2177. Hydrophobia in Dogs.

Hydrophobia is the most dreadful of all diseases. The first symptoms are attended by thirst, fever, and languor. The dog starts convulsively in his sleep, and when awake, though restless, is languid. When a dog is suspected, he should he firmly chained in a place where neither children nor dogs nor cats can get near him. Any one going to attend him should wear thick leather gloves, and proceed with great caution. When a dog snaps savagely at an imaginary object, it is almost a certain indication of madness; and when it exhibits a terror of fluids, it is confirmed hydrophobia. Some dogs exhibit a great dislike of musical sounds, and when this is the case they are too frequently made sport of. But it is a dangerous sport, as dogs have sometimes been driven mad by it.

2178. Mange in Dogs.

The mange is a contagious disease, which it is difficult to get rid of when once contracted. The best way is to apply to a veterinary chemist for an ointment, and to keep applying it for some time after the disease has disappeared, or it will break out again.

2179. Cats.

It is generally supposed that cats are more attached to places than to individuals, but this is an error. They obstinately cling to certain places, because it is there they expect to see the persons to whom they are attached. A cat will return to an empty house, and remain in it many weeks. But when at last she finds that the family does not return, she strays away, and if she chance then to find the family, she will abide with them. The same rules of feeding which apply to dogs apply also to cats. They should not be over-fed, nor too frequently. Cats are liable to the same diseases as dogs; though they do not become ill so frequently. A little brimstone in their milk occasionally is a good preventive. The veterinary chemist will also prescribe for the serious diseases of cats.

2180. Choice of Friends.

Dr. Blair has said:

"We should ever have it fixed in our memories, that _by the character of those whom we choose for our friends our own character is likely to be formed_, and will certainly be judged of by the world. We ought, therefore, to be slow and cautious in contracting intimacy; but when a virtuous friendship is once established, we must ever consider it as a sacred engagement."

2181. Words.

Soft words soften the soul--angry words are fuel to the flame of wrath, and make it blaze more freely. Kind words make other people good-natured--cold words freeze people, and hot words scorch them, and bitter words make them bitter, and wrathful words make wrathful. There is such a rush of all other kinds of words in our days, that it seems desirable to give kind words a chance among them. There are vain words, and idle words, and hasty words, and spiteful words, and silly words, and empty words, and profane words, and boisterous words, and warlike words. Kind words also produce their own image on men's souls, and a beautiful image it is. They smooth, and quiet, and comfort the hearer. They shame him out of his sour, and morose, and unkind feelings. We have not yet begun to use kind words in such abundance as they ought to be used.

2182. Gossiping.

If you wish to cultivate a gossiping, meddling, censorious spirit in your children, be sure when they come home from church, a visit, or any other place where you do not accompany them, to ply them with questions concerning what everybody wore, how everybody looked, and what everybody said and did; and if you find anything in this to censure, always do it in their hearing. You may rest a.s.sured, if you pursue a course of this kind, they will not return to you unladen with intelligence; and rather than it should be uninteresting, they will by degrees learn to embellish, in such a manner as shall not fail to call forth remarks and expressions of wonder from you. You will, by this course, render the spirit of curiosity, which is so early visible in children, and which, if rightly directed, may be made the instrument of enriching and enlarging their minds, a vehicle of mischief which will serve only to narrow them.

2183. Rules of Conduct.

The following rules of conduct were drawn up by Mrs. Fry, who combined in her character and conduct all that is truly excellent in woman:

i. Never lose any time,--I do not think that time lost which is spent in amus.e.m.e.nt or recreation some part of each day; but always be in the habit of being employed.

ii. Never err the least in truth.

iii. Never say an ill thing of a person when thou canst say a good thing of him; not only speak charitably, but feel so.

iv. Never be irritable or unkind to anybody.

v. Never indulge thyself in luxuries that are not necessary.

vi. Do all things with consideration; and when thy path to act right is most difficult, feel confidence in that Power alone which is able to a.s.sist thee, and exert thy own powers as far as they go.

2184. The Female Temper.

No trait of character is more agreeable in a female than the possession of a sweet temper. Home can never be happy without it. It is like the flowers that spring up in our pathway, reviving and cheering us. Let a man go home at night, wearied and worn by the toils of the day, and how soothing is a word dictated by a good disposition!

It is sunshine falling on his heart. He is happy, and the cares of life are forgotten. A sweet temper has a soothing influence over the minds of a whole family. Where it is found in the wife and mother, you observe a kindness and love predominating over the natural feelings of a bad heart. Smiles, kind words and looks, characterize the children, and peace and love have their dwelling there. Study, then, to acquire and maintain a sweet temper.

2185. Counsels for the Young.

i. Never be cast down by trifles. If a spider break his thread twenty times, he will mend it again as often.

ii. Make up your mind to do a thing, and you will do it.

iii. Fear not if a trouble comes upon you; keep up your spirits, though the day be a dark one. If the sun is going down, look up to the stars. If the earth is dark, keep your eye on heaven. With G.o.d's promises, a man or a child may be cheerful.

iv. Mind what you run after. Never be content with a bubble that will burst--firewood that will end in smoke and darkness. Get that which you can keep, and which is worth keeping.

v. Fight hard against a hasty temper. Anger will come, but resist it strongly. A fit of pa.s.sion may give you cause to mourn all the days of your life.

vi. Never revenge an injury. If you have an enemy, act kindly to him, and make him your friend. You may not win him over at once, but try again. Let one kindness be followed by another, till you have compa.s.sed your end. By little and little, great things are completed; and repeated kindness will soften the heart of stone.

vii. Whatever you do, do it willingly. A boy that is whipped to school never learns his lessons well. A man who is compelled to work cares not how badly it is performed. He that pulls off his coat cheerfully, turns up his sleeves in earnest, and sings while he works, is the man of action.

2186. Advice to Young Ladies.

i. If you have blue eyes you need not languish: if black eyes, you need not stare.

ii. If you have pretty feet there is no occasion to wear short petticoats: if you are doubtful as to that point, there can be no harm in letting the petticoats be long.

iii. If you have good teeth, do not laugh in order to show them: if bad teeth do not laugh less than the occasion may warrant.

iv. If you have pretty hands and arms, you may play on the harp if you play well: if they are disposed to be clumsy, work tapestry.

v. If you have a bad voice, speak in a subdued tone: if you have the finest voice in the world, never speak in a high tone.

vi. If you dance well, dance but seldom; if ill, never dance at all.

vii. If you sing well, make no previous excuses: if indifferently, do not hesitate when you are asked, for few people are judges of singing, but every one is sensible of a desire to please.

viii. To preserve beauty, rise early.

ix. To preserve esteem, be gentle.

x. To obtain power, be condescending.

xi. To live happily, try to promote the happiness of others.

2187. Daughters.