able for work rooms and chambers. It has only been built six years-the front building is four stories high and the back three, making four rooms on a floor in the three lower stories. The store will be sufficiently large; and, having a parlor, dining-room, and kitchen on a level, it will be exceedingly convenient. Thirty women may be comfortably accommodated in it without using three fine rooms on the second floor, which should be appropriated to the business department.

Having thus described the house, we will lay before you our idea of the manner in which it may be suitably and profitably occupied. We propose to have a competent, discreet woman as housekeeper, and well qualified teachers of the trades of tailoring, mantua-making, straw-work, and other pleasant and profitable employments, as the family may increase, and the managers consider it can be done with propriety.

The girls, upon entering the institution, should be permitted to choose the trade they may prefer, of those in operation in the house, and be considered as apprentices until they shall be so far perfected as to be able to work without further instruction, during which time they should take their turns in performing the cooking, washing, and household duties, with which branches we consider it is absolutely necessary that every woman should be familiar. As soon as they become proficients in the trades they have chosen they shall be considered as boarders in the family, and a regular debtor and credit account be kept between each individual and the institution; they being credited with the amount received for the work they have accomplished, and a regular charge made of their

board and other accommodations, at the price which experience shall enable the managers to decide may be consistent with the economy of the establishment. This arrangement, we believe, will be productive of much advantage, as there will be a constant stimulant to exertion; and every individual must feel they are laboring for themselves, and preparing a fund from their own earnings, which, when they leave the establishment, shall enable them to re-enter society under favorable auspices, and assist in establishing them in a respectable station in life.

A suitable time each day should be devoted to mental instruction-subject to whatever plan the superintendents may find to harmonize in the best manner with the interests of the inmates; and, while the motto of the house shall be, "You shall support yourselves honestly by the labor of your own hands," the health, the comfort, and a proper degree of leisure for recreation, must ever claim the attention of the managers-but experience alone can give judgment in regard to these arrangements, and from season to season they must be subjected to alterations.

It will be necessary to employ a person in the store; but, by keeping a small assortment of trimmings, which may be a great accommodation to the family as well as to the neighborhood, and also to customers bringing work to the house, the expenses of the woman who attends it may be paid, while at the same time it may afford an opportunity for the sale of any articles manufactured in the establishment; and this person be made the medium of communication between those who may call upon business and the inmates, so as to prevent unneces

sary exposure, or disturbance to the family. We have also reason to believe, that many benevolent young women, whose circumstances will prevent them from assisting in the labor or management of the house, will gladly spend some of their leisure time in working at fancy articles for the benefit of the concern, and will thus add their mites in the cause of humanity. These articles may be disposed of in the store, and be a source of profit, while the consciousness of a benevolent purpose will increase the happiness of the donor.

Having thus given a general outline of our views, we are sensible there are many details which may be of great interest to ourselves, and to the objects for whose benefit we propose these arrangements, but which time and experience alone can develope.

Of our interest in this subject we need not speak. Time, money, and labor must all be appropriated in the enterprise, to insure its success; but we believe the consciousness of performing our duty will animate us to exertion, and cheer our onward path, and if what is now deemed an experiment should be productive of the benefits at which we aim, the reward of our efforts will be reaped in our own increased happiness, as well as by those who are the objects of our care and solicitude. We have not entered into this work lightly, or without reflection; but a strong consciousness of its great responsibilities induces us to seek the co-operation of all those who feel that it is in the treasury of good works we can alone find true riches. Already have we met with those whose hearts responded at once to our appeal upon this subject, and we are encouraged to believe that, if we enlist our own sympathies in this cause, and feel that we are the

advocates of those who cannot, dare not speak for themselves, we shall be heard with feelings of interest by others, who will pour into our treasury those gifts of which they are the almoners of Heaven.

We are deeply impressed with the greatness of our undertaking, and ardently desire that our minds may be clothed with wisdom, that we may be enabled to fulfil in this great work what we believe to be the designs of Providence.

An appeal was then made by the President on behalf of those alluded to in the call for the meeting, and the proposition was adopted to form an Association for the reformation, employment, and instruction of females, whose habits and situation have precluded them from the sympathies and respect of the virtuous part of the community. Several ladies gave their views of the necessity of such an institution, and statements were made of some cases that had come under their knowledge, of young women who had committed suicide, who might probably have been saved had such a society been in operation.

A Committee of five was appointed to prepare a Constitution, viz.: Sarah Peter, Eliza Parker, Susan Dorsey, Maria M. Davis, and Mira Townsend. Also a Committee of thirty, to collect subscriptions from persons whose feelings responded to the efforts in this cause, and who might be willing to associate in this benevolent enterprise.

Women of all denominations were earnestly invited to attend a meeting, to be held March 25th, (five days after).

Pursuant to this notice, a large assembly of women met at the appointed place, when a constitution was adopted, and twenty managers elected for the ensuing year. There was considerable discussion in reference to the name to be given to the Society, and a sketch was read of the life and labors of Rosa Govona, an Italian girl, who had founded several institutions in her own country for poor and unfortunate girls, where they were taught to labor, and qualified to earn a respectable living by the labor of their own hands. An objection was made to the adoption of any name that might be considered a term of reproach to those who might come under the care of the Society; and the name Rosine Association was preferred to any other title, as it commemorated an excellent and virtuous woman, whose whole life was devoted to benefit the poor and unfortunate of her own sex.

The name Rosine Association was therefore adopted.

The meeting adjourned to meet again on the 4th of April. Since that period various public meetings have been held, at which the progress of the Society in the prosecution of the objects for which it was formed has been reported by the Managers.

PREAMBLE.

When we consider the present state of society, the many instances that come to our knowledge of deviations from the path of virtue and propriety, of woman, losing first her self-respect, then becoming indifferent to the opinion of others, casting off the