sant-looking, and she began to laugh too. She stood and looked at us, and laughed again and again, not rudely, but thoroughly taking in the joke, and we all laughed too. As for the boy who stood in the corner all the time, and was, I suppose, one of the children of the family, he was all ready to take off his cap and make his bow every time we looked at him.

Meantime the wind was howling round the frail little summer chalet (for these huts are only built for summer habitation), as if it would fairly blow it away; and every five minutes we looked out anxiously through the chink above the door to see if there was any hope of the storm abating: but still we had to wait on, and there was plenty of time to note all the quaint things piled up on the shelves round the wooden walls; here a bit of cheese, there some loaves of bread stowed away on the rafter under the ceiling, in one corner a great heap of firewood, while, through the cracks in the floor, we could just see the cattle-stable below.

At last we began to think of getting ready to start, for the storm was really subsiding, though it still continued to rain. Our hostess, with whom we left a little parting gift, was so overjoyed at our appreciation of her hospitality that she shook hands with us as heartily as if she had known us all our lives. And so, weary and tired, wet, and very cold, we reached our inn at last, without any further adventure than having to jump over a torrent which the rain had swelled into a roaring waterfall since we started in the morning.

I fear that readers in this day are quite unlikely to require a moral to my story, but in case any should be old-fashioned enough to do so, I will give one, which is this: that

friendly hearts are to be found everywhere, even in wooden huts without windows or chimneys, and that true hospitality consists not in the size of our houses, but in the hearty welcome and the kindly trouble taken to please our guests; not in the grandeur of our furniture and surroundings, but in the goodness of our hearts and in the cheerful desire to help other people, strangers though they may be. M. E. T.

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Literature for the People.

HEN we know how much bad literature is daily pouring forth its poisonous streams, it is pleasant to see the efforts that are being made in many directions to supply good and cheap papers and magazines to counteract it. Foremost among those who are seeking to supply this need on a large scale, is the editor of Hand and Heart, a weekly newspaper much appreciated by our working people. From the same source we have three magazines The Fireside, Day of Days, and Home Words. He also gives us that delightful, illustrated Fireside Almanac, which can be localised in any parish, with space for local notices, &c.

Another magazine is also starting this year, under the editorship of Lady Hope, entitled, Silver Bells. It is the organ of the 'London Young Women's Christian Association.' It professes to ring its chimes in harmony with the other organ of the Association, The Homely Friend, for which latter we confess to some predilection on account of its plain, sensible, and homely style. But there is room for us all in friendly rivalry; and, provided the aims of all are good and true, such rivalry should only make us each do our part the better, provoking only to 'love and to good works.'

Rights of Woman.

THE RIGHTS of woman, what are they?

The RIGHT to labour, love, and pray;
The RIGHT to weep with those that weep,
The RIGHT to wake when others sleep.
The RIGHT to dry the falling tear,
The RIGHT to quell the rising fear;
The RIGHT to smooth the brow of care,
And whisper comfort in despair.

The RIGHT to watch the parting breath,
To soothe and cheer the bed of death;
The RIGHT, when earthly hopes all fail,
To point to that within the Veil.

The RIGHT the wanderer to reclaim,
And win the lost from paths of shame;
The RIGHT to comfort and to bless
The widow and the fatherless!

The RIGHT the little ones to guide,
In simple faith to Him who died;
With earnest love and gentle praise,
To bless and cheer their youthful days.

The RIGHT the intellect to train,
And guide the soul to noble aim,
Teach it to rise above earth's toys,
And wing its flight to heavenly joys.
The RIGHT to live for those we love,
The RIGHT to die, that love to prove.
The RIGHT to brighten earthly homes,
With pleasant smiles, and gentle tones.

Are these thy RIGHTS?-then use them well,
The holy influence none can tell.
If these are thine-Why ask for more?
Thou hast enough to answer for.

Are these thy RIGHTS? then murmur not.
That woman's mission is thy lot;
Improve the talents God has given,
Life's duties done-thy rest in Heaven!

Talks about Words.

BY MRS. FETHERSTONHAUGH. 11. RESPONSIBILITY.

HIS is a word often used about girls. You will hear people say: 'She is responsible for this;' or 'I think her too young for such a responsibility;' or 'It is a very responsible situation;' so I think I may talk to you to-day about this word.

It means 'answering for.' The responsible person for any particular thing is the one who answers about that thing. It may be a large thing, or it may be a small one, but the person who is expected to answer as to how that thing has been cared for, is the responsible person.

Take so small a thing as a piece of soap, which might be one of the first things for which a young servant is responsible.' From the time it is given her to use, she has to answer for its being used for the purpose for which it is given to her, and for no other; and if the person over her has any reason to think it is otherwise, the younger one must answer to her questions, which of course, if she has allowed it to waste in the water, or otherwise failed to use it properly, she would be ashamed to do-that is, the younger one is responsible.

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Now you know that those who are faithful over a few things are chosen to be 'rulers over many things;' and a girl who has been strictly true to her responsibilities in her youth, may, in middle life, become housekeeper in charge of much and great. responsibility, and, in her age, the honoured friend of those she has faithfully served; or she may be given a household of her own to guide and keep; but this is not what I have chiefly to say to you. I want to remind you

of other and still greater responsibilities which we all hold whether we are aware of it, or not.

God has given to our souls gifts, for which we shall be required to answer to Him at the last Great Day-indeed, long before that Day, His awful judgments fall upon those who misuse them.

Ist. Our bodies to be used for God's glory, and to carry our souls on their way to Heaven. They are endued with wonderful senses and powers, each and all of which are separate gifts, and for them we shall have to account. If we spend our health and strength in doing wrong, and leading others in the path of folly and recklessness, we have forgotten our responsibility, and most surely God's judgment will fall upon us.

Now, God has given to women the commission to keep up the love of what is good and pure, and true and right, in a peculiar way. When they are young, they are, with few exceptions, gifted with a peculiar grace and charm; which gives them an immense influence for good or harm over men. When they are older, they are generally given the blessed task of training up children so that they may grow in health and goodness, and carry on the good influence. All this they may do if they keep their Christian vows. But if they do not?

Ah, my dear girls, what pictures come before my memory of women who have not kept their Christian vows! What grief and remorse I feel in my own heart, for every thought, or word, or action I can remember, in which I failed to fulfil my own! The older we grow, the more clearly we see how all disease and misery can be traced to sin, and how every sin by inheritance and example is multiplied a thousand-fold.

Remember, therefore, that we are not only responsible for material things, either committed to our keeping, or part of our bodily nature; but also for that mysterious power which we call--influence.

With All Thy Might.

'Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might? ECCLES. ix. IO

ITH all thy might, not slothfully,

WITH

Or stopping oft to rest;
With firm resolve, unwavering,
Content to do thy best;

No matter if the task be small,
Or trifling in thy sight,
Be diligent and work with care,
And try to do it right.

It may be hard and profitless
The work thou hast to do,
But strive to finish it before

Thou seekest something new.
Try not to do some wondrous thing,
But simply day by day,
Take up the duties one by one

That lie upon thy way.

The weary task that seems so long Will teach thee many things; The patience still to overcome,

The skill that practice brings. 'T will teach thee fortitude of soul, And strength of heart and mind, That Thou in labour's fruitful field Some nobler task may find.

M. G.

Questions in Cookery.

CERTAIN number of marks are given to each answer. The competitors are more likely to win success by a few good answers than by a great number of incor

rect ones.

Here are questions very plain-

Friendly Members, look! Meant to test the clever skill

Of each Friendly Cook,—