properly attend, and certainly we shall be required to do many things we have not before been accustomed to. Young people on first going to service have sometimes been discouraged at this, and have said, "Oh, I am sure I shall never learn it- I shall never like it - I shall never be able to do it. - it is so different to what I have been used to." This is very unwise, for every one must have a beginning in every fresh thing they attempt. No one capable of reading this book, but has once learned by easy steps to read. There are two rules worth writing in your copy-books, and fixing in your minds: "Whatever a man has done, man may do;" and "Choose that course of life which duty dictates, and habit will make it delightful." These sayings may serve to encourage you when told to set about things you have never attempted before: instead of saying, or even thinking, “I can't do it," try and try again, be resolved not to give up what others have done before you; and if you live and persevere, the time will come when you will find that easy which now seems almost impossible. Attention and good will alone are necessary when combined with determined perseverance. Attend to your orders, and fix them well in your mind. Attend to the instructions given to you as to how it is to be done, and, if you have the opportunity, observe the way in which others do it, as this may be a great help to you. Then whatever you set about do it with goodwill - no grumbling, no grudging, but a hearty desire to do whatever your duty requires, and to give satisfaction to those who employ you. If you do so, they will probably be pleased even with your endeavours; they will not expect you to do a thing perfectly the first time of trying, but they will have patience and encourage you in your endeavours to improve, and you will soon find the pleasure of conquering difficulties and making progress. We have in the Bible an account of a great and laborious work which the Jews performed, and did it well, though probably new work to many of them; and the reason given for their success (in Nehemiah, iv. 11.) was, "For the people had a mind to work." The mother of a family applying for parish assistance on the plea of her numerous family, not one of them earning a shilling to help her, the overseer said to her, "Why, your eldest boy is at Allen's, the grocer, is he not? Mr. Allen said he had offered to take him, and you know he was furnished with a pair of shoes on the strength of it." "Why, yes, sir," replied the mother; "but it did not suit. He could not do it, poor thing! It was what he had not been used to; so he only staid a week." For years afterwards, that boy was strolling about the streets ragged and barefoot, and, for aught I know, may be so to the present day. The boy who succeeded him is now himself master of a shop. It is of great importance that a young person, at first going into service, should be placed in a good situation. By a good situation is not meant one where she will find light work, and high wages, and plenty of liberty; but where her health and morals will be duly attended to, and her habits carefully formed and rightly directed. Much may be hoped from a good beginning; and depend upon it, if a young girl endeavours to deserve her regard, she is more likely to find a real valuable friend in a good Christian mistress than in any other person in the world besides. Useful Lads. ON KINDNESS TO ANIMALS. It is impossible to view the cheerfulness and happiness of animals and birds without pleasure; the latter, especially, appear to enjoy themselves during the fine weather in spring and summer with a degree of hilarity which might be almost envied. It is astonishing how much man might do to lessen the misery of those creatures which are either given to him for food or use, or for adding to his pleasure, if he were so disposed. Instead of which, he often exercises a degree of wanton cruelty and tyranny over them which cannot be too much deprecated. Animals are so capable of showing gratitude and affection to those who have been kind to them, that I never see them subjected to ill treatment without feeling the utmost abhorrence of the conduct of those who are inflicting it. I know many persons who, like myself, take a pleasure in seeing all the animals about them appear happy and contented. Cows will show pleasure at seeing those who have been kind to them, by moving their ears gently, and putting out their wet noses. My old horse rests his head on the gate with great complacency when he sees me coming, expecting to receive an apple or a piece of bread. I should be sorry even to see my poultry and pigs get out of my way with any symptoms of fear. In most families one or more domestic animals are kept: as they are removed from their natural state, in which they could have supplied their own wants, they have a claim to be properly supplied and kindly treated. Some servants are 66 very unkind to dumb animals; they not only neglect to feed them, but they cruelly beat or kick them, forgetting that the brute creation have an undoubted right to our humanity. A poor cat or dog has frequently been subjected to ill treatment from bad servants, for no other reason than its being a pet of mistress's :" this is a proof of a bad disposition. Cats and dogs are very useful in their places, and, with good management, it costs but little time or money to feed them properly. Every domestic animal should be distinctly understood to be the charge of one person; else there is great danger of its being forgotten or neglected, under the idea that another person has supplied it: and regularity in feeding will keep them from stealing, and cause them to thrive and look well. The person who has charge of the animals should also have a regular place assigned in which supplies are to be put as they accumulate: the fragments of the cookery and of the table for the poor dog and cat, and even the crumbs for the chickens or the little robin. Let nothing be wasted that can contribute to the happiness of any living thing. The thoughtful young nursemaid may encourage proper and kindly feelings among the little children committed to her charge, in many ways: the cat and playful kitten may be played with in a gentle manner only; the faithful dog must have the scraps and bones saved for his dinner; in their walks, chickweed and groundsel, or plantain seed, can be sought for for the pet bird; and thus the playful thoughtless child may be gradually trained to think for others, to avoid waste, to make occupation for himself, and cultivate kindly benevolence, long before he leaves the nursery. There is something delightful in a benevolence resembling that of the bountiful Creator, who provides for the meanest creatures of his power, "who provideth food for the cattle," who "heareth the young ravens when they cry," and who takes pleasure in the happiness of all his creatures. There is a responsibility, too, with regard to the treatment of animals, beyond what many persons are aware of, and retribution has often been visited on those who have ill-treated them. Canary-birds are the chief pets of the parlour, and, being originally from a warm climate, they are tender, and require very careful treatment. Great cleanliness is necessary for the health and comfort of all animals, and birds should have their cages cleaned daily; scatter a little fine sand also on the bottom of the cage, and give fresh water every day or even oftener. Do not give them improper food: children, from mistaken kindness, sometimes give rich cake and other things to singing birds; the little creatures are fond of it, and will do themselves injury by eating: a canary in high song will soon be rendered mute by improper food. As birds like to wash their feathers, a cup of fresh water may be daily placed in the cage; and, in moulting season, a nail put into the drinking-water is said to strengthen the system by the slight infusion of iron matter. Many a favorite little bird perishes from the neglect and carelessness of the maid-servant, who forgets to give it seed or water, or leaves it in an exposed situation, where it falls a prey to the cat, the natural enemy to all small birds. The poor cat is not to blame, therefore; she herself is often very ill used, and her life placed in danger through the cruelty of servants and boys, -yet, when they are kindly treated, cats are capable of strong attachments to friends; and dogs are known to be exceedingly faithful creatures, and in numberless instances have been the means of preserving the property and even the lives of their masters. I dare say my readers can remember many anecdotes of the brave fidelity and affection of dogs to their masters. Never ill-treat any of God's creatures, and do not neglect any dumb animal under your charge. Remember that the Lord regards the wants of the smallest of his creatures: his eye is over all the works of his hand; and we are assured that not a sparrow can fall to the ground without his notice. Jesse, and various other sources. LINES. A MAN of kindness to his beast is kind; National School Magazine. AGAINST CRUELTY. SWEET it is to see a child God is love, and never can We ourselves to mercy owe Shall themselves no mercy find. Cottagers' Monthly Visitor. TIME. THERE are some insects who live but a single day in the morning they are born, at noon they are in full life, and at evening they die. The life of man is similar to that of |