"When I know that the material wants of my family are provided for, I devote myself to the intellectual education of my children; and here, far away from schools and masters, I pour into their minds the knowledge I acquired in my youth.

"Conscious that I do not neglect their domestic education, I feel that I have a right to impart to them my accomplishments, and those accomplishments that when I first came here, seemed to me a mockery, somewhat like an imperial robe to a wretch starving for bread, are now the solace and delight of my family. Surrounded as you are by all the luxuries of civilization, I will venture to say, that you can have no conception of the enjoyment of a piano in the west.' It is a social blessing. I cannot believe that an Italian opera ever gave more genuine delight, than do our little family concerts. Kate plays duets with me on the piano, and my husband accompanies, with his flute, little Molly's guitar. Of course, my girls have had no teacher but myself. You, who can see every day fine pictures and engravings, can hardly imagine our excitement, when one of my girls has made an accurate sketch from Nature, or copied a wild flower well. As to books, from the bible, first and best, down to the last periodical which the blessed post brings us, you must be cut off from the civilized world, as we are, to know their full value. Think what it is, during our long days and evenings of unbroken leisure, to be in intimate communion with

such spirits as Shakspeare, Milton, Dante, Petrarch, Fenelon, and Cervantes. How often do I bless the education which enabled me to make acquaintance with these authors, and to introduce my children to them.

"And now I feel the full value of my late domestic education, which enables me to enjoy with a quiet conscience, the high and elegant pursuits for which my early instruction alone qualified me. This domestic knowledge, believe me, my dear friend, is the sine qua non."

CHAPTER XIV.

NURSING.

AMONG the must haves of a woman's education, is a knowledge of the art of nursing. It is a woman's province, her duty, and her happiness, to minister to the sick. She may well be satisfied to leave to men the responsibility of choosing their governors, and making laws, and the glory of leading armies, when Providence has assigned to her, among her other important offices, such a ministry of mercy as relieving the diseased body, and soothing the distressed mind. Many physicians will tell you, my young friends, that good nursing cures more patients than medicine. All the kingdoms of nature are explored for medicines, and if the physician gives years to the study of his profession, you should certainly be willing to give your minds and hearts, your attention to that branch of your education, that qualifies you for an office which, sometimes, by the physician's concession, excels his.

The endurance of severe sickness is the best

school to teach the art of nursing, but late may you acquire it at this cost! and, in the mean time, will you accept some hints that may be useful to you?

When

Every good Doctor is a good nurse. ever sickness occurs in your family, listen to the directions of the physician. Observe his mode of doing little offices for the patient, for example, how he arranges the pillows, dresses a blister, &c.

By observing, not only professed nurses, but your mothers and elderly friends, you will learn many little arts by which the sufferings of the sick are alleviated. One of these, very simple, you say, but nevertheless rarely perfectly done, is, making a bed well for a sick person.

Frequent ventilation or airing of the apartment of the sick, is of the first importance not only to the invalid, but also to the attendants. Contagious diseases are propagated soon, and fatally, in close and impure air. The air of a sick-room, unless frequently changed, is always unfavorable to the health of those that are well. Self-preservation therefore, as well as benevolence, should lead to constant attention to ventilation.

The impurity of the air in a sick-room is perceptible. To overcome it, it is common to burn vinegar, sugar, &c. This produces a stronger odor, but does not purify the air. Burn the vinegar, if you choose, but at the same time, open a door or window, and screen the patient from the draught.

Cleanlinesss is essential in a sick-room. A distinguished physician says, "few nurses are sufficiently scrupulous about the daily ablution of the sick. This neglect arises from the common fear of applying water to the sick, for fear of their taking cold. Instead of washing the patient's hands, face and neck, and often feet too, (would not the Doctor extend the blessed office of the water to the arms and legs?) with warm soap and water, once, twice, or thrice a day, which should be done, they merely daub them over with a rag dipped in hot rum or vinegar, which leave on the skin all its impurities, and get it into a hard, dry, and most uncomfortable state."

"I have known," continues the Doctor, "a lady in very comfortable circumstances, and not in health, deficient in personal attentions, go, for I think not less than four weeks, of a chronic disease, without having her face or hands washed, except with vinegar or rum, till they became actually grim with dirt, when I accidentally discovered the cause of their strange appearance."

"The fear of taking cold is one of the most pernicious superstitions of the sick chamber. Vastly more hurt is done by the absolutely insane precautions taken against it, especially with children, than is to be attributed to the thing itself.

"Patients are debarred from fresh air, fresh water, clean clothes, and almost from the light of heaven, lest they should take cold. Not th