GOSSIP.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 3654, 27 December 1879, Page 4

GOSSIP.

DomestiesFelicity.— A well-known authoress' !gives it as an item of domestic felicity thstj 'the man of the family should bo absent at : least six-hours a day. Atrue lady not only is always at ease, no matter with whom she is conversing, but she contrives also to mako her companion as . much at ease ns herself. Somo people quite! unintentionally cause >uncomf or tablo pauses in conversation, simply by tho habit of hearing in perfect silence a remark which is not ; actually a question. It is not that they wish to ignore it, but it doea >not occur to them that a reply or comment is required, -so tho 'linfortunate utterer of the remark feels -snubbed and ceases to chat with tho same animat on as before. One' simple rule to bear in mind will go a great wny towards winning tho reputation of being a pleasant companion. It is, always tp show some interest in whatever •is said to you. Let nothing pass without, comment, because you ure observing something, or some one going by tbo window, or trying to guess who it can 'b^ that has just rung the front do' r bell. Rules for Spoiling a Child.— l. iEfgin young by giving him whatever he cries for. 2. Talk freely before the child about hi 3 smartness as incomparable. 8. Tell him ho is too much for you, that yon can do nothing with Lim. 4. ITwve divided counsels as'between father, and mother. 5. Let him leiirn to regard his father a« a creature of unlimited power, capricious and tyrannical; or as a mere whipping xachine. 6. Let him learn {from his father's eiample) to despise his mother. 7. Do . not know or -care who hw companions may be. 8. Let him read whatever he likes. .9. Let the child, whether boy or girl, rove the streets in the eveniDga— a good school for both eeies. 10. -Devote yourself to making money, remembering always that wealth is a better legacy for your child than principles in the heart and habits in the life ; and lot him have plenty of money to spend. . 11. Be not with him in hours of recreation. 12. Strain at a gnat ' ttnd.awallow a,eamel ; chastise severely fora foible, and laugh at a vice. . 13. lot him ran about from church to church. Eclecticism in religion is the order of tbe day. 14. Whatever burdens of virtuous requirements you lay on his shou'drrs, touch not one with one of your fingers. These rules are not untried. Many parapt3 li vo proved them, with a substantial uniform ty of results. If a faithful observance of ?' urn.does not spoil your child, you will at leu=t have tho comfortable reflection that you have done what you could. — Christian Intelligencer.