e of blossom and fruit, because it has never been
given the opportunity to develop.

Take a boy's innate love of collecting. Could you not develop it by the
offer of a little prize for the best collection of dried flowers, of
butterflies or insects, of birds' eggs, even, in some cases, of
geological specimens, but, in any case, with the scientific and common
names attached; so forming a healthy taste for natural history, which
may be a source of perpetual interest and profit in after-life? Do not
let your dislike of destroying life interfere; reverence for life can be
as well, nay, better taught by insisting that only the necessary
specimens should be given of each species, only one or two eggs taken
from the nest, and the nest itself disturbed as little as possible.
Chemistry and electricity also appeal to a boy's love of experimentizing
and of making electrical contrivances, easily constructed of the
commonest materials. As to hand-work, the lack of which in ill-health
has made so many a man a torment both to himself and others, there ought
to be no difficulty with regard to that. Carpentering, wood-carving,
repousse-work in metal, bent-iron work, mosaic work, any of these,
except possibly the last, may be set on foot with very little expense,
besides drawing, modelling, etc. Where there are sufficient means it
would be a good thing if boys were taught, as far as may be, how things
are made and the amount of toil that goes into the simplest article. I
remember giving a small printing-press to a boy of ours--an excellent
gift, by the by, for a lad, and it can be had for five or six
shillings--and his coming to me soon after with a match-box in his hand,
exclaiming with wonderment, "Why, auntie, there are six different kinds
of type on this match-box!" If they could learn how to build, how
rafters and joists are put in, and construct as much as a miniature
summer-house in the garden, how useful this being able to turn their
hands to anything might prove to them in their after-life. And with what
added respect they would look upon all labor if they had never looked
upon it as the part of a "gentleman" to stand aloof from it.

Lastly, but not least, I would plead most earnestly for the frequent
home-letter, should your boy be sent to a boarding-school. If you would
have him resist the temptations of school life, keep the home as close
to his heart and as present to his mind as you can. Make it your first
and paramount du