waiting to be asked for, all the little additions to a repast, which although not costly are not the less acceptable, and from the spirit in which they are provided are always certain of a proper appreciation-is very grateful. I have often wondered how men can at times so far forget themselves as to give utterance to hasty and petulant remarks, to offensive language, to a bearing of austerity and harshness towards this almost (because the parties dare not reply) helpless and mostly deserving class of industrious servitors. This, indeed, is more a subject of regret than of gratulation, though some may seem to pride themselves upon an almost momentary exhibition of their superiority and importance; especially as, without descending to an equality, orders may so be given, wishes or desires may be so expressed, and commands be so pleasantly delivered, as to convey a feeling of pleasure to the respectful and submissive attendant, alleviating, in some measure, the painful consideration of dependence which they who serve, feeling their inferiority of position, cannot altogether divest themselves of. Certain it is, that a man will always, by suavity and forbearance, experience more satisfactory attention, and command a more obedient regard, than by an incessantly irritable and discontented practice of finding fault. Any woman, who can for years,

early and late, stationarily and steadily pursue the arduous duty of a waitress, at a well frequented hotel, has more than a few hardships to contend with, and slight and rare opportunities of enjoyment beyond the scene of her labours. She in fact lives daily in subjection, and at the discretion of the various, everchanging, unceasing diversity of characters which occupy the commercial room; men who embody every variety of temperament, disposition, intelligence, and ignorance, with all the strange and unaccountable biases which go to make up the motley group of human peculiarity, not unfrequently excited and carried beyond itself, by disappointment, chagrin, or perhaps excessive indulgence. Women in this capacity are often compelled to listen to uncalled for reproach, and bound to be respectfully attentive, while writhing under a weight of unmerited censure. She who lives daily subject to such annoyance, almost without enjoying the pure breath of heaven, and hardly ever emerging beyond the threshold of the inn -whose unintermitting occupation, distending the muscles, increasing the size of the ankle and width of the foot, while ascending and descending a flight of steps from the kitchen to the travellers' room and bar, and back again into the kitchen to inhale the sickening repe

tition of the steaming, oft-cooked soups and joints, and the more foul tongue of the coarse and vulgar cook-claims at least our respect. She is seldom dejected, however; and her neat and cleanly appearance, and invariable good humour, constantly cheer us; for although her once rosy tinged and healthy looking cheek is now blanched, and has long lost its colour in our service, it has not lost its power to charm. Yet although her spirit may be willing, her flesh is evidently weak, and indicates not only unceasing labour by day but wearing, wearying, fatigue by night. Until after the “ 'witching hour," she is enveloped in smoke: the air of the room-the only air she breathes-is impregnated with the effluvia of principee, Dutch-cut and Havannah, till she is all but smoke-dried. Well, therefore, does she deserve our sympathy, and well does she merit her hardly earned pittance of threepence per meal, or sixpence per diem. Yet she is playful, without descending to immodesty; and there is a pardonable trifling gaiety in her manner, and a humorous tendency in her words and actions, mingled with so much good sense, that the most licentious are kept at a proper and respectful distance, and totally disarmed by her decorous firmness and becoming confidence. She is ever alive, notwithstanding, to our inclinations and

desires, and almost before the wish has been expressed she cheerfully supplies our wants.

Such is one specimen of a worthy and respected waitress; and if all are not equally so, let the commercial body take the condemnation to themselves; for a trifling, frivolous bearing, and a looseness of expression have frequently produced a laxity of morals much to be condemned, but which I am happy to find, from the perpetual onward movement, is giving place to a much more correct, moral, and desirable state of things.

A MEMBER OF THE SOCIETY OF FRIENDSMR. OBADIAH BEAVER.

TO-DAY I have had a renewed opportunity of witnessing the quiet, inoffensive, and unostentatious demeanour of a member of the Society of Friends, who numbers with our body. His correctness of deportment, mild, but manly and gentlemanly bearing, plainness of speech, quaintness of manner, and genuine propriety, are well worth emulating, and eminently deserving of notice, were it only for the sake of example. They happily demonstrate, that

morality, and even piety, are not incompatible with an active commercial occupation; for our "friend" pursues the even tenor of his way with indefatigable industry and assiduity, and with a consistency fully equal to his exertions; one decided unanimity of purpose and action governing all his business transactions, and controlling his physical and intellectual man. He endeavours to steal through the world unobserved, yet not unobserving; rendering full justice to his own situation and the merits and deserts of others, yet studying to conceal his own: and, so far as prominence of position is concerned, contented to be a figure of no effect, or satisfied with steering in the middle but most respected way, desirous, "while living in Rome, to comply with the usages of Romans," and conforming, with readiness and ease, to the customs and practices of the road. For he is ever alive to the interests, comforts, and happiness of his associates, and is never more happy than when able to contribute to their well-being.

In argument our "friend" is in possession of a modest assurance: firm and decisive, but not overbearing; confident, without being rude or impudent. Aided by unostentatious eloquence and truth, and language distinguished by brevity, point, and force, he never fails to prove at