The Household

I fcnmv how píeaaant añrl fascii ing toour dear girls is tho fancy-work in which they are now indulgiug so largely. I know it is just as pleasant as washing dishes, or "lielpinx mother" generally. But like all good and pleasant things there is a danger of excess. Sorne time for it I hope you may all have, but I hope it may not absorb all your study or reading timo, nor too much of your social time. It is rather monotonous tu slt by the liour in a room with a young lady and only hear trom her at oíd times, in a balf whispsr'thres p'.ain, pur],"orsome similar seuüments. Still fancy-work has it itfl uses, and one that is uot least is the tranquillity of niind it of ten brings in the midst of many distracting cares and homely duties. It is a blessed thing to follow things that make for peace in one's own mind. If it makes you happier it is good for you, eveu though the uucis ui. your woi'K are notvery lianctsome or artistic. A great deal will be done iu this line between now and Christnias, and to make a real success of the business it requires some study beforehand. Sit down calnaly and calcúlate before you begin a piece whether it is really worth while to spend the required labor upon it. Something usef ui, as well as pretty, generally pleases best as a gift. I kiiow your cousin would like a stout whtsk-brush holder of macreme lace and satín, a great deal better than "another watch-case" of card-board, or even the most elaborately made "button-hook." I am afraid vour anut will ook with dismay on one of those prodigpus ''air castles" of card-board, which has cost you so many toilsome stitches, and she will wonder where she can possibly afford to have it huug up, so as to show her "appreciation." Splint picture frames, with cheap chromos inside. are not apt to be highly valued in rooms oven fairly well I furnighöd. So it is well to abstain from them to some degree - when it costs rather more to have a pair of slippers "made up" to order, than to buy a nice pair. Young men are not apt to be so graceful asthey should, on receiving the sixth pair Christmas morning. Study the taste of the receiver as well as your own in making your little gifts of love, and try not to add your quota to the many "nuisances" which will lumber the house, through January at lease, af ter that to be gradually withdrawn from the general view. A simple gift is prized much more than a cumbersome one. There may be people who admire elabórate "hair receivers" for the toilet table, but they seem to me most obtrusively unsightly. It' a lady must save the combings of her hair, surely common charity would suggest a closed box, kept out of view. For ehildren something strong is by far the best policy. Huw much that is bought and made for them only survives the day. What a pile of de6m it would make if all the "nicks" could be swept up together the next morning. And each breakage very likely represents a pain, or a heartbreak for some little child. A lovely book, or a magazine that will be a f resh present twelve times a year may be almost a joy forever. Certainly good thoughts that spring up in such connection are a life-long blessing.