NOTE TO THE SECOND EDITION. A SECOND EDITION of my little work being called for, I am anxious to guard against an exaggeration to which some expressions used in it might seem to lead. In proposing different works of charity as an employment for educated women in easy circumstances, the statement that it is their duty to engage in them was intended to be strictly confined to those who have no other real and sufficient employment. I believe such works are designed to form the general occupation of these women, if they are not prevented from engaging in them by having domestic or other work; and if circumstances, or their own character, or gifts, do not lead them to some other more special occupation. There are ladies so well fitted to be useful in the common things of their own rank of life, and who find room there to exercise their gifts, it would be a great loss to all of us were these to devote themselves to the common things of the poor; there are sunbeams in society whom the workers least of all could spare: there are some women, as there are men, who ought to devote themselves to intellectual study, though they may never become writers: there are artists viii NOTE TO THE SECOND EDITION. and musicians of talent sufficient to make their art a real occupation. But these are exceptions: the greater part of the world have no peculiar gift for any one special work. I believe, therefore, that it is the duty of parents not only to set their grown-up daughters free to occupy themselves in such works of charity as they wish to engage in, but also to give them every reasonable facility in their power for finding out whether they do wish for it: just as much (and no more) as it is their duty to give them the opportunity of choosing whether they wish to marry, and not to prevent their marrying from worldly or selfish motives. I believe that it is the duty of these young women not to live for themselves, and not to live without some real occupation, even though the only ones circumstances offer for their choice are not such as they would have preferred. Should any one think the argument from Scripture goes further than this, it seems to me she may safely so apply it as a rule for her own conduct; but even in doing this, it is well to remember that we have not to serve an austere Master, but One who never requires from us what He has not given to us; who is not extreme to mark what is done amiss; and whose law is no burden laid upon us for condemnation, but a life-giving word, intended to strengthen and defend us. December, 1860. CONTENTS. Object of this Book.-Relative Position and relative Duties of Gentlewomen.-Do the Poor need us?—Apology for a thread- bare Subject.-Much said, but Little yet done.-Difficulties in the Way of Common-place People; and Defence of the Common-place. - Wish to aid them. Why this Book has nothing in it profound. Exaggerated Importance attached THE GENTLEWOMEN WHO ARE AT LEISURE. Their comparative Condition and its Advantages. — Their Want of Work. What is Work? - Unmarried Gentlewomen have often no real Work in their own Families. How can they use their Lives?—Answer given by an Edinburgh Reviewer.— By the "Saturday Review." -By the Author of "Morning Clouds."-In the "Christian Remembrancer."-Little Home Duties.-Work answering to Education.-Outward Character formed by Habits-Conclusion "Not Wanted" at Home.- This Want of sufficient Work not unimportant: unchristian, unhealthy, unhappy. Results: Nervousness, a morbid Conscience, perverted Talents. - Evils of an Education above The Education of Gentlewomen after School. —An Interlude on Christian Training.—Education intended to fit us for our Life Helpmeet for Man.-Help for the Ungentle and Suffering.- Bishop Butler's Statement of the Claims these have upon us.-- The Use of Gifts.—Responsibility for them.—What Gifts have |