Look Ahead, bds. 12mo. Love versus Money, 2 vols., p. 8vo., cl. Lyra Germanica, cl., fcap. Meditations on the Song of Solomon, cl., 12mo. |