,,the ,,boarding ,,school2 ,,lessons ,,of ,a ,,preceptress ,,to ,,her ,,pupils3 ,,consisting ,,of ,information1 ,instruction and ,advice1 ,,calculated ,,to ,,improve ,,the ,,manners ,,and ,,form ,,the ,,character ,,of ,,young ,,ladies4 ,,to ,,which ,,is ,,added1 ,a ,,collection ,,of ,,letters1 ,,written ,,by ,,the ,,pupils ,,to ,,their ,,instructress1 ,,their ,,friends1 ,,and ,,each ,,other4 ,,by ,a ,,lady ,,of ,,massachusetts1 ,,author ,,of ,,the #8,,coquette4' ,,boston4 ,j4 ,p4 ,,peaslee4 ,,mdcccxxix4 ,press of ,putnam ,hunt4 ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------- ,,contents ,,the ,,boarding ,,school1 c4 ,,letters4 ,,dedication4 ,to the ,,young ,,ladies ,,of ,,america1 the following sheets are affectionately inscribed4 ,convinced of the many advantages of a good education1 and the importance of improving those advantages2 or of counterbalancing the want of them by exerting the mental powers which nature has bestowed2 sensible1 too1 that the foundation of a useful and happy life must be laid in youth1 and that much depends on the early infusion of virtuous principles into the docile mind1 the author has employed a part of her leisure hours in collecting and arranging her ideas on the subject of female deportment4 ,how far she has succeeded in her design1 the voice of a candid public will pronounce4 ,,the ,,boarding ,,school1 c4 ,on the delightful margin of the ,merrimac1 in one of the most pleasant and beautiful situations1 which that fertile and healthful part of ,america affords1 lived ,mrs4 ,williams1 the virtuous relict of a respectable clergyman4 ,she had two daughters1 lovely and promising as ever parent could boast4 ,mrs4 ,williams' circumstances were easy4 ,she possessed a little patrimony1 to which she retired1 after her husband's decease2 but a desire of preserving this for her children1 and a wish to promote their advantage and enlarge their society1 induced her to open a ,boarding ,school4 ,as she had an eye1 no less to the social pleasure1 than to the pecuniary profit of the undertaking1 she admitted only seven1 at a time1 to the privilege of her tuition4 ,these were all young ladies1 who had previously received the first rudiments of learning1 and been initiated into the polite accomplishments1 which embellish virtue and soften the cares of human life4 ,they had generally lived in the metropolis1 and had acquired the graces of a fashionable deportment2 but they possessed different tempers and dispositions1 which had been variously1 and1 in some respects1 erroneously managed4 ,to cultivate the expanding flowers1 and to prune the juvenile eccentricities1 which were disseminated among these tender plants2 or1 to speak without a figure1 to extend and purify their ideas1 to elevate and refine their affections1 to govern and direct their passions1 required an eye1 watchful1 and a hand1 skilful as those of the judicious ,mrs4 ,williams4 ,while her judgment and prudence aided the useful acquisitions of the mind1 a sprightly fancy and a cheerful disposition1 regulated by experience and discretion1 qualified her to enter1 at once1 with becoming dignity and condescending ease1 into all their concerns2 to participate their pleasures2 while1 with candor and mildness1 she reproved their errors1 detected their follies1 and facilitated their amendment4 ,as the young ladies had finished their school education1 before ,mrs4 ,williams received them to her mansion1 her instructions were more especially designed to polish the mental part1 to call forth the dormant virtues1 to unite and arrange the charms of person and mind1 to inspire a due sense of decorum and propriety1 and to instil such principles of piety1 morality1 benevolence1 prudence and economy1 as might be useful through life4 ,their time was1 accordingly1 disposed in a manner most conducive to the attainment of these objects4 ,every part of it was employed to some valuable purpose2 8for idleness10 ,mrs4 ,williams observed1 8is the rust of the mind40 ,whatever tended to enlarge1 inform1 improve1 or amuse1 she supposed worthy their attention4 ,she particularly endeavored to domesticate them2 to turn their thoughts to the beneficial and necessary qualifications of private life2 often inculcating1 that 8,nothing lovelier can be found in woman ,than to study household good20 and laboring to convince them of the utter insignificance and uselessness of that part of the sex1 who are 8,bred only and completed to the taste ,of lustful appetence2 to sing1 to dance1 ,to dress1 and troll the tongue1 and roll the eye40 ,early rising she recommended1 both by precept and example4 ,this1 she said1 would not only promote their health1 but render them mistresses of many hours1 which must otherwise be lost in enervating sloth and inaction4 8,and should we10 continued she1 8who have so much cause for exertion1 thus sacrifice the best part of our time80 8,falsely luxurious1 will not man awake1 ,and1 starting from the bed of sloth1 enjoy ,the cool1 the fragrant1 and the silent hour1 ,to meditation due1 and sacred song8 ,and is there aught in sleep can charm the wise8 ,to lie in dead oblivion1 losing half ,the fleeting moments of too short a life8 ,total extinction of th' enlighten'd soul6 ,or else to feverish vanity alive1 ,wilder'd and tossing through distemper'd dreams8 ,who would in such a gloomy state remain1 ,longer than nature craves2 when every muse1 ,and every blooming pleasure wait without1 ,to bless the wildly devious morning walk80 ,another laudable practice of ,mrs4 ,williams1 was perfect regularity in the government of her pupils1 and in the arrangement of their daily exercises4 8,when10 said she1 8we observe the order of the natural world1 and admire the consistency and harmony of every part1 we may hence derive a lesson1 for the regulation of our conduct1 in the sphere assigned to us40 ,pursuant to this plan of operation1 the young ladies arose at five2 from which they had two hours at their own disposal1 till the bell summoned them at seven1 to the hall1 where1 the ceremonies of the morning salutation over1 they breakfasted together2 their repast being seasoned with the unrestrained effusions of good humor and sociability4 ,on these occasions1 ,mrs4 ,williams suspended the authority of the matron1 that1 by accustoming her pupils to familiarity in her presence1 they might be free from restraint2 and1 feeling perfectly easy and unawed1 appear in their genuine characters4 ,by this means she had an opportunity of observing any indecorum of behavior1 or wrong bias2 which she kept in mind1 till a proper time to mention1 and remonstrate against it2 a method1 the salutary effects of which were visible in the daily improvement of her pupils4 ,the breakfast table removed1 each took her needle-work1 except one1 who read some amusing and instructive book1 for the benefit and entertainment of the rest4 ,the subject was selected by ,mrs4 ,williams1 who conferred the reading upon them in rotation4 ,at twelve o'clock1 they were dismissed till one1 when dinner again called them together1 which was conducted in the same manner as the morning repast4 ,having resumed their occupations1 the reader of the day produced some piece of her own composition1 either in prose1 or verse1 according to her inclination1 as a specimen of her genius and improvement4 ,this being submitted to ,mrs4 ,williams' inspection1 and the candid perusal and criticism of her companions2 and the subject canvassed with great freedom of opinion1 they withdrew from the tasks of the day to seek that relaxation and amusement1 which each preferred4 ,no innocent gratification was denied them4 ,the sprightly dance1 the sentimental song1 and indeed every species of pastime1 consistent with the decorum of the sex1 was encouraged1 as tending to health1 cheerfulness1 and alacrity4 ,in these pleasing pursuits and enjoyments1 the present class of happy companions had nearly completed the term allotted them by their parents1 and were soon to leave the peaceful shades in which they delighted1 when being assembled on the ,monday morning of their last week1 their revered ,preceptress thus accosted them3 8,as the period is approaching1 my dear pupils1 when ,i must resign your society1 and quit the important charge of instructer and friend1 which ,i have sustained with so much pleasure1 and1 ,i trust1 with some degree of fidelity1 ,i shall sum up the counsels1 admonitions1 and advice1 which ,i have frequently inculcated1 and endeavor to impress them on your minds1 as my valedictory address4 ,for this purpose1 during this last week of your residence with me1 ,i shall dispense with your usual exercises1 and substitute a collection of my own sentiments1 enforced by the pathos of the occasion4 8,your docility1 and cheerful diligence in attending to my instructions2 your modest1 affectionate1 and respectful behavior1 together with the laudable progress you have made in every branch1 which you have pursued1 have well rewarded my care1 and engaged my approbation and love4 ,to me1 therefore1 a separation will be painful4 ,to you the period is important4 ,it is a period1 which1 while it relieves you from the confinement of scholastic rules1 introduces you to new scenes of cares1 of pleasures1 of trials1 and of temptations1 which will call for the exercise of every virtue1 and afford opportunity for improving the endowments1 both natural and acquired1 which you possess4 ,think not then1 that your emancipation from schools1 gives you liberty to neglect the advantages which you have received from them4 ,the obligations under which you are laid to your parents for the education they have given you1 require a diligent improvement of every talent committed to your trust4 8,of needle-work you are complete mistresses1 from the most delicate and highly finished1 to the most ordinary1 though perhaps not less useful1 economy of mending and making the coarser garments of family use4 ,many1 ,i am aware1 suppose this last a species of learning1 which is beneath the attention of a lady3 but ,clara will tell you how valuable it has proved to her2 and how valuable it may prove to you4 8,nursed in the lap of affluence1 and accustomed to unbounded expense1 ,clara little thought1 at your age1 that she should ever depend on her needle for the livelihood and decent appearance of a rising family4 ,a discreet and prudent mother early inculcated the lessons of industry and economy1 which she now practices2 and taught her that the knowledge could be of no disservice1 though she never had occasion for it4 ,she married with the brightest prospects4 ,but a series of unavoidable disasters1 such as no human wisdom could foresee or prevent1 reduced her to narrow circumstances2 and1 to complete her misfortune1 she was left a widow with four small children4 ,her parents were in the grave2 her patrimony was gone6 ,in this exigence what was her resource8 ,not fruitless lamentations1 and unavailing complaints4 ,she immediately summoned her resolution2 and by the use of her needle has ever since supported herself and family with decency1 and been highly respected for her prudent exertions and exemplary industry4 ,directly the reverse of this amiable character is that of ,belinda4 ,she was educated in the same way with ,clara2 the same schools gave them tuition2 and similar prospects awaited their entrance into life4 ,calamities attended the progress of each2 but different as their tempers and dispositions was their conduct under them4 ,the falling fortunes of ,clara were awhile suspended by her discretion and frugality2 while the ruin of ,belinda was hastened by her extravagance1 dissipation1 and idleness4 ,view them1 now1 in their reduced state6 ,neatness1 cheerfulness1 and activity preside in the dwelling of ,clara2 negligence1 peevishness1 and sloth are legibly stamped on that of ,belinda4 ,the ear is pained by her complaints of poverty2 the eye is disgusted by her slatternly appearance1 and ostentatious display of the tattered remnants of finery1 which bespeak the pride and indolence of their owner2 who will neither convert them into more comfortable garments1 nor1 by repairing1 render them becoming4 8,i hope1 however1 that occasions like these may never call for your exertions4 ,but there may be cases1 when1 to know the use of your needles will answer important purposes1 even in an exalted station1 and amidst the splendor of affluence and plenty4 8,matilda dignified a princely fortune by the exercise of every virtue which can adorn a lady4 ,among these1 charity shone conspicuous4 ,her maid said to her1 one day1 ,madam1 would you have me lay aside these cast-clothes for some poor person8 ,yes1 replied ,matilda2 but sit down1 and mend them first4 ,don't you see they need it8 ,why1 ,madam1 rejoined the girl1 is it not enough for you to give them away8 ,i should think the least they can do is to mend them for themselves6 ,in that case1 said ,matilda1 my bounty would be greatly diminished4 ,people1 who need charity have not the necessary materials for putting such articles into repair2 and should ,i furnish them1 perhaps they have never been taught to