THE OLIO.

tive and business life-some immunity from those extra difficulties which custom and not either reason or delicacy has prescribed to the woman of business as the limit (however insufficient to its purpose) of her range of performance. Woman is happy in the strictness with which society remarks upon her discretion, and her moralities-happier than if there were any relentings accorded to her delinquency. And let her not be proud that her rectitude, reverently do we speak it, holds the world together, (say not fie!) and that if the latitudinarian principle of the other sex were extended to her, with its wretched concession of all that makes life lovely, that life itself were no longer endurable.

47

and her share of pay bears an inverse proportion to the amount of work she accomplishes. She is auxiliary to the tailor, the shoemaker, the upholsterer, the saddler, and many others. She is found useful and competent, and yet, when shall the day arrive when a woman shall find any of these occupations sufficient to a comfortable support? Yet they all command their price; but the first hand holds it unjustly. Hence it is that so very many are crowded into the one occupation of sewing; (which of course is their proper business;) that by management of the penurious, it commands a very inferior pay, being no price at all, and the laborer is deprived not only of a sufficient recompense, but also of that source of comfort which might alleviate and You ask do we mean what we say? Yes, we mean soothe its monotonous and wearying pursuit; for it is exactly what we say. But in our naming of the other "the hope of reward that sweetens labor," and the poor sex, our proscription were certainly too sweeping unless sewing girl sighs forth in despondency her patient waitwe except all who are worthy to be excepted, and that ing on this poor earth. Can it seem other to her, young exception we certainly do make. And here occurs to though she is? Why should not females work, and be us a reflection which did never occur before, namely, paid too, in the department of the fine and delicate that if the straitness and the strictness of the line which mechanism of watch-making with their father or brothcircumscribes the female, has also produced this immuni- er? I have seen some few so employed, and they prety from sin, then is it worth all that it costs of inconveni-sented a pretty spectacle of contentment and industry. ence, and poverty, and suffering to the individual. And Why, in particular, are not the daughters of druggists each woman should have a soul great enough to merge instructed in botany, chemistry, pharmacy, and in the her own difficulties in this the general cause of conser-manifold varieties of the shop-service, and the vending vative virtue. But we think that some more extension of privilege, and some more participation, both of avocation and emolument, may be granted her, without detriment to this paramount principle of her being, as it should be. Notice, for instance, the two countries in the world where the intercourse of the sexes, in social and civil life, is the most free and unrestricted, (at the same time that they have their canons of propriety, and these might be spelled with another n,) namely, the countries of Scotland and of New England. Will any one contradict me in the assertion that they are two of the most moral countries in the world? By the arbitrary fiat of custom, grounded in the cupidity of those of the other sex, the female has been debarred from a participation in almost every lucrative branch of business. There is one, indeed, lucrative enough, (thanks to the vanity of our own!) which by her better aptitude she has assumed, with but partial interference of man, if we can call a male milliner a "man"-he being indeed only the ninth part of one-not so much that he engages in the feminine process of bonnet-making, as for the unmarly over-reaching of the assumption. || And for this class what unfair imputation is thrown upon the vocation at large, so much so (and that, perhaps, was the intended effect) that it debars many a needy girl from this resource. And yet do we think and believe that there are very many milliners of highly respectable character. To how few of the occupations, not to say professions, is the female eligible. She is debarred, indeed, from many of the branches of productive industry to which, by nature and constitution, she is peculiarly fitted. When, indeed, she does share in some of the sedentary employments, the emolument she receives is stinted by an unjust withholding, in itself; yet do we fear that in the conflict of right and

of medicines? I know of nothing that requires a nicer hand, or a more circumspect attention than medical preparations. And girls, as possessing less buoyant animal spirits, and less divided attention, are better fitted for this place than boys are. Let the girl be a sub in the store, auxiliary to the father or the brother, and give her a certain small salary to elicit her ability, and she will do well. Indeed, I have ever thought that the science of medicine, with its diploma, should be won and worn by our sex in common with the other, each for each. Whilst the female is allowed the laborious though interesting office of nurse at the sick bed, why is she not also prepared and allowed to prescribe as well as to administer the medicine and treatment? Especially does the mother of a family require science of this sort in her domestic relations. Skilled she might be, eminently so; for anxiety shall bestow a prophetic sagacity, and affection supply that lynx-eyed vigilance which a whole college of doctors, with all their lights, might in vain expect to arrive at. In this department my own sex are in fault and wanting to themselves. If they would study the science, we should see perhaps not a Cullen, a Rush, or a Parsons, yet we should see the union of physic and nursing, and we should, in the joy of our hearts, see the result, and know that the times and the seasons of medicines were at least equal to the medicines themselves, and that the grave-yard were not so densely populated or so rapidly filled, and that many of our dear ones were saved to yet more days upon earth.

For the "law," we would not wish one of our sex, even were it suiting and eligible, to be a lawyer. No, not to the law, with its piles of untold gold, would we point a single daughter of want. The law may be good

might, there may be more than human fallibility against || tary influences of occupation and encouragement, whilst its fair interpretation; and let the woman eschew along the "Savings' Bank" points to competency self-attainwith its knowledge also its experience-let her not ed-happiness, respectability, and independence, all the stand at issue even with its redress, with its delays, its guerdon of the female who has been allowed, in Yandevices, and all its tender mercies of supererogation, kee language, a "fair chance." beyond either her gratitude or her ability to compensate; yet let her ever reverence the star of justice where it is.

And now for silk. We do here solemnly and heartily admonish our sex to cherish the culture, and, as best suited to themselves, if possible, engross it—not the cocoon tending, the reeling, and the winding alone, but let them have spirit enough to learn and to assume all the superior and lucrative processes. And let the man, in these stirring times of external "speculations," and "internal improvements," also have "spirit" enough to leave to the woman (affording her the machinery and paying her for her service) this well suited source of emolument. Where are our patriots whose banner is of silk? May they unfurl it now-may it woo the breeze of every clime-may the culture grow and thrive-may the morus multicaulis spread abroad and throw her wide arms till they shall shelter every daughter of indigence in our land, absorbing her ingenuity and industry, and supplying her contentment. And though the day never returns when a pound of silk is equal to a pound of gold, yet shall the day be when (by proper encouragement) it shall yield a princely return— its millions of revenue to the treasury of America.

Neither do we think it desirable that females should ever hold forth from the pulpit. We think they may receive of good, and impart of good in other place than in the tabernacle, and that their dictation in holy things (the pulpit being already supplied by the other sex) may be more effective from a less elevated point of sight. Indeed, we think at large, that woman's influence is best appreciated when least conspicuous. Neither do we presume to offer objection to the custom of female preaching as practiced by one respectable sect; though we think it a better propriety that the custom is not universal. It may be observed of the Friends, indeed, that all their forms and usages of life are so staid and regular as to do away, in great part, the principal objections to this method, namely, its familiarizing informality of aspect, and its seeming publicity of the female leader-strictly speaking, indeed, it is not the "pulpit;" for the Friends have none. The Quakeress throughout her life has had not only her deportment and demeanor, but also her vanity so subdued to "the rule," as almost to have eradicated the principle itself—our sex as many sweet rustic farmers, planters, and which, if not entirely vanquished, is yet most completely vailed; also is all vivacity of utterance and expression strictly forbidden; and her words, especially on public occasions, are bestowed with a measured discretion, and are, indeed, like angel visits, "few, and far between." And if, in her speaking, she perceives a "call," it is certainly of "authority," and she has no right to resist it, nor have others a right to gainsay it. With the march of civilization female warriors have gone out of fashion. Their day is past, and a Sesostris were as great a monster now as she was then.

