WILD FLOWERS.

"THE sun is all very well," said an Irishman, "but in my opinion the moon is worth two of it: for the moon affords us light in the night time, when we really want it; whereas we have the sun with us in the day time, when we have no occasion for it."

COMPLAISANCE is no longer confined to the polite circles. A captain of a vessel was lately called out of a coffee-house at Wapping, by a waterman, with the following address:-"An't please your honour, the tide is waiting for you."

"PAPA," said a little boy to his parent the other day," are not sailors very, very small men ?" "No, my dear," answered the father; " pray, what leads you to suppose that they are so small ?" "Because," replied the young idea, smartly, "I read the other day of a sailor going to sleep in his watch."

An Indian being at an Englishman's stable at Surat, expressed his surprise, by loud exclamations, on seeing a vast quantity of froth ooze out of a bottle of porter, as soon as the cork was drawn. Being asked what surprised him, he replied: "I don't wonder at all the froth that comes out of the bottle; but how did you ever contrive to Screeze it all in ?"

AN outside passenger by a coach had his hat blown over a bridge, and carried away by the stream. "Is it not very singular," said he to a gentleman who was seated beside him, "that my hat took that direction ?" "Not at all," replied the latter; "it is natural that a beaver should take to the water."

ARCHDEACON FISHER was not without a little vanity on the subject of his sermons, and once received a quiet hint from Constable on the subject. Having preached an old sermon once, which he was not aware Constable had heard before, he asked him how he liked it. "Very much indeed, Fisher," replied Constable, "I always did like that sermon."

WHEN the committee of the French Academy were employed in preparing the well-known Academy Dictionary, Cuvier, the celebrated naturalist, came one day into the room where they were holding a session. "Glad to see you, M. Cuvier," said one of the forty; "we have just finished a definition which we think quite satisfactory, but upon which we would like to have your opinion. We have been defining the word Crab, and have explained it thus: Crab, a small red fish, which walks backward." Perfect, gentlemen," said Cuvier; only, if you will give me leave, I will make one small observation in Natural History. The crab is not a fish, it is not red, and it does not walk backward. With these exceptions, your definition is excellent."

A YOUNG lady of eighteen, Miss B., was engaged to be married to a gentleman of thirty-six. Her mother having noticed her low spirits for "Oh dear, some time, inquired the reason. mamma," replied the young lady, I was thinking about my husband being twice my age!" "That's very true; but he's only thirty-six." "He's only thirty-six now, dear mamma; but when I'm sixty-" "Well," "Oh, dear! why, then he'll be a hundred and twenty!"

CULTIVATED FLOWERS.

A TON of perfect pain can be more easily found than an ounce of perfect happiness. He knows little of himself or of the world who does not think it sufficient happiness to be free from

sorrow.

SPITE of all the fools that pride has made,
"Tis not on man a useless burden laid;
Pride has ennobled some, and some disgraced;
It hurts not in itself, but as 'tis placed;
When right, its view knows none but virtue's
bound,

When wrong it scarcely looks one inch around.
Stillingfleet

GOLDEN RULES.

EVERY man complains of his memory, but no man complains of his judgment.

We must not deck virtue or learning in false colours, in order to render them attractive to the youthful eye.

To all men the best friend is virtue, the best companions are high endeavours and honorable sentiments,

Every man ought to aim at eminence, not by pulling others down, but by raising himself. If every man had a window in his breast, blinds would be in very great demand,

He that communes with himself in private, will
learn truths that the multitude will not tell him.
The seeds of repentance are sown in youth by
pleasure, but the harvest is reaped in age by
pain,
LIFE is beautiful,-its duties

Cluster round each passing day,
While their sweet and solemn voices,
Warn to work, to watch, to pray.
They alone its blessings forfeit,
Who by sin their spirits cheat,
Or to slothful stupor yielding,

Let the rust their armour eat.

TO-DAY AND TO-MORROW.-Rabbi Eliezer said, "Turn to God one day before your death." His disciples said, "How can a man know the day of his death ?" He answered them, "Therefore, you should turn to God to-day. Perhaps you may die to-morrow; thus, every day will be employed in turning.

THE wiser mind

Mourns less for what Time takes away,
Than what it leaves behind.

WAYS TO HAPPINESS.-There are two ways of being happy. We may either diminish our wants or augment our means; either will do, the result is the same; and it is for each man to decide for himself, and to do that which may happen to be the easiest. If you are idle or sick, however hard it may be to diminish your wants, it will be easier than to augment your means. But if you are wise you will do both in such a way as to augment the general happiness of society.

PEACE is the evening star of the soul, as virtue is its sun, and the two are never far apart. KNOWLEDGE makes humble-ignorance proud Knowledge talks lowly-ignorance loud: Knowledge is modest, distrustful, and pureIgnorance boastful, conceited, and sure.

