Hail, bounteous May, that doth inspire

Mirth, youth, and warm desire!

Woods and groves are of thy dressing;

Hill and dale doth boast thy blessing.-MILTON.
Oh, this life

Is nobler than attending for a check,
Richer than doing nothing for a bauble,
Prouder than rustling in unpaid-for silk!

SHAKSPEARE.

Oh, happy if ye knew your happy state,
Ye rangers of the fields! whom nature's boon
Cheers with her smiles, and every element
Conspires to bless.-SOMERVILLE.

THE spring comes every year, and yet is always new when it comes. No person ever tired of spring. Like the stars of the sky, like flowers on the earth, like youth to life, spring is ever charming, beautiful, and bright in itself, and the theme of song, joy, and love. Persons living in the country have the best opportunity of enjoying the pleasures of this season. Yet May-day is not, in many of our States, the season of flowers. We should rather wait till the middle of the month, the centre of spring-time, before we celebrate the crowning May-day. It came nearly at that time in England during the Old Style reckoning; and thus the old English poets make the first of the month redolent of flowers that now rarely appear in bloom till a fortnight later.

In our land, spring has her throne of power in the great West. There, over boundless prairies, and among unbroken forests, this queen of freshness and flowers has her magnificent altar heaped with the gorgeous riches of nature.

And yet those who live in the midt of this glory rarely seem to comprehend or prize its beauties and blessings. So true it is that we underrate what is common and easily attainable.

The belle of some western prairie-would she not prefer a sparkling jewel, though of paste, on her bosom to the lily-of-the-valley, even though this exceeded in beauty the ornaments of Solomon? And why? Because jewels cost money, and flowers may be had for the gathering. We are slow to learn that in simplicity and appropriateness is the best ideal of the beautiful and the noble. The women of the West are no more faulty in this respect than their sisters of the eastern cities; only the former lose more pleasures by attempting to be fashionable when it would be so very easy to be happy in spite of the fashion. Jewels may be most regal, but flowers are the most natural adornments of the young, and therefore the most lovable. We always associate blossoms with the beauty of fresh life.

So also the picture of industry is associated in our idea of western greatness, because nature there is strong as well as beautiful, and requires to be subdued. The indolent ways of a city lady would not be lady-like on a prairie. The woman of the West, who thinks it beneath her dignity to work, would show herself wanting in the true refinement of feeling which makes the lady, for the reason that her household could not be made comfortable or respectable without her personal services. To be ashamed

of doing what is right is always cowardly, and usually vulgar and selfish.

We have been led into this train of thought by the following sketch from our pleasant correspondent, Etta Elton. The picture is fresh as the spring, and appropriate for our May-day "Table."

A YOUNG LADY'S IDEAS OF WESTERN LIFE. "WHAT a charming place this western world is, after all!" said Miss Minna Ashland to her cousin, as they sat conversing in the quiet, cozy little home of Mrs. Lenwood. "Why, didn't you know that before you came here?" said Mrs. Lenwood.

"How should I know it?" answered Minna. "Perhaps you will say I ought to have read of it, and heard of it in many ways. Very likely I had; and now, Cousin Lenna, I will tell you what kind of an idea I had gained of the West by reading and hearing. I have read, in the New York Tribune, that the best wheat next to the Genesee' is raised in Michigan; and, when I went to school, I learned in my geography that the Western States are noted for their vast prairies, which are wide-extended plains destitute of trees; and, although I always read in the same sentence that they were fertile, I never could get it quite out of my head that it was either prairies or deserts, I could not tell which, that were 'vast sandy plains destitute of vegetation.' I had heard father and other gentlemen talk of the fine cattle they saw in the market from Illinois; and I had read many times that Minnesota was a healthy climate, and that Saint Paul was a great resort for invalids."

Mrs. Lenwood smiled, and said: "So you could think of nothing good for Minnesota, except that it would be a good place for old Mrs. Gray and her pale Julia."

