Feb. 10th.—­To help divert my mind from such incessant brooding over my sorrows, I am writing a new book.  I had just begun it when baby’s ill-turn arrested me.  I trust it may do some little good; at least I would not dare to write it, if it could do none.  May God bless it!

Feb. 14th.—­Wanted to go to the prayer-meeting but concluded to take A. to hear Gough at the Tabernacle.  Seeing such a crowd always makes me long to be in that happy crowd of saints and angels in heaven, and hearing children sing so sweetly made me pray for an entrance into the singing, praising multitude there.  Oh, when shall I be one of that blessed company who sin not!  My book is done; may God bless it to one child at least—­then it will not have been wasted time.

The book referred to was Little Susy’s Six Teachers.  It was published in the spring, and at once took its place beside the Six Birthdays in the hearts of the children; a place it still continues to hold.  The six teachers are Mrs. Love, Mr. Pain, Aunt Patience, Mr. Ought, Miss Joy, and the angel Faith.  At the end of six years they hold a meeting and report to little Susy’s parents what they have been doing.  The closing chapter, herewith quoted, gives an account of this meeting, and may serve as a specimen of the style and spirit of all the Little Susy books.

“If Mr. Pain is to be at the meeting, I can’t go,” said Miss Joy.

She stood on tip-toe before the glass, dressing herself in holiday clothes.

“Perhaps he would be willing to leave his rod behind him,” said Mrs. Love.  “I will ask him at all events.”

Mr. Pain thought he should not feel at home without his rod.  He said he always liked to have it in his hands, whether he was to use it or not.

Miss Joy was full of fun and mischief about this time, so she slipped up slyly behind Mr. Pain while he was talking and snatched away the rod before he could turn round.  Mrs. Love smiled on seeing this little trick, and they all went down to the parlor and seated themselves with much gravity.  Little Susy sat in the midst in her own low chair looking wide awake, you may depend.  Her papa and mamma sat on each side like two judges.  Mrs. Love rocked herself in the rocking-chair in a contented, easy way; and Aunt Patience, who liked to do such things, helped Miss Joy to find the leaves of her report—­which might have been rose-leaves, they were so small.

Mr. Ought looked very good indeed, and the angel Faith shone across the room like a sunbeam.

“Susy will be six years old to-morrow,” said her papa.  “You have all been teaching her ever since she was born.  We will now listen to your reports and hear what you have taught her, and whether you have done her any good.”

They were all silent, but everybody looked at Mrs. Love as much as to say she should begin.  Mrs. Love took out a little book with a sky-blue cover and began to read: