the pleasantness and completeness of things in any household, and in particular, in one of that large and important middle class, the comfort and well-being of which cannot be too earnestly desired. May I venture to suggest, especially to the young Mistress who has newly entered upon the responsibilities of that home-sphere in which woman's mission is mainly to be found, and where it may be most gracefully fulfilled, that a wise economy and management of things will tend, with God's blessing, to secure the permanent happiness of the little kingdom in which she reigns, and light up with the brightness of content and satisfaction the face she most loves to see. My wish is, that she should not feel those responsibilities so heavily as to oppress her with care; and with my manual as her daily companion, I am inclined to believe that she will feel her burden greatly lightened. I have striven not to overcrowd my pages, as that would bewilder rather than direct. The Lady whom I am addressing is doubtless intellectual and accomplished; she will therefore understand that the mind requires a good substratum of physical nourishment, and will also be able to appreciate the apt and wise words of the lamented Rev. F. W. Robertson, of Brighton: 'The glory of womanhood is no common glory; it is that of unsensualizing coarse and common things, the objects of mere sense, meat and drink and household cares,-elevating them by the spirit in which she ministers them into something transfigured and sublime.' HENRY SOUTHGATE. WOODBINE, SIDMOUTHI CONTENTS. *We content ourselves to present to thinking minds the original seeds from whence spring vast PAGE DINNERS ARRANGED FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR, AND DESSERT PRELUDE OF MOTTOES EXPRESSIVE OF WHAT ALL GOOD MEN THINK OF WOMEN. IN garnering together these few mottoes, expressive of what all true and good men think of the gentle sex, I have had no difficulty. The brave and generous spirits of all times have ever been ready to speak out of the simple abundance of their hearts; hence I have had rather to curtail the riches of literature on this theme, than delve for it. And the motive I have for binding this bouquet together as a free-will offering to the maidens, the mothers, and the matrons of the world, is simply to let them know that loving specimens of each have ever existed, and will exist, to bless and humanize our rougher sex. A loving woman is an angel in the house, her presence and influence have ever been on the right side. From our earliest infancy woman moulds us, and the greatest men have ever willingly and cordially acknowledged a mother's love and early training. How great, then, is your responsibility! As you plant, so shall the harvest yield; as you bend, so shall the tree grow. Our future is undoubtedly in the hands of woman; and it could not be in better hands. How truly Shakspeare thought, when he wrote of you as 'the books, the arts, the academies, that show, contain, and nourish all the world'! Assuredly this is so, and with all my heart I endorse his most excellent judgment. I cannot do better than close these few proemial observations by quoting the inspired words of the wisest man who ever lived : 'A virtuous woman! her price is far above rubies. 'The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. 'She will do him good, and not evil, all the days of her life. 'She seeketh wool and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. 'She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar. 'She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. 'She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. 'She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms. 'She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night. 'She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. 'She stretcheth out her hands to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. 'She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet. 'She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple. 'Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land. 'She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchants. 'Strength and honour are her clothing, and she shall rejoice in time to come. 'She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. 'She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. 'Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. 'Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. 'Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates.' PROVERBS Xxxi. 10-31. 'She doeth little kindnesses, Which most leave undone or despise; Is low-esteemed in her eyes.'-J. R. LOWELL. 'Let no man value at a little price A virtuous woman's counsel; her wing'd spirit Is feather'd oftentimes with heavenly words, And, like her beauty, ravishing and pure.'-CHAPMAN, 'She Is making with her heavenly face Sweetness like sunlight, and the place 'Oh woman! lovely woman! nature made thee 'Day unto day her dainty hands Make life's soil'd temples clean; Her spirit pure hath been.'-GERALD MASSEY. 'The society of a woman of virtue and understanding produces a polish more perfect and pleasing than that received from a general commerce with the world. The heart itself is moulded; habits of undissembled courtesy are formed; a certain flowing urbanity is acquired; violent passions, rash oaths, coarse jests, indelicate language of every kind, are precluded and disrelished. Understanding and virtue, by being often contemplated in the most engaging lights, have a sort of assimilating power.'-REV. JAMES FORDYCE, D.D. 'Nothing lovelier can be found In woman, than to study household good, And good works in her husband to promote.'-MILTON. 'Married life appears to me a sort of philosophical discipline, training persons to honourable duties, worthy of the good and wise.'-MELANCTHON. 'I know, dear heart! that in our lot May mingle tears and sorrow; |