PROVERBIAL WISDOM.

66

NEVER let anything go to ruin for want of a little care in mending and repairing: a stitch in time saves nine." "Saving is getting.'

The first thing to be attended to about work, is to do it well; the next thing is to do it quickly: both are of great consequence to our well-doing in the world. Work by the piece, or by the task, whenever you can; if nobody else will task you, task yourself. You then work with greater spirit and pleasure, and get much more done in the same time. Be particularly on your guard against loitering over any sort of employment; that is almost as bad as absolute idleness. "She that gazes much, spins not much."

"Constant occupation prevents temptation."

By proper care and management, a little may be made to go a great way. They who are not good managers in small matters, do not deserve to be trusted with great ones. "Thrift is a good revenue."

"The worth of a thing is best known by the want of it." Youth is the time for saving; but little is then wanted. One of the first lessons the Dutch children are taught, is, whatever their income may be, to save a part of it.

"Reckless youth makes rueful age."

"Application in youth makes old age comfortable." "Waste not, want not."

Extravagance in female dress opens the door to temptation, which but too frequently ends in ruin.

"Silks and satins put out the kitchen fire."

She that loseth her honesty and modesty, hath little else to lose.

The spendthrift will say, "I have had this hat or this gown so long, no matter what becomes of it now." The wise and economical will say, "I have had these things a long time, but I must make them last a little longer, so will take care of them."

"A fool and his money are soon parted."

"Take heed, will surely speed."

If you would borrow anything a second time, use it well, and return it speedily. But avoid a habit of borrowing; remember "the borrower is servant to the lender;" and the proverb says truly, "He that goes a-borrowing goes a

sorrowing ;" and so, indeed, does he who lends to some sort of people, who are only concerned for their own immediate convenience, and have no due regard to their neighbour's property.

Do not let the beauty of this thing, or the cheapness of that, tempt you to buy unnecessary articles. Dr. Franklin's maxim was a wise one: "Nothing is cheap that we do not want."

"We increase wealth by lessening our desires."

Choose your cottage or lodging in a clean airy situation; free from damp, and as far removed as possible from bad examples.

"Tell me what company you keep, and I will tell you what you are."

"Good health is better than wealth."

Watch against a dependent disposition; support yourselves by your own industry; pay attention to the price, weight, and quality of every article you buy; be frugal; and, if possible, never get into debt, or rely upon the charity of others. "Take care of the pence, and the pounds will take care of themselves."

Do not become weekly customers for your provisions, coals, or clothing, but secure the advantages of buying with ready money.

Beware of the ruinous practice of pledging, and never be seen at the dram-shop or public-house.

The Spaniards have a proverb, that " drinking water neither makes a man sick, nor in debt, nor his wife a widow."

Do not say it is "only a penny, or only a shilling," as an excuse for spending needlessly; but remember "a pin a day is a groat a year, and a groat a day is six pounds a year."

Never make only an excuse for any neglect of duty. "I had a fine scolding from cook, only because I forgot to order the milk that was wanted for the custard," says a careless kitchen girl; forgetting that her neglect may prevent the cook obeying her mistress's order, and must put her to much inconvenience in sending to a distance for the milk. "What have you thrown out of the window, Sarah?"" Only a piece of orange-peel, nurse:" and yet it is but a short time since, that a poor man, stepping on orangepeel carelessly thrown on the street pavement, slipped and broke both his legs.

FRIENDLY HINTS.-ON AMUSEMENTS.

BE not fond of increasing your acquaintance; for visiting leads you out of your business, robs your mistress of your time, and often puts you to an expense you cannot afford. Above all things, take care with whom you are acquainted, for persons are generally the better or the worse for the company they keep.

Never go out on your own affairs without the knowledge of the family, lest you should be wanted in your absence; "leave is light;" and returning punctually at the time you promise, shows obedience and sobriety.

When out of place, or for a holiday, be cautious where you lodge, or what houses you enter: being in a disreputable house, or even neighbourhood, puts you on a footing with those who live there, however innocent you are yourself.