use their needles4 ,no more have ,i1 returned the maid4 ,have you not8 said ,matilda4 ,well then1 sit down1 and ,i will direct your ingenuity upon these clothes4 ,by this mean you may learn a very useful lesson1 ,i assure you2 a lesson1 which by practising for yourself1 will enable you to lay up part of your wages against the time when sickness or old age shall take you from your labors4 8,such examples of condescension and benevolence to inferiors1 are of more real and lasting use than pounds prodigally bestowed4 8,do you seek higher testimonies of the honor and utility of this employment8 ,you may collect many from the histories which you have read during the last year4 ,among the ,romans1 and several other nations of antiquity1 a scarf1 wrought by the needle of a favorite fair1 was received as an honorable token of respect1 and improved as an invincible stimulus to heroic deeds4 ,ladies of the first rank and station considered it as no derogation from the dignity or delicacy of their character1 to make their own apparel1 and that of their families4 ,the virtuous ,panthea1 when her husband was going to fight in the cause of ,cyrus1 her generous deliverer1 magnificently adorned his person1 and decorated his armor with her own needle-work4 8,we ought never to be idle4 ,no moment should be unoccupied4 ,some employment1 salutary1 either to body or mind1 or both1 should be constantly pursued2 and the needle is always at hand to supply the want of other avocations4 ,the listless vacuity1 which some young ladies indulge1 renders them extremely unhappy1 though they are insensible of the cause and seek to beguile the time in frivolous amusements4 8,a still more endearing motive remains to be suggested2 and that is the pleasure1 which your accomplishments in this ornamental and useful art must afford your parents2 and the pain1 which your neglect of it hereafter must occasion them4 8,but your faithful and assiduous improvement of time1 since you have been with me1 is a sure pledge of your perseverance in the path of duty1 and your progress in every virtue4 ,i trust1 therefore1 that what ,i have said will be engraved on your memories2 and that some useful ideas will be selected by each of you for your future advantage4 8,your minds are a good soil2 and may ,i not flatter myself1 that the seeds of instruction which ,i have sown1 will spring up1 and yield fruit abundantly8'0 ,with one voice1 they most affectionately assured ,mrs4 ,williams1 that it should be their daily study to profit by her lessons2 and withdrew4 ,monday1 ,p4 ,m4 ,,reading4 ,being assembled1 this afternoon1 ,mrs4 ,williams thus resumed her discourse4 8,reading is so common a part of education1 that the value of it is not duly estimated2 nor the manner of performing it1 sufficiently attended to4 ,it is not the mere propriety of pronunciation1 accent1 and cadence1 which constitutes good reading4 ,you must enter into the spirit of the subject1 and feel interested in the matter1 before you can profit by the exercise4 8,but you are so well acquainted with the manner of reading1 that the quality of books most worthy of your perusal is the only point on which ,i need to enlarge4 8,romances1 the taste of former times1 are now so far out of vogue1 that it is hardly necessary to warn you against them4 ,they exhibit the spirit of chivalry1 knight-errantry1 and extravagant folly1 which prevailed in the age they depict4 ,but they are not interesting2 nor can they be pleasing to the correct taste and refined delicacy of the present day4 8,novels1 are the favorite and the most dangerous kind of reading1 now adopted by the generality of young ladies4 ,i say dangerous1 because the influence1 which1 with very few exceptions1 they must have upon the passions of youth1 bears an unfavorable aspect on their purity and virtue4 ,the style in which they are written is commonly captivating2 and the luxuriance of the descriptions with which they abound1 extremely agreeable to the sprightly fancy1 and high expectations of the inexperienced and unreflecting4 ,their romantic pictures of love1 beauty1 and magnificence1 fill the imagination with ideas which lead to impure desires1 a vanity of exterior charms1 and a fondness for show and dissipation1 by no means consistent with that simplicity1 modesty1 and chastity1 which should be the constant inmates of the female breast4 ,they often pervert the judgment1 mislead the affections1 and blind the understanding4 8,a melancholy example of this sort is exhibited in ,juliana4 ,juliana was the only daughter of a wealthy merchant1 who grudged no expense which could please or embellish his darling child4 ,he1 however1 possessed neither leisure nor abilities #8to teach the young idea how to shoot2' but thought it sufficient that he gave her every advantage1 which could be derived from the various schools1 to which she was consigned4 ,she had a brilliant fancy1 and a fondness for books1 which1 properly directed1 might have proved of great use to her4 ,but1 having no better principles instilled into her mind1 she indulged herself in the unlimited reading of novels1 and every light publication which a circulating library could furnish4 8,hence her imagination took wing1 and carried her far above the scenes of common life4 ,the excessive refinement of her mind admitted no ordinary amusements or avocations4 ,plain truth from her own sex was an insult2 and from the other1 nothing less than adoration would satisfy her unbounded vanity4 ,her beauty 7of which she really had a considerable share7 and the large fortune which she would probably inherit1 gained her many admirers2 some of whom were men of unquestionable merit4 ,but a sober1 rational courtship could not answer her ideas of love and gallantry4 ,the swain1 who would not die for her1 she deemed unworthy of notice4 8,her father strongly recommended a gentleman1 as well calculated1 in his opinion1 to make her happy1 and as having his entire approbation2 but she rejected him with disdain1 though she could produce no one objection against his person1 or character4 8,her father acquiesced2 expressing1 however1 his regret at the mistaken notions she had imbibed2 and warning her most pathetically against the indulgence of so romantic a disposition2 yet all in vain4 ,he was considered as an illiterate plodder after wealth1 which she had a right to bestow as she pleased4 8,at last the lovely youth whom she had so long contemplated1 made his appearance4 ,a military captain entered the town on the recruiting service4 ,young1 handsome1 easy1 bold and assuming2 with all the bon ton of the coxcomb1 and all the insolence of the novice4 ,he saw ,juliana2 he sacrificed to her charms1 and conquered4 ,she could not resist the allurements of his gallantry4 ,his affectation of dying love was received with apparent pleasure2 while art and duplicity took advantage of her weakness1 to precipitate her into engagements to pity and relieve him4 ,her friends saw her danger1 and warmly remonstrated against her imprudent conduct1 in receiving the addresses of a man1 destitute of property to support her1 and void of every kind of personal merit4 ,her father entreated and implored the rejection of her lover1 till1 finding every other method vain1 he at length resolutely forbade him the house1 and his daughter's company4 ,this was viewed as persecution2 and1 consistently with her sentiments of adventurous love1 a clandestine amour was commenced4 ,her father surprised them together2 and1 enraged at their disgraceful intrigue1 seized the captain1 and endeavored to turn him out of doors4 ,he violently resented this ungentlemanlike treatment1 as he termed it1 and defended himself with his sword4 ,the old gentleman received a slight wound in the scuffle2 but accomplished his purpose4 ,juliana was terrified at this rencounter1 and1 dreading her father's displeasure1 ran out with her paramour4 ,his lodgings were near1 and thither1 favored by the darkness of the night1 he instantly led her4 ,she involuntarily followed him1 without considering the impropriety of her conduct4 ,here he drew his sword1 and1 throwing himself at her feet1 professed his despair1 and declared himself resolved to put an immediate end to his life4 ,she endeavored to reason him into calmness2 but in vain4 ,he was sensible1 that1 if he now relinquished her to her father1 he should lose her forever4 ,his apparent agony overcame her1 and she gave him her hand4 8,her father was almost distracted at her elopement4 ,he traced her steps1 and1 following her to the house1 condescended to soothe her with parental kindness2 and promised her pardon and continued affection1 if she would renounce her worthless lover1 and return4 ,she confessed it was too late2 that she was his wife4 8,petrified with astonishment1 he looked at her1 for some time1 with speechless grief2 and1 showing his arm1 bound up with the wound he had received1 left her with every token of anguish and indignation6 8,when the fever of passion had abated1 a returning sense of duty in ,juliana1 and1 in the captain1 the fear of losing the property which he sought1 induced them to seek a reconciliation1 and make submissive efforts to obtain it4 ,but her father was too highly incensed to grant it to him1 on any terms2 or to her1 on any other than the utter rejection of her unworthy companion4 ,these terms were not complied with4 8,sorrow and vexation preyed so deeply upon the mind of this afflicted parent1 that they brought on a rapid decline2 and he died without again seeing his undutiful and ruined daughter4 ,his estate was divided between ,juliana and her four brothers4 ,her portion was received by her husband1 and soon spent in dissipation and excess4 ,having rioted on the fortune of his wife1 while she often pined at home for want of the common necessaries of life1 he left her1 to join his regiment1 promising remittances from time to time1 for her support4 ,this promise1 however1 was but ill performed2 and she now feels the dreadful effects of her folly1 in the accumulated ills of poverty and neglect4 ,yet she still cherishes the most passionate fondness for what has proved her bane4 ,a friend called to see her1 not long since1 and found her the emblem of wretchedness and sloth4 ,her emaciated form1 her squalid appearance1 the disorder of her house1 and her tattered raiment1 bespoke the shameful negligence of the owner4 ,yet she was sitting with a novel in her hand1 over which she had apparently been weeping4 ,she expatiated largely on the tale it contained1 while her children1 who exhibited a picture of real woe1 engaged not her attention4 ,her friend enquired how she could be thus interested and distressed by mere fiction1 while every thing about her was calculated to arouse the keenest feelings of her soul6 ,she coolly replied1 ,i have fortitude sufficient to support my own calamity1 but ,i must sympathize with the heroine of adversity4 ,i have not lost my sensibility with my fortune4 ,my only luxury is now imagination6 ,how ill-timed1 and how improperly exerted1 was this kind of sensibility1 in ,juliana6 ,where1 and what was her sensibility1 when she disobeyed an indulgent parent1 sacrificed her reputation1 and threw herself into the arms of a worthless man for protection--from what8 from the kindness and love of her best friends6 8,but ,i would not be understood to condemn all novels indiscriminately2 though great prudence is necessary to make a useful selection4 ,some of them are fraught with sentiment2 convey lessons for moral improvement2 and exhibit striking pictures of virtue rewarded2 and of vice1 folly1 and indiscretion punished2 which may prove encouragements to imitate1 or warnings to avoid similar practices4 ,i shall not descend to particulars4 ,those1 which are sanctioned by the general voice of delicacy and refinement1 may be allowed a reading2 yet none should engross your minds1 to the neglect of more important objects2 nor be suffered to monopolize too large a portion of your time4 8,novels are a kind of light reading1 on which the imagination feasts1 while the more substantial food which is requisite to the nourishment of the understanding1 is either untasted or undigested4 ,imagination is a sportive faculty1 which should be curbed by the reins of prudence and judgment4 ,its sallies are delightful in youth1 provided they be not too excursive4 8,poetry is1 by some1 ranked with novels2 but ,i think injudiciously4 ,good poetry is certainly a sublime source of entertainment and instruction4 ,what music is to the ear1 poetry is to the heart4 ,there must1 indeed1 be a natural taste for it1 before it can be highly relished or enjoyed2 and this taste1 whereever it exists1 should be cultivated4 ,i know of no kind of reading more richly formed for the mental repast of a liberal and polished young lady1 than the poetical productions of true genius4 ,the trifling and indelicate cantos of ordinary witlings1 and every day poetasters1 are unworthy your attention4 ,but the species of poetry which ,i now recommend1 is peculiarly adapted to soften the passions1 excite sympathy1 and meliorate the affections4 ,it soothes the jarring cares of life1 and1 pervading the secret recesses of the soul1 serves to rouse and animate its dormant powers4 8,many essays1 written by monitors of both sexes1 are extant1 which you may find profitable and pleasing1 both in youth and more advanced age4 ,among the foremost of these1 ,i mention ,mrs4 ,chapone's letters to her niece1 which contain a valuable treasure of information and advice4 8,but among your hours devoted to reading1 history must not be without a place4 ,here an extensive field of ages and generations1 which have gone before you1 is opened to your view4 ,here your curiosity may be gratified by a retrospection of events1 which1 by conducting your thoughts to remotest climes and periods1 interests and enlarges the mind4 ,here the various revolutions1 the rise1 fall1 and dismemberment of ancient kingdoms and states may be traced to the different springs of action1 in which they originated4 ,hence you may gain a competent acquaintance with human nature in all its modifications1 from the most rude and barbarous1 to the most civilized and polished stages of society4 ,this is a species of knowledge1 which will not only be of constant use to you1 in the government of your own temper and manners1 but highly ornamental in your intercourse with the polite and learned world4 8,but let your reading of every description be regular and methodical4 ,never confuse your minds by a variety of subjects at once4 ,when you turn your attention to any one in particular1 finish1 and lay that aside1 before you take up another4 ,let what you read be well understood at the time1 and well digested afterwards4 ,possess yourselves1 at least1 of the leading traits3 otherwise your labor will be totally lost4 ,if convenient1 always recapitulate what you have been perusing1 and annex to it your own sentiments and remarks1 to some friend4 ,if you have no friend at hand1 who will be disposed to hear1 recollect1 and run it over in your own thoughts4 ,this will be a great assistance to memory4 ,but whatever be the kind of reading which you undertake1 select such authors as good judges esteem the best1 upon the subject4 ,have a particular regard to the morality and delicacy of the books you peruse4 8,when you read for mere amusement1 7which should seldom happen7 be careful not to corrupt and vitiate your taste by frothy and illiberal performances1 which will degrade the dignity and sully the purity of your minds4 ,that time is very greatly misspent1 which is bestowed in reading what can yield no instruction4 ,not a moment's attention should be given to books which afford not some degree of improvement4 ,always have an eye1 therefore1 to profit1 as well as to pleasure4 ,remember that youth is the seed-time of life4 ,you are now to cultivate that knowledge1 which future years must ripen4 ,free from those domestic cares1 which will engross and occupy your minds1 when placed at the head of families1 a most inestimable price is now put into your hands to get wisdom4 ,now you may learn2 then you must practice4 8,now1 therefore1 lay up in store some provision for every exigence1 some embellishment for every station4 8,look upon ,elvira4 ,her acquirements in a single state have qualified her for a shining pattern of matronal duties4 ,her husband's business abroad prevents him from attending to domestic avocations2 nor need he be anxious respecting the management of his household affairs4 ,elvira is present to every occasion4 ,the superintendence of her family1 and the education of her children is her delight4 ,capable of instructing them in every needful branch of science1 and of furnishing them with every requisite endowment1 she is1 at once1 their guide1 their example1 and their friend4 ,when her husband returns from the cares and fatigues of business1 with what becoming ease and cheerfulness does she dissipate the anxiety which sometimes hangs upon his brow1 and exhilarate his spirits by the enlivening charms of rational and refined conversation6 ,in the entertainment of their friends1 how distinguished a part she sustains6 ,her powers of mind have been so happily improved1 that she is able to discuss every subject with ease and propriety4 ,to an enlarged understanding and a cultivated taste1 to an extensive knowledge of the world and an acquaintance with polite literature1 she superadds those amiable virtues1 which give society its highest relish2 while the elegance of her manners and the modesty of her deportment are a proof of the greatness of her mind1 and render her esteemed1 beloved1 and respected by all who know her4 8,but ,i flatter myself that each of you1 my dear pupils1 will be an ,elvira4 ,then will you do justice to the superior advantages of your education2 be the delight of your friends1 and the ornaments of your country4 8,religious subjects must1 by no means1 be neglected in the course of your reading4 ,let the ,,bible be the rule of your faith and practice4 ,if you wish an explanation of any particular passages1 seek it from some judicious and pious friend1 or in the writings of some judicious and learned commentator4 ,but always attend chiefly to those points which serve to mend the heart1 rather than to those knotty1 metaphysical disquisitions1 which tend only to perplex the understanding1 and involve the inquirer in such labyrinths of abstrusity1 as are above human comprehension1 and beyond human concern4 ,the essential doctrines and precepts of the gospel are level to every capacity2 and upon a life and conversation governed by these1 our hopes1 both of present peace and future glory1 must be founded4 8,he hath shewed thee what is good2 and what doth the ,lord require of thee1 but to do justly1 and to love mercy1 and to walk humbly with thy ,god40 ,tuesday1 ,a4 ,m4 ,,writing ,,and ,,arithmetic4 ,the young ladies being seated1 this morning1 their preceptress addressed them as follows4 8,writing is productive both of pleasure and improvement4 ,it is a source of entertainment which enlarges the mental powers more1 perhaps1 than any other4 ,the mind is obliged to exertion for materials to supply the pen4 ,hence it collects new stores of knowledge1 and is enriched by its own labors4 ,it imperceptibly treasures up the ideas1 which the hand impresses4 ,an opportunity is furnished of reviewing our sentiments before they are exposed2 and we have the privilege of correcting or expunging such as are erroneous4 ,for this purpose1 you will find it a good method to collect and write your thoughts upon any subject that occurs2 for by repeatedly arranging and revising your expressions and opinions1 you may daily improve them1 and learn to think and reason properly on every occasion4 ,by this mean you may likewise provide yourselves with a fund of matter for future use1 which1 without this assistance1 the memory would not retain4 ,it will be of great service to note down in your commonplace book such particulars as you may judge worth remembering1 with your own observations upon them4 ,this will be a kind of amusement which will exercise your thinking powers at the time1 and by recurring to it afterwards1 it may afford you many useful hints4 8,the frequent use of the pen is calculated to refine and enlarge your understandings4 ,have you any talent at composition8 it will be increased by cultivation4 8,neglect no opportunity1 therefore1 which your leisure affords1 of delighting your friends1 and accomplishing yourselves by the exercise of your genius in this way4 8,thrice blessed are we1 the happy daughters of this land of liberty1 where the female mind is unshackled by the restraints of tyrannical custom1 which in many other regions confines the exertions of genius to the usurped powers of lordly man6 ,here virtue1 merit1 and abilities are properly estimated under whatever form they appear4 ,here the widely extended fields of literature court attention2 and the ,american fair are invited to cull the flowers1 and cultivate the expanding laurel4 8,but the species of writing1 which is open to every capacity1 and ornamental to every station1 is the epistolary4 ,this1 between particular friends1 is highly agreeable and interesting4 ,it is a method of interchanging sentiments1 and of enjoying intercourse with those from whom you are far removed1 which is a happy substitute for personal conversation4 ,in a correspondence of this sort1 all affectation1 formality1 and bombast should be laid aside4 8,ease1 frankness1 simplicity1 and sincerity should be its leading traits4 ,yet let not your letters be composed of mere sounding terms1 and verbose egotism2 but intermix sentiment with expression1 in such a manner as may be improving as well as pleasing4 ,letters of friendship should conduce no less to the advantage than entertainment of the person addressed2 and mere cursory letters1 of general acquaintance1 must1 at least1 be written with propriety and accuracy4 ,the formation of the characters1 the spelling1 the punctuation1 as well as the style and sense1 must be attended to4 8,never omit noticing the receipt of letters1 unless you mean to affront the writers4 ,not to answer a letter1 without being able to assign some special reason for the neglect is equally unpardonable as to keep silence when conversation is addressed to you in person4 8,by habituating yourselves to writing1 what may1 at first1 appear a task1 will become extremely pleasant4 ,refuse not1 then1 to improve this part of your education1 especially by your frequent and dutifully affectionate epistles to your parents1 when absent from them4 ,express your gratitude for their care1 and convince them it has not been lost upon you4 8,always employ your pens upon something useful and refined4 ,let no light or loose compositions occupy your time and thoughts2 but remember that what you utter in this way is in some measure the picture of your hearts4 ,virtue forbid1 that this favorite employment should be disgraced by impurity1 indelicacy1 or the communication of vicious and ignoble sentiments6 8,one of the sages of antiquity being asked why he was so long in writing his opinion1 replied1 #8,i am writing for futurity4' 8,your characters during life1 and even when you shall sleep in the dust1 may rest on the efforts of your pens4 ,beware then how you employ them4 ,let not the merit of your attainments in this noble art be degraded by improper subjects for its exercise4 ,suffer not the expectation of secresy to induce you to indulge your pens upon subjects1 which you would blush to have exposed4 ,in this way your characters may be injured1 and your happiness destroyed4 8,celia and ,cecilia were companions at a boarding school4 ,when separated1 they commenced an epistolary correspondence1 on which each valued herself4 ,their former intimacy which they termed friendship1 prompted them to write with unlimited confidence2 and1 without the least reserve1 to reveal every dictate of levity and thoughtless folly4 ,they imagined themselves perfectly secure from the censure of the critic4 ,their education had not taught them1 that a virtuous mind should shrink even from ideal indelicacy4 ,celia was courted by ,silvander1 a young man of whom she was passionately fond2 but she had art and resolution enough to conceal her letters from his inspection1 though he often solicited a communication of her correspondence4 ,at length he became impatient for a perusal of letters which appeared so pleasing and interesting to the parties1 and suspicious that some particular cause directed their privacy4 ,influenced by these motives1 ,silvander bribed a market-boy1 who came from the village where ,cecilia lived1 and always conveyed the letters to and from her1 to give them first into his hand4 ,how astonished was he to find the lightness of mind exemplified in them6 ,purity of sentiment1 delicacy of thought1 and refinement of taste were entirely laid aside2 and illiberal wit1 frothy jests1 double entendres1 and ridiculous love-tales were substituted in their place4 ,his name was used with so much freedom1 and every circumstance relative to his intercourse1 and proposed connexion with ,celia1 was bandied with such familiarity1 that he was mortified1 disgusted1 and chagrined1 in the extreme4 ,he had the policy1 however1 to conceal the discovery till he had copied a considerable number of ,celia's letters1 leaving out whatever had reference to his own affairs4 ,he then revenged himself by disclosing his knowledge to her1 avowing his indignation at her weakness1 duplicity and folly1 and taking an immediate and final leave4 ,not content with this1 he even circulated her letters among his acquaintance4 ,this fixed the stamp of ignominy on the correspondents2 and their names and characters were rendered as ridiculous as scandal and malicious wit could desire4 8,celia was almost distracted at the loss of her lover2 but when she found the method he had taken to punish her indiscretion1 and that her reputation was thus materially injured1 she secluded herself1 in a great measure1 from society4 ,her sensibility received a wound which could never be healed2 and she lived and died in melancholy1 