"Really, Lenna," answered Minna, "I must confess that I thought of them and a good many others who ought to go there; and, though I knew in my heart that any land should be well spoken of which is beneficial to the sick, I could never connect one truly romantic idea with my visions of the great West. Sometimes, in my day. dreams, I could fancy that it would be delightful to live upon the banks of the rolling Mississippi; and then the next thing I would think of would be the invalids. Oh, I have such a horror of invalids! I mean the kind who go to the Springs, and to the South, and to the sea-shore, and to the-well, I can't tell where they don't go for their health, when they know in their very heart that they wouldn't have it if they could. Why, they would consider it the very height of vulgarity to say they are well, right out plain. Meet one of them anywhere, in everyday life, and say: 'How is your health to-day?' She will answer: Somewhat better than it was last week; but my throat troubles me very much, and-' But it's no use to tell the rest of what they will say. You've heard it a hundred times, I dare say; or don't you have any such around here? In all my travels, I have not met one."

"Yes, we do have now and then one, even here, in our stirring, busy West. There are Dolly Howes scattered all over the world, who must shut up their houses, and go to Saratoga or the sea-shore once in a while; but they are not as numerous here as in the East. The reason for that

is it is not popular here to be idle. Public opinion is on the side of industry; and, where such is the case, few find time to repine at imaginary diseases."

"I believe it," answered Minna. "Why, even the most genteel people in the great 'Garden City' of the West boast of 'doing their own work.' It seemed horrid, cousin Lenna, that you were married, and moved to Michigan, and that you were keeping house without 'help.' I know you made quite a nice story of it; but you can do that out of anything; and, if you 'll not be offended, I'll just tell you that I really thought you had married some poor dry-goods clerk, who was too poor to keep help."

"I really wonder," said Mrs. Lenwood, laughing, “that, with your charitable disposition, you did not make my case known to the benevolent society of your church, and get them to send me a box of clothing. But," continued Mrs. Lenwood, "you are not the only one who has very erroneous ideas of western life. I have always noticed that most of what is written on the subject goes to impress the minds of those who have never visited this portion of our Republic with the idea that everything is wild and woodsy here. The traveller writes of his adventures in log-cabins, and gives, for the amusement of his readers, a description of his hoosier host; the agent of the Home Missionary Society preaches once a quarter in all the churches of the several parishes which comprise his district, delineating, with much pathos, the necessities of the feeble churches in the West; and the romance writer tells of the magnificent estate of Mr. A, B, or C having been exchanged (on account of some dreadful loss of properly) for a 'log-hut in western wilds.' Now, all this in some instances is true; but in many, far many more it is not true. A majority of the inhabitants of this country are of that class of your eastern citizens who are active, energetic business men, who have felt that their ambitious natures were too much cramped in the more densely populated States of the East; and they have come here with their families, who partake of the same aspiring nature; and it has had the effect to turn the tide of public opinion in favor of domestic industry. Here it is no disgrace to labor; and the woman who has the time and ability to perform her domestic duties alone does not think of keeping help. But we sometimes find laughable exceptions to this rule."

Just at this moment, the cousins were interrupted by a ringing of the door-bell, and Miss Eliza Flint was ushered in. She came along with a swinging, simpering gait, which seemed to say for her, "Who but me is decidedly genteel?" And, after availing herself of the most comfortable seat in the room, soon entered into conversation with our stranger friend, who, she was delighted to find, was "just from New England."

"Oh!" said she, "it is delightful to meet one, now and then, who is like those with whom I have been accustomed to associate East! Away off here, every one seems so rude and uncultivated. I can never feel at home here; and then we have so many inconveniences. I know I never shall like the West."

"How long have you resided here?" said Minna.

"Oh, about two years! and I grow more homesick every day, people are so unrefined here. My father was pastor of a popular church in Connecticut; and we always had large salaries, and kept plenty of girls to do our work; never thought of doing such a thing ourselves. Mother always had enough to attend to in the way of making pastoral calls with father. She never had sufficient health

to labor.

But here people do not know enough to appreciate my father, and will not pay him a salary large

enough to support our family respectably; so he has had to leave off preaching, and go into other business; and we never can get a girl here who does not feel so grand that we can do nothing at all with her in the way of making a servant of her. My! there's no servants here in the West, or rather we are all servants; and there are no masters."