However ambitious we are for our sex, we do not desire to see them in the legislative hall; though where one happens to be the wife of a statesman, and happens, also, to possess (what is very possible without any assumption of force or domination) a true, lively, and buoyant patriotism, she may collate opinions with him, and in perplexity jump at the right one, finding it in the bottom of her heart. We have our exceptionsthey are not frequent enough to interfere with feminine subordination. Ability and benevolence are both salutary, and each carries its own warrant of power. United, they are too strong for us; and we do, to a Martineau or a Sedgewick, (for neither is a wife or a mother,) give a more expanded scope of human action, and allow to them not the freedom of "country" alone, but legislation for their "kind."

The cotton factory has for years engrossed the industry, and also rewarded the toil of the daughters of New England; and notwithstanding the closeness of the requirement, yet does their enjoyment attest to the salu

And now this fair view of the beneficence of nature inspires the taste of rural life; and let us see amongst

sowers and gatherers as may find place in broad fields, the pastures, the rich vales, the meadows, and the varieties of our north and south, our east and west.

Whilst we expatiate over the munificent possibilities of our land, we have half forgotten our appeal, of the weaker to the stronger, for privilege and immunity-for help and furtherance, and aid, occasionally, and repeatedly, and for ever; and that in the onerous walks of civilization the slighter figure and the weaker nerve of woman shall for ever prompt the thought and awaken the instinct of a "generous" superiority in "man.”

If we steal thoughts from the moderns, it will be cried down as plagiarism; if from the ancients, it will be cried up as erudition. But in this respect, every author is a Spartan, being more ashamed of the discovery than the depredation. Yet the offense itself may not be so hienous as the manner of committing it; for some, as Voltaire, not only steal, but, like the harpies, befoul and bespatter those whom they have plundered. Others, again, give us the mere carcass of another man's thoughts, but deprived of their life and spirit. I have somewhere seen it observed, that we should make the same use of a book as a bee does of a flower; she steals sweets from it, but does not injure it; and those sweets she herself improves and concocts into honey. But most plagiarists, like the drone, have neither taste to select, nor industry to acquire, nor skill to improve, but impudently pilfer the honey ready prepared from the hive.

Original.

THE SEA FIGHT.

BY A. M. LORRAINE.

rain-bow, and is as taunt as Lucifer. She lays off and on, and supplies the enemy with ammunition, encourages them in their rebellion, and laughs to scorn all who talk about surrendering. It is a little amusing to see this craft manoeuvering. She is so very crank, that Look out on the troubled ocean of life. Behold she is frequently down on her beam-ends; but is rethat gallant man-of-war! At her peak waves the bloody markably active in righting again. When any of the ensign of the cross. The pennant of just retribution infidels are overcome, and jump overboard and swim coils gracefully around her towering main. She is for their lives, to lay hold on the hope set before them, laden with grace, and plentifully supplied with the she generally follows them with a volley of small arms, bread and water of life. She is on a cruise of mercy, and a general hissing. There are some who dread the commanded by the eternal Immanuel; and the crew laughter of her crew, more than they do all the thunthat are with him are called, and faithful, and chosen.der of the law and Gospel. However, great numbers On her stern may be seen, in letters of light, "THE have deserted the cause of Infidelity, and have laid hold EVERLASTING GOSPEL." Omniscience governs the on the hawser of salvation. Sometimes Infidelity has helm, and her magazine is the Word of God. She been so weakened by the victories of the cross, that she carries four beautiful sky-lights, and in them are the has been compelled to haul off for a season, to clear names of the holy evangelists of Almighty God, and the wreck, ship fresh hands, repair damages, reeve new she is altogether lovely. braces, splice back-stays, stop leaks, paint sides, and so to disguise and mask her batteries, that she may again come into action under more imposing circumstances. And all of her crew, who have become any ways crippled or disaffected, are transferred on board the "PROCRASTINATION," which now comes into action. This vessel is not so formidable and martial in her appearance as Infidelity, and not so open in her hostility. She is a remarkably dull sailor, and is generally manned with those who are halting between two opinions. She is commanded by Presumption, steered by Delusion; and although slow, to a proverb, there is not a ship in all the navy of hell that is better calculated to carry souls to perdition. Every one who enters on board, does it with an intention of deserting at some future period. Indeed the captain favors the idea, and permits the vessel to be rigged with good desires. He feels that while they are contented to sail in Procrastination, he is as certain of them as if he had them in port, and safely anchored in Lake Infernal. As soon as Procrastination comes within gun-shot, she hoists a beggarly flag of truce, hails the Prince of peace, and professes to be convinced of the divine structure of the Gospel, and of her invincible power. She declares that she will strike and come under her lee; but-butbut not now. Meantime she continues slyly to ply her carronades. The Gospel does not abate her thunder at all; but pours it in, hot and heavy, broadside after broadside. However the weapons of her warfare are not carnal, but mighty, through God, to the pulling down of strong-holds. Her shot, made of solid truth, and molded in love, are taken from the locker of Divine Inspiration. "Every bullet has its billet." They bear various inscriptions, such as, Ps. xcv, 7, 8, "Today if you will hear his voice, harden not your hearts;" or, 2 Cor. vi, 2, "Behold now is the accepted timenow is the day of salvation." Sometimes the Lord sends a shaft of judgment and cuts a sinner down, that the survivors may lay it to heart and repent. Even the arrows of God are dipped in compassion and feathered with mercy. The incessant firing of the Gospel often makes a good impression, and many cry out,

