CONCLUSION.
In the foregoing pages, we have imbodied, in a concise but intelligible
form, a mass of information, which experience and observation have
convinced us was much needed by thousands and tens of thousands of
those who are the glory of the land that gave them birth, and who, amid
their scanty and limited means, are most laudably ambitious to appear,
in the truest sense of the word, respectable. To those, and to the
affectionate mothers and devoted wives, who are anxious to make the
most of the means placed at their disposal, we trust that our labor,
and it has been truly a “labor of love,” will prove an acceptable
offering. Already we behold, in mental vision, many a delighted mother
and daughter, conning over the lessons of useful economy we have
thus endeavored to impart, and rejoicing that at least one pen has
been devoted to aiding the but half-informed in the more economical
outlays of the proceeds of industry, and the bringing within the sacred
precincts of domestic life a new rivulet of prosperity and happiness.
In whatever light we view it, the needle is an object of the most
fascinating character. It is a home friend; and while it confers
upon us all unnumbered blessings, it is a source both of utility and
pleasure, that is within the reach of all. In joy and in sorrow, in
health and in sickness, in life and in death, it is our companion, our
solace, and our helper. Thus, ever ready to obey our guiding will, let
us be sure to profit by its silent but eloquent instructions. As the
needle turns not to the right hand or the left from the occupation
assigned, so let us pursue, with undeviating footsteps, the appointed
path of duty; and as it ever points with strict fidelity to the
attracting magnet, so let us in all our works, whether useful or
ornamental, turn to HIM “in whom we live, and move, and have our being.”
There is something calculated to afford high delight to the heart which
expands at the prospect of any increase in the sum of human happiness,
in the fact that, since the commencement of the present century, much
more attention has been paid to the subject of dress, by the mass of
society, than had been previously bestowed upon it. This is one of
the most favorable signs of the times, since it is closely, and in
some respects inseparably, connected with the elevation of the mental
standard, and the development of those higher powers by which human
nature is so prominently distinguished above the animal creation. No
one who has paid the least attention to the subject can doubt, for a
moment, the close alliance which subsists between the honest pride of
appearance and the desire to secure the highest attainable amount of
intellectual culture and improvement; and no one really possessing
a heart can refuse to rejoice in this undeniable mark of general
progression. We are sensible, that if not under proper guidance, this
desire to attain a more respectable and elevated position in society
may degenerate into a mere love of show and finery. But we are disposed
to look on the bright side of things, and to come to the conclusion
that elements are now at work which will produce not only a refined
and elevated taste, but a correct and well-regulated judgment. We
consider it the peculiar glory of our age, that woman is acknowledged
to be fully capable of, and worthy to share in, the most exalted
intellectual pursuits. To her, as well as to the boasted lords of the
creation, the treasures of art are freely opened; and she is invited
in the society of those most loved, to walk through the glorious paths
of knowledge, and to drink with them full draughts from the opened
fountains of enlarged information.
To render herself worthy of this her improved and still improving
condition, is the duty, and should be the pride, of every female. And
when it is considered how much a neat and becoming mode of attire adds
to the attractive force of woman’s charms, it will be at once seen,
that to attain that object with the least unnecessary sacrifice of
time, labor, and expense, is a matter of no mean consideration; and
that any effort tending to this end, however humble, is deserving
of the countenance and encouragement of all who are desirous of
co-operating in the designs of the benevolent Creator, and who,
recollecting that He himself has declared that “it is not good for
man to be alone,” are desirous of investing the fair forms of those
intended for our comfort and delight with every personal and mental
excellence, calculated to render them worthy of the highest esteem
and most devoted affection of the wise, good, and accomplished among
mankind.
THE END.
J. S. REDFIELD,
CLINTON HALL,
Corner of Nassau and Beekman streets,
PUBLISHES, AND HAS FOR SALE, WHOLESALE AND RETAIL,
THE FOLLOWING POPULAR BOOKS:
Ladies’ Hand-Books.
A Series of HAND-BOOKS FOR LADIES, edited by an _American
Lady_--elegantly bound with fancy covers and gilt edges. Imperial 32mo.
No. 1. =BABY LINEN=--
Containing Plain and Ample Instructions for the preparation of an
Infant’s Wardrobe; with _engraved patterns_.
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No. 2. =PLAIN NEEDLEWORK=--
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in every department of this most Useful Employment; with engravings.
