PREFACE.

THE following pages are intended for the service of those who cultivate the enjoyments of home, and the prudent distribution of its resources,— who feel

"The first, sure symptom of a mind in health

Is rest of heart and pleasure found at home.”

A disregard of what are generally considered little matters, but which, in reality, constitute important items in the aggregate of human happiness, is a prevailing misfortune; and the consequence of this indifference is too frequently a rupture of social ties and a disordered household. All must be aware how much we depend upon apparently trifling circumstances for our comfort.

This volume is intended to bring prominently forward such suggestive hints and reflections as may assist those who are entering upon the superintendence of house duties. Salutary advice on matters of domestic economy can never be unprofitable, but will, sooner or later, produce a desirable effect. A careful housekeeper will carry his principles of method and accuracy into any department of the public service in which he may be placed; and those who are prudent administrators of their own property offer the best guarantee for the welfare of society generally.

Silks and satins, scarlets and velvets, put out the kitchen fire.

Count thy specious gifts no gifts, but guiles.

HOW TO MAKE HOME HAPPY ;

ок,

HINTS AND CAUTIONS FOR ALL.

Intervals between Meals.

R. CURTIS, in his work on "Health," observes, hours should elapse between the meals; but this must, of course, vary according to circumstances, and depend upon the appetite. Persons engaged in business frequently do themselves much mischief by disregarding its monitions amidst the bustle and excitement of trade; after a time, it is true, the appetite subsides, but the necessity for food is not thereby removed. It is no unusual thing for a merchant to breakfast at eight o'clock in the morning, ride several miles to town, and return to dine in the evening between six and seven o'clock, without having during that time eaten anything. This long fasting is injurious, and the subsequent full meal still more so. In such cases a luncheon ought certainly to be taken.

Contentment.

H Must laugh the precious ills away,

E who would happy live to-day,

Nor think of woes to come;

For come they will, or soon or late;
Since, mix'd at last in man's estate,
By Heaven's eternal doom.

A fat kitchen makes a lean will.

B

What maintains one vice would bring up two children.

The virtue of Prosperity is Temperance; the virtue of Adversity is Fortitude.

Method and Order.

[ATURE, in every object, however minute, inculcates

man:

"Each moss,

Each shell, each crawling insect, holds a rank
Important in the plan of Him who framed
This scale of beings;-holds a rank, which lost,
Would break the chain, and leave behind a gap
Which Nature's self would rue!"

Advance of Time.

THE age of man, we are told, is threescore years and
ten. From twenty-five to forty, if the health be
good, no material alteration is observed. From thence
to fifty, the change is greater. Ffty-five to sixty, the
alteration startles, still we are not bowed down. In
the earliest periods of our life the body strengthens
and keeps up the mind; in the latter stages of it the
reverse takes place, and the mind keeps up the body:
a formidable duty this, and keenly felt by both. Such is
Time's progress!

JOHN

Perseverance.

OHN WESLEY was an extraordinary instance of perseverance and activity. Not an hour, scarcely even a minute, was abstracted from the service of the cause in which he was engaged. He rested nowhere, seldom riding less than from forty to sixty miles per day, reading and writing even on his journeys from place to place, and generally preaching three, four, and even five times a-day.

Raking out the Fire.

T was observed at the British Association in 1838

I that Newcastle, notwithstanding the vast consump

tion of coal in the town, is remarkably free from fires
of dangerous magnitude; and it was suggested whether,
as the greater number of fires occurred in London about
eleven o'clock at night, the practice of raking out the
fire at bed-time, which is not done at Newcastle where
coals are cheap, might not have some connexion with
these conflagrations.

Active minds can never be idle with impunity.

He that is careless of his fame is not fond of integrity.