regret1 and obscurity4 8,however censurable the unjust and ungenerous conduct of ,silvander may be deemed1 yet no adequate excuse can be offered for the young ladies1 who dishonored their pens and their talents by a most improper and unbecoming use of both4 8,next to writing1 arithmetic usually claims attention4 ,this is absolutely necessary in every department1 and in every stage of life ,even in youth1 the proper arrangement of your expenses will conduce greatly to your advantage2 and when placed at the head of families1 it will be very friendly to the order and economy of your domestic affairs4 ,but1 leaving your matronal conduct to future admonition1 many benefits result from keeping regular accounts in a single state4 ,your parents allow you a certain sum for your own private use4 ,fashion and folly are always busy in creating innumerable imaginary wants1 which must exceed your finances1 if you do not attend to an exact adjustment of your expenditures4 ,for this purpose1 always calculate your immediate and most necessary demands4 ,let these be first supplied1 and then if your funds be not exhausted1 more superfluous ones may occupy your thoughts4 ,there is one claim1 however1 which must not be neglected1 and that is ,,charity4 ,you will1 therefore1 manage your expenses in such a manner as to reserve some portion of your income for the necessitous4 ,should you think your allowance insufficient to admit the children of want to a share1 let your benevolence plead for the retrenchment of some trifling article which you may dispense with1 without much inconvenience2 and the exquisite pleasure resulting from the bestowment1 will more than counterbalance the sacrifice4 ,in these1 and many other particulars1 a knowledge of arithmetic will enable you to conduct the affairs of youth with ease1 advantage1 and usefulness4 ,and1 perhaps1 as you advance in years1 and are called to fill more important stations1 you may find it of still greater utility4 8,the father of ,lucinda was in easy circumstances1 while he could perform the duties and enjoy the profits of a lucrative business4 ,he was the affectionate parent of a numerous family1 to whose education and improvement he attended with unwearied diligence and pleasure2 till repeated losses in trade1 and disappointments in his worldly expectations embarrassed his affairs1 depressed his spirits1 and impaired his health4 ,in the midst of these difficulties1 his amiable and beloved wife was removed by death4 ,this trial was greater than he could support4 ,he sunk under the affliction1 and lost his reason4 ,lucinda was the eldest of six children1 the care of whom1 with the melancholy task of attending and ministering to the necessities of her unhappy father1 devolved on her4 ,she looked upon the wo-fraught scene1 and wept4 ,her heart was sinking under the weight of grief2 and hope1 the best soother of the unfortunate1 had nearly abandoned her4 ,she advised with her friends1 who proposed to relieve the family by means of a subscription4 ,lucinda thanked them for their proffered kindness1 and returned to her disconsolate habitation4 ,she deliberated on the projected measure2 which she considered must be slow1 uncertain1 and1 at any rate1 inadequate to their future exigences4 ,she could not reconcile herself to the idea of her father's depending on charity for subsistence4 ,yet what could be done8 ,one resource only remained2--her own exertions4 ,by these she flattered herself1 that she might save the family from suffering want1 and discharge the obligations she owed to her revered parent4 ,her education1 by which1 among other branches of learning1 she had been well instructed in arithmetic1 7that being her father's favorite study7 qualified her for this undertaking4 ,she therefore devoted herself to the business without delay2 examined her father's accounts1 collected whatever remained that was valuable2 sold the superfluous moveables1 and purchased a small stock for trade4 ,all who knew her motives and merit frequented her shop1 and encouraged her by their custom and kindness4 ,by this mean1 together with her judicious management1 and engaging behavior1 she increased her business to such a degree1 as to support the family with ease and reputation4 8,her discreet and dutiful conduct to her father1 soon restored him to his reason4 8,when he found how prudently and affectionately ,lucinda had exerted herself in his behalf1 he exclaimed1 #8,many daughters have done virtuously1 but thou excellest them all6' 8,he resumed his former business1 and lived to see his children all well provided for1 and happily settled around him40 ,tuesday1 ,p4 ,m4 ,,music ,,and ,,dancing4 ,her pupils having taken their places1 ,mrs4 ,williams proceeded4 8,in music and dancing you have made such proficiency that your performances must be very pleasing to your friends1 before whom you occasionally exhibit4 8,as dancing is an accomplishment merely external1 let not the vanity of excellence in it betray itself in an air of conscious superiority1 when you shine at the ball1 and perceive yourselves to have attracted the attention and applause of the gay assembly4 ,but in the midst of hilarity and mirth1 remember that modesty1 diffidence1 discretion1 and humility are indispensable appendages of virtue and decency4 8,music is a talent which nature has bestowed1 and which your application has considerably improved4 ,it has a powerful influence over the heart2 wonderfully soothes and humanizes the passions1 and is a source of refined pleasure to a mind capable of tasting its charms4 8,never refuse gratifying your friends by the exertion of your abilities in performing1 unless for some very special reason4 ,though ,i would not have you vain of your skill1 and officiously forward to display it2 yet the affectation of uncommon modesty1 and ignorance1 is truly ridiculous4 ,to plead inability to exercise powers1 which you are conscious of possessing1 and for which you wish to be esteemed and honored by others1 is false delicacy1 and will never gain admission to the breast where that which is genuine resides4 ,how perfectly absurd it is for a young lady1 who is politely requested to entertain a company with her musical talents1 to declare them so small that she is really ashamed to expose herself before such good judges2 or that she has neglected playing1 or singing1 for some time1 and cannot immediately revive her dormant skill2 or that she has forgotten her tunes1 or songs2 or that she has a bad cold2 7which none but herself perceives17 and is unable to sing2 or that she is loath to begin this amusement1 and must insist upon some other lady's setting the example2 which other lady has1 in her turn1 an equal number of excuses6 ,thus the time of the company is engrossed1 and their pleasure suspended1 till a long train of arguments1 entreaties1 and compliments are run through1 and her vanity fully gratified by the most flattering and importunate solicitations4 8,then1 elate with pride and self importance1 she condescends to grant their request2 not considering how far she has derogated from her own merit by the futile artifice she has employed2 an artifice unworthy of an ingenuous mind1 and disgraceful to any lady who has arrived to years of discretion4 8,let us view this evasive manner of seeking compliments a little nearer4 ,when a person is known to be mistress of this delightful art1 what can be her motive for delaying the gratification of her friends by its exercise1 and refusing a compliance with their wishes1 till their patience is exhausted8 ,i believe that excuses1 in this case1 are very seldom sincere4 ,the youthful mind is not insensible to praise1 nor indifferent to the means of obtaining it4 8,why then should it not be received and increased by a ready and obliging compliance8 ,a desire to please is usually attended with success2 and for what reason should the power and disposition be artfully concealed8 8,always preserve a frankness and sincerity in your actions and designs4 ,these will add dignity to your condescensions1 and gracefulness to your deportment4 8,rise superior to those little arts which bespeak the finesse of a childish folly1 or a narrow mind4 ,do honor to this1 as well as to every other part of your education1 by acting conformably to the precepts which have been given you1 the knowledge which you have acquired1 and the opportunities with which you may be furnished for the purpose4 8,music and dancing1 though polite and elegant accomplishments1 are1 perhaps1 the most fascinating1 and1 of course1 the most dangerous of any that fall under that description4 ,when indulged to excess1 beside engrossing much time which ought to be employed in the execution of more necessary and useful designs1 they sometimes allure their fond votaries from that purity and rectitude which are the chief embellishments of the female character4 ,they lay the mind open to many temptations1 and1 by nourishing a frivolous vanity1 benumb the nobler powers both of reflection and action4 8,levitia was endowed1 by the joint influence of nature and art1 with these pleasing charms4 ,symmetry was perfected in her form2 and her voice was melody itself4 ,her parents were not in affluent circumstances2 yet their taste led them to distinguish those graces and talents in their daughter1 which they injudiciously flattered themselves might1 one day1 raise her to affluence and fame4 ,hence they spared no pains nor expense1 in their power to bestow1 to assist her inclination and gratify her wishes4 ,as she advanced in years1 she assiduously cultivated and diligently improved those endowments which she had been erroneously encouraged1 and even taught1 to consider most valuable4 ,to adorn her person1 regulate her movements1 and practise her music1 was all her care4 ,nor had she a wish beyond the pleasures1 which she fancied they could yield4 ,her mind resembled a garden1 in which the useful plants were overrun and choked by noxious weeds4 ,here and there1 a gaudy flower rears its brilliant head1 and proudly dares to arrest the eye2 while the delicate and useful lie buried and concealed in the surrounding waste6 8,flattery was pleasing to her ear1 in whatever form it was presented4 ,the gay and licentious sought her society2 and vanity with its attendant train of follies led her imagination far from the sphere of life which ,providence had assigned her4 ,her parents saw their own mistake1 and were alarmed at her's3 but1 alas6 too late were their endeavors to prevent the mischiefs which impended4 ,they could not supply her unbounded wants2 and therefore to gratify her ruling passion1 she deemed means of her own invention indispensable4 ,among her admirers was a foreigner1 who1 failing of success in his own country1 sought a subsistence in ours1 from the stage4 ,he knew ,levitia's talents4 ,these might give her the palm of applause1 and in his way of life1 render her conspicuous4 ,this plan he communicated to her1 insidiously offering to become her guardian1 and to put her under the protection of such friends as should defend her honor1 and ensure her success4 ,she was pleased with the project4 ,wholly unacquainted with the world1 and unsuspicious of the subtle arts of the deluding libertine1 she scrupled not his veracity1 but listened to his insinuating declarations of love and friendship4 ,she was deceived by the vanity of appearing where her fancied merit would meet with the encouragement and reward it deserved2 and vainly imagining that her beauty might secure her elevation and affluence1 she readily consented to the fatal experiment1 eloped from her father's house1 and became a professed actress4 8,her parents were overwhelmed with grief and anxiety1 at the discovery2 but to no purpose were all their exertions to reclaim her4 ,she had left them1 no more to return2 left them1 too1 with the heart-rending reflection1 that they themselves had heedlessly contributed to her disgrace and ruin4 ,but bitter indeed were the fruits of her disobedience and folly6 8,she made her appearance on the stage4 ,she sung and danced1 for which she was caressed1 flattered1 and paid4 ,a licentious mode of life quadrating with the levity of her heart1 soon left her a prey to seduction4 ,her gaiety and beauty gained her many votaries1 and she became a complete courtezan4 8,in the midst of this career1 her mother died of a broken heart1 evidently occasioned by her undutiful and vicious conduct4 ,a sense of her ingratitude to her parents1 and her shameless manner of life struck her mind1 not naturally unfeeling1 with such force1 as to throw her into a fever which undermined her constitution1 deprived her of her beauty1 ruined her voice1 and left her without means of support4 ,her pretended lover1 finding she could no longer be useful to him1 perfidiously abandoned her to poverty and shame4 ,she returned1 like the prodigal1 to her unhappy father1 who received1 but could not assist her4 ,her behavior1 with its consequences in the death of her mother1 had impaired his health1 depressed his spirits1 and rendered him incapable of providing for himself4 8,she is now