evil reporting: it is that of keeping a "Good-Report Book,' in which every member of the family is required to record daily some good report of some one, either in or out of the house, or some striking sentiment coming under their notice. The origin of this was as follows:-As soon as we had two children old enough to play together alone, they evinced a disposition to make a bad report of each other. To check this at first we punished the evil reporter, and we found the bad-report system checked by this means, but the feelings of benevolence and sympathy were shut up, instead of being called forth. To arouse and excite these feelings we devised the plan of a goodreport book, and after a trial of many years we are more and more confirmed in the advantage of it. The record made on the evening of the day is read the next morning before family worship. We now also read the report for the same day of the previous year, and we frequently find that the retrospect calls forth the most pleasing and grateful feelings. The book is also a concise journal, which is sometimes a useful book of reference. ******** Miscellaneous Department. STUBBORN FACTS. SOME persons have expressed a doubt whether any efforts were necessary on behalf of females of good character, to prevent them from being exposed to the dreadful alternative of starvation or crime. Little indeed can such persons be aware of the amount of want and wretchedness which is concealed from ordinary observation in many densely populated districts of the metropolis. But let the following facts, selected from a number bearing upon the same point, be duly considered, and surely it must be evident that there can be comparatively little hope in our exertions to diminish the number of unhappy females who disgrace their sex, unless preventive measures be more generously encouraged. Some weeks since two interesting young women, M. A. N. and E. T., were introduced to the notice of the committee of the Central Servants' Home, and after strict examination they were admitted as lodgers, although at that time their funds were almost exhausted. It appeared on enquiry that after having struggled for some time to obtain a livelihood by dressmaking, for which they were both very well qualified, they were obliged to give up their house. They accordingly sold their furniturc, but for want of proper interference had not yet been able to obtain the money; and had it not been for this institution their situation, unprotected and friendless as they were, would soon have been most perilous and distressing. They were a considerable distance from home, without sufficient money to take them thither, and had no relatives capable of affording them the necessary assistance. It is gratifying to add that after conducting themselves with great propriety at the Home one obtained a situation as a servant and the other permanent employment at her needle, at least for some months to come. Another virtuons female, C. R., who was entirely destitute, applied to an agent of the London Female Mission under the following circumstances :-She had accompanied her mother from Ireland to Liverpool, where she obtained a comfortable situation in a farm-house, when her mother, who had preceded her to London, wrote to her to say that she was quite wretched at such a distance from her, and therefore begged that she would immediately leave and follow to the metropolis. The poor girl, supposing that her mother would be able to provide a place for her, obeyed; but when she arrived she found her poor mother in very miserable plight, merely existing by the sale of a few threads and tapes and without any friend to recommend her daughter, who was compelled to sell her clothes to pay the expense of coming up. Her appearance and the artless simplicity of her tale (she was only 16) spoke volumes in her favour. She was sent by the agent to a tradesman with a note, stating that if he could find any place for her she should be properly clothed. It so happened that they wanted a little help, and they were so pleased with her ready good humour and bustling activity that they kept her for a few days, when a lady opposite to them felt disposed to give her a trial. She was accordingly clothed, and has now been two months in the place, where she is giving the utmost satisfaction. This girl might have been lost but for such a society, to which happily she was directed by some casual informant. Had she fallen into the hands of one of those monsters in human shape who make a trade of decoying the thoughtless, and leading them into dens of infamy, what could be expected in her destitute condition but that she should become an easy victim? Who can tell how many might be prevented from falling into the snares which are set for them if adequate efforts were made by those who are concerned to suppress immorality? The only other case for which we can make room is that of a pious and well-educated young woman from Ireland, who had been induced, by the representation of a friend, to come over, in the hope of obtaining a situation as assistant in a school at Bath. She was, however, disappointed, and her only resource was to come up to London, where she had an uncle. On applying to this uncle she found that he was not in circumstances to afford her substantial assistance. Having no other friends, and being unable to obtain employment, her funds were soon exhausted, and, after parting with her clothes to procure bread, she was reduced to great distress, when she made application at the office of the Mission in the vague hope that something might be done for her. The testimonials which she brought over with her from Ireland were highly satisfactory. Her statement was also found, on investigation, to be strictly correct. She was therefore received into the Home, where she is at present usefully employed, until a situation suited to her abilities can be obtained. THE DECORATION NECESSARY FOR FEMALES. IT is superfluous to decorate women highly in early youth; youth is itself a decoration. We mistakingly adorn most that part of life which least requires it, and neglect to provide for that which will want it most. It is for that sober period when life has lost its freshness, the passions their intenseness, and the spirits their hilarity, that we should be preparing. Our wisdom would be to anticipate the wants of middle life, to lay in a store of notions, ideas, principles, and habits, which may preserve or transfer to the mind that affection which was at first partly attracted by the person. But to add a vacant mind to a form which has ceased to please, to provide no sub sidiary aid to beauty while it lasts, and especially no substitute when it has departed, is to render life comfortless. HANNAH MORE. ADVANTAGES OF FEMALE COMPANY. How often have I seen a company of men who were disposed to be riotous checked all at once into decency by the accidental entrance of an amiable woman, while her good sense and obliging deportment charmed them into at least a temporary conviction that there is nothing so beautiful as female excellence, nothing so delightful as female conversation.-To form the manners of men nothing contributes so much as the cast of the women they converse with. Those who are most associated with women of virtue and understanding will be always found the most amiable characters. FORDYCE. SALVATION OF INFANTS. TELL us if Christianity does not throw a pleasing radiance Hath she not then, for pains and fears- For all her sorrow, all her tears An over-payment of delight? DR. CHALMERS. Entelligence Department. SERVANTS' HOME AND REGISTRY, MILLMAN PLACE, BEDFORD row. A MEETING of the friends of the Servants' home department of the London Female Mission was held on Monday, May 7th, at the large committee room, 20, Red Lion-square. J. TURNER, Esq., took the chair. E. T. CARVER, Esq., Hon. Secretary to the Mission, read a brief report of the proceedings of the society, in which it was stated that two classes of servants were accommodated, for the present, in separate apartments of the institution, namely, those who were able to pay a small sum for their lodging and to support themselves till situations could be procured for them, and those who were entirely destitute; but it was the intention of the Mission, as soon as the funds should warrant such a step, to provide separate establishments for each class. The institution was opened in January last. The following is a summary of its progress :-In January there were 3 destitute cases; in February 8 destitute and 3 lodgers; in March 9 destitute and 10 lodgers; in April 7 destitute and 9 lodgers; and at present 5 destitute and 8 lodgers. 23 had been provided with respectable situations; and respecting most of them information had been received that they were giving satisfaction. Several gentlemen addressed the meeting, and some interesting facts were stated illustrating the necessity and the value of such an institution for the protection of young females of good character. It was further stated that steps were now taking to establish similar Homes in London and its environs in connection with the Female Mission; and the efforts of another society, which has for some time had a Servants' Home in Nutford-place, were referred to with satisfaction as presenting the prospect of a more speedy attainment of the object in view. PROBATIONARY HOUSE, PRINCES STREET, RED LION SQUARE. THE friends of this institution held a meeting at the Institution House, Red Lion Square, on Tuesday, May the 17th. The chair was taken by SIR ARTHUR DE CAPELL BROKE, BART. The report, which was read by one of the secretaries of the London Female Mission, after briefly referring to the |