good ability who is conscious of the fact that she is capable of
something better, would like to turn her attention to something useful,
but is restrained from doing so by the fear of what "society" will say.
Any society which is worth knowing will extend the right hand of
fellowship to the self-reliant noble woman, much more readily than to
the useless nonentity. Life to be pleasant must have an aim, an object,
and every one has been given some talent to make use of and for such he
or she must answer at "the last great day."

Life can not but be pleasant to those who make nature a study. There is
a vast book open before us and every one who chooses can open a page.
The study will never grow monotonous, for nature is constantly changing
and with lavish hand showers upon her children from her great store
house innumerable blessings, to those who "see books in running brooks,
sermons in stones and good in everything."

From the fern by the way side to the study of psychology--the most
fascinating of all studies--there is something in which all can interest
themselves, but more especially for women, for to me this seems woman's
kingdom. With much quicker perceptive faculties than men, they are
better able to see the finer more delicate portion of nature's handiwork
and mysteries. Unfortunately in small towns if a woman tries to
investigate spiritualism, she is immediately called a spiritualist. If
she takes an interest in mesmerism and psychology, she is called
visionary. If she takes an interest in the religious discussion of the
day, she is called an atheist. If she takes an interest in pathology she
is called _strong minded_, and who does not abhor the so-called strong
minded woman. A woman may be essentially womanly and take an interest in
all these things. Brain was given to woman for reason and investigation,
and "I rather choose to endure the wounds of those darts which envy