we need not give all our thoughts to that, but leave them measureably free for reflection on other matters. "The subjects for pleasureable contemplation while attending to our work, are numerous and various. Many of them are immediately around us. For example: in the mill we see displays of the wonderful power of the mind. Who can closely examine all the movements of the complicated, curious machinery, and not be led to the reflection, that the mind is boundless, and is destined to rise higher and still higher, and that it can accomplish almost anything on which it fixes its attention? In the mills we are not so far from God and nature as many persons might suppose. We cultivate, and enjoy much pleasure in cultivating, flowers and plants. A large and beautiful variety of plants is placed around the walls of the rooms, giving them more the appearance of a flower-garden than a workshop. It is there we inhale the sweet perfume of the rose, the lily, the geranium; and with them send the sweet incense of sincere gratitude to the bountiful Giver of these rich blessings. And who can live with such a rich and pleasant source of instruction opened to him, and not be wiser and better, and consequently more happy? Another great source of pleasure is, that by becoming operatives we are often enabled to assist aged parents who have become too infirm to provide for themselves; or perhaps to educate some orphan brother or sister, and fit them for future usefulness. And is there no pleasure in all this no pleasure in relieving the distressed, and removing their heavy burthens? and is there no pleasure in rendering ourselves, by such acts, worthy the confidence and respect of those with whom we are associated ? Another source is found in the fact of our becoming acquainted with some person or persons that reside in almost every part of the country. And through these we become familiar with some incidents that interest and amuse us wherever we journey; and cause us to feel a greater interest in the scenery, inasmuch as there are gathered pleasant associations about every town, and almost every house and tree that may meet our view. "Let no one suppose that the 'factory girls' are without guardians. We are placed in the care of overseers, who feel under moral obligations to look after our interests; and if we are sick, to acquaint themselves with our situation and wants, and if need be, to remove us to the hospital, where we are sure to have the best attendance, provided by the benevolence of our agents and superintendents. In Lowell we enjoy abundant means of information, especially in the way of public lectures. The time of lecturing is appointed to suit the convenience of the operatives; and sad indeed would be the picture of our Lyceums, Institutes, and scientific lecture-rooms, if all the operatives should absent themselves. And last, though not least, is the pleasure of being associated with the institutions of religion, and thereby availing ourselves of the Library, Bible class, Sabbath school, and other means of instruction. Most of And surely us, when at home, live in the country, and therefore cannot enjoy these privileges to the same extent; and many of us not at all. we ought to regard these as sources of pleasure. "S. G. B." There is a frequent recurrence to the beauties of nature, both for rest and enjoyment, which we are much pleased to observe; thus in "The Hill-side and the Fountain Rill:" Wearied with the dull monotony of a factory life, I sought relief from the flying machinery in the many-toned sweetness of nature's melody. And a happy change to the pent-up spirit it was, from the walled enclosure to the glad fresh air; from beholding the perfection of art, to companionship with the free children of nature-the woods, the streams, the flowers. Like a long-caged bird once more on the wing, I wandered from sweet to sweet, enjoying in each a livelier satisfaction than I had ever known until deprived of them, yet disposed to choose out for myself the most beautiful," &c., &c. "The Merrimack Reverie," thus commences :— During a leisure moment in the mill, I stept to the window to examine the plants I am cultivating. My eye glanced out upon the noble Merrimack, flowing in silent beauty and grandeur almost beneath my feet. Being in rather a roving mood, I began to sail up the stream,”&c. &c. The cultivation of plants and flowers is much encouraged by the superintendents of the mills. In one room in the Boott Mills the Editor says he counted above two hundred pots. Most of the operatives whose homes are not very distant return there once each year, which gives the opportunity of collecting a great number and variety of plants. The article on "Flowers, their beauty and instruction," is one of the longest in the present number. There is an excellent paper on "Contentment," showing the true sources of happiness and misery,-how little connection they have with extrinsic circumstances,-how greatly we are the "artificers of our own destinies. Though we have not the power to control the tide of life's events, though poverty, toil, and weariness may be our lot, still we can cultivate those intrinsic virtues which will yield us a rich supply of all that is needful for our best interests, and secure for us the soul's calm sunshine and the heartfelt joy."" 6 "The Utility of Observation" is a good paper, and the remark on the superior pleasure