be remarked that the truest accomplishment is not the power to say fine
or clever things, but to say kind things well. There are some people
who seem wonderfully like wasps--they are clever at stinging, and they
seldom open their mouths but somebody is made to smart. They ought to
be labelled, "Dangerous," and to have as wide a berth given to them as
used to be accorded to the lepers. But there are others, whose words
are kind and wise, and coming from such tender hearts, are so "fitly
spoken," that whoever hears is better for them. Will not those
maidens, wives, and mothers, who admire Grace Darling, try to belong to
this better class, that their power of speech may be put to good uses
for the production of the highest blessings?

"She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the
bread of idleness." Grace Darling was a working woman. She knew what
it was to rise early in the morning, and assist her mother in all good
household duties. She had quick, ready hands, that could perform
whatever was required of them. She would have despised herself had she
been idle. It was not hers to take upon herself the responsibilities
of the mistress of a household, but, if it had been, no one doubts that
she would have performed them nobly. But as it was, she found enough
to employ her, and it may safely be said that she would have been
ashamed to eat the bread of idleness.

And there is not a woman living but ought to be ashamed of it, too.
Even if she be rich, and there is no need for her to labour in order to
assist the bread-winner in his arduous duties, there is still plenty of
work for all willing hands. No lady ought to be content to pass her
life in cutting holes to mend them up again; in playing a little,
reading novels, and visiting. There ought to be some real tangible
good done. And there is need around every woman. There are poor
children for whom warm garments may be cut and made, poor women who may
be helped, and, indeed, a thousand ways in which a woman may, by
diligence, benefit others. And she will certainly do it, if "she
looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of
idleness."

"Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all."
This is very high praise, but Grace Darling deserves it. Few women, if
any, have done so good a deed as she. It was not for the sake of
winning renown, praise, or reward. There were no witnesses of her act,
exc