The Young Lady's Counsellor by Daniel Wise

;
198 THE YOUNG LADY*S COUNSELLOR.
of putting on of apparei ; lut let it he in the oana-
MENT OF A MEEK AND QUIET SPIRIT."
Imagine the spectacle of a light boat floating gayly
over a wide sunlit sea. Its sole passenger is a lovely
lady who appears to be suddenly wakening from
ftleep. Her hand is stretched out to grasp the string
of a magnificent pearl necklace, which, during her'
sleep, became unfastened. One end is still hanging
about her neck, the other is loosely dangling over
the water. Pearl after pearl has slipped off into the
deep abyss, until there are but few remaining. The
expression on the lady's brow is sad and self
reproachful. Each lost pearl reproves her ; each
remaining one reminds her of those which are gone
while several more must fall, before her hand cac
reach the string to save the small remainder.
Do you perceive the
idea embodied in this beautiful
spectacle ? It is, that if the opportunities of
early life for self-improvement are wasted in idle
day-dreams, the loss can never be repaired. Lost
opponunities are sunken pearls. Young life spent