But do you see that dark group of picaroons to wind- || ward? It is the squadron of human depravity, that is bearing down to make war with the Lord and those who are with him. The first ship that heaves into action is "INFIDELITY." She is as old as the Gospel. Although her rigging, at first sight, appears to some to be weighty and imposing, yet she has no depth, and if possible, less burden. She is commanded by the devil, high admiral of the black, and in company with other mutineers, is convoying the world to hell. Her crew are remarkable for their dexterity, and still more remarkable for a wrong application of their powers. While danger is at a distance, they are loud and boisterous; but in storms and engagements they skulk coweringly. Infidelity fights with Satanic spirit. She wages the war in malice-with a design to sink the Gospel, and turn her crew adrift on the ocean of time, without a plank of hope to escape on. However, her shot are formed of very brittle materials-satire, low wit, and ridicule, which can make but little impression on bulwarks formed of virtue. She belches out, also, many rockets of blasphemy and presumption, which fly harmlessly over the Gospel, like so much spoondrift; or if they strike at all, rebound with ten-fold fury on the heads of the assailants. The war, on the part of the Gospel, is a war of mercy. She put out into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world by her might be saved. Hence we find that her guns are principally directed at the hull and rigging of Infidelity, which have long since been riddled and cut to pieces by the force and power of divine truth. It is the design of the great Captain of salvation, to expose the weakness of the shelter, that those who have embarked in such a wretched cause may be induced to quit the wreck, and seek safety in the ark of salvation. It is true the Lord, sometimes, by way of example, lays a notorious sinner low in the scuppers, that others may fear and repent. It has been thought by some, that this old frigate of hell would have struck long since, were it not for a little flat-bottomed tender, called "PRIDE," which is dressed up in all the colors of the

"We will submit." But it is only those who say, "We do submit," who have learned the happy art of escaping this fascinating hooker. When the word and action pull together, then the sinner leaps from the gunwale of Procrastination, saying, "My heart is fixedO God, my heart is fixed." But it is to be lamented that when the enemy sees a disposition in some to surrender, he binds them hand and foot, and removes them to the old prison ship of DESPAIR. She may be called a prison-ship, because she is so strongly guarded by the officers of darkness; nevertheless, there is fighting on board. This ship is perfectly black-waists, bends, and bottom. She always carries her dead-lights shipped. She is commanded by Despondency, and her gunner is Blasphemy. She is much disabled in her head, and fights by fits and starts. Her shot are wild and scattering; and her crew, in their frantic and disordered state, often run out their guns breech foremost, and rake their own decks horribly. In one word, they view themselves as the marked objects of God's displeasure. But the Lord deals tenderly with them, and often throws out the most favorable signals. He sometimes hails them through his silver trump, and says, "Come let us reason together, and though your sins be as scarlet, I will make them as white as snow." And again, "Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Sometimes one of the servants of the Lord will encourage them by saying, "It is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners;" or, "Such once were some of us; but we are washed, we are sanctified, we are justified by the Spirit of our God. O ye despairing sinners, cast yourselves on the unbounded sea of God's mercy, and trust a faithful Lord." And some do escape even the last, sad refuge, Despair, and are picked up by the life-boat of Zion's holy ship.

