oisoned; but just so far as it reaches and touches, the
social dyspepsia will be aggravated.

I submit a few atoms of the poison revealed by careful examination.

"The mother's is a MOST HONORABLE calling. 'What a pity that one so
gifted should be so tied down!' remarks a superficial observer, as she
looks upon the mother of a young and increasing family. The pale, thin
face and feeble step, bespeaking the multiplied and wearying cares of
domestic life, elicit an earnest sympathy from the many, thoughtlessly
flitting across her pathway, and the remark passes from mouth to mouth,
'How I pity her! What a shame it is! She is completely worn down with
so many children.' It may be, however, that this young mother is one
who needs and asks no pity," etc.

"But the TRUE MOTHER yields herself uncomplainingly, yea, cheerfully,
to the wholesome privation, solitude, and self-denial allotted
her...... Was she fond of travelling, of visiting the wonderful in
Nature and in Art, of mingling in new and often-varying scenes? Now
she has found 'an abiding city,' and no allurements are strong enough
to tempt her thence. Had society charms for her, and in the social
circle and the festive throng were her chief delights? Now she stays
at home, and the gorgeous saloon and brilliant assemblage give place to
the nursery and the baby. Was she devoted to literary pursuits? Now
the library is seldom visited, the cherished studies are neglected, the
rattle and the doll are substituted for the pen. Her piano is silent,
while she chants softly and sweetly the soothing lullaby. Her dress
can last another season now, and the hat--oh, she does not care, if it
is not in the latest mode, for she has a baby to look after, and has no
time for herself. Even the ride and the walk are given up, perhaps too
often, with the excuse, 'Baby-tending is exercise enough for me.' Her
whole life is reversed."

The assumption is, that all this is just as it should be. The
thoughtless person may fancy that it is a pity; but it is not a pity.
This is a model mother and a model state of things. It is not simply to
be submitted to, not simply to be patiently borne; it is to be aspired
to as the noblest and holiest state.

That is the strychnine. You may counsel people to take joyfully the
spoiling of their goods, and comfort, encourage, and strengthen them by
so doing; but when you tell them that to be robbed and plundered is of
itself a priceless bles