ife
as material ones. The reaction from asceticism, which despised the body
and made it only a hindrance, or, at best, a slave to the soul, is in
danger of going so far as to forget the rightful supremacy and control
of the mental powers. A high purpose is often the best of tonics, as an
agreeable amusement is the most refreshing of sedatives. A determination
to live and work has kept many a person from the grave. But it must be a
strong, calm, persistent purpose that will have this good effect, not
the feverish ambition of an hour. The girl who works to gain a prize or
to rush through school in less than the usual time, will doubtless
exhaust her nervous system, and bring on disease or feebleness; but she
who looks forward to a life of noble usefulness will learn to husband
her powers, and make the future secure by wise forbearance in the
present.

When circumstances do not supply the needed stimulus to use of the
mental faculties, by a demand for present work, the mother may keep
before the mind of her daughter the great duty of preparation for
contingencies that may arise, and show her how the rapid changes now
taking place in our social system may at any time bring her new duties
and responsibilities, for which she will need all her physical and
mental powers.

When Harriet Beecher was the leading spirit in a girls' society for
mental improvement, she did not know that the intellectual gifts there
developed would enable her to strike the keenest blow that slavery ever
received in this country. When Maria Mitchell studied astronomy with her
father she could not tell that a professorship at Vassar College awaited
her, and that her thorough fitness for it would prove a tower of
strength to the cause of higher education for women throughout the
country. Keep the sword bright, keen, and well tempered, and opportunity
will come to use it in defense of truth and right.

I have said little, directly, of school education, because there comes
in the teacher's influence, and, as regards intellectual training, it is
usually better than the mother's. And though the mother should never
yield her right of interest and ultimate appeal, yet, having selected a
teacher, she should give her generous confidence and conscientious
support. But she must always be watchful to guard her daughter's health,
most of all against herself. From my own observation I should say that
the overwork and over-stimulus complained of in schools is far m