LADIES' COLUMN.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 121, 2 June 1870, Page 6

LADIES' COLUMN.

The truth is, that the worship of children has- increased, i» increasing, and ought to be diminished, it? is the growing evil of the day. We know very well all about " the fresh-*y^xmg soul," and the "-child-heart," and that sort of thing. It is that sort of things which has seriously injured the children of this generation, when artlessness gets-to know its power, it is very near the art. Children are too much consulted in our generation. Their pleasures are far too numerouse and elaborate. A stern and healthy frugality, not tosay asceticism, in relation to providing children with means of enjoyment, and in administering their amusements, is the truest kindness to children. They are as incapable of vaulting the high development and elaborate Asiaticluxury of their modern playrooms and playthings as a labouring man would be of appreciating the luxury of French cookery. Simplicity, and we may almost say monotony, are the essence of a true child's amusements. A hardier and austerer fare as regards morality, even if it were grotesquely falseat times, would keep up the independent action of children's consciences' and affections. The era of elaborate sugar plums and high art for children is certainly not one that produces themost vigorous and eager minds. The worship of children is throwing us all into- the shade. Let us put them down for the future. It will do both us and them good. — " Spectator." A wife's- rule should not only beover her husband's house, but over hismind. A true wife, in her husband* ! house, is his servant; it is in his heart; that she is queen. Whatever of best he can conceive, it is her part to be? ; whatever of highest he can hope, it m hers to promise; all that is dark in him, she must purge into purity. Prom her* through all the world's clamour, hemust win his praise; in her, through, all the world's warfare, he must find his peace. The cheif fountain of human happiness and contentment is centred in woman, "Heaven's last and best gift to man," in whose nature we behold all that breathes of brightness, purity, and affection. What do we not owe to woman's example and influence, to woman's sympathy and devotion ? Does she not cheer us in affliction, and and soothe each passing sorrow with such comfort as she only can offer ? Is she not our companion through life, equally constant in adversity and prosperity ; the bright light that cheersand guides our footsteps through the dangers and temptation of the world ?• She was created to be the helpmate to man, and nobly has she fulfilled her mission ; for, without her, existence would be pain, our whole life one i^Jwy pilgrimage of despairand sorrow!. • ignorant are they of the chief attributes of woman who look upon her only asa toy, and seek her society merely to pass an idle hour ; and how utterly I despicable and unmanly is- he who can treat with cruelty and neglect her ! whom the laws of nature and of Grocl decree that he should love, honour, and protect; whose beauty is her shield, whose weakness is her only weapon. Ladies have a knack of doing thing* at the right moment. This may evidently be said of the young American lady who, when lately skating at the Bois de Boulogne, managed to slip andt fall whilst the Prince Imperial was dashing past. His Imperial Higness graciously picked up the beauty in distress, and, whilst addressing a few words to our fair countrywoman, seemed pleased to have arrived in timefor the gallant rescue. Perhaps ladies would not mind coming to grief, if such knights-gallant were always near, Samuel Baldwin, a gentleman of Hampshire, had, by his will, in the year 1736, ordered that after bis decease his body should be thrown into the sea beyond the Needles, which was accordingly complied with. On making enquiry into the motives for this singular disposal of his remains, it was discovered that he made it for the purpose of disappointing his young wife, who had frequently assured him, by way of consolation, that she would dance upon his grave. The Mormon Legislature has passed a bill giving the electoral franchise to the women of the territory, and the A.ct, having been signed by the Governor, has become law. In another territory of the United States, Wyoming, woman suffrage has alreadybeen established. How to Choose a Wife. — " A place for everything and everything in its place," said the patriarch to his daughter. " Select a wife, my son, who will never step over a broomstick," The son was obedient to the lesson. " Now,'* said he pleasantly on a gay May-day, to one of his companions, " I appoint that broomstick to choose me a wife. The youDg lady who will not step over it shall have the offer of my hand." They passed from the splendid saloon to the grove: some stumbled over the broomstick, and others jumped over it At length a young lady stopped and put it in its place. The promise was fulfilled: she became the wife of^ , educated and welthy young man, .HJMtt he the husband of a prudent, indJ^ trious and lovely wife. He brought a fortune to her, and she knew how to save one. It was not easy to decfdV which was under the greatest obligation; both were rich and each enriched the other.