the apostolic injunction: "Let your conversation be always with grace, seasoned with salt." Happy is the husband whose mind never knows misgiving when his wife begins to speak; and happy the children who grow up under the constant influence of a mother's wise and prudent conversation. Such a woman is the peculiar gift of Heaven. "A prudent wife is from the Lord." Industry is another most prominent feature in this portraiture. This characteristic pervades the whole picture. The impression given is that this woman has many occupations, and is always at work. She is depicted as full of household duties and useful activities. "She worketh willingly with her hands." The word "willingly" is noteworthy, there is a volume of meaning in it. Her daily duties are not of constraint, but of a willing mind. She gives herself readily and cheerfully to their discharge. They are not a task, but a pleasure; inclination as well as duty impels her to them. To be indolent would be to her a misery, as to be laid aside would be a cross. To be habitually diligent is her delight, and this "willingness" to work is the spring of her manifold and successful employment. Mark the varied features of it portrayed. "She riseth while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens." In the dark days of winter she riseth before it is light, that she may attend to domestic duties. She begins the day well, not leaving the morning meal entirely to the care of servants, but rising betimes herself, that she may see her husband and children properly cared for, before they leave home for the duties of the day. Her servants also she cares for, and appoints them their work, providing them with what is neces sary, that so the machinery of the day's occupations may work regularly and smoothly. This habit of early rising has much to do with the welfare of a family. Sloth on the part of the mistress produces discomfort to husband and children, and disorder amongst servants. "She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness." In every concern of life the principal must have his eye upon every department, if it is to prosper. It is so in business; the master must look after every branch of his manufactory or trade, if it is to work well and successfully. It is so in the family; the mistress must look well to the ways of her household, if waste is to be prevented, if work is to be properly performed, and if all the requirements of the family are to be fully met. Though she put her hand to no domestic duties herself, to see that they are properly done by others will involve much time and labour. "She eats not the bread of idleness" who causeth the arrangements of home-life to move without lack or interruption or jar. "She seeketh wool and flax. She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff." In ancient times the clothing of the family was manufactured, as well as fashioned, at home. It was the pride of housewives that their husbands and children were clad entirely by the labour of their own hands. Ladies of rank and affluence worked busily with their daughters, and even royalty knew how to appreciate the virtues of their wrought wool and flax. Illustrations of this might be gathered from ancient and modern oriental life. The Emperor Augustus usually wore no other garments than those made for him at home by his wife, sister, or daughter. It is within the memory of those now living, when the spinning-wheel was common in many of the districts of our land, when it was one of the articles provided for a bride, and when home-spun linen spread its snowy covering on the table and adorned the person. Times have changed since then, and so have modes and instruments of labour. The hum of the spinning-wheel is now seldom heard, but in its place is heard the hum of other wheels, working to the same end,-the clothing of the family. Wondrous are the appliances of this inventive age. They have considerably altered the forms and degrees of manual labour, both for men and women. One who is ready with. willing hand to provide in the best way possible for the household, will not be slow to avail herself of the facilities within her reach. By so doing, a woman will prove herself a true descendant of her who "laid her hand to the spindle, and whose hands held the distaff." Nor are her duties confined to her own family and home. "She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant." "She considereth a field, and buyeth it; with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard." Her industry was such, that above and beyond household duties she found time to add to the revenue of the family. Though in a good position in society, "her husband sitting with the elders of the land," she did not think herself degraded by disposing of the fruits of her labour. The proceeds helped to procure luxuries, fruit, and wine. In this way, amongst others, she contributed to the enjoyment of her household. "She was like the merchant ships, she brought her food from afar." How much better this, than being afraid and ashamed of doing anything pertaining to trade when there is really need. for it! How much better to take a situation or do something at home, and have wherewith to procure advantages and luxuries, than to remain in idle indigence. It were well if mothers would train their daughters to be superior to the artificial maxims of modern society. It is not work that degrades, but indolence; not useful employment, but uselessness; not trade, but debt. Refinement is a feature portrayed. Whilst much is said about prudence and industry, scarcely anything is said about dress; evidently it was not the main object of this model woman's thought and life. Yet was she not negligent about it, her character comes out in it. One line contains all that is said about it, yet that one line is sufficient. Lemuel, like a master-painter, with one stroke of his pen depicts something, but hints much more. "Her clothing is silk and purple." When she has attended to the duties of her household, she puts on raiment suited to her station and her means; her dress is becoming, and this is the highest eulogium you can pass upon it. It is suggestive of true refinement. She has not bedecked and bedizened herself with attire and ornaments unsuited to her station in life, nor has she arrayed herself with a view to display, but she is dressed in the garments which are suited to her and become her. None, when speaking with her, would think of her dress, unless like Lemuel they wished to describe it. It is so much a part of herself that it makes no distinct impression. There is the consciousness that it is in harmony with her whole appearance, but it does not attract notice. This is true refinement, this is real elegance, this is purest taste. Refinement in dress is generally associated with refinement in manners. The innate sensitive feeling which rejects the immodest and unbecoming in the one, will be quick to avoid it in the other. Where it has a place in the heart it will regulate dress and carriage, spirit and speech. It is not confined to any one class of society; it is to be met with in the cottage, and has often been wanting in the palace. It is one of the characteristic features of the fairest womanhood. Kindness is another essential characteristic. To speak of an unkind woman is like speaking of a ferocious lamb, or of the darkening sunshine. It should be a contradiction in terms. Unkindness in a woman's heart ought to be a thing unknown. Hateful in man, it is worse in woman; her place is to smooth and brighten life, but unkindness roughens and darkens it. "The hint malevolent, the look oblique, The artful injury, whose envenomed dart Scarce wounds the hearing, while it stabs the heart; |