means of procuring a livelihood, this would be the very best course of
preparation: if otherwise, it was the best under the circumstances; and
especially was it the best state of mental and moral discipline with
which he could be furnished.

To neglect the business before us because we are unhappy in it, or at
least not so happy as we fancy we might be in some other employment, is
to oppose the plans of Providence; nay, even to defeat our own purpose.
It is to disqualify ourselves, as fast as we can, for faithfulness, and
consequently for usefulness, in the employment we desire, should we
ever attain to it. The wisest course is, to do what our hands find
before them to do, provided it is lawful to do it at all, with all our
might.

The best possible preparation a young woman can have for a sphere of
action more congenial to her present feelings, is the one she now
occupies. She has, at least, duties to herself to perform. Let these,
as they recur, be performed in the best possible manner; and let the
utmost effort always be made to perform every thing a little better
than ever she performed it before--if it be but the washing of a few
cups, or the making of a bed. What her personal duties are, generally,
need not now be said: first, because many of them are obvious secondly,
because they will be treated of in their respective places. But it
should ever be borne in mind, that there is nothing ever so trifling,
which is worth doing at all, that may not be done better and better at
every repetition of the act; and that there is no occupation which may
not, in itself, be improved indefinitely.

Rising in the morning, devotion, personal ablutions, dressing,
breakfasting, exercise, employments, recreations, dining, conversation,