"I have been more fortunate than some," said Mrs. Lenwood. "I never had to do without help a day when I needed it; and, for my part, I like the class of girls we get here far better than the Bridgets and Dinahs my mother used to be obliged to put up with when we lived East. Why, her trials were almost equal to those of an English housekeeper, as given in Godey's Lady's Book,"

"I know," said the arrogant Miss Eliza, "you can get along with anything, and not call it impudent. Now, that great Dutch girl who lived at our house a few weeks, and called herself 'Leezapet,' you took and christened 'Lizzie,' and talked of her as though she were charming; but, when she lived with us, we had to do everything in our power to keep her down; and then, after all, she got so saucy that we had to turn her away. It was never so at the East." And she shut her lips tightly together, as though the ultimatum had now been said, and, turning the conversation, said to Mrs. Lenwood: "I came in in great haste to see if I could borrow a cup of browned coffee for breakfast."

"Certainly," said Mrs. Lenwood; "just ask Sarah; you 'll find her in the kitchen."

And so our refined Eliza departed.

"How is it about that Miss Flinty ?" inquired Minna. "Oh, she is one of that class of people we meet with very often in the West! When East, they were what Southerners would call 'poor white trash,' who possess very little property, about as much education, and are minus politeness altogether; and, when they get here, and have purchased a few acres of land, they begin to believe verily that they are 'bonafidely,' as one of them said, the nobility of the world, East and West inclusive. But it is truly amusing to see how plainly visible are the dark hues of the raven beneath the gorgeous plumage of the peacock."

Here the conversation between Mrs. Lenwood and her cousin Minna was again interrupted by the entrance of Mr. Lenwood, who had come in, at the close of business hours, to enjoy a little visit around the fireside of his home, which was rendered doubly dear to him by the presence of his cheerful wife, who always wore a sunny smile, and was prepared to enjoy the realities of life. Around her history lingers a choice tale of romance; and, dear reader, if you would hear it, I will sit down, some evening, with the story-telling Muse at my elbow, and tell it to you.

TRUE COMPARISONS.-Jean Paul has well said that "the sorrows of a pure heart are but the May frosts which precede the warm summer day; but the sorrows of a corrupt soul are its autumn frosts, which foretell the cold, dreary winter."

We promised, in our last number, to give a "Reply to the Wish of a Young Lady, &c.," and here it is.

This "Reply" merits, as we think, the particular attention of our young friends, the host we expect around our "Table" each month. This May-day, they must all meet here, and with their bright faces make the sun of hope warm on our path. The breath of their praise is sweeter

REPLY TO THE WISH OF A YOUNG LADY.

WOULDST thou indeed be beautiful,
Though thou shouldst sacrifice

All other charms more worthy praise
To that one gift of price?

Wouldst thou indeed be beautiful
When beauty fades so soon?
Beauty is woman's weakest charm,
And nature's poorest boon.

Wouldst have a cheek of morning hue,
A star-like, beaming eye,

A rosebud lip and ringlets soft?
These change, and fade, and die.

Wouldst thou in outward beauty shine
In preference to the charms
That last through every stage of life,
And each sad care disarms?

Beauty may win thee, for a day,
The prize of many hearts;
But never will it seal for thee
The ties that love imparts.

It will not find a friend more firm,
Or make a heart more true;
Its greatest charm is novelty;
Then give it but its due;

And wish not to be beautiful;
But ask a lasting grace,
Attractions that the angels see

In each sweet, loving face.

THE WOMEN OF CHINA.-The stagnant deeps of Chinese social life seem breaking up. The surging tide of revolution and change is now beating against their old prejudices, and heaving up to the light of truth the dark foundations of wickedness on which their institutions are founded. Idolatry and the wrongs of woman, these are the darkest and foulest of their sins, those that lead to all other modes and forms of iniquity. Every American woman should pray that the time of the present dynasty in China may be short. The millions on millions of her sex in that "flowery land" have no hope but in change. The following summary of the present condition of Chinese women shows their miserable state. No revolution can make it worse. Death would be a privilege compared with life as they now live. The facts are from a British Review.

"Woman is in a more degraded position in China than in any other part of the globe; and her humiliation is rendered more conspicuous by the extent to which civilization and education have been carried in the empire. In no rank is she regarded as the companion of man, but is treated solely as the slave of his caprice and passions. Even amongst the women of the highest ranks few are found who can read or write. Their education is confined to the art of embroidery, playing on a horrid three-stringed guitar, and singing. But the obligation of obedience to man is early inculcated; and the greater portion of their time is spent in smoking and playing at cards. The women of the poorer classes have no education, and can be considered but little better than beasts of burden. A man of that rank will walk doliberately by his wife's

side, while she totters under a heavy load; and frequently she may be seen yoked to a plough, while her husband guides it. Those of the lower classes who are good-looking, according to Chinese perceptions of beauty, are purchased by the rich, at about twelve or fourteen years, for concubines, and are then instructed according to their master's ideas. The Chinese cannot at all comprehend the European mode of treating ladies with respect and deference, and, being naturally superstitious, attribute to devilish arts, practised by the fair sex, the just appreciation we entertain of their value; in short, they consider European ladies have an influence somewhat similar to that ascribed to an evil eye by Italian superstition. Chinese domestics have a very great objection to reside in a European family over which a lady presides; and an old tradition of theirs curiously coincides with their superstition about our women, that China should never be conquered until a woman reigned in the far West.' Some say this prophecy was never heard of until they were conquered by the army of Queen Victoria. Be this as it may, they all contend that it is to be found in some of their oldest works.

"Owing to their maimed feet, the women cannot walk any distance, even with the assistance of sticks or crutches, which they always use in the house. The hobbling motion of one who attempts to do it is considered most graceful by the Chinese; and ladies who essay the exploit are poetically called 'Tottering willows.' Women of the higher orders, when they go abroad, are carried in sedanchairs or boats; but those who cannot afford to command such equipages are carried on the backs of men, or of women blessed with undeformed feet. In the families of the wealthy inhabitants, all the daughters are thus maimed for life; but, among the poorer classes, if there are two or more daughters, one is always deprived of pedestrian power, and she is hence invariably considered superior to her sisters, and may become a wife. The others can never become more than handmaids, except they intermarry with the very lowest. This horrid and barbarous taste is most unaccountable in a nation where the undisturbed natural foot of man is the very model of beauty; the high instep is equal to the Andalusian, and the arch of the sole rivals that of the Arab; the ankle, which in the distorted foot becomes revoltingly thick, is symmetry itself. Such a foot, of course, can only be seen among the lower classes. The whole feminine character seems to be completely changed by the barbarous practice in question; for the countenance of a Chinese beauty is always void of animation, and somewhat expressive of the suffering which her ligatured feet may produce; while the countenances of uncrippled women are full of vivacity."*

OUR COUNTRY is a "great country." We should be more than proud, we women. Our hearts should go out in thanksgivings to the wise Disposer of all events, who has given us such a blessed lot; not because our country is so wide, merely, but because its institutions and customs protect the happiness of women and children in a greater degree than is done now, or ever was done, under any other known form of government and social life. And then to remember that this favored land is capable of containing and supporting hundreds of millions of people, where, if we continue united and free, as now, all may live in safety and comfort, and have the means and oppor

The custom of crippling the feet of Chinese women arose from the jealousy of the Chinese men.

tunities of improvement! Are not such thoughts and hopes the noblest that earthly ambition can inspire? Should not mothers teach them to their children among their first lessons? Next to the love of God comes the love of our country. True patriotism is essential to true piety. Then begin early with your little ones, American mother, and teach them of America. Let them know how great is the empire they are to rule. Do not confine their young hearts to the boundaries of any single State. Let their patriot love go out wide as the sweep of our eagle's wing, and warming up at the light of every star added to our country's banner. Take a few records now, for the lesson of this month, and see that these are well studied. Will not some good American mothers send us summaries of their lessons to their children?

The Extent of the United States.-It has been computed that the United States have a frontier line of 10,750 miles, a sea-coast of 5430 miles, a lake-coast of 1160 miles.

One of its rivers, the Mississippi, is twice as long as the Danube, the largest river in Europe.

The Ohio is 300 miles longer than the Rhine; and the noble Hudson has a navigation in the "Empire State" 100 miles longer than the Thames.

Within Louisiana are bayous and creeks, almost unknown, that would shame, by comparison, the Tiber or Seine.

The State of Virginia alone is one-fourth larger than England.

The State of Ohio contains 10,000 square miles more than Scotland.

The harbor of New York receives the vessels that navigate rivers, lakes, and canals to the extent of 3000 miles, equal to the distance from America to Europe.

From the capital of Maine to the "Crescent City" is 200 miles further than from London to Constantinople, a route that would cross England, Belgium, a part of Prussia, Germany, Austria, and Turkey.

