"The Sisters tend constantly in the hospitals more than 200 sick-and in the ambulance from 1,800 to 2000 in a month. When the number is further increased, a certain proportion of Sisters will be more specially devoted to the visiting of the poor and to the teaching of poor children." BOOKS OF THE MONTH. UNDER the title of "Studies in Animal Life," (Smith & Elder,) Mr. George Henry Lewes has published in a collected form his contributions to the Cornhill Magazine. Additions have been made to each chapter, and the whole work has undergone very careful revision. The volume, besides wood-cuts, has a colored lithograph illustration by Messrs. Day & Son. "The Science of Home Life," by Albert J. Bernays, (W. H. Allen,) is based on the third Edition of "Household Chemistry." The work describes in a popular way the chemistry of the atmosphere, and of coals, gas, candles, water, and other articles of domestic use, besides that of the ordinary food on the breakfast and dinner table. "The Field Botanist's Companion," by Thomas Moore, may prove a useful manual of reference, it is illustrated by colored plates. " "Unto this Last," by John Ruskin, (Smith & Elder,) is the somewhat whimsical title given to the four Essays on Political Economy, originally written for the Cornhill Magazine, but now published in one small volume. In the preface Mr. Ruskin declares he has nothing to modify," though the Essays were, he says, reprobated in a violent manner by most of the readers they met with." In this book Mr. Ruskin opposes the recent doctrines of political economy as taught by Mr. Mill and others, and sketches the outline of a new system. 66 "Predictions Realized in Modern Times," by Horace Welby, (Kent,) is a curious compilation of facts anticipated. The book is anecdotical and somewhat in the style of Mr. Timbs' works; each anecdote or quotation from a past writer presenting a remarkable instance of historical predictions, discoveries or inventions. The "Memoirs of Thomas Bewick," written by himself, (Longman & Co.,) after remaining five and thirty years in manuscript, have at last been presented to the public. Irrespective of the interest always excited in tracing the history of self-made men, the work is valuable to the student as a commentary on woodengraving. It is embellished by numerous wood-cuts, designed and engraved by the author, and never before published. Count Charles Arrivabene, under the title of "Italy and Victor Emmanuel," (Hurst & Blackett,) makes a valuable contribution * "It should be added that the Sisters take no vows, and that they are not bound to remain in the establishment more than one year." to contemporary history. The narrative is a personal one, for during the Lombard Campaign and the Sicilian Expedition, the author acted as correspondent to the Daily News: and it is evident he had opportunities for acquiring minute as well as trustworthy information. The question of Education, is again brought before the public, by the issue of some formidable blue-books. The Report of the Committee of Council of Education, 1861-62, contains the Minute confirming the Alterations in the Revised Code of Regulations, and the Revised Code itself; also various reports on Elementary Schools and on the Training Colleges, with Tables of Expenditure. The price of this voluminous work is four shillings, but portions of it, viz., the Minute confirming the Alteration of the Revised Code, may be had for three-pence, and the Changes proposed in the Revised Code is presented for one halfpenny. The Fifth Report on Reformatory and Industrial Schools is now ready, price sixpence. Also the Twenty-seventh Report of the Inspectors of Prisons, together with other Parliamentary Papers referring to our Colonial Possessions, and which, to those interested in the question of Emigration, will afford much valuable and trustworthy information. On the subject of Education we may notice: "How to Stop, and when to Stop," by William Day, (Harrison,) being a manual of punctuation. "English Style," by G. F. Graham, (Longman,) a treatise on composition; and "A Handbook of Elementary Drawing," by Robert Hale, (Longman,) specially designed for the use of teachers, with practical suggestions on the formation and conducting of drawing classes in public schools. "Marietta," by J. Adolphus Trollope, (Chapman & Hall,) is a skilfully executed and highly finished picture of middle-class life in Florence. "The Queen's Maries, a Romance of Holyrood," by G. J. White Melville, (Parker & Son,) is an historical novel founded on the traditional history of the four maidens who attended with womanly love and loyalty on their royal and unfortunate namesake. The author of "Margaret and her Bridesmaids," has published "The Ladies of Lovel-Leigh." (Hurst & Blackett.) That popular little book, "Our Farm of Four Acres," (Chapman & Hall,) has reached an 18th edition. "Histoire de la Femme," par L. A. Martin, (Paris: Didier,) is, as the name implies, an historical work upon the political, moral, civil and religious condition of woman from the earliest period. The first portion only is published, referring to ancient times, to be followed by a second volume bringing the subject down to the present day. Mr. W. C. Bennett having purchased the copyright of the