despised and avoided by all her former acquaintance1 and must inevitably spend the remainder of her days in wretchedness4 8,let us turn from this disgusting picture1 and behold its contrast in the amiable ,florella4 ,to beauty of person she superadds delicacy1 sensibility1 and every noble quality of the mind4 ,respectful to her superiors1 affable1 cheerful1 and polite to her equals1 and condescendingly kind to her inferiors1 ,florella is universally esteemed1 beloved and admired4 ,of the pleasing accomplishments of music and dancing she is a consummate mistress4 ,yet she is superior to the vain arts of flattery1 while the dignity of conscious virtue raises her far above the affectation of false modesty and diffidence4 ,to please and oblige those friends who are interested in her happiness1 and gratified by her performances1 is her delight4 ,nor does she think it necessary1 by feigned excuses1 to delay the pleasure1 which she is able to afford2 but willingly enhances that pleasure by a ready and cheerful compliance4 ,this she thinks the best return she can make for their kind attention4 ,though delighted with these amusements herself1 she1 nevertheless1 considers them as amusements only2 and assiduously cultivates the more solid branches of her education4 ,these1 she is wont to say1 may render me useful and happy1 when the voice of music shall be brought low1 and when the sprightly limbs shall become languid and inactive4 8,how happy her parents in her filial duty and affection6 ,how rich the reward of their care and expense in contributing to her improvements6 ,how happy ,florella in their complacency and love1 and in the consciousness of deserving them6 8,she was1 not long since1 addressed by a gentleman1 who was pleasing to her fancy2 but1 determined never to indulge a sentiment of partiality without the entire approbation of her parents1 she referred him to their decision4 ,for particular reasons1 they disapproved of his suit4 ,she acquiesced without reserve1 and immediately dismissed him4 ,who would not rather be a resembler of ,florella1 than a vain1 imprudent1 and ruined ,levitia8 8,true1 indeed1 the acquirements and graces of ,florella are not attainable by every one2 but the virtues of discretion1 modesty1 and kindness are within the reach of the humblest sphere1 and the most moderate abilities40 ,wednesday1 ,a4 ,m4 ,,miscellaneous ,,directions ,,for ,,the ,,government ,,of ,,the ,,temper ,,and ,,manners4 8,i shall now10 said ,mrs4 ,williams1 8endeavor to sketch out for you the plan of conduct1 which ,i think will be most conducive to your honor and happiness while in a single state4 ,hitherto you have been under the direction of parents1 guardians1 and instructors1 who have regulated your deportment1 and labored to give you just ideas upon every subject and occasion4 ,that period is now over4 ,you are now launching into life2 where you will think and act more for yourselves4 8,the path of rectitude1 my dear young friends1 is narrow and intricate4 ,temptations lurk around to beguile your feet astray2 and dangers which appear insurmountable will often arise to affright you from the ways of virtue4 8,but remember that a crown of honor and happiness awaits the undeviating pursuit of truth and duty4 ,let religion be your guide1 and discretion your handmaid4 ,thus attended1 you will escape the snares of youth1 and surmount the perplexing cares of more advanced age4 ,at your entrance on the stage of action1 the allurements of pleasure will spread innumerable charms to court your acceptance4 ,beware of their fascinating wiles2 and whatever course you adopt1 be sure it is such as will bear the test of examination and reflection4 ,let these be the criterion of all your pursuits and enjoyments4 ,make it an invariable practice to re-trace the actions and occurrences of the day1 when you retire to rest2 to account with your own hearts for the use and improvement of the past hours2 and rectify whatever you find amiss1 by greater vigilance and caution1 in future2 to avoid the errors into which you have fallen1 and to discharge the duties incumbent upon you4 8,to neglect this1 will be a source of great inadvertencies and failings4 8,to know yourselves1 in every particular1 must be your constant endeavor4 ,this knowledge will lead you to propriety and consistency of action4 ,but this knowledge cannot be obtained without a thorough and repeated inspection of your various passions1 affections1 and propensities4 ,when obtained1 however1 it will prevent the ill effects of flattery1 by which you will doubtless be endangered1 as you advance into the scenes of fashionable life4 ,it will enable you to distinguish flattery from that generous praise which is the effusion of a feeling heart1 affected by the perception of real merit4 ,a young lady1 unskilled in the deceitful arts of a giddy world1 is very apt to be misled by the adulation which is offered at the shrine of vanity4 ,she is considered as a mark for the wit of every coxcomb1 who wishes to display his gallantry4 8,flattery is a dazzling meteor1 which casts a delusive glare before the eye2 and which seduces the imagination1 perverts the judgment1 and silences the dictates of sound reason4 ,flattery is1 therefore1 the poison and bane of the youthful mind4 ,it renders the receiver blind to those defects which she ought to see and rectify1 and proud of imaginary graces which she never yet possessed4 ,self-knowledge1 as before observed1 will facilitate the detection of this disguised adversary1 by enabling you to investigate your real accomplishments and merits4 8,that praise which is the result of deserved approbation from those1 whose good opinion you wish to enjoy1 is worthy your attention and grateful acceptance3 but the fulsome compliments and hyperbolical professions of unmeaning and empty pretenders1 calculated only to fill the imagination with the inflammable air of self-conceit and arrogant pride1 should be rejected with disdain1 and cordially despised by every lady of sense and sentiment1 as an insult upon her understanding1 and an indignity to her sensibility4 8,let it1 therefore1 be known to those who court your favor by an ostentatious parade of admiration and obsequiousness1 that their dissimulation and duplicity are discovered1 and that you are superior to such futility4 8,in order to discriminate between flattery and merited praise1 critically examine your own heart and life4 ,by this mean you will ascertain what is really your due1 and what is merely the effect of this insidious art4 ,but let no ideas of your own endowments1 however just1 elate you with an opinion of your superior powers of pleasing4 8,be not ostentatious of your charms1 either of person or mind4 ,let modesty1 diffidence1 and propriety regulate you1 in regard to each4 ,exalted advantages will render you an object of envy to the weak minded of your own sex1 and of satire to the ill-natured part of the other4 ,never obtrude even your real graces and accomplishments upon the world4 ,the penetrating and judicious will see and applaud them1 while retiring from the gaze of a misjudging and misrepresenting throng4 8,naked in nothing should a woman be1 ,but veil her very wit with modesty2 ,let man discover2 let her not display2 ,but yield her charms of mind with sweet delay40 8,those who are solicitous for beauty should remember that the expression of the countenance1 in which its very essence consists1 depends on the disposition of the mind4 8,what's female beauty1 but an air divine1 ,through which the mind's all gentle graces shine8 ,these1 like the sun1 irradiate all between2 ,the body charms1 because the soul is seen4 ,hence men are often captives of a face1 ,they know not why2 of no peculiar grace4 ,some forms1 though bright1 no mortal man can bear2 ,some1 none resist1 tho' not exceeding fair40 ,beauty1 my dear girls1 is indeed a desirable quality4 ,neither the pen of the moralist1 nor the spleen of the satirist1 nor the envy of such as want it1 could ever bring it into contempt or neglect4 ,yet mere external beauty is transient as the meteor1 and frail as the bubble1 which floats on the surface of the watery element4 8,behold the disconsolate and despised ,flirtilla6 and from her fate learn not to trust in the effects or duration of this adventitious quality4 8,early in life1 ,flirtilla was taught that her charms were irresistible2 that she might aspire to an absolute ascendency over the hearts and passions of her votaries4 ,a superficial1 but fashionable education added the allurements of art to those of person1 and rendered her a finished coquette4 8,her beauty and the gaiety of her manners gained her numerous admirers1 who swarmed around1 like the insect tribe1 eager to sip the fragrance of the equally fair and fading rose4 ,the incense of flattery1 in every form1 was her tribute4 8,elated by this1 she gave free scope to her ruling passions1 the love of pleasure and dissipation4 ,her best days were spent in the chase of vanity2 and she culled the flowers of life1 without considering1 that substantial fruit would be required at a more advanced period1 as a substitute for the fading blossoms of youth4 ,her mind was barren of improvement1 and consequently destitute of resources4 8,she vainly imagined the triumphs of beauty to be permanent1 till its declared enemy1 the small-pox1 convinced her of the egregious mistake4 ,by this she found her empire suddenly overturned4 ,the merciless disorder had reduced her to a level with the generality of her sex1 in appearance1 and1 in enjoyment far below them4 ,her glass faithfully represented this insupportable reduction4 ,regret and chagrin heightened the apparent calamity4 ,she was remembered only as the contrast of what she once had been4 ,her lovers were disgusted with the change1 and sought more pleasing objects of attention2 while men of sentiment could not find a similarity of disposition1 in her1 to induce a connexion4 8,her female acquaintance1 who had envied her as a rival1 or feared her as a superior1 now insulted her with their pity1 or mortified her by remarks on the surprising alteration in her appearance4 8,finding no alleviation from society1 she retired from the world to nurse1 in solitude1 the vexation and disappointment she experienced4 8,view her now1 peevish1 discontented1 and gloomy6 ,her ideas of pleasure were centered in that person1 which is now neglected2 in those endowments which have now forsaken her forever6 8,thought she studiously shuns2 for she has nothing pleasing to occupy her reflections1 but what is irretrievably lost6 8,miserable ,flirtilla6 thou trustedst in vanity1 and vanity is thy recompense6 ,how happy mightest thou have been1 even in this change1 if thy heart had been rectified1 thy understanding improved1 and thy mind liberally stored with useful sentiments1 knowledge1 and information6 8,cultivate1 then1 my young friends1 those dispositions and attainments1 which will yield permanent and real satisfaction1 when sickness1 adversity1 or age shall have robbed your eyes of their lustre1 and diminished the bloom and sprightliness of your forms4 8,you are doubtless sensible that your happiness1 in life1 does not depend so much on your external1 as your internal graces4 8,the constitutional temper of your minds was given you by nature2 but reason is added for its regulation4 8,on life's vast ocean diversely we sail2 ,reason the chart2 but passion is the gale40 8,our passions were certainly implanted for wise and benevolent purposes2 and1 if properly directed1 may be of great utility4 ,this direction nature will teach1 and education improve4 ,to their precepts we must implicitly listen1 if we would become respectable or contented4 8,examine yourselves1 therefore1 with impartial scrutiny4 ,find out your particular faults in this respect1 and exert your unwearied industry to amend them4 8,possibly you may be naturally hasty1 passionate1 or vindictive4 ,if so1 how wretched1 at times1 must the indulgence of this temper render you6 ,when reason1 awhile suspended1 resumes its empire1 and calm reflection succeeds the riot of passion1 how severe must be your self-condemnation1 and how keen your sensations of regret6 ,perhaps an unkindness of expression to some particular friend1 disrespectful treatment of an honored superior1 ill-timed resentment to a beloved equal1 or imperious and unbecoming severity to a deserving inferior1 may give you the most painful emotions1 and degrade you in your own1 as well as in the estimation of every observer6 ,to prevent this evil1 accustom yourselves to check the first risings of anger1 and suspend every expression of displeasure1 till you can deliberate on the provocation1 and the propriety of noticing it4 ,it may have been undesigned1 and1 therefore1 not justly provoking4 ,you may have misunderstood the word1 or action of offence1 and inquiry may remove the grounds of your suspicion3 or the person offending may be one with whom prudence and honor require you not to enter the lists4 ,but if neither of these considerations occur1 reflect a moment1 that your own reputation and consequent