The Family Circle [pp. 227-229]

THE LADIES' REPOSITORX.
In a momentary squeeze of the hand how much of
the heart oozes through the fingers! Who, that ever
experienced it, has ever forgotten the feeling conveyed by the eloquent pressure of the hand of a
dying fiiend, when the tongue had ceased to speak?
There are foolish persons who think it pretty to
have soft, wet, cold hands, when the fact is, it is only
an evidence that they are ill; or that, inasmuch as
the circulation of the blood is partial and feeble, they
are not well; and unless they bring about a change,
and induce warm hands and warm feet, by the necessary bodily exercises, they are on the road to the
grave. Cold hands, cold feet, and hot head are
indications of any thing but health.
Time was when aristocracy deigned to extend a
single finger, or, at most, two, to be shaken by humble
democracy. Even now we hear of instances in which
"my noble lady" repeats the offense when saluted
by a more humble individual. This is an indignity
which no true man or woman will either offer or
receive. Refinement and true gentility give the whole
hand, and respond cordially, if at all. This is equivalent to saying, "You are welcome;" or, when parting, "Adieu. God be with you!"
THE ART OF NOT HEARING.-The art of not hearing is fuilly as important to domestic happiness as a
cultivated ear, for which so much money and time is
expended. There are so many things which it is
painful to hear, many which if heard will disturb the
temper, and detract from contentment and happiness,
that every one should be educated to take in or shut
out sounds at will.
If a man falls into a violent passion and calls me
all manner of namnes, the first word shuts my ears,
and I hear no more. If in my quiet voyage of life
I am caught in one of these domestic whirlwinds of
scolding, I shut my eyes, as a sailor wvould fturl his
sails, and, making all tight, scud before the gale. If
a hot and restless man begins to inflame my feelings,
I consider what mischief these sparks might do in
the magazine below, where my temper is kept, and
instantly close the door.
Does a gadding, mischief-making fellow begin to
inform me what people are saying about me, down
drops the portcullis of my ear, and he can not get in
any further. Some people feel very anxious to hear
every thing that will vex or annoy them. If it is
hinted that any one has spoken of them, they set
about searching and finding it out. If all the petty
things said of one by heedless or ill-natured idlers
were to be brought home to him, he would become a
mere walking pin-cushioin, stuck full of sharp remarks.
I should as soon thank a man for emptying on my
bed a bushel of nettles, or setting loose a swarm of
musketoes in my chamber, or raising a pungent dust
generally, as to bring upon me all the tattle of spiteful
people. If you would be happy when among good
men, open your ears; when among bad, shut them.
It is not worth your while to hear what, your servants
say when they are angry; what your children say
after they have slammed the door; what a beggar
neighbors say about your children; what your rivals
say about your business or dress.
I have noticed that a well-bred woman never hears
an impertinent or vulgar remark. A kind of discreet
deafiness saves one from many insults, from much
blame, from iot a little apparent connivance in dishonorable conversation.
A MOTIHER'S EARLY TRAINING.-It has been truly
said that to mothers wvas delegated the future good
of the rising generation. To her is given the sacred
office of instilling into the young and tender mind of
her offspring the first precepts of religion and truth,
and all that is to form the foundation of their future
character. If such is the case-which no one will
deny-how careful should mothers be in respect to
their children, setting before them good examples,
teaching them to shun evil, and to love that which is
good! Never make a promise to your child and
break it. Often have I heard mothers promise their
children this or that, and not keep it. You may
think it makes no impression on their youthful minds,
but they do not forget it, and often does that evil
habit-lying-take its first foothold from the careless
promises of those that have children in their charge.
Give your children your fullest confidence; do not
let them fear you; teach them so to confide in you
that, if they have done wrong, they will tell the truth.
When your child is afraid of you, ten chances to one
he will tell that which is not so. When they have
confessed a wrong, do not punish them unless re peated, and you have cautioned them previously. I
remember seeing a little girl break a costly vase; her
step-mother asked her if she broke it; she said she
did, whereupon the step-mother punished her severely.
The little girl remarked afterward, "If I break any
thing else I won't tell her." Why? Because she
was afraid of her,; and for that reason never teach
your child to fear you, but show them by your daily
examples that you wish them to follow you in the
paths of truth and honesty. Most of our great men
ascribe their success to their mother's early training.
"My mother taught me so and so." What a crown
for one to wear, if good; how terrible, if evil!
Therefore, bring up your little ones during their
infancy and youth in that way that in memory they
can go back to the scenes of their youth, and think
of you with the fondest affection.
A PLEA FIOR THE LITTLE FOLKS.-Do n't expect
too much of them; it has taken forty years, it may
be, to make you what you are, with all their lessons
of experience; and I dare say you are a faulty being
at best. Above all do n't expect judgment in a child
or patience under trials. Sympathize in their mis takes and trouble; do n't ridicule them. Remember
not to measure a child's trials by your standard.
"As one whom his mother comforteth," says the
inspired writer, and beautifully does he convey to us
the deep, faithful love that ought to be found in every
woman's beamrt, the unfailing sympathy with all her
children's griefs. When I see children going to their
father for comfort, I am,sure there is something
I.......
say,s whose petition you have rejected; what your wrong with their mother.
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