imulate it with a gentle delight.
Where there are young people forming a part of the evening circle,
interesting and agreeable pastime should especially be promoted. It is
of incalculable benefit to them that their homes should possess all the
attractions of healthful amusement, comfort, and happiness; for if they
do not find pleasure there, they will seek it elsewhere. It ought,
therefore, to enter into the domestic policy of every parent, to make
her children feel that home is the happiest place in the world; that to
imbue them with this delicious home-feeling is one of the choicest gifts
a parent can bestow.

Light or fancy needlework often forms a portion of the evening's
recreation for the ladies of the household, and this may be
varied by an occasional game at chess or backgammon. It has
often been remarked, too, that nothing is more delightful to the
feminine members of a family, than the reading aloud of some
good standard work or amusing publication. A knowledge of polite
literature may be thus obtained by the whole family, especially
if the reader is able and willing to explain the more difficult
passages of the book, and expatiate on the wisdom and beauties
it may contain. This plan, in a great measure, realizes the
advice of Lord Bacon, who says, "Read not to contradict and
refute, nor to believe and take for granted, nor to find talk
and discourse, but to weigh and consider."

49. IN RETIRING FOR THE NIGHT, it is well to remember that early rising
is almost impossible, if late going to bed be the order, or rather
disorder, of the house. The younger members of a family should go early
and at regular hours to their beds, and the domestics as soon as
possible after a reasonably appointed hour. Either the master or the
mistress of a house should, after all have gone to their separate rooms,
see that all is right with respect to the lights and fires below; and no
servants should, on any account, be allowed to remain up after the heads
of the house have retired.

50. HAVING THUS GONE FROM EARLY RISING TO EARLY RETIRING, there remain
only now to be considered a few special positions respecting which the
mistress of the house will be glad to receive some specific information.

51. WHEN A MISTRESS TAKES A HOUSE in a new locality, it will be
etiquette for her to wait until the older inhabitants of the
neighbourhood call upon her; thus evincing a desire, on their