“It should be read by every housekeeper, and is highly useful to the
single lady.”--_Ladies’ Court Circular._
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“The directions are plain and concise, and we can honestly recommend
the volume to every reader.”--_New La Belle Assemblee._
No. 4. =KNITTING, NETTING, & CROTCHET=--
Containing Plain Directions by which to become proficient in those
branches of Useful and Ornamental Employment; with engravings.
“A more useful work can hardly be desired.”--_Court Gazette._
No. 5. =EMBROIDERY ON MUSLIN AND LACEWORK, AND TATTING=--
Containing Plain Directions for the Working of Leaves, Flowers, and
other Ornamental Devices; fully illustrated by Engravings.
“It should find its way into every female school.”--_Gazette of
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No. 6. =MILLINERY AND DRESSMAKING=--
Containing Plain Instructions for making the most useful Articles of
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“In this age of economy, we are glad to welcome this practical
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THE WHOLE FORMING A USEFUL AND ATTRACTIVE SERIES OF BOOKS. EACH WORK
COMPLETE IN ITSELF. _Any number sold separately._
A NEW AND SPLENDID FAMILY BIBLE.
=The Pictorial Bible=--Being the OLD and NEW TESTAMENTS, according
to the authorized version, with more than ONE THOUSAND ENGRAVINGS,
representing the _Historical Events_, after the most celebrated
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of NATURAL HISTORY, of COSTUME, and of ANTIQUITIES, from ANCIENT
SCULPTURE, and from the best sources, ancient and modern.--With
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elegantly-engraved FAMILY RECORD; and the TEXT, from the Standard
Edition of the AMERICAN BIBLE SOCIETY.
Pictorial New Testament.
The New Testament of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, with views of
places mentioned in the text, and accurate delineations of the costumes
and objects of Natural History.--With an AUTHENTIC MAP OF PALESTINE,
from _recent surveys_.
The Pictorial New Testament with the Book of Psalms.
Criminal History of England.
Criminal History of the English Government, from the first massacre of
the Irish to the poisoning of the Chinese. By E. REGNAULT. Translated
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A vivid picture of the wrongs perpetrated by England upon the rights of
nations.
WARDLAW ON MAGDALENISM.
Lectures on Magdalenism; its Nature, Extent, Effects, Guilt, Causes,
and Remedy. By Rev. RALPH WARDLAW, D. D. Delivered and published by
special request of forty Ministers of the Gospel, and eleven hundred
fellow-Christians. From second Glasgow edition.
ROLLIN’S ANCIENT HISTORY.
The Ancient History of the Egyptians, Carthaginians, Assyrians,
Babylonians, Medes and Persians, Grecians, and Macedonians; including
a history of the Arts and Sciences of the Ancients. By CHARLES ROLLIN;
with a Life of the Author by JAMES BELL. 2 vols, octavo--with _maps_
and _plates_.
GUIZOT’S GIBBON.
History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire. By EDWARD GIBBON,
ESQ. A new edition, revised and corrected throughout, preceded by a
preface, and accompanied by Notes, critical and historical, relating
principally to the propagation of Christianity: by M. F. GUIZOT,
Minister of Public Instruction for the Kingdom of France. 2 volumes,
octavo.
SEARS’ PICTORIAL ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE BIBLE.
The Pictorial Illustrations of the Bible and Views in the Holy Land.
Illustrated with 600 Engravings. By ROBERT SEARS. Three volumes.
Twenty-five thousand copies of this Work have been sold within two
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EASTERN ARTS AND ANTIQUITIES.
Eastern Arts and Antiquities--Being Illustrations of Manners, Customs,
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BIBLE QUADRUPEDS.
Bible Quadrupeds--An account of the Quadrupeds mentioned in the Bible,
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Transcriber’s Note
Italicized text is surrounded by underscores: _italics_.
Bold text is surrounded by equal signs: =bold=.
Small caps have been converted to ALL CAPS.
Erroneously placed or missing punctuation has been silently corrected.
Inconsistencies in hyphenation have been retained.
The following typographical errors have been changed:
p. 15: “coss” changed to “cross” (narrow slip cut on the cross)
p. 21: “aud” changed to “and” (full at the sides, and quite plain in
the centre)
p. 31: “aud” changed to “and” (other important and necessary purposes)
p. 54: “in” changed to “it” (and put it on in the most even manner)
p. 59: “atiire” changed to “attire” (becoming mode of attire)