THE title of this volume sufficiently indicates its purpose.

The stories of which it is composed have been mainly written with the end of creating for woman, in the various life-trials through which she has to pass, sympathy and true consideration, as well in her own sex as in ours.

We are all too much engrossed in what concerns ourselves--in our own peculiar wants, trials, and sufferings--to give that thought to others which true humanity should inspire.

To the creator of fictitious histories is, therefore, left the task of reminding us of our duty, by presenting pictures from the world of life around us--moving pictures, in which we may not only see the effect of our actions upon others, but also the relations of others to society, and thus learn to sympathize with the tried and the tempted, the suffering and the oppressed, the grief-stricken and the mourner.

It is good for us, at times, to forget ourselves; to think of others and feel a heart-warm interest in all that concerns them.