“I once had a servant who lived with me many years. At last, she became engaged to a respectable young carpenter in the neighbourhood. Out of their joint savings the furniture was provided, and a comfortable room downstairs and one above. When she was telling me this, I said I supposed they were now ready to be married. ‘No, ma’am,’ she said, ‘not yet. I want to have some nice curtains to my window, and a plant-stand; and if I stay here a few more months, I can get that without touching the £30 I have in the savings’ bank.’ I admired and respected her much for her good taste and resolution. I need hardly say, she is now an excellent wife and mother, and many pieces of furniture have been added to their little establishment since their wedding day—a bright contrast to those many cases in which, when the first difficulty arises, one thing after another is taken to the pawn-shop. “There is another way in which some of you may do good, and that is, by trying to shelter and protect young girls more than is generally done. The character of a poor girl is quite as valuable as that of a girl in any other station of life, and ought to be as carefully watched over. By taking care so to arrange the work that no errands are left till after it is dark, or if, when going out in the evening cannot be avoided, you accompany them yourself, or get a friend to do so, much mischief and sorrow would be saved. I am sure, nothing would do more to raise the people of this country, and bring about a better state of things, than an improvement in the manners of young women. “If we are ever to have such an improvement as I hope for, it will be obtained chiefly by the influence of mothers on these young people; and for their sakes, if not for our own, we should strive to get a taste for ‘all that is good, and beautiful, and true.’ “In bringing this long letter to a close, you must allow me to thank you very much for all the kindness and sympathy you have shewn me during my illness. I continually hear of your kind inquiries, and they are indeed pleasant to me. Thoughts of you have cheered many solitary hours, and I shall be delighted to come amongst you again. I have felt my absence from you one of the greatest privations which I have had to bear. I have now the bright hope before me of being able to take my place among you in about a fortnight from this time. “Till then, _then_, believe me, “Your sincere friend.” CHAPTER XII. Obstacles: Who shall remove them? O royal island, beautiful and fair! There are who aid when ev’n thy statesmen sleep, With the soft voice of prayer.