of knowledge gained from that source is just. "Beauty and Instruction"-" The Instructions of Affliction" "The Nature of Man"-" Celestial Scenery"—"The Bridesmaid's Appeal"-two sketches from the "Old Maid" Betsy, are the other prose articles; and "A Sister's Tomb"-" To a Kindred Heart"-and " Lowell," a parody, are the poems of this number. The third number opens with a more ambitious paper than any in the former ones, "The Sea of Genius," a vision, in which we find the names not only of Homer and the ancients, the popular English and American writers, but of Goethe, Schiller, Herder, Krummacher, &c. The following honest criticism upon these last we suspect will find many sympathizers : "The voices of some of them come to my ear like beings from another sphere; there is in them a vague indistinct sense of beauty, which I can neither appreciate nor understand. Others again seem to me like the sounds of well-known music, as it comes gently stealing over moonlit waters. Others again seem to me like jargon and nonsense.' This little lesson from the stars is good : My feelings were painfully aroused, and I went to my window, that I might look upon the sparkling canopy of heaven; for when murmuring thoughts arise within me, I love to look upon the stars-not upon the brighter ones, though they shine so unconscious of their loveliness, but rather For the little stars say not one to another I am not Sirius, nor Arcturus, nor Aldeberan, and no one will heed me, and take note of my feeble rays;' but they come modestly out after their more brilliant sisters; and as darkness gathers around them, they put forth brighter and brighter rays, and give to the night sky its beauty. Even thus may we, like the lesser stars, come forth in our humble station of life, unenvious of those who shine in wealth, power, and splendour; and when trials, sorrows, and gloom gather about us, may we put forth every power, and do all that in us lies, to make earth glad some. "Gold Watches" is an amusing article, called forth by a remark intended to repress fondness for dress, by showing how little a lady can be distinguished by it: O, the times! O, the manners! alas! how very sadly the world has changed! The time was when the lady could be distinguished from the no-lady by her dress, as far as the eye could reach; but now you might stand in the same room, and, judging by outward appearance, you could not tell which was which.' Even gold watches are now no sure indication, for they have been worn by the lowest, even by ' many of the factory girls.' No lady need carry one now, for any other than the simple purpose of ascertaining the time of day or night, if so she please. "But, seriously, why is the idea so prevalent that dress appears more objectionable in the factory girl than in any other female? Extravagance should be objected to in any one, but the exercise of taste in dress should not be denied to them more than to other young females. A gentleman may receive a thousand dollars per annum, and have half-a-dozen daughters, who all think they should dress in a style superior to that of the factory girl, who receives one or two hundred dollars per year; and when they find this impossible, they say, 'O dear! how the factory girls do rig up! we cannot get any thing but they will imitate us.' What a dreadful evil! But it is part of my belief, that out of evil good may eventually come; and if the impossibility of making dress a mark of distinction induces the conviction that ladies must attain some higher distinctive trait, this deplorable evil must result in a great benefit. "Those who do not labour for their living have more time for the improvement of their minds, for the cultivation of conversational powers, and graceful manners; but if with these advantages they still need richer dress to distinguish themselves from us, the fault must be their own, and they should at least learn to honour merit, and acknowledge talent wherever they see it." This is followed by a sensible remonstrance to her companions, on the prevailing "striving for distinction in dress," in which she thus expresses her opinion of the superior advantages they possess for forming right views on the subject: "I have often thought that we should have more common sense about such things than those who have been brought up in higher circles. We cannot expect all girls to overcome educational prejudices. The mind that can do that is of a higher order than is common. But we have not to do this; we see things more as they really are, and not through the false medium that misleads the aristocracy." "Nature coloured by our Feelings"-"Time"-"A Morning last Summer"-"A marvellous Incident"-"Reflections at Home"-"Birds and Trees"-" Christmas"-"The Rose Bush" "The Love of Nature a Duty"-" My Grandmother's Fireside”—“ Our Daily Paths"-" Time's Changes"—" Party at Home"-are the other prose articles. Our specimen of the poetry shall be from the only poetical piece in this number, entitled " 66 No. They say it is too hard a word And truth and duty tell him so, Bear witness all ye ills and crimes Too hard and would that told it all; * * * * * "In that one word is magic power, As little as it is: It would have guarded Eden's bower, It would have thwarted many a plan From snares himself could hardly scan; Hath peace, like a pure fountain's flow "Then let me wield the weapon well, But that same word when out of place |