This I shall attempt to show by reference to two occurrences which took
place in the case of a young husband and wife.

Joseph, the father of a young child, one day brought home "Abbott's
Mother at Home," remarking to his wife, as he presented it, "Louise, I
have been persuaded to buy this book, in the hope that it may aid us in
the training of our little daughter."

Her quick and tart reply was--"I don't think I shall 'bring up' my child
by a book."

It may be useful to learn under what peculiar circumstances this young
wife and mother had herself been "brought up."

Certainly not, as a matter of course, in the country, where good books
are comparatively difficult to be obtained, and (though every one has
much to do) are usually highly prized, and read with avidity. Certainly
not, as a matter of course, where there was a large family of children,
and where all must share every thing in common, and where each must
perform an allotted part in household duties, perhaps to eke out a
scanty salary. Not in a farm-house, where the income will yield but a
bare competency for the support of ten or twelve children. If there is
a good and wise father and mother at the helm, it is under such
conflicting circumstances that children are usually the most thoroughly
and practically taught the great principles which should govern human
society.

Louise was educated under very different circumstances. Her father's
residence was the great metropolis. He was a very wealthy man, and he