All our greatest intellectual leaders, from time immemorial, have been unanimous in their teachings that one of the most important elements in the molding of the mind and character was the nature of our friendships. Tennyson says, “I am a part of all that I have met.” “A man’s friendships shape his life more than aught else, or more than all else.” The immortal bard puts it, “It is certain that either wise bearing or ignorant carriage is caught, as men take disease of one another; therefore, let men take heed of their company.” And again, “’Tis meet that noble minds keep ever with their like, for who so firm that cannot be seduced?” Certain requirements and standards should be met, and the girl or woman should be sure that the individual, whether man or woman, comes up to the standards of her own clan. A friend should be congenial, with similar tastes, opportunities, and training; frank in criticism, yet sympathetic in spirit; loyal and staunch in adversity, and one who disseminates an atmosphere which is broadening, elevating, and uplifting. Such a friend is to be desired and to be sought after. _Literature._—Not one of the least of the great molding influences on the mind and the social life of to-day is its literature, and the form of this which reaches the greatest masses of the people are the daily press, the literary magazines, and the modern novel. It is scarcely possible for the young to conceive the great impression which is made on the mind and character by the kind of books which they read. Carlyle said, “We cannot look however imperfectly upon a great man without gaining something from him.” And to this statement might well be added, it is impossible for the mind to be brought into intimate contact with the lives of dissolute men and women, so vividly portrayed in many of the novels of the day, without being smirched by it. It is no more safe to read such a class of books, hoping to escape contamination, than it would be to live in the malarial districts of Africa, and hope to escape contracting that insidious disease. However limited the geniuses may be in our immediate circle of friends, each of us may have for her most intimate friends the greatest geniuses the world has ever known, and have them at their best. Two axioms should always be kept in mind—a real love for books is formed in early life or not at all, and to have books for friends one must own them, have them on her own shelves, to take down and put up at will, to mark, to compare, and study. So whatever else one lacks, she should always have her own library, even if it is a limited one. Next in importance to the recognition of good reading must necessarily be a recognition of the limitations of one’s reading. Whether in the capacity of student, housewife, mother, or business woman, the time that can be devoted to general literature is very limited.