"TWO IN ONE HOUSE SELDOM AGREE." LET it not be thought that Grandfather Gray has such an uncharitable opinion of his fellow-creatures, as to assert that "two in one house seldom agree." The sentiment is not his, but as it was uttered in his hearing, while chatting with Aunt Deborah on the merits and demerits of servants, he feels disposed to consider if there is any truth in it. He must say, then, that he has heard of sulky housemaids and irritable cooks, of lordly butlers and of tattling ladies'maids; but, after all, he cannot subscribe to the sentiment, that two in a house seldom agree. It may be true, and the old man fears it is, that in ten thousand instances the happiness of one servant is destroyed by the unkindness of another; since there are too many whose bad tempers are so unhappily indulged, that they have neither any peace themselves, nor has any other person who is obliged to dwell with them. But, after this frank admission, he does hope, for the honour of humanity, that the majority of households are not so unhappily circumstanced; and he will still cherish the persuasion, that servants are not less kind and harmonious than any other class of persons. Grandfather Gray must be permitted, however, to say, that where two in a house cannot agree, there must be a lamentable want of right feeling on the part of one or both; and he cannot but add, that idleness, selfishness, or bad temper, must be the secret cause of such discord. There are servants most particular in doing all their own work, but who are exceedingly exact in not doing any part of their fellow-servants' duties. To such he would suggest, that a less rigid adherence to that rule of right would not lessen their own happiness, whilst it would increase that of others. He would remind them, that a kind action done for a fellow-servant will never be bestowed in vain, for the exercise of right feelings must do themselves good, even should their kindness not be returned. Above all, the old man would wish to inculcate that lovely disposition which the Saviour has enjoined upon us all, "to love our neighbour as ourselves;" for she who tries to yield obedience to this divine precept will not only agree with those of the same household in all that is honest and praiseworthy, but she will seek to suppress discord, to promote the harmony and peace of all around her, even if it should cost her some self-denial in making the attempt. Before he concludes, however, he must say, that he has known some servants to be too well agreed, not in the discharge of their daily duties, or in rendering offices of kindness to each other, but in idle gossip, lolling out of windows, standing at the door, or passing the hours of the Sabbath in frivolous pursuits. To such he would affectionately say, that the sooner they begin to differ, the greater probability there will be of their future happiness; not that he would set even such at loggerheads, but he would have the very first who may read this warning resolve, that, whatever her fellow-servant may say or think, she, at least, will act upon the principles of that Book which commands her to form no friendships, and to have no needless fellowship, with the wicked. Grandfather Gray, in " Servants' Magazine." "I CAN DO WITHOUT IT." I HAVE found the above little sentence so very useful to me through life, that I wish to recommend it to others, in the hope that if kept in mind it may save them from as many foolish purchases as it has myself. Often when passing a shop-window my eye has been attracted by some very pretty dress, or ribbon, or collar, and I have instantly formed a wish to possess the article, not because I wanted it, but simply because it was pretty, and I knew I had money enough to purchase it. Just, however, as I have been stepping into the shop to purchase the tempting article, the thought has crossed my mind, "I can do without it; I really do not need it; I had much better keep my money for something really necessary and useful;" and then, turning at once from the alluring sight, I have walked away, strengthened in the purpose to buy nothing which I did not require,-nothing for the mere sake of buying. Now, dear reader, have you not been placed in similar circumstances to myself, and, again and again yielding to the new? 66 temptation, have you not often spent your hard earnings upon comparatively useless articles just because they appear cheap, or pretty, or because you had a fancy for something How often has a lace-woman or a pack-man come to the door, and, instead of at once saying, in a calm steady voice, Thank you, I do not want anything," you have allowed a bundle of tempting articles to be spread open before you, and, from first admiring, then coveting, have been induced to lay out your money in mere gratification of vanity, and in what you have afterwards felt you could have done without! I grant you that it is a very strong temptation to see pretty things with gay colours presented to our notice, and perhaps few snares prove so powerful to females in general as dress and ornaments: nevertheless, we must remember that St. John warns us against indulging in the lust of the eye, and it is through the lust of the eye that our temptations to dress come; were we blind, the colour or variety of the clothes we wear would concern us but little: how sad, then, to think that our eyesight should be the means of leading us into folly! Strive, then, to look upon the smallest sum placed in your hands as given you by your Master in Heaven; to Him you will have to account for the use of it; and when inclined to spend shillings, or even pence, in articles not really wanted, may you be strengthened to resist the temptation by the thought of my little motto, "I can do without it!" Servants' Magazine. ON GOOD TEMPER. THOSE Who have not naturally a good temper, whose dispositions have not been properly trained at home, will have to endure much misery when they go out in the world; for they will find a great deal to try them, as all do, whether rich or poor. They cannot expect that others should always conform to their humours; on the contrary, as servants, it is a part of their duty to submit to the humours of others,— to obey, and not to rule. Masters and mistresses have troubles enough without having their peace disturbed by their ser vants. Girls of bad temper are often discomposed by things as well as persons. If the fire will not burn, if the pot will not boil, or if it boils over, or such-like occurrences, where no one is to blame, every one within reach must suffer for it! as if all things as well as all people were to be in subjection to them. Locks may be spoiled by banging of doors, earthenware may be broken by throwing it about, fellowservants may be rendered miserable, children frightened, the mistress offended, and a good place lost! sooner than any of these exploits will improve the fire, or make the kettle boil faster, or produce any good effect. Let those whose tempers are of this unhappy cast, endeavour to subdue them. Were their bodies diseased, they would take medicine; but a diseased mind, as it is worse in its consequences, requires still greater attention, lest bad habits should grow so strong as to become incurable. Some say they know their tempers are bad, but they cannot help it; yet, were they certain that some one stood ready with a pistol to shoot them on the first outbreak of temper, it is more than probable that they would keep themselves under restraint. If this is the case, their tempers are not so uncontrollable as people are apt to suppose; and though no pistol may threaten, there are dangers sufficient to deter from it, though less sudden and dreadful at the time. Every servant wishes for a good-tempered master or mistress, and also pleasant companions. If she enters such a family, what a pity that one ill-tempered girl should break the peace of so many well-disposed people! But if, to her great mortification, she should find too many of her own disposition, she might learn from observation how unamiable she herself must also appear, and what little hope there is of her being loved or esteemed when she finds it so difficult to love or esteem others on account of their bad tempers. An There are many little things which a good-tempered servant will do, though they may not properly belong to her place, which will be exceedingly gratifying and pleasant to the family, and seldom go unrewarded. observant, obliging girl will soon discover, in almost every mistress, some little thing (perhaps some whim or fancy), by attending to which she will especially please, and thus endear herself at the expense of a little time and trouble. Though such trifles frequently add more to a mistress's real comfort, than even so much laborious work can do if performed grudgingly or in ill-humour, yet it is not every one who has an eye to discern these things, or a heart to practise them; but those who have, generally find their account in it, besides the pleasure of doing a kind action. If no one had ever done for you more than they were obliged to do, you might have been much worse off than you are, and have had still more reason for complaint. A good disposition is its own reward; and those who are disposed to conquer an evil one, may be encouraged thereto by that Scripture, which says, " He that ruleth his spirit, is greater than he that taketh a city." Servants' Magazine. SPEAK GENTLY. SPEAK gently!-it is better far Speak gently!-let not harsh words mar Speak gently!-affection whispers low Speak gently to the little child, Speak gently to the young; for they Will have enough to bear: Pass through this life as best they may, Speak gently to the aged one, Grieve not the care-worn heart; The sands of life are nearly run, Let such in peace depart. |