greatest number of Mr. and Mrs. Howitt's juvenile works, is about to publish them in a uniform series. Among the wedding gifts of the Princess Alice Maud, may be mentioned that of a Bible and Prayer-book. The Bible is a large paper copy of Bagster's fac-simile edition, (a very limited number of copies of which have been printed,) and presented from the maidens of England. The Book of Common Prayer is also a beautiful edition, and presented from the matrons of England. Both books are highly creditable to the establishment of the Messrs. Bagster; the binding and ornamentation, tooling and illuminating, being all of the highest finish and beauty; the exterior monograms, clasps, &c. of pure gold, elaborate and massive. The painting and ornaments of the gold edges can hardly be surpassed; and each book is enclosed in an exquisitel carved and inlaid ebony casket. LXXXI.-OPEN COUNCIL. As these pages are intended for general discussion, the Editors do not hold themselves responsible for the opinions expressed. LADIES, To the Editors of the English Woman's Journal. It has been long felt, by certain ladies who are themselves engaged in tuition, that if a Provident Society for the benefit of all unmarried Governesses who should be willing to contribute to it could be established on a secure basis, a very desirable end would be obtained. The objects which such a society should aim at, as explained in a paper printed about two months since, are two-fold: 1. To give temporary assistance to those who should be out of situations from sickness or other causes. 2. To grant annuities to those incapacitated from age, and bodily or mental infirmity. A Society securing these objects would satisfy a want which can be met by no branch of the Governesses' Benevolent Institution; for it is allowed by all who are connected with that Institution that, while a small number of annuities and a large amount of relief are annually granted, the number of those who are relieved, compared with the number of the applicants, is exceedingly small. It was hoped that, after a certain sum should be raised as a permanent endowment, this Society should be self-supporting, i.e. supported by the periodical payments of those who should be willing to join in the scheme. The first step to be ascertained was how far Governesses would be willing to avail themselves of it; and the originators of the project feel that the fact of their being so has been placed beyond a doubt, as in the short space of two months, and in a very limited circle, the papers alluded to have obtained between three and four hundred signatures. Any communications on this subject addressed to your office would be gladly received by A TEACHER. I have heard and read much of your benevolent efforts to assist the unmarried women of England who are in narrow circumstances to better their condition, by procuring for them employment in various arts and trades. I suppose there is no country in the world where the number of poor unmarried women is so great as in wealthy England. I think, with your talents and your energy and earnestness in the cause, you might do a great deal to lessen this evil; for it is a very great one-contrary to the laws of nature and happiness, for every woman hopes to be a wife and a mother, consequently, all that may be done to train them to professions can only be pursued by them till they are married; therefore, they never can arrive at that success a man does, who, married or single, pursues the occupation he has been bred to. The reason why there are so many young women almost in destitution in England is the carelessness, folly and criminality of the parents. Instead of living greatly within their income, (which every one above the most needy may do,) they live in a style they are not at all entitled to, and bring up their unfortunate daughters in helplessness and uselessness, which prevents many a happy marriage. How many a young man of industrious habits but small income would be glad to marry the pretty agreeable girl he has danced with at a ball or walked with by the seaside, if he thought she had any ideas of economy, and was capable of looking after the detail of housekeeping, and could be contented with a plain gown of her own making? This education prevents many a happy marriage. The parents, most criminally, will not deny themselves any indulgence to save a little fortune to bestow upon their daughters at marriage. The girls lead a listless, idle, and useless life, and at their father's death, or even before, find themselves penniless on the wide world. With your influence you might point out this evil and possibly might lessen the number of poor destitute girls. Even the pulpit might be employed in this good work; and by taking the parable of the Talents for a text, teach the parents as well as the children, and do more real good than in dwelling on dogma, often producing polemical feuds among his hearers, instead of directing them to be active and useful Christians by fulfilling the duties of domestic life. I am an old person, and have know many instances where a widowed father would gladly spare his children the infliction of a step-mother, could he find a governess who could direct his daughters in housekeeping as well as teach them a little