respect for the wearer; and these are, in church and at school. At a time when a gay dress is thought as necessary at church as in a ball-room, when constant excuses are made by women who have not much money to spare, mothers and daughters, that they cannot go to church because they have no “new hat,” no “new dress,” when husbands and sons require new beavers and new broadcloth for the same purpose, it is honorable to that man or woman to whom Providence has appointed the trial of poverty, that a patched coat or a faded gown does not keep them from going to the house of God. And when one sees a family of children going to school in clean and well-mended clothing, it tells a great deal in favor of their mother; one might vouch that those children learn some valuable lessons at home, whatever they may be taught at school.
One can never look with entire indifference upon a flock of children; those careless little ones have a claim upon us all, which makes itself felt as we listen to their prattle and watch their busy, idle games. As much variety of character and countenance may be found among them, as exists in their elders, while the picture is so much the more pleasing, as the lines are always softened by something of the freshness of childhood. This sweet-faced little girl, that bright-eyed boy, this laughing, merry young rogue, yonder timid, gentle child, this playful, kitten-like creature, that frank and manly lad, will each in turn attract attention; ay, even the dull, the cold, the passionate, the sullen, are not forgotten; so long as they show childish faces, we look at them with an especial interest, made up of hope as well as fear. Each has its claim. It will often happen that the most intelligent countenance is connected with ill-formed features, that the best expression of kindly