Be moderate in your desire for pleasure and holidays, but learn to bear the restraints and confinement of service willingly; this is best acquired by taking thorough pleasure in the discharge of your duty, and this will leave you neither leisure nor desire for more pleasure than most employers will readily grant.

A girl who is hankering after feasts and fairs is never likely to make a good and respectable servant.

Be very careful of your reputation for discretion and virtue, for it is the foundation of your happiness in this world.

Do not go to fairs, dances, or plays; the going to such places is dangerous to your reputation and happiness; thousands every year are, through them, led to keep bad hours and bad company, to the loss of their places, to a friendless life, and a miserable death.

Before you engage in any pleasure scheme, therefore, ask yourself the probable end of it. Consider whether your best friends would approve of it. Picture to yourself the heartrending grief of good and aged parents, the sorrow and disappointment of your early teachers and kindest friends, should any evil or disgrace happen to you.

One false step often blasts our prospects through life, leaves us distressed, broken-hearted, and outcasts from society, without character, friends, or peace of mind.

Oh! then, be cautious of holiday-making and pleasuring parties.

Let your conduct towards men-servants be very discreet ; remember that modesty in a female, whether rich or poor, is the brightest jewel in her character, and that a modest reserved conduct towards men is the safeguard of virtue, and is sure to be respected by them.

Another evil attending the love of holiday-making is, that it leads to needless expenses. Remember that "service is no inheritance;" be frugal, therefore, and economical of your wages: perhaps for the first three years of your going to service you may not be able to save a pound in the year; yet begin at once, and as your wages increase, lay by as much as you can, and every half-year put something in the Saving Bank.

If you will now deny yourself in trifles, you may save enough to make you comfortable when you wish to settle in life, for your money will not only be safe, but will increase by remaining for a few years in the Saving Bank.

If your parents should be in need, remember "how often they have pinched themselves, that you might be fed ;" and forget not to succour them in their declining years. In general, unless they are pressed for rent or in need of money, it perhaps would be best to give them occasional help in coals, blankets, or some useful thing which you know they want, but perhaps would not have bought for themselves; as the pleasure of such a present will last as long as the article does, by constantly reminding them of you, whereas money may soon be spent.

Never allow your savings to remain in your master's hands from year to year. Many servants have, by the sudden death, or the failure in business, of even good and kind masters, lost all their accumulated wages.

Servants' Magazine.

LESSONS TO MANKIND.

THE Violet, hiding low its head
Upon its humble shady bed,
Seeking to shun the passing eye.
A pattern is of modesty.

Weaving again (with skill employ'd)
His web, by carelessness destroy'd,
The spider, hateful in appearance,
A pattern is of perseverance.

By wanton cruelty distress'd,
With stripes inhumanly oppress'd,
The ass, contemn'd on most occasions,
A pattern is to us for patience.

The birds, in gratitude that raise
Sweet songs to their Creator's praise,
As through the yielding air they fly,
Are patterns for true piety.

These, as they catch our wand'ring eye,
Seem to reproach us while they cry,
Widely and plainly as they can,
"Come, imitate us, haughty man!"

Servants' Magazine.

THE COOK.

To become a good cook, requires good teaching and long practice. She should be very clean, active, and healthy, as being employed so much near a fire is rather trying to young people who are not strong. She should wash her hands very frequently, and keep her hair close and well confined under a neat cap; should wear short sleeves while at work, and a clean large apron.

A cook has generally the charge of the kitchen, scullery, and pantry; must be careful of all the provisions, and keep all the variety of cooking utensils perfectly clean, and fit for use at any moment she may require them. In small families, a cook sometimes assists in the other household work, and is expected to have the hall and door steps, &c. cleaned before breakfast, so that she may be ready for her own more immediate duties in the kitchen at an early hour. In such families we may suppose that the mistress visits the kitchen soon after breakfast, when the cook should be prepared to