happiness are at stake and that to lose the command of yourselves and your passions is inconsistent with the delicacy of ladies1 the moderation of ,christians1 and the dignity of rational beings4 8,let every sally alarm1 and excite you to rally and new-discipline your forces2 and to be more strictly on your guard against the assaults of your foe4 8,the character of ,camilla is a pattern worthy of your imitation4 ,while very young1 ,camilla was unfortunately deprived of the instruction and regulating hand of a discreet and judicious mother4 ,her father was too much immersed in business to attend to the cultivation of his daughter's mind4 8,he gave her the means of a genteel education1 praised her excellencies1 and chid her faults1 without being at the pains of teaching her how to amend them4 ,the irritability of her temper he rather indulged1 considering her as a girl of spirit1 who would make her way in the world1 in spite of obstacles4 ,she was naturally generous1 tender-hearted1 and humane2 but her temper was as uncontrollable as the whirlpool1 and as impetuous as the wind4 ,happily for her1 she had an uncommon strength of mind1 a ready apprehension1 a quick perception1 and a depth of understanding1 seldom equalled4 ,she saw her errors1 was conscious of her failings1 and a severe sufferer for her faults4 ,but such was the extreme quickness of her feelings1 and so passionate her resentment of any thing which appeared injurious or affrontive1 that she could not always repress them4 ,she married a gentleman of a similar temper1 and of equal prudence4 ,in the union of such violent spirits1 great harmony could not be presaged4 ,their passions were lively1 their affections ardent4 8,the honey-moon in raptures flew1 ,a second brought its transports too2 ,the third1 the fourth1 were not amiss2 ,the fifth was friendship1 mixed with bliss2 ,but ere a twelvemonth passed away1 ,they found each other made of clay40 8,inadvertencies gave offence2 frequent altercations arose2 both were tenacious of their rights1 and averse to condescension4 ,camilla saw the impending danger2 she became sensible that the happiness of her life depended on amendment and caution2 she resolved to avoid giving or taking offence1 with the greatest diligence2 to suppress every emotion of anger2 and when she thought herself injured1 to retire or be silent1 till passion had subsided1 and she could regain her calmness4 8,this was a hard task1 at first2 but perseverance rendered it effectual to a thorough reformation in each4 8,her example and pathetic admonitions induced her husband to adopt her prudent plan4 ,they found their mutual endeavors productive of real satisfaction1 and happiness the reward of their exertions to secure it4 8,to be vindictive is equally1 perhaps more fatal to our own1 and the peace of others1 than to be passionate4 ,violent passions of all kinds are generally transient2 but revenge is the offspring of malice1 the parent of discord1 and the bane of social love4 ,it is an evidence of a weak and sickly mind4 ,true greatness will rise superior to this ignoble spirit1 so peculiarly ungraceful in a lady1 and inconsistent with that delicacy and softness1 which ought ever to characterize the sex4 8,but an envious temper is1 of all others1 the most degrading and miserable4 ,envy is a malignant poison1 which rankles in the heart1 and destroys the inward peace1 even while there is an outward appearance of serenity4 ,that mind1 which cannot rejoice in the happiness of others1 is capable of very little in itself4 ,to look with a grudging and evil eye on the enjoyments of our neighbor1 must be a source of perpetual chagrin and mortification4 8,envy indulged1 is a punishment to its possessor4 ,eradicate1 then1 the first1 and every emotion of so corroding and destructive a nature2 and endeavor to excel only by that virtuous emulation1 which is productive of improvement and respectability4 8,a kind1 compassionate1 benevolent1 humane disposition is an invaluable treasure4 ,it will render you blessings to society1 and objects of universal esteem4 8,in you 'tis graceful to dissolve at wo2 ,with every motion1 every word1 to wave ,quick o'er the kindling cheek the ready blush2 ,and from the smallest violence to shrink40-- 8,this amiable temper1 however1 may sometimes degenerate into weakness4 8,prudence should be exercised1 even in the indulgence of the most engaging qualities4 ,in the progress of life1 occasions may call for that resolution and fortitude1 which admit not of apparent softness2 but such occasions very seldom occur4 8,how alluring are the charms of sympathy and charity6 ,happy are they who always feel the one1 and have power and inclination to exemplify the other6 8,the diamond and the ruby's blaze ,dispute the palm with beauty's queen2 ,not beauty's queen demands such praise1 ,devoid of virtue if she's seen4 ,but the soft tear in pity's eye ,outshines the diamond's brightest beam1 ,and the sweet blush of modesty ,more beauteous than the ruby's seen40 ,wednesday1 ,p4 ,m4 ,,dress4 8,dress10 continued ,mrs4 ,williams to her re-assembled and attentive pupils1 8is an important article of female economy4 ,by some it is doubtless considered as too essential4 ,this is always the case1 when it becomes the ruling passion1 and every other excellence is made subordinate to it4 ,a suitable attention to the etiquette of appearance is necessary to render us respectable in the eyes of the world and discovers an accommodating disposition1 which is1 at once1 engaging and useful in the commerce of society4 ,females are taxed with being peculiarly attached to1 and captivated by the glare of splendor and show4 ,but ,i believe superficial minds are not confined to sex4 ,whatever form they actuate1 to beautify and adorn it will be the principal object4 8,a certain species of gaiety and airiness is becoming in youth4 ,young ladies1 therefore1 act perfectly in character1 when1 under proper restraint1 they indulge their taste in the decoration of their persons4 ,but they should be especially careful that their taste be correct2 consistent with the modest delicacy which is the glory and ornament of woman4 8,it is laudable to follow fashions1 so far as they are governed by these rules2 but whenever they deviate1 quit them with express disapprobation and disgust4 ,any assumptions of the masculine habit are unbecoming4 ,dress and manners should be correspondent2 and the engaging softness and artless simplicity1 which grace my pupils1 must be quite inconsistent with the air and attire of the other sex4 8,a gaudy and fantastical mode of decoration is by no means a recommendation4 ,it bespeaks a lightness of mind and a vanity of disposition1 against which a discreet and modest girl should guard with the utmost vigilance4 ,extravagance is a great error1 even where fortune will allow the means of supporting it4 ,many are the claims which the children of affliction and want have upon the superfluous plenty of the rich4 ,how much better expended would some part of their redundance be1 in relieving the necessities of such1 than in decorating their own persons1 with every ornament which art can contrive to create expense6 8,neatness and propriety should be the main objects2 for loveliness needs no foreign aid to give it a passport4 ,neatness is too often connected with the idea of a prudish singularity2 but no gaudiness of apparel1 no richness of attire1 no modishness of appearance can be an equivalent for it4 ,propriety is that garb which becomes our situation and circumstances in life4 ,there certainly ought to be a difference between different ages and conditions1 in this respect4 ,many articles1 ornamental to ,miss in her teens1 would appear absurd1 fantastical1 and ridiculous in maturer years4 ,neither should the matronal robes1 and the close cap hide the natural ringlets1 and easy shapes of the blooming girl4 8,it is a very false taste which induces people in dependent and narrow circumstances1 to imitate the expensive mode of dress which might be very decent for those who move in a higher sphere4 8,to endeavor to conceal indigence by the affectation of extravagance1 is committing a great offence1 both against ourselves1 and the community to which we belong4 ,the means of support should always be attended to4 ,a conformity to these will render you more respected for prudence1 than a deviation for the sake of show without substance1 can make you admired4 8,louisa and ,clarinda are striking examples4 ,they were both the daughters of reputable parents1 whose situations in the world were easy and comfortable1 though not affluent4 ,they were able to give their children a good education1 but no other portion4 ,gay1 volatile1 and ambitious1 ,louisa was the votary of fashion4 ,a superior in dress excited the keenest sensations of envy in her bosom2 and a rival in appearance gave her unspeakable mortification4 ,dissatisfied with her natural charms1 cosmetics and paints added to her expenses1 and betrayed her folly4 ,she had many professed admirers1 who found her a willing dupe to flattery1 and who raised her vanity by praising her excellent taste4 8,leander1 a gentleman of liberal education1 superior merit1 and handsome property1 cast his eye around for a companion to share and enjoy these advantages with him4 ,louisa caught his attention4 ,the elegance of her person1 and splendor of her appearance1 charmed his imagination1 and inspired the idea of a fortune sufficient to support her expensive style of living4 ,he paid his addresses and was received with the most flattering encouragement4 ,but how great was his disappointment1 when he discovered the smallness of her resources1 and the imprudence of her management6 ,this1 said he to himself1 will never do for me4 ,were my income far superior to what it is1 it would not be adequate to such unbounded extravagance4 ,besides1 where so little economy is practised1 while under parental government1 what must be the consequence of that unlimited indulgence1 which the confidence due to a wife demands8 ,were ,i to abridge her expenses1 and endeavor to rectify her fantastical taste1 it would doubtless foment dissension1 discord1 and animosity1 which must terminate in wretchedness4 ,he resolved1 however1 to try her real disposition1 by gently hinting his disapprobation of her gaiety4 ,this she resented2 and a rupture1 which ended in a final separation1 ensued4 ,she found1 too late1 the value of the man1 whom she had slighted2 and ever after regretted that folly which had irretrievably alienated his affections4 8,the modesty and neatness of ,clarinda's garb next caught ,leander's eye4 ,conversing with her on the subject of dress1 the justness of her sentiments gave him the highest ideas of the rectitude and innocence of her mind4 ,a costly article was offered for her purchase2 but she refused it4 ,it would not become me1 said she1 nor any other person who has not an affluent fortune4 ,if ,i had a sufficiency to buy it1 ,i would procure something more simple and necessary for myself2 and the overplus might render an object of distress contented and happy4 8,yet was ,clarinda always elegantly neat2 always genteelly fashionable4 ,frugality and economy1 free from profusion and extravagance1 enabled her to indulge her own taste entirely2 and while she enjoyed that1 she repined not at the fancied superiority of others4 ,leander found her all he wished1 in appearance2 all he hoped for1 in reality4 ,as their tastes were correspondent1 and their highest aim1 when united1 to please each other1 they were not dependent on the breath of fashion for their happiness4 ,a compliance with its forms did not elate their pride1 nor a departure from them1 fill their hearts with peevishness and discontent40 ,thursday1 ,a4 ,m4 ,,politeness4 8,still more important than your habit1 is your air and deportment4 ,it is not sufficient that these are pleasing to the eye of the superficial observer4 ,your behavior and conversation must be uniformly governed by the laws of politeness1 discretion1 and decorum4 ,else you will be disgusting to people of refinement2 and the judicious and discerning will discover the weakness of your minds1 notwithstanding the showy ornaments1 intended to conceal it from public view4 8,inattention in company is a breach of good manners4 ,indeed1 it is a downright insult2 being neither more nor less1 than declaring that you have not the least respect for any who are present4 ,either you do not value their good opinion1 or you have something more important than their conversation to occupy your minds4 8,you should always be attentive to those with whom you are conversant1 let their rank and standing be what they may4 ,your superiors will esteem you for your respectful treatment of them2 your equals will love you for your kindness and familiarity2 your inferiors will respect you for your condescension and meekness4 8,attention in company will be advantageous to yourselves4 ,like the industrious bee1 which sips honey from every plant1 you may derive some benefit or instruction from all kinds of society4 ,some useful remark or information2 some