o close this chapter, a singularly romantic example
of a pair of female friends, set forth by old Thomas Heywoode, in his
"Nine Books of Various History concerning Women," published at London
in 1624. A certain sinless maiden, called Bona, "who lived a retired
life in a house of religious Nunnes, had a bedfellow, unto whom,
above all others, she was tied, lying on her death-bed, and no help
to be devised for her recovery." This Bona, being herself in perfect
health, besought the Almighty, that she might not survive her friend;
but, as they had lived together in all sanctity and sisterly love, so
their chaste bodies might not be separated in death. As she prayed,
so it happened. Both died on the same day, and were buried in the
same sepulchre, being fellows in one house, one bed, and one grave;
and now, no question, joyful and joint inheritors of one kingdom.

NEEDS AND DUTIES OF WOMAN IN THIS AGE.

IF one-tenth of the efforts which women now make to fill their time
with amusements, or to gratify outward ambition, were devoted to
personal improvement, and to the cultivation of high-toned
friendships with each other, it would do more than any thing else to
enrich and embellish their lives, and to crown them with contentment.
Their characters would thus be elevated, their hearts warmed, their
minds stored, their manners refined, and kindness and courtesy
infused into their intercourse.

Nothing else will ever add to society the freshness, variety, and
stimulant charm, the noble truths and aspirations, the ingenuous,
co-operating affections, whose absence at present makes it often so
deceitful and repulsive, so barren and wearisome. The relish of
existence is destroyed, the glory of the universe darkened, to
multitudes of tender and highsouled persons, by the loathsome
insincerity and treachery, the frivolous fickleness, the petty
suspicions and envies, and the incompetent judgments, which they are
constantly meeting. These superficial and miserable vices of common
society disenchant the soul, and dry up the springs of love and hope.
They are fatal to that magnanimous wisdom and that trustful sympathy
which compose at once the brightest ornaments of our nature, and the
costliest treasures of experience. Ah, if, in place of them, we could
everywhere meet the honest hand, the open heart, the serious mind,
the frank voice, the upward eye, the emulous and helpful soul largely
endowed with knowledge and reverence! Then one wo