Such are the principal enemies which the Gospel has to contend with in the world at large, as well as in the bosom of many an obstinate sinner. But she is now getting the weather-gage. A little more tacking and beating a few more long logs and short ones, and she will reach the pleasant latitude of the millenial trade winds; and she will have nothing to do but to square her yards, run out her stun'-sail booms, hoist every rag, make fast the halyards for a full dew, cut away the downhauls, and drive the triumphant flag of our glorious Lord through the blazing squadron of the enemy, demolish the kingdom of darkness, and capsize the throne of hell. And thank God, there is no danger of starvation-no fear of a short allowance. We have heaven for our store-ship, a bountiful Providence for our purser, the wine of the kingdom to splice the mainbrace, and our bread and our water is sure. All that we have to do as a crew, is to keep a bright look-out ahead, watch the lee-lurch and the weather-roll, and stand every man to his station, and victory will be on the side of Israel. The sinner who renounces Infidelity, cuts loose from Procrastination, and does not sink down in Despair, but believes in the Lord Jesus Christ,

2

shall find peace-PEACE! O lovely word! I have sometimes thought that if a foreigner, a stranger to our language, should hear that sound, he would suspect from its inherent tone, that it was a favorite vehicle of mental treasure. Write it-how fair! Sound it-how melodious! Even national peace is great.

"When wild war's deadly blast is blown,

And gentle peace returns,"

two nations, at once, are struck tremulous with joy,
and earth's most barbarous regions vibrate with gratu-
lations. In my younger days I used to be singularly
affected by a song, which I heard at sea.
The song
itself was homely-very imperfect, both as it regards
the language and the rhyme; but somehow it always
roused a train of feeling within me that was very pleas-
ant. It was the poetical narrative of a poor man-of-
war's man, who had been pressed and dragged away
to fight the battles of his country. It represented the
ship as having returned and come to an anchor, in full
view of his native hills, and he goes on to sing-
"As on the yards we lay,

Our topsails for to furl,
I heard the pilot say,

'Tis peace with all the world." In my imagination, I saw the poor man once more returned to his native isle; but no prospect of deliverance while the war lasted. He mounts the ratlins with a heavy heart, and lays out on the yard-arm; but just as he is bending over to perform a duty that he had often done, and from which he never expected to be released, he hears the pilot announce to the officers on deck, ""Tis peace with all the world." O how sweet was this to the poor weather-beaten sailor! And O, how sweet, when the young convert can lay his hand on his bosom, and raise his streaming eyes to heaven, and say, "I have peace in my soul-peace with my God-peace with all the world." Well might Isaiah say, Peace as a river." Rivers generally originate in small fountains. They can commonly be traced up to inconsiderable springs, where they head. But as the little stream flows along, other springs and streams unite their tributary drops; and as the rivulet increases, it spreads wider, and runs deeper. At first small obstructions may interrupt its course, and control its tortuous way. It may be sometimes surrounded by mighty mountains, and inaccessible hills; but as it is reinforced by its numerous and inexhaustible allies, "there gathering triple force, rapid and deep it boils, and wheels, and foams, and thunders through." And it runs on, widening and deepening as it goes, until it rushes into the almost immeasurable ocean.

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So the peace of God progresses in the soul. It is subject to many interruptions in the youthful Christian; and though it may be diverted occasionally by uncontrollable circumstances, yet it will continually seek to return to the level of Christian humility. As the young convert grows in grace and in the knowledge of the Lord, new streams of comfort and consolation flow in. His peace becomes deeper, spreads wider, and flows stronger, until it becomes "a broad river-a river to swim in-risen waters that cannot be passed over."

ADVERSITY.