However little sincerity there may have been in the reply, it contains a truthful satire upon the lives of many girls. They live "to breathe," and that is all. They are living without any definite object before them, and they would be puzzled to find another answer to the above inquiry.

When Agesilaus, king of Sparta, was asked what things boys ought to learn, he replied, "Those which they ought to practise when they come to be men." In accordance with this noble counsel, parents are wont to say to their sons, "Shew yourselves men: let your early life be adorned with those principles and purposes that will contribute to your distinction and usefulness in manhood." But the same parents, perhaps, say to their daughters, practically, "Learn to be lady-like; do not trouble your mind about what sphere you may occupy hereafter; learn music, embroidery, and practise gentility; this will do for girls." No wonder so many are aimless, and live and die without making a mark upon the world! Boys are taught to think that they must live to some purpose, and attain to some distinction in definite callings. Hence one is educated for a clergyman, another for a lawyer, another for a physician, another for a merchant, another for a farmer, and so on. Not so with a multitude of girls. There is so much indefiniteness in their plans, and in the system of education under which they are taught, that it cannot be said they are instructed to be teachers, or housekeepers, or seamstresses, or wives and mothers. Of course society must share the blame for such a state of things. If its rule be reading-rooms for males, and carpets and plumes for females, it must reap accordingly.

If we turn to the lives of the most eminent women who have lived, we shall find that they early formed a definite purpose, as Mary Lyon did, and acted accordingly. That purpose may have been begotten by the judicious management of intelligent mothers. For example, the mother of the present Queen of England inspired in the heart of her lovely daughter those noble sentiments of honour and purity which have ever characterised her reign. Her husband died when the child was but eight months old. The House of Commons sent a committee with an address of condolence to the afflicted widow. She met the deputation with the child in her arms, and "presented to them the smiling, but unconscious babe, as their future sovereign, and assured them of her determination to consecrate all her energies to prepare her child for the distinguished situation she was destined to fill." From that time it was her study to train the young queen for the highest usefulness. Special pains were taken to guard against pride and vanity, and all kindred evils that are so prevalent among the female sex, especially in royal families. When public demonstrations in honour of the young princess were first made, her mother said to her, "It is not you, but your future office and rank, which are regarded by the country, and you must so act as never to bring that office and that rank into disgrace and disrespect." short, she was educated not to shine, but to act—not to be a royal belle, but a model woman. Her heart was not cultivated less than her intellect. And the good results of that early culture are known to the world.

In

The same was true of Mrs Wesley, Mrs Doddridge, Mrs Edwards, Mrs Dwight, Mrs Ramsey, and many

others. They were distinguished for setting before object for which to live. Their particular, were the same to They believed that the former,

their children a high instructions, in this daughters as to sons. no less than the latter, should be actuated by definite and exalted purposes, and all their efforts were directed to this end. History proves that, so far as their counsels were heeded, their children rose to eminence.

If we trace the history of any woman who has acted a good part, either in the humbler or higher walks of life, we shall find that she always had a purpose. It was true of Hannah More, Mrs Hemans, and Harriet Newell. The latter became a true-hearted Christian in her youth, and she resolved that her influence should be felt for good. She turned away from the follies of the world, with the unyielding purpose to perform a woman's mission. At seventeen years of age she gave her heart and hand to Mr Newell, who was about going as a missionary to India. It was a great step in that day-dawn of missionary light, but it just met her resolve to do something for the world. She wrote to a friend, "How can I go and leave those who have done so much for me, and who will be so sorry for my loss? How can I leave my mother here while oceans roll between us? How can I go with but little prospect of return? And how can I stay? We are under solemn obligations to labour for God; and I must go to India at any sacrifice. I owe something to my perishing fellow-men; I owe something to my Saviour. salem.

He wept for men- -He shed tears over Jeru

'Did Christ o'er sinners weep?

And shall our cheeks be dry ?'"

own.

The author is acquainted with a young woman whose father was intemperate. He wasted his property, and expected to lose the little farm which he had called his The daughter pondered their condition, and laid her plans. She proposed to her father, that if he would relinquish the use of strong drink, she would assist him to redeem his farm and his character. He accepted this proposition, and the daughter accordingly fitted herself for a teacher. The teacher of an academy, hearing of her praiseworthy object, offered her the advantages of the institution without money, and a worthy matron received her into her family while she pursued her studies. For some years she has been pursuing her single object, and the proceeds of her teaching have been carefully husbanded to aid the father in recovering his wasted fortune. We understand that the father continues in the path of sobriety, encouraged by the self-denial and persevering labours of his daughter, and that the day is not far distant when the loved homestead will again be his. This young woman's life will be far more brilliant and valuable, in consequence of its being directed by a worthy and inflexible purpose.

Girls, then, should stop and inquire, why do we live? Surely they should live for something. Those who live for they know not what, are living as the brutes live. They have no plan of life. They have no fixed principles of action. Life to them is unreal-a day-dream of pleasure. Strange delusion! Life means somethingmomentous results depend upon the manner in which it is improved. The poorest and humblest girl can adorn it with a bright example and a noble purpose.

CHAPTER III.

A GIRL'S MISTAKE.

GIRLS are apt to think that the happiness of life is derived from position rather than from a faithful discharge of duty. Hence their desire for those external things which perish with the using. Go, ask that sylph-like girl, whose eye beams with hope and intelligence, what will satisfy her heart and make her happy, as she blooms into womanhood. Does she answer, "Doing my duty?" Nay. But you read in every lineament of her face, in her laughing eye and bounding heart, "Give me position! Let wealth be mine, and let me be dandled in the lap of luxury, while admirers flock around my path, and grace and beauty become my passport to honoured circles. And when my hand and heart are claimed for a life-alliance, may it be by some distinguished votary of fashion, or fame, who can usher me into yet higher circles of elegance and fashion." Such are really the views and feelings of many girls concerning the sources of earthly happiness. Duty is a common and homely word, whose claims they leave for older and graver people to discuss. To them it is a stern, unmusical word, scarcely suited to the ears and tastes of ardent youth. They prefer to pass it by for the present, resolved that, when age modifies their love of worldly enjoyments, they will attend to the cold demands of duty.

Here is the mistake of thousands ;-a mistake which

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