ending to their
wants, and I gave her my assistance. Somehow the meal seemed to pass off
more pleasantly than usual, and I felt my conscience prick me that I had
so often given my mother trouble by loitering and delaying at meal-time.
I resolved that henceforth I would be promptly on hand to help her. From
that time there was a marked change for the better in the ease with
which our family meals were served, and all because I was always
promptly on hand to help my mother. I do not know that she or any of the
family knew or noticed the reason, but I was very well aware of it. It
was really a kind of turning-point in my habits of life and usefulness
at home. To this day I never hear a bell ring for meals, without the
injunction of Jane Taylor coming into my mind: "Rise immediately, leave
whatever you are doing, and go at once to the table." I can assure you,
my child, it would add greatly to the comfort and happiness of many
houses, and greatly relieve many an overtaxed mother, if this good
old-fashioned direction were heeded not only by daughters but by other
members of the family also.

And if now, in addition to these good habits, you cultivate the habit of
cheerfulness and earnestly guard against temptation to fretfulness,
moroseness, or impatience, you will be well started on the way towards a
useful and lovely womanhood. A good daughter in a home is a well-spring
of joy, an ever-fresh source of delight and consolation to her parents.
Especially is she the stay and support and strength of her mother, the
happiness of whose life depends so largely upon the respectful and
affectionate conduct and attentions of her children.

LETTER V.

SOCIETY--CONVERSATION.

_My Dear Daughter:_--To give and receive pleasure in those pleasant
assemblages and meetings of acquaintances and friends known by the
general name of society, is one of the worthy minor aims of life. It is
one of the marks of an advancing state of intelligence and culture, when
an assemblage of gentlemen and ladies can pass delightful hours in the
mere interchange of thought in conversation. And while games and other
amusements may serve for a temporary variety (always excepting games
known as "kissing-games," which should be promptly tabooed and
denounced, and ever will be in truly refined society), yet animated and
intelligent conversation must always hold the first place in the list
of the pleasures of any refined society circle.

How shall a you