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idiosyncrasy, and rendered possible a deeper sympathy and more perfect co-operation.

The question of the Sunday rest is also fruitful in this connection. I believe it highly essential to have this stated relief from daily avocations, but I most seriously question whether absolute rest or disuse of faculties one day in seven is of advantage to man, either physically or spiritually. Let this time be sacred to high uses-not dissipated by idleness of mind and body. Sunday has often brought me the severest work of the week-but it has been life-saving and life-prolonging in its effects. Sunday work of this high character is the best prophylactic for "blue Mondays."

On

I did not understand, with Dr. Maxwell, that the speaker eulogized the influence of all sorts of labor, indiscriminately, on the formation of character. the contrary, I thought he made a very clear distinction between those kinds and conditions of labor which are ethical and those which are unethical in their effects. It was "honest work," "useful labor," "the congenial calling," which he praised, I think not too highly. While no one values more highly than myself the opportunities for education in our schools and universities, their methods are not above criticism, and I agree with the spirit of Dr. Gorton's teaching that they are only the primary stages in our education, which is continued in the faithful attention to our subsequent life-work. I am glad to believe that our methods of study are becoming more practical, as more intelligent attention is given to the psychology of our educational methods. I am glad to testify as to my own appreciation of the good work which Dr. Maxwell is doing in our Brooklyn schools. Let us take to heart the lessons of intelligent criticism, and strive for the highest utilities, both in our schools and in the University of Life.

PROTECTIVE COVERING

BY

MRS. LIZZIE CHENEY-WARD

COLLATERAL READINGS SUGGESTED.

Spencer's Sociology, and Illustrations of Universal Progress; Hulme's The Birth and Development of Ornament; Balfour's The Evolution of Decorative Art; Flower's Fashion in Deformity; Starr's Dress and Adornment (Popular Science Monthly, 1891, pp. 488, 787); Carlyle's Sartor Resartus.

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PROTECTIVE COVERING; ITS EVOLUTION

ARY HISTORY AND MEANING.

BY LIZZIE CHENEY-WARD.

Next to what we eat, no other topic ranks in importance with what we wear. It is what we wear that makes us largely what we are to others. In one of its great aspects dress is a disguise. By it popular standards would have us believe that we improve upon our defective physiques. Among the conscious uses of clothing it is probable that that of beauty-producing stands now and always has stood preeminent.

"To dress the maid the decent graces brought,
A robe in all the dyes of beauty wrought."

This phase of it (the ornamental) has come to occupy a very considerable portion of the thought of mankind. Whether true or not, it is believed now to exercise a most potent influence on our lives and doings. Mrs. Pryor says: "Well-dressed, according to her own standard, a woman is always more agreeable, apart from the pleasing impression she makes upon the eye. She is brighter, wittier, more sympathetic, and in her own inner consciousness experiences a sense of serene content which can not be attained by the consolations of religion." No less a man than Bulwer wrote his first novels in dress suit. A considerable portion of the clergy hold robes and vesture as indispensable to religious service. And every servant regards himself or herself as not quite happy and successful unless he or she has on a uniform or dresses in the style of master or mistress. Altogether, the appertainings of dress probably cost humanity more than food. For the majority of the race, the two fill up nearly the whole of life.

In an hour's discourse it would be manifestly impos

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