FAMILY COUNCIL.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN OF THE COUNCIL.The subject of your epistolatory contributions this month emphatically designated "noble" by one of your circle-appears to have struck a peculiarly congenial chord, for the writers enter warmly into the spirit of the task, and write con amore. Some undeniably ac mirable advice is the result, mixed, however, with occasional narrowness of mind and trivialities. We have a few remarks to

offer.

pose. Cleaving to our old custom, the definitions, also, must blend wisdom with humour.

The President, on this joyous occasion, expects every member to do his (or her) duty, that the Christmas number of the FRIEND may exhibit a galaxy of wisdom enshrined in mirth.

MY DEAR GERTRUDE,—

possess.

You ask me to suggest such practical rules for your guidance in reading as I may have found useful during my studious days. I will endeavour to comply with your request, although perhaps an instructor of more modern date might W. Y. Somerville treats the matter philoso- be better fitted for the task than your old mother; phically, not to say metaphysically. Will this thoughtful and esteemed writer try to be a little yet, as mental needs are the same at all periods, my limited experience may be useful in directing more clear, simple, and lively? Number One is as you amidst the increased advantages that you meagre as W. Y. S. is weighty. The enumeration of a few bald rules does not, with us, constitute a letter. Narcissa's writing is still so difficult to read that it is not possible to appreciate fully her composition, which, besides, walks slipshod. "I've," "you'll," "you've," &c., are not admissible. Narcissus, and all the council, are requested to write on one side the paper only. G. W. R. writes with plain sense, but, on the vexed question of fiction, is uarrow, like several others. Snow, however (whose too-brief letter we publish), very rightly appreciates the worth of novels for heart education, a point of view not a little important, and demanding much consideration. Even the "thrilling romances" which are declaimed against so severely by Agnese (in a capital letter, wanting only a little more breadth of vision,) have their uses, if free from moral objections. Take them in short doses, Agnese, as anodynes during fits of pain, say a toothache for instance, and you will not find them act altogether as useless "poison." Emma S. P., in her refined but conventional epistle, is also strong on the "poisonous" nature of fiction, and quotes bitter words descriptive of all its worst effects; these, however, are tolerably well known to educated people,

Lily H. has written beautifully and at large, and her letter must have made its way to print had it commenced with less circumlocution. There is nothing like going directly to the matter in hand. Subordinate it to nothing. Subordinate everything to it. Rosa F. mixes the trivial with the important.

Brunette, as a new member, is right welcome. Her paper is neat, clear, and practical. We cannot, however, accept all her views. She must reconsider the subject. Marguerite and Nina Gordon think well and write well. Our space forbids further criticism, and we conclude with general thanks to all for the careful attention which the subject has received, and with a passing word on the following letter by Illa. Others have excelled this in elegance and eloquence, but we insert it for its breadth of view, and for its independent and discriminating judgment. Rules of method are perilous things in all branches of study, often impeding when professing to assist the mind; but we can cordially commend the rules which Illa lays down.

We beg our Council to observe that our next number will, as far as possible, bear upon the Christmas time, and we hope the members will impart to the proposed conglomeration a genial Christmas spirit; we have formed it for this pur

First, I should say-although I hope and believe that the hint is not in your case necessary— never yield to the temptation of reading a book simply in order to be able to say that you have done so. Tastes and abilities differ, and it is most preposterous to imagine that because A. and B. understand, and consequently enjoy, an abstruse science, that C. and D. must worry their poor brains in the vain attempt to comprehend its subtleties. God has given to His creatures capacities varying both in direction and calibre, and this very fact should teach us to follow our mental idiosyncracies, and by so doing be prepared to supply our neighbours' wants; thus, perhaps, one will be an artist, another a poet, a third a mathematician, a fourth an historian, and so on-each excelling in some division of labour-instead of wearily striving to be what their Creator never intended. But do not let us narrow down our intellects to one single point; let us keep our particular aim specially before us, but meanwhile cultivate an acquaintance with other branches of knowledge, so as to be able fully to appreciate and profit by the productions of a friend, to sympathise with and encourage him in his task, to be, in fine, that most delightful of acquisitions, an intelligent and thoughtful companion. But I am dwelling too long on this point, and will turn to others.

Let me suppose that you have selected a subject on which you desire sound and extensive information; what will be the wisest plan to pursue for its attainment? I will assume that you are studying the history of France, and wish to gain an acquaintance with the period of the Revolution. Do not fancy that the perusal of one work alone, however good this may be, will answer your requirements. An author generally gives his own colouring to his topic; he views it in one light-perhaps not the truest-and the reader, by depending on him exclusively, is unwittingly misled. Collect rather as many standard works on the matter as you can; you need not read every one, but take the sense of all-a little practice will enable you to do this with ease and correctness-and collate them; you will be astonished at the intellectual activity that one such trial will confer, while the record so considered will become indelibly impressed on your memory. Of course such close research cannot be applied to all subjects; many we must accept on the good faith of the author; but it will be well for you to have one topic always under

review; vary its nature as often as you can, and rest your mind by other and lighter studies, but return to it regularly until it is completed; the task is invaluable as a strengthener and steadier of the faculties. I took the hint first, I remember, from Sir James tephens's Lectures on History, and I consider it too excellent to be passed by unmentioned.

