There is one kind of personal neglect that we often see, with great surprise, and quite frequently among a class of people who have little to do with hard work, and no excuse for the carelessness from lack of time. We have seen, just above point-lace and diamonds, _ears_ that have long been unacquainted with a plentiful supply of soap and water. A pretty ear is very attractive to us. We always notice particularly the eye and ear in every one we meet; and if we see brown, dirty-looking streaks behind the ear, or the rim and inside dirty, with unseemly accumulations of ear-wax remaining uncared for,--if it is on a girl who applies for a place, we would not receive her; if on a “lady,” we find it hard to feel much respect for her. Unless in a desert, unblessed by water, there is no manner of excuse to be found for such neglect. These hints may seem quite insignificant, but we cannot think them so. Aside from the comfort and respectability of scrupulous neatness in your own habits, you are, by your example as you should be by your precepts, giving ideas of neatness and order to your children and servants. But if they see you come down in the morning with your hair in disorder, your garments dirty or torn, shoes or boots slipshod or unbuttoned, you may be sure your example will be very readily imitated, and probably greatly exaggerated. If a girl is uncleanly in her person, there is every reason to presume she will be slatternly about her work, and particularly so about her cooking. Therefore, if only for selfish reasons, it is most desirable that young housekeepers should have a high standard for personal cleanliness, and live in full accordance with it. LXIV. ARE HOUSE-PLANTS INJURIOUS TO THE HEALTH? “MRS. BEECHER: My wife and I are both attentive readers of the ‘Christian Union,’ and we venture to ask for a few words of information upon the subject of _house-plants_. We are passionately fond of flowers, but have frequently seen it stated that plants, especially flowering plants, vitiate the air, rendering it unfit for breathing purposes. Is that really true? We like plants in our sleeping-rooms, but of course would give them up if convinced that they were injurious to the health. We have heliotropes, roses, geraniums, lilies, fuchsias, and a number of other plants. Do these render the atmosphere noxious to life and health? As plants liberate oxygen and absorb carbonic gas, we think they ought to be wholesome. Or is it the _blossom_ that does the mischief? Is a sweet-smelling flower poisonous? Will you please set us right upon this matter, and oblige “TWO YOUNG HOUSEKEEPERS.”