sentiment which may allure you to the practice of virtue1 or deter you from a vicious perpetration1 may repay your labor1 and be serviceable through life4 8,but should there be no other motive than that of pleasing your associates1 and rendering them happy1 by making yourselves agreeable1 it may be considered as a sufficient inducement to the practice of this branch of good-breeding4 ,many girls1 in the thoughtless levity of their hearts1 divert themselves at the expense of others2 and1 with the utmost glee1 point out any thing peculiar in the appearance1 words1 or actions of some one in the company1 whom they select for a subject of merriment and ridicule4 ,this1 by shrewd looks1 ironical gestures1 or tittering whispers1 is kept up1 to the great mortification of the unhappy victim1 and to the reproach and dishonor of the offenders4 ,such conduct is a breach1 not only of the rules of common civility1 but of humanity2 besides being directly repugnant to the precept of doing to others as we would that they should do to us4 8,be particularly careful1 then1 not to mortify1 or give pain to an inferior4 8,let the question1 #8who maketh thee to differ8' suppress every emotion of ridicule1 contempt1 or neglect2 and induce you to raise and encourage depressed merit by your notice and approbation4 8,as far as propriety1 delicacy1 and virtue will allow1 conform to the taste1 and participate in the amusements and conversation of the company into which you have fallen4 ,if they be disagreeable to you1 avoid a supercilious avowal of your dislike4 ,this1 instead of reforming1 would probably give them a disgust to you1 and perhaps subject you to affronts4 ,yet where a disapprobating word or hint may be seasonable1 neglect not the opportunity of contributing to their benefit and amendment4 8,are you conscious of superior advantages1 either mental or external1 make no ostentatious display of them4 ,vanity too often leads young ladies to obtrude their acquirements on the eyes of observers1 inconsiderately apprehending they may otherwise be unnoticed4 ,such forwardness always subjects them to censure1 ridicule1 and envy2 the expressions of which destroy that self-approbation which retiring merit invariably enjoys4 ,however1 exert that dignity of virtue which will render you independent of caprice1 calumny1 and unprovoked satire4 8,make no ungenerous1 or ill-natured remarks on the company1 or on the individuals of which it is composed4 8,if you dislike them1 avoid them in future4 ,if you witness errors1 faults1 or improprieties1 conceal1 or at least extenuate them1 as much as possible4 8,make just allowances for those who may differ from you in opinion2 and be cautious never to misrepresent1 or circulate what appears amiss to you1 and must1 if exposed1 be injurious to others4 ,charity hides a multitude of faults4 ,certainly then1 charity will never aggravate nor create them4 8,to give currency to a report1 which tends to the disadvantage and dishonor of another1 is defaming2 and defamation is a species of cruelty1 which can never be expiated4 8,of this the unhappy1 though imprudent ,eudocia1 is an exemplification4 8,eudocia was young1 gay1 and charming4 ,a levity of disposition1 which the innocence of her heart attempted not to restrain1 sometimes gave the tongue of slander pretence to aim its envenomed shafts at her character1 and to misrepresent her sprightliness4 8,independent in fortune2 still more so in mind1 calumny gave her no pain1 while she was conscious of the rectitude of her intentions4 8,leontine was a gentleman of property2 agreeable in his person and manners2 of strict honor1 and extremely tenacious of it2 but of a severe and unforgiving temper4 ,he paid his addresses to ,eudocia2 was accepted1 approved1 and beloved4 ,yet1 though he had gained her affections1 he had not sufficient influence to regulate her conduct1 and repress her gaiety4 ,her fondness for show and gallantry1 in some instances1 induced her to countenance the attentions1 and receive the flattery1 of men1 whose characters were exceptionable1 in ,leontine's estimation4 ,he remonstrated against her imprudence1 and gave her his ideas of female delicacy4 ,she laughed at his gravity1 and rallied him on his implicit subjection to the opinions of others4 8,towards the close of a fine day1 ,eudocia rambled along a retired road1 to enjoy the air4 ,she was alone2 but the hope of meeting her beloved ,leontine1 whom she expected that evening1 imperceptibly led her beyond her intended excursion4 ,the rattling of a carriage caused her to stop2 and1 thinking it to be ,leontine's1 she approached it before she perceived her mistake4 ,a gentleman of an elegant appearance alighted and accosting her politely1 expressed his surprise at finding her so far from home without an attendant4 ,she found it was ,florio1 with whom she had a slight acquaintance1 having once met with him in company4 ,she frankly owned her motive for walking thus far2 and refused his invitation to return in his carriage4 ,he renewed his request2 and his importunity1 seconded by her fatigue1 at last prevailed4 ,at this moment the detracting ,lavina passed by4 ,she saw ,eudocia1 and with a sneering smile1 wished her a good night4 ,eudocia was unconscious of fault1 and therefore fearless of censure4 ,but the artful ,florio1 desirous of protracting the pleasure of her company1 took a circuitous route1 which considerably increased the distance to her father's house4 ,however1 he conveyed her safely home1 though not so soon as she wished4 ,she found that ,leontine had been there1 and had gone to visit a friend2 but would soon return4 ,leontine was just seated at his friend's1 when ,lavina entered4 8,she told the circle1 that ,florio had just passed her1 and that he had company she little expected to see with him4 ,they inquired if it was his former mistress8 ,no1 said she1 he discarded her some time ago1 and if we may judge by appearances1 has chosen a new one4 ,upon being asked who1 she presumed to name ,eudocia4 ,every countenance expressed surprise and regret4 ,in ,leontine1 rage and resentment were visibly depicted4 ,he rose1 and stepping hastily to ,lavina1 told her he was a party concerned1 and demanded an explanation of what she had insinuated4 ,she perceived that she had given offence1 and endeavored to excuse herself2 but he resolutely told her that no evasions would avail2 that he insisted on the real truth of her scandalous report4 ,finding him thus determined1 she related the simple fact of seeing ,eudocia in a carriage with ,florio1 who was a known libertine1 and accustomed to the society of loose women4 ,leontine asked her how she came to associate the ideas she had mentioned with ,eudocia's name8 ,she replied that the lightness of her behavior had sometimes rendered her censurable2 and she thought this instance1 in particular1 authorised suspicion4 ,leontine could not deny that she was culpable in appearance2 yet made answer1 that though scandal might feast on the failings of virtue1 he believed ,eudocia's innocence much purer1 and her heart much better than her detractors'2 and taking his hat1 he wished the company a good evening1 and left them4 8,his passions were on fire4 ,he could not comprehend the mysterious conduct of ,eudocia4 ,her absence from home1 at a time when he expected her to receive him1 and her being seen at a distance in company with a professed debauchee1 were a labyrinth which he could not explore4 ,though he doubted not ,eudocia's honor1 yet her folly and imprudence1 in subjecting her character to suspicion and reproach1 he thought unpardonable4 ,his resentment determined him to break the proposed connexion immediately2 and1 lest his love should get the better of his resolution1 he went directly to the house4 8,as he could not command his temper1 he appeared extremely agitated1 and angrily told ,eudocia that she had caused him great uneasiness2 and that he came to claim the satisfaction of knowing1 why she had avoided his society1 and made an assignation with a man who had involved her in infamy8 ,eudocia was astonished and justly offended at this address4 ,with all the dignity of conscious innocence1 she replied1 that as yet he had no right to challenge an account of her conduct2 but for her own sake1 she would condescend to give it4 ,this she did by a faithful and undisguised relation of facts4 ,she then asked him if he was satisfied4 ,he answered1 ,no4 ,for1 said he1 though you have cleared yourself of guilt1 in my apprehension1 you will find it very difficult to free your character from the blemish it has received in the opinion of the world4 ,saying this he told her1 that however highly he esteemed her1 so opposite were their dispositions1 that they must often be at variance2 and so nice was his sense of honor1 that his wife like ,csar's must not only be virtuous1 but unsuspected4 ,she rejoined1 that his sentiments were apparent2 and if what he then expressed were his opinion of her1 it was best they should part4 8,some further conversation passed2 when promising to call1 the next day1 and satisfy her parents1 and wishing ,eudocia all possible happiness in life1 he took his leave4 8,the impropriety of her conduct1 and her losing the affections of a man she too ardently loved1 together with the cruel treatment she had just received from him1 overwhelmed her with grief1 and produced the most violent emotions of regret4 ,she walked her room in all the anguish of disappointed hope4 ,her parents used every argument to soothe and console her1 but in vain4 8,she yielded to their persuasions so far as to retire to bed2 but rest she found not2 and the morning presented her in a burning fever4 ,leontine called in the course of the day2 but the friends of ,eudocia refused to see him4 ,an account of her disorder had roused him to a sense of his rashness1 and he begged to be admitted to her chamber2 but this she utterly denied4 8,her fever left her2 but the disease of her mind was beyond the power of medicine4 ,a settled melancholy still remains2 and she lives the victim of calumniation6 8,to detract from the merit of others1 beside the want of politeness which it betrays1 and beside the injuries which it always occasions1 is extremely impolitic4 ,it is to confess your inferiority1 and to acknowledge a wish not to rise to greater respectability2 but to bring down those about you to your own level6 ,ill-natured remarks are the genuine offspring of an envious and grovelling mind4 8,call yourselves to a severe account1 therefore1 whenever you have been guilty of this degrading offence2 and always check the first impulses towards it4 8,accustom yourselves to the exercise of sincerity1 benevolence and good humor1 those endearing virtues1 which will render you beloved and respected by all4 8,to bestow your attention in company1 upon trifling singularities in the dress1 person1 or manners of others1 is spending your time to little purpose4 ,from such a practice you can derive neither pleasure nor profit2 but must unavoidably subject yourselves to the imputation of incivility and malice40 ,thursday1 ,p4 ,m4 ,,amusements4 8,amusement is impatiently desired1 and eagerly sought by young ladies in general4 ,forgetful that the noblest entertainment arises from a placid and well cultivated mind1 too many fly from themselves1 from thought and reflection1 to fashionable dissipation1 or what they call pleasure1 as a mean of beguiling the hours which solitude and retirement render insupportably tedious4 8,an extravagant fondness for company and public resorts is incompatible with those domestic duties1 the faithful discharge of which ought to be the prevailing object of the sex4 ,in the indulgence of this disposition1 the mind is enervated1 and the manners corrupted1 till all relish for those enjoyments1 which being simple and natural1 are best calculated to promote health1 innocence1 and social delight1 is totally lost4 8,it is by no means amiss for youth to seek relaxation from severer cares and labors1 in a participation of diversions1 suited to their age1 sex1 and station in life4 ,but there is great danger of their lively imaginations' hurrying them into excess1 and detaching their affections from the ennobling acquisitions of moral improvement1 and refined delicacy4 ,guard1 then against those amusements which have the least tendency to sully the purity of your minds4 8,loose and immoral books2 company1 whose manners are licentious1 however gay and fashionable2 conversation which is even tinctured with profaneness or obscenity2 plays in which the representation is immodest1 and offensive to the ear of chastity2 indeed1 pastimes of every description1 from which no advantage can be derived1 should not be countenanced2 much less applauded4 ,why should those things afford apparent satisfaction in a crowd which would call forth the blush of indignation in more private circles8 ,this question is worthy the serious attention of those ladies1 who at the theatre1 can hardly restrain their approbation of expressions and actions1 which at their houses1 would be intolerably rude and indecent1 in their