Slike strani
PDF
ePub

THE MOTHERS' FRIEND:

A Monthly Magazine.

TO AID AND ENCOURAGE THOSE MOTHERS WHO HAVE LITTLE TIME

TO READ, AND LITTLE MONEY TO SPEND ON BOOKS.

EDITED BY ANN JANE.

"Her children arise up and call her blessed."-PROVERBS OF SOLOMON.

VOL. IV.

LONDON:

WARD AND CO., 27, PATERNOSTER-ROW;

EDINBURGH: W. OLIPHANT AND SON; ABERDEEN: G. AND R. KING;
GLASGOW: R. JACKSON; HUDDERSFIELD: THOMPSON; AND
ALL BOOKSELLERS.

MDCCCLI.

LONDON:

J. UNWIN, GRESHAM STEAM PRESS,

BUCKLERSbury.

PREFACE.

A REVIEW of the memorable year 1851 fills us with surprise and delight. The striking feature-The Great Exhibition --has been the means of a greater exhibition than its own wonderful contents and more wondrous structure. It has exhibited the character of the British nation, in the order and regularity with which so vast a purpose has been carried out. The very highest expectations have been exceeded by facts, and the confidence of nations has added another testimony to the honour of our country.

The success of the enterprise has far exceeded even the hopes of the sanguine, and the effect upon the public mind has been to inspire the absorbing thought that there are mightier things in the progress of civil society, of science, and of industry, than in direct political rights and noisy discontents. What a prospect has been opened to thousands of minds! What links of connexion have been formed with nations before comparatively unknown and unrespected! What evidence has been furnished of the power of well-regulated civil Governments leading forward a people in moral and social comfort, above all the glitter and the glare of splendid soldiery! To contribute, in any degree, to such a formation of national character, and aid the development of mind under the influence of true religion, is a high privilege; though it be but as "a hewer of wood or a drawer of water"-it is a rich reward. Mothers, help us! If we have done but little in this

« PrejšnjaNaprej »