Page:The Mothers of England.djvu/92

Rh a family, is for the mother frequently to point out to her children the manner in which they may oppose, or carry forward, little plans for the general good. The fireside circle should not be considered well arranged, when only one or two are made comfortable; but when all are brought within the influence of light, and warmth, and social feeling. The winter's evening story should not be told until all the listeners are gathered in. The walk to the pleasant wood should not be taken, when it is not possible for all to go. And when such objections are habitually brought forward by the mother, and the absent ones are remembered as being worthy of having a treat put off on their account; when children, too, are often reminded how incomplete their pleasures must be if enjoyed alone, they naturally imbibe the social feeling of their mother, and in lime assimulate so much to the tone of her mind, that they would be both ashamed and grieved to be found wanting in affection toward a sister or a brother.

When illness falls upon one member of a family, we often see the fond mother devoting herself to the duties of the sick-room with unremitting assiduity, while her healthy careless children run off to their accustomed play, more pleased than sorry to have a greater share of liberty than usual, let the cause be what it may. I would not be supposed to mean, in what I am about to say, that such children could with any propriety be converted into nurses; more especially as it often happens that the atmosphere of a sick-room is such as they can not breathe with safety. But still there are many cases in which the invalid is in a state to receive occasionally the kind attentions of the younger members of the family ; and where this is the case, much may be done to alleviate the trials of indisposition, by making it a favor and a privilege to wait upon the sick or helpless one.

Among the many pitiful spectacles we are accustomed to behold, I have often thought that of a lame boy, watching his happier schoolfellows start off in the merry race from the little mound of earth where he has propped his crutch's, is one of the most affecting which the aspect of