French, and music, and drawing, but such a governess is not to be had, and yet these young women aspire to be mistresses of a home and to have a husband and children. Hoping you will take this subject into your serious consideration and see there is truth in what I suggest, I am, Ladies, with great respect, your obedient servant, June 16th, 1862. LADIES, To the Editors of the English Woman's Journal. Some time ago I saw it stated that a deputation had waited on Sir G. C. Lewis at the War Office, headed by Miss Barlee, proposing to undertake contracts for military clothing, and of course to get rid of the middle-men and middle women. I really think every lady in England should sign an address to the War Office to pray them to grant this boon to the needlewomen. I see much more real prospect of relief in their mode of acting than in the one adopted by Miss Rye and Miss Faithfull. The two plans of Miss Rye can never relieve any very large number; only quick and fairly clever women can be employed at the Law Copying, and they might, if they would, turn their hands to a hundred other things. The Emigration for young women I never can like; there may be cases where it is good, but I cannot like it as a principle; a young girl alone in such a country as New South Wales or New Zealand, I cannot bear to think of,-I never could! I have read Miss Rye's first paper with great attention, and see the difficulty and distress, but still I cannot realize that Emigration in the way proposed is the cure for this difficulty or distress. With all the care that can be used, it must still be a dangerous path. As a relief from the distress spoken of, Miss Faithfull's Printing Office is equally limited with the Law Offices. I admire greatly the energy of Miss Rye and Miss Faithfull, but at the outside, after they have killed themselves, they will not have employed more than fifty or sixty people; still, the fact that new branches of trade have been thrown open by them for women is of itself no small achievement, and I congratulate our sex upon this advance. For this progress and increase of our sphere of action, we ought to be very grateful to them-the pioneers, the clearers away of many difficulties for the future. Still, I am sure, that any plan which would prevent these grasping middle-men and women from taking the profits, and badly paying the poor workers (which is simply abominable) would do more in relieving our present distress than any other means we could desire. Why not lay out money in establishing large, clean, airy, workrooms, with sewing machines, and let 100 or more women do the rest of the work; let the Government give them the work, and the fair price for their labor; the work would be better done and better paid, under the voluntary superintendance of one of ourselves. I only wish I was younger; I do think some-thing of this sort might employ thousands instead of hundreds, and that they might be well, and not ill-paid needlewomen; and these (at present) our ignorant, improvident, and wasteful, as well as suffering fellow-creatures should be made, if they cannot be taught, to put aside part of their earnings. I feel this, if I enable them to earn 1s. 6d a day, I have a right to say I WILL have 4d. on each day put by for sickness, for marriage, &c. Now if women earn at Coventry or elsewhere, 30s. a week, the moment the work ceases, from change of fashion or other causes, there is an outcry about starving men and women, and all for want of a little foresight and care. I must hope you will pardon this long letter, but I cannot help thinking that you will find many of your readers, and I may even say friends and well-wishers of Miss Rye and Miss Faithfull, and earnest admirers of their wonderful energy and perseverance, to be silently holding the opinion of Ladies, your obedient Servant, AN OLD-FASHIONED COUNTRY READER. July 9th, 1862. LADIES, To the Editors of the English Woman's Journal. I am well assured among your many readers are found those who delight to follow His example, "who went about doing good:" will you allow me to appeal to them on behalf of a class of an afflicted poor who are worthy of the deepest sympathy? I mean the paralysed and epileptic. The Ladies' Committee of the Hospital, 24, Queen's Square, Bloomsbury, of which I have the honor to be a member, have established a society to relieve the distress always so prevalent among the patients, but our limited resources are most heavily taxed, for one pitiable case succeeds another. I will briefly allude to some incidents of a committee day. First, a mother, one who has seen "better days," scarcely able to control her emotions, exclaims, "we have all nothing but the clothes we stand in;" next, a young girl, aged seventeen, vainly striving to support a paralysed mother, a widow, sobs out her answers to our pitying questions; then, a respectable young woman, formerly a servant, but shut out from all hope of that employment by her affliction, (epilepsy,) is found starving at Government needlework. I must not occupy your space with other instances, but will only quote the words of a clergyman on behalf of another sufferer lying helpless," She exhibits the most beautiful instance of patient holiness it has ever been my lot as a Minister to |