Attempt > Volume 3

230 THE ATTEMPT.
their heads and hands, to give them a real interest in life. I do not speak of listless,
fine ladies, who consider any useful employment a bore, and only study how to pass
their time in a manner most conducive to their selfish interests, but of those who,
when they have discharged all the household duties that may fall to their share (and
these are, in many cases, very small), have a large proportion of time at their own
disposal, and seriously wish to lay it out in a sensible way. There is an idea very
common, and constantly brought forward in religious works, that every woman has
a wide field for usefulness in visiting the poor, and teacliing their children, as well as
in other details of parish work. But it is positively certain that many are totally
unfitted for this, and their well-meant efforts often do more harm than good; they
are willing enough, but have not the peculiar gifts necessary to win their way with
those whom they are desirous to benefit, so, after a trial, they give it up with a sigh,
and fancy it is all their own fault that they do not succeed, and get depressed and
low in consequence. Then comes the danger that they will get into the destructive
habit of doing nothing, because they have failed in one way. They think it is
really no use only cultivating their talents, as that is doing no good in the world,
and perhaps they do not excel in anything. There is just where we err, because we
never can tell what unexpected call may be made on our energies, or in what
direction we may be obliged to turn them. How many women have been thankful
for their early application to music, when reverses have obliged them to earn their
bread by teaching it; the same may be said of languages, drawing, needlework, and
other accomplishments. And even if no such misfortune should overtake them, the
pleasure imparted to others by the exercise of these talents is surely not to be
despised, whilst they can be turned to account in a hundred ways. The well-
informed woman will find herself useful at every turn; she is perhaps able to trans¬
late some passage from a foreign author for a friend; she is competent to settle
some difficulty for a literary acquaintance, from her knowledge of books ; she can
soothe some of the weary hours of an invalid from her skill in music ; she can amuse
them at other times by her agreeable reading; her application to her needle may save
the time of others who have not so much to spare,—and for all these things, and many
more, patience and determination to conquer difficulties are necessary. For all this
is work, though it may not be hard work ; and if these ways and means of improving
herself and filling up her time are neglected, it is not surprising that she should
bewail her wasted life. Above all, there is notliing so wholesome and bracing as a
course of instinictive reading, not keeping to one theme, but varying the studies,
as we vary our diet, for we require variety, both mentally and bodily.