TRUE LOVE.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 3, Issue 663, 10 January 1881, Page 2

TRUE LOVE.

A pretty story is told of the lato Czarina ( who, as is well known, was a moat faith- ; ful wife in spite of the long.continued harsh treatment and neglect of the' Czar, and a wise and devout mother. Although a strict observer of the' rules of .the. Greek Church,. she always opposed the tendency to substitute forms and ascetic ceremonies in religion in place of true feeling and domestic every-day duty. i While visiting-the Smoliioje Institute for girls, some years ago, the Empress, ■ during the examination of the pupils, sud- . denly asked, "What is love J" ■The ladies blushed as though an in> . proper question had been proposed, became greatly confused, and were silent. Madame Leo.ntieff,. the directress, kneeling, begged leave to state to her Majesty that all knowledge of this dangerous subject was prolijbitod by her,.and that Vail, probility the pupils did not understandeven the'meaning of-the-word.- - The'Czarina : frowned; . "SoM from being a dangerous subject, madamej" she said, " love should.be the pure mainspring of a' woman's-heart ;,.fiFßtVlov'e' for her parents; then love for her husband; and lastly, love for her.children, arid love for God always. ■ If your pupils .have not learned this, they are badly prepared for • the duties of life." The Empress left'the Institute, and the next day, Madam' Leontieff was removed as incompetent by the Imperial Ministry of Education, Often,, the mention of love is received -by young girls with a blush and a giggle, which betray''the narrow meaning which they attach to the word, It is- to them simply a flirtation" with some young man, which may or may not end in marriage. It is the fault of their mothers if they arenot taught to know and respect that divine quality of devotion and self-sacri- • hce, which alone can ennoble a woman's ' life, and which, whether given to parent, "' child, or lover, mijkQs Iter more Skin'teller Master, .'.';"• • j - If we wereasked.fqra;'typica,l.pioturebf love in the present time we shouldcho'se ' f not a pretty littlo-girl sitting by a moW ' tached yqiith in the'tboonlight, hut Mary Mer,.. sending; by : - herald helpless

father on the burning deck of the Seawahaka, the flames wrapping her like s garment, and burning her eyea blind,— Exchange,