"But here the needle plies its busy task." THE art of sewing was the first invention of human skill, and probably one of the first manufactures of Tubalcain was that of needles. The art has never been lost; wherever man and woman are found, savage or civilized, sewing, in some manner, is practised, so universally, indeed, that it seems an instinct rather than an art, and a distinguishing characteristic of the human race from every other species of animated nature. It must be obvious that an art so long and constantly practised has had a powerful effect on the character as well as comfort of the world; and had we time for the investigation, it might be easily shown that the refinement of society is dependent upon the perfection to which needlework is advanced, and the estimation in which it is held, and consequently that woman, to whom this branch of ingenious industry is almost entirely conceded, wields over the destiny of nations a weapon more powerful than the sword of the conqueror. Such a dissertation is foreign from our purpose, however: our readers will easily, without our prompting, refer the improvement of manners to different eras in the art of sewing, from that of ne cessity to the needlework of convenience, of elegance, of luxury and then comes the crowning grace when the work of fair fingers is made subservient to the luxury of doing good. Considering Ladies' Fairs among the chief graces of charity fostered by the needle, we give, in our plate, a beautiful illustration of industry, a young lady, surrounded by all the appurtenances and means of elegant enjoyment, is devoting herself sedulously to the old-fashioned employment of her needle, working for the Ladies' Fair, and thinking of a destitute and sick family to whom she hopes a part of the proceeds will be devoted to relieve. Is she not as charming as though she were practising airs and graces at her toilette, or holding a tete-a-tete with her admirer? We are slow to learn that though "In faith and hope the world may disagree, Charity of opinion and feeling was doubtless what the moralist intended to inculcate; but in a world like ours, where physical wants press so heavily on the helpless, where so many are poverty-stricken, and require to be fed and clothed before kind words can soften their hearts and convince them that compassion is really felt for their moral wretchedness, and a deep interest in their eternal welfare, we must always consider a disposition to give alms, if not the purest kind of charity, the most certain evidence of that feeling. In what manner alms may be best administered, so as to bless those who give and those who take, is a question of much importance. Doubtless the most essential preparation, by which we are fitted to receive benefit from any action, is to keep the heart right; but of the hearts of others we may not judge, and of our own we are too often partial judges. We must then, in considering the value of the benefits conferred by a particular charity, estimate its effects on the conduct and character of the giver and receiver; and where the tendency of the chosen mode of relieving the distressed is, on the whole, productive of much good, we should not relinquish it though some objections may exist; for there is no perfect manner of charity. If we are too careful, we shall always be troubled about many things which a more trusting heart and mind would have avoided. The expediency of Ladies' Fairs hasbeen, with some excellent people, a subject of doubt if not disapprobation; and it |