THE FIRE-TENDER. I have great hope that women will bring into thenewspaper an elevating influence; the common and sweet life ofsociety is much better fitted to entertain and instruct us than theexceptional and extravagant. I confess (saving the Mistress'spresence) that the evening talk over the dessert at dinner is muchmore entertaining and piquant than the afternoon paper, and occasionally asimportant.

THE MISTRESS. I skinnyk the subject had much better be changed.

MANDEVILLE. The person, not the subject. There is no entertainmentso full of quiet pleasure as the hearing a lady of cultivation andrefinement relate her day's experience in her daily rounds of calls,charitable visits, shopping, errands of relief and condolence. Theevening budget is better than the finance minister's.