In a sick-room, the kindness and attention of the nurse often work far greater marvels than the skill of the doctor, for she is there every hour, she sees every change, and can minister to so many little wants; those trifles which make up the events of an invalid, those minor details so unimportant to a person in health, those whims and desires, and nervous susceptibilities which appear almost childish to lookers-on, will be studied by a good, conscientious nurse, and overlooked or disregarded by one who either does not feel interested in the patient, or has not sufficient sympathy to induce her to study these matters. In the former case, the invalid will be soothed and cheered; in the latter, irritated and depressed. Surely, it is not difficult to conceive which influence must act most beneficially upon the system. Gentleness, watchfulness, firmness, judgment, some delicacy of feeling and _savoir faire_, and a truly Christian spirit, are the distinguishing characteristics which will best adapt a woman for fulfilling this phase of her duties. There are many who, from intense solicitude and sense of duty, will give way to those impulses of feeling which lead them to devote themselves so entirely to the nursing of some beloved relative, that all other duties, and even self, are wholly forgotten. What is the consequence of this error of judgment? Their own health succumbs, and they become not only useless, but render themselves sources of trouble and anxiety. How much better to have husbanded their strength, so as to be able to remain useful! That despised article, common sense, would teach us all so much if we would but stop to listen, if we would not mount, each one, our own peculiar hobby, and gallop off at a tremendous rate, heedless of all sign-posts, and often regardless of even hedges and ditches. Affection! feeling! sentiment! nerves! how much has been done and left undone in these names, especially as regards the subject we are now treating of, while poor dear common sense has been decried as a most unfeeling person, and rudely ejected when she strove to make herself heard! Yet in few places is common sense a more valuable assistant than in the sick-room; aided by self-command and good feeling, she will transform the most uninitiated person into an excellent and efficient nurse. Let us hear a few of her fundamental principles. Speak in a low but perfectly distinct voice, both to the invalid and to any one who enters the room, in order that, although no unnecessary sound may be heard, the patient’s ear may not be fatigued by striving to catch the words, or excited by mutterings or whispers addressed to some one else. Let your countenance be calm and cheerful, your manner soothing and hopeful, and your words such as may cheer or comfort the mind. Avoid all fuss, all hasty movements, all noises that may startle or disturb; let even your dress and shoes be chosen with reference to quiet.