no more; labour steadily and diligently, and your intellects will soon acknowledge your sway. As to the special periods of the day for reading, I can say nothing; your own judgment must arrange the question, the rules of your aunt's house as to meals, &c., being your guide; but I should be inclined to advise you not to engage in any very deep researches before breakfast, or in We are sometimes told that it is well only to the afternoon or evening; the forenoon is the read one book at a time; such was the rule in my best for them, when the nervous energies are at young days, but I have seen good cause to abro- full liberty to assist the brain in its labours. Regate it in my own practice. Morning, noon, and serve your lighter reading for the times I first night, to have but one book in your hand when mentioned, and be sure never to allow zeal for you feel inclined for reading, has a most cramping study to encroach on your social duties or seasons effect, teaching the mind to trot along in one of exercise; the young often make great mistrack like a mill-horse, and to rear and plunge in takes in this way, and I would have my daughter an undesirable way at any attempt to turn it wisely to avoid all extremes. suddenly into a new path, as is often required in I have written a long and very sage letter, my real, practical life. Make this rule rather, and dearest girl, and yet I have much still to say; but adhere to it by all means, never to begin a book my time is not, as you know, quite my own; I will, and leave it half read; be sure that it is worth therefore, conclude with one more remark. While reading before you commence it, and when once reading the works of past authors, do not neglect entered into, go through it conscientiously; but the claims of the present race; you have access have half-a-dozen in reading at the same time if to a good public library at C- make full use of you find your mind equal to such versatility; our it. Your aunt is, I believe, fond of reading aloud; hands perform twenty different acts in an hour your evenings, which, by judicious management, why should our brains be less accommodating? I would have you leave quite free, may be agreeNext comes the question, how are you to select ably devoted to keeping yourself abreast with your authors? This is a point on which the ad- current literature-a lack of acquaintance with vice of a judicious friend is invaluable. Writers which will deprive you of much pleasure in somay be plausible and interesting, and yet super-ciety, as well as real, solid advantage. ficial, or even unreliable; a young reader, if he trust to his own discrimination, will inevitably make mistakes more or less serious, and lose much precious time; apply rather to some one of approved judgment, and you will certainly spare yourself no little annoyance. Read Reviews, too; not with implicit faith, however, for they are often, very often, fallible, still they are of much service.

And now good bye, my dear child; we are all looking forward with so much delight to your return home in the summer. Will you give a message of fondest love to aunt and uncle from every one here, and with the same to yourself, believe me, my darling Gertrude,

Ever, your fondly-attached mother,

MY DEAR DAUGHTER,—

ILLA.

You have now left school for good, and yet there remains two years until the time arrive when we, your parents, return to England, and I am anxious to know, darling, how you intend to pass those two years as regards the education that ought not to be considered ended with the school term.

Many persons advocate the practice of taking notes as you read; for myself I no longer adhere to such a rule. I had the habit at one time, but I gradually perceived that it tended more to the aecumulation of vast stores of disjointed scraps than to any real profit; one really very seldom refers to such memoronda; they lie neglected in drawers, instead of being stored in the proper receptacle for all knowledge, the mind. My adYour aunt, I know, is well qualified to teach vice to you would be-take few notes by pen, you all that more useful household knowledge many by memory, and accustom yourself so to without which a woman's education must ever be arrange them in this latter storehouse as to have incomplete; but still, Annie, there are other powers them at command at a moment's notice; learn to which it would be equally wrong to neglect, and connect one thing with another, to have ready I should not like to find, upon my return, an illiaccess to all, without the labour of searching terate little school girl, instead of an accomplished through heaps of paper for a slight fact, just per- and intellectual woman. Your aunt's home, I haps needed as a link in conversation. There is know, is situated in a country village, where you one plan, however, which I have practised, and can have few or no advantages; but, however which I should much like you to follow; viz., some scanty may be your other resources, thanks to the time after reading on a subject, draw out a sketch wide spread of literature at the present day, you of its chief points, not elaborately, but intelli-will be able to procure books which, if carefully gibly, and you will soon find, by so doing, whether you have really profited by your studies."

Now for hours of study. Do not weary your mind unwisely, but carefully avoid the opposite danger of giving it the trick-for such it is-of working at one thing for half an hour, and then wearying of it and craving for something else; one or two hours, according to circumstances, ought to be allotted to each topic; a shorter period only permits one to get into its spirit, and

read, may prove the best and wisest friends.

Now Annie, love, I do not wish to lay restrictions upon your reading, hoping that your own good judgment may, in a measure, guide you; but you will, I know, receive a few practical rules from your mamma in the spirit they are given, and let them direct you in your choice of and perusal of books. In reading books of deepest thought, that tax your powers to the utmost, never be in a haste to get through them. Read one page, close the