wherever women are degraded and debased, there the race of mankind must necessarily become ignorant, corrupt, barbarian, brutish, and without power of recovery from this degradation. That the true life of moral, intellectual, and social development depends on the character and condition of women has been acknowledged by many eminent statesmen and scholars who were not particularly led by Christian sentiment to this result. Sheridan says, "On the cultivation of the minds of women depends the wisdom of men." Thackeray has left his testimony that "women are pure, but not men; women are unselfish, but not men." Napoleon acknowledged that "The future destiny of the child is always the work of the mother."

While we consider the condition of heathen homes, as contrasted with our own, shall we not thank God for this crowning mercy to our land, the position which, through his grace, has been accorded to American women ?

II. - PRIVATE VISITS AND SOCIAL PARTIES.

HERE are many great men who go unrewarded for

THE

the services they render to humanity: even their names are lost, while we daily bless their inventions. One of these is he (if it was not a lady) who introduced the use of visiting cards. In days of yore a slate or a

book was kept, and you wrote your name upon it. But then that could only be done when your acquaintance was "not at home." To the French is due the practice of making the delivery of a card serve the purpose of a personal appearance; and this custom has been eagerly adopted by other countries, who recognize its necessity in large communities.

The visit, or call, however, is a much better institution than is generally supposed. It has its drawbacks. It wastes much time; it demands much small talk; it obliges one to dress upon the chance of finding a friend at home; but, for all this, it is almost the only means of making an acquaintance ripen into friendship.

In this visit, all the strain which general society somehow requires is thrown off. A gentleman receives you in his rooms cordially, and makes you welcome, not to a stiff dinner, but to an easy chair and conversation. A lady, who, in the ball-room or party, has been compelled to limit her conversation, can here speak more freely. The talk can descend from generalities to personal inquiries; and, if any one wish to know a young lady truly, she must be seen at home, and by daylight, in what is well termed her "undress uniform."

The main points to be observed about visits are the proper occasions and the proper hours. A friendly visit may be made at any time on any occasion. Among gentlemen, one is more welcome when the business of the day is over, in the afternoon rather than the morning;

and you should, even as a friend, avoid calling at meal times. Visits, however, are also frequently made in the evening, another French custom, and we think a very good one.

A well-bred person always receives visitors at whatever time they may call, or whoever they may be; but, if you should be too much occupied to be interrupted, instruct your servant to that effect beforehand, so as to prevent the awkwardness of admitting persons, and then declining to receive them.

In good society, a visitor, unless he is a complete stranger, does not wait to be invited to sit down, but takes a seat at once easily.

A gentleman should never take the principal place in the room, nor sit at an inconvenient distance from the lady of the house. A well-bred lady, who is receiving two or three visitors at a time, pays equal attention to all, and attempts, as much as possible, to generalize the conversation. The last arrival naturally receives a little more attention; and the first comers, in such cases, should leave as soon as convenient. People who outsit two or three visitors are usually voted "bores," who do not know when you have had enough of their company.

In regard to visits at country houses, a general invitation should never be acted on. It is often given, without any intention of following it up, but, if given, should be turned into a special one, sooner or later. An invitation should specify the persons whom it includes, and the per

son invited should never presume to take with him or her any one not specified.

It is in equally bad taste to take too many trunks, as that appears like a hint that you mean to stay a long time. The English custom of specifying the length of a country visit in the invitation is an excellent one, as saving all doubt upon the subject.

SOCIAL PARTIES.

People will make a party for any thing, a party to see a sunset, a party to take a walk, a party to go to church, or a party to do nothing at all. There are people who cannot even read their Bible without a party; and the very persons who object to balls and gayeties of that sort are usually foremost in originating the same style of thing for religious or charitable purposes, such as Sunday-school excursions, picnics for missionary pur poses, fairs for churches; and every one is aware, during the war, how much was done by social gatherings and social amusements of every kind.

We are not naming this to condemn it, but merely to point out the gregarious tendency in human nature. We were so created; and, if this tendency be properly regulated, there is nothing of necessity wrong in it.

The system of gathering a little assembly to join in every pleasure, as long as it is free from ostentation and scandal, only shows what sociable and sympathetic beings we are; for, in most cases, the real object of these parties

is not the sunset, the walk, or the professed aim, but the pleasure of being in one another's society.

The main difference in all kinds of parties lies in the selection of the guests, the dress they wear, and the amusement of the evening. Another great distinction lies, too, between town and country parties.

66

Town parties consist in tea-parties, matinées, private concerts, or private theatricals, and what are known as 'Receptions," or "At homes." These last have for their chief object conversation only; so that, in the selection of guests, youth and beauty are less considered than talent, distinction, and fashion.

For such entertainments, two or three rooms should be thrown open curiosities, choice engravings, rare books, old china, photographs, stereoscopes, &c., placed upon the tables; and there should be a liberal supply of seats.

The lady of the house must take care to create circulation, and the guests should never pinion themselves to one spot or chair.

The tea-party should always be a sociable affair, and must vary in the number of its guests: they should, if possible be all of one set, and known to each other, but, if not, should be generally introduced. The amusement usually consists in music, vocal or instrumental; and round games are sometimes introduced, as serving to destroy stiffness.

Private concerts and amateur theatricals ought to be very good to be successful. Professionals alone should be engaged for the former, and none but real amateurs for