PLACES OF EDUCATION FOR YOUNG WOMEN. NORTH GRANVILLE FEMALE (? Ladies') SEMINARY is, as we learn from the circular, in a very flourishing condition. The school has been in successful operation one year and six months. It opened the 5th of September, 1855. Seventy pupils were in attendance the first session, of whom thirtyfive were boarders. Fall session, 1856, one hundred and twelve pupils, of whom seventy were boarders. Instrumental music class, sixty; French class, fifty. Most of the pianos in use in the Seminary, for common practice, are new, seven-octave instruments, purchased at an expense of $300 each.

Such is the summary of its history. We were much interested in the annual report of the Examining Committee, of which Professor J. Torrey, of Vermont University, was chairman. After particular remarks on the recitations of each class, the committee say: "On the whole, your committee are gratified in being able to say, with great sincerity, that they have not been disappointed in the high expectations they had formed of what they were to witness at this examination of the North Granville Seminary. The teachers understand their duty, and have been diligent and faithful in discharging it; and the pupils have applied themselves with commendable assiduity and success in the prosecution of their studies. We judge so from the readiness and accuracy which have marked all the recitations we have heard. Rarely indeed is there less of hesitancy and mistake. The elemental principles of

every science attended to appear to have been wel! digested."

The location of the Seminary is pleasant; and the buildings seem ample and comfortable. Hiram Orentt, A. M., is principal, assisted by a corps of thirteen teachers of the various branches; so there seems every reasonable oppor tunity for a thorough education at this Ladies' Seminary, North Granville, New York.

LADIES' MOUNT VERNON ASSOCIATION.-There is no longer any reason to doubt the success of the plan for purchasing and preserving the home and the grave of Washington. The present proprietor has acceded to the wishes of the Ladies' Association; and now we have only to raise the funds necessary to secure to the women of America this sacred spot, which will be free to the people forever. We want, in all, $200,000. Of this sum, some $60,000, perhaps, have been pledged. Honorable Edward Everett has gained, from his lecture on Washington, nearly $13,000, which he has invested for this purpose. At Lynchburg, Virginia, a collection was taken up at the celebration of Washington's Birthday, and over $1000 were contributed.

Charleston, South Carolina, the home of the Southern Matron, to whose patriotic exertions the cause is mainly indebted for its success, is now moving in aid of our Association. Indeed, the ladies of South Carolina seem in earnest to enroll their names as subscribers; and we hope that, in this Association, the North and the South will meet together, and the East and the West unite, and all be as one in this work of love.

Subscriptions and donations are received by the editors of the Lady's Book. The payment of one dollar secures membership. The name of each subscriber sent us is published in our Book, and registered for the central committee. We want generous gifts, donations from gentlemen, which shall be recorded to the lasting honor of the giver. Miss Josephine Worden, Adell, Iowa, J. Maria Scott, Oswego, New York, Helen M. Vanneman, Lebanon, Ohio,

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TO CORRESPONDENTS.-We shall publish the following articles whenever we have room: "Glimpses of my Youthful Days"-" Grandmother's Pet"-" Music"-"The still Heart"-"The Mother and her Infant Child"-"Song""Sonnet"-"A Dream of the Past" (the other poems not wanted)-"Don't stay Long"-"Winter Musings." (We did not receive this in time for March, so have laid it by till December)" Andalusia"-"Evening Thought”—“I have been among the Fairies" (will appear in June)—"The Homestead" and "My own Sweet Home."

The following we have no room for, though some are worth publishing: "Anna Maywood." (No prose articles wanted from the writer)-"For a Lady's Album." (The writer can do better)-" Age"-"To D. H."-" Afflicted." (We have no room for the articles named)-"Old"—"The Wish"-" After Many Days"-"New-Year Fancies"—"A Mother's Love""A Leaf from Every Day"-"Earthly Joys"-"A Dirge"-"The Times"-" Love's Happiness." (No articles are needed; and we have no time for corre sponding with the writer)-"Little Walter's Daguerreotype"-"My Spirit Bride." (Well written, but too transcendental)"Wishes and Reply." (We are crowded with manuscripts)-"My Tenantry." (The writer has talent, but must "work and wait" before she will produce articles worth publishing.)-"Parting of Friends"-"Life in California" and "To Somebody."