most familiar friends6 8,cards are so much the taste of the present day1 that to caution my pupils against the too frequent use of them may be thought old fashioned in the extreme4 ,i believe it1 however1 to be a fascinating game1 which occupies the time1 without yielding any kind of pleasure or profit4 ,as the satirist humorously observes1 8,the love of gaming is the worst of ills2 ,with ceaseless storms the blacken'd soul it fills2 ,inveighs at ,heaven1 neglects the ties of blood2 ,destroys the power and will of doing good2 ,kills health1 pawns honor1 plunges in disgrace2 ,and1 what is still more dreadful--spoils your face40 8,one thing at least is certain2 it entirely excludes all rational conversation4 ,that delightful interchange of sentiment1 which the social meeting of friends is calculated to afford and from which many advantages might be derived1 is utterly excluded4 8,reading1 writing1 drawing1 needle-work1 dancing1 music1 walking1 riding1 and conversation are amusements well adapted to yield pleasure and utility4 ,from either of these1 within proper bounds1 there is no danger of injury to the person or mind2 though to render even our diversions agreeable1 they must be enjoyed with moderation1 and variously and prudently conducted4 ,such as are peculiarly exhilarating to the spirits1 however innocent in themselves1 should be more cautiously and sparingly indulged4 8,when once the mind becomes too much relaxed by dissipating pastimes1 it is proportionably vitiated1 and negligent of those nice attentions to the rules of reserve and decorum which ought never to be suspended4 ,intoxicating is the full draught of pleasure to the youthful mind2 and fatal are the effects of unrestrained passions4 8,flavia was the daughter of a gentleman1 whose political principles obliged him to leave his country at the commencement of the ,american revolution4 ,at that time she was at nurse in a neighboring village2 between which and the metropolis all communication being cut off1 he was reduced to the necessity of leaving her to the mercy of those to whom she was entrusted4 ,having received her from pecuniary motives only1 they no sooner found themselves deprived of the profits of their labor and care1 than they sought relief by an application to the town for her support4 ,a wealthy farmer in the vicinity1 who had often seen and been pleased with the dawning charms of ,flavia1 pitied her condition1 and having no children of his own1 resolved to shelter her from the impending storm1 till she could be better provided for4 ,at his house she was brought up in a homely1 though comfortable manner4 ,the good man and his wife were excessively fond of her1 and gave her every instruction and advantage in their power4 ,plain truths were liberally inculcated1 and every exertion made to give her a habit of industry and good nature4 ,flavia requited their kindness by an obliging and cheerful1 a docile and submissive deportment4 ,as she advanced in years1 she increased in beauty4 ,her amiable disposition rendered her beloved1 and her personal accomplishments made her admired by all the village swains4 ,the approbating smile of ,flavia was the reward of their toils1 and the favor of her hand in the rustic dance was emulously sought4 8,in this state1 ,flavia was happy4 ,health and innocence were now her portion2 nor had ambition as yet taught her to sigh for pleasure beyond the reach of her attainment4 8,but the arrival of her father1 who had been permitted to return1 and re-possess the estate which he had abandoned1 put a period to the simplicity and peace of ,flavia's mind4 ,he sought and found her2 and though sensible of his obligations to her foster-parents for snatching her from want and distress1 still he could not prevail on himself to make so great a sacrifice to gratitude as they wished1 by permitting his daughter to spend her days in obscurity4 ,the lively fancy of ,flavia was allured by the splendid promises and descriptions of her father2 and she readily consented to leave the friends of her childhood and youth1 and explore the walks of fashionable life4 8,when she arrived in town1 what new scenes opened upon the dazzled eyes of the admiring1 and admired ,flavia6 8,wealth1 with its attendant train of splendid forms and ceremonies1 courted her attention1 and every species of dissipating amusement1 sanctioned by the name of pleasure1 beguiled the hours and charmed the imagination of the noviciate4 ,each enchanting scene she painted to herself in the brightest colours2 and her experienced heart promised her happiness without allay4 ,flattery gave her a thousand charms which she was hitherto unconscious of possessing1 and the obsequiousness of the gaudy train around raised her vanity to the highest pitch of arrogance and pride4 ,behold ,flavia1 now1 launched into the whirlpool of fashionable folly4 ,balls1 plays1 cards1 and parties engross every portion of her time4 8,her father saw1 too late1 the imprudence of his unbounded indulgence2 and his egregious mistake1 in so immediately reversing her mode of life1 without first furnishing her mind with sufficient knowledge and strength to repel temptation4 ,he endeavored to regulate and restrain her conduct2 but in vain4 ,she complained of this1 as an abridgment of her liberty1 and took advantage of his doating fondness to practise every excess4 ,involved in expenses 7of which losses at play composed a considerable part7 beyond her power to defray1 in this embarrassing dilemma1 she was reduced to the necessity of accepting the treacherous offer of ,marius to advance money for the support of her extravagance4 ,obligated by his apparent kindness1 she could not refuse the continuance of his acquaintance1 till his delusive arts had obtained the reward he proposed to himself1 in the sacrifice of her honor4 ,at length she awoke to a trembling sense of her guilt1 and found it fatal to her peace1 reputation1 and happiness4 8,wretched ,flavia6 no art could conceal thy shame6 ,the grief of her mind1 her retirement from company1 and the alteration in her appearance1 betrayed her to her father's observation4 ,highly incensed at the ingratitude and baseness of her conduct1 he refused to forgive her2 but sent her from the ensnaring pleasures of the town1 to languish out the remainder of life in solitude and obscurity40 ,friday1 ,a4 ,m4 ,,filial ,,and ,,fraternal ,,affection4 8,the filial and fraternal are the first duties of a single state4 ,the obligations you are under to your parents cannot be discharged1 but by a uniform and cheerful obedience2 an unreserved and ready compliance with their wishes1 added to the most diligent attention to their ease and happiness4 ,the virtuous and affectionate behaviour of children is the best compensation1 in their power1 for that unwearied care and solicitude which parents1 only1 know4 ,upon daughters1 whose situation and employments lead them more frequently into scenes of domestic tenderness2 who are often called to smooth the pillow of sick and aged parents1 and to administer with a skilful and delicate hand the cordial1 restorative to decaying nature1 and endearing sensibility1 and a dutiful acquiescence in the dispositions1 and even peculiarities of those from whom they have derived existence1 are indispensably incumbent4 8,such a conduct will yield a satisfaction of mind more than equivalent to any little sacrifices of inclination or humour which may be required at your hands4 8,pope1 among all his admired poetry1 has not six lines more beautifully expressive than the following3 8,me1 let the pious office long engage1 ,to rock the cradle of declining age2 ,with lenient arts extend a mother's breath1 ,make languor smile1 and smooth the bed of death2 ,explore the thought1 explain the asking eye1 ,and keep awhile one parent from the sky60 8,next in rank and importance to filial piety1 is fraternal love4 ,this is a natural affection which you cannot too assiduously cultivate4 ,how delightful to see children of the same family dwell together in unity2 promoting each other's welfare1 and emulous only to excel in acts of kindness and good will4 ,between brothers and sisters the connexion is equally intimate and endearing4 ,there is such a union of interests1 and such an undivided participation of enjoyments1 that every sensible and feeling mind must value the blessings of family friendship and peace4 8,strive1 therefore1 my dear pupils1 to promote them1 as objects which deserve your particular attention2 as attainments which will not fail richly to reward your labour4 8,prudelia1 beside other amiable endowments of person and mind1 possessed the most lively sensibility1 and ardent affections4 8,the recommendations of her parents1 united to her own wishes1 had induced her to give her hand to ,clodius1 a gentleman of distinguished merit4 ,he was a foreigner2 and his business required his return to his native country4 8,prudelia bid a reluctant adieu to her friends1 and embarked with him4 ,she lived in affluence1 and was admired and caressed by all that knew her1 while a lovely family was rising around her4 ,yet these pleasing circumstances and prospects could not extinguish or alienate that affection1 which still glowed in her breast for the natural guardians and companions of her childhood and youth4 8,with the deepest affliction she heard the news of her father's death1 and the embarrassed situation in which he had left his affairs4 ,she was impatient to console her widowed mother1 and to minister to her necessities4 ,for these purposes1 she prevailed on her husband to consent that she should visit her1 though it was impossible for him to attend her4 ,with all the transport of dutiful zeal1 she flew to the arms of her bereaved parent4 ,but how great was her astonishment and grief1 when told that her only sister had been deluded by an affluent villain1 and by his insidious arts1 seduced from her duty1 her honor1 and her home6 ,the emotions of pity1 indignation1 regret1 and affection1 overwhelmed her1 at first2 but recollecting herself1 and exerting all her fortitude1 she nobly resolved1 if possible1 to snatch the guilty1 yet beloved ,myra1 from ruin1 rather than revenge her injured family by abandoning her to the infamy she deserved4 ,to this intent she wrote her a pathetic letter1 lamenting her elopement1 but entreating her1 notwithstanding1 to return and receive her fraternal embrace4 ,but ,myra1 conscious of her crime1 and unworthiness of her sister's condescension and kindness1 and above all1 dreading the superiority of her virtue1 refused the generous invitation4 ,prudelia was not thus to be vanquished in her benevolent undertaking4 ,she even followed her to her lodgings1 and insisted on an interview4 ,here she painted1 in the most lively colours1 the heinousness of her offence1 and the ignominy and wretchedness that awaited her4 ,her affection allured1 her reasoning convinced her backsliding sister4 ,upon the promise of forgiveness from her mother1 ,myra consented to leave her infamous paramour1 and re-trace the paths of rectitude and virtue4 8,her seducer was absent on a journey4 ,she1 therefore1 wrote him a farewell letter1 couched in terms of sincere penitence for her transgression1 and determined resolution of amendment in future1 and left the house4 ,thus restored and reconciled to her friends1 ,myra appeared in quite another character4 8,prudelia tarried with her mother till she had adjusted her affairs1 and seen her comfortably settled and provided for4 ,then taking her reclaimed sister with her1 she returned to her anxiously expecting family4 ,the uprightness and modesty of ,myra's conduct1 ever after1 rendered her universally esteemed1 though the painful consciousness of her defection was never extinguished in her own bosom4 8,a constant sense of her past misconduct depressed her spirits1 and cast a gloom over her mind2 yet she was virtuous1 though pensive1 during the remainder of her life4 8,with this1 and other salutary effects in view1 how necessary1 how important are filial and fraternal affection60 ,friday1 ,p4 ,m4 ,,friendship4 8,friendship is a term much insisted on by young people2 but1 like many others more frequently used than understood4 ,a friend1 with girls in general1 is an intimate acquaintance1 whose taste and pleasures are similar to their own2 who will encourage1 or at least connive at their foibles and faults1 and communicate with them every secret2 in particular those of love and gallantry1 in which those of the other sex are concerned4 ,by such friends their errors and stratagems are flattered and concealed1 while the prudent advice of real friendship is neglected1 till they find too late1 how fictitious a character1 and how vain a dependence they have chosen4 8,augusta and ,serena were educated at the same school1 resided in the same neighborhood1 and were equally volatile in their tempers1 and dissipated in their manners4 ,hence every plan of amusement was concerted and enjoyed together4 ,at the play1 the ball1 the card-table and every other party of pleasure1 they were companions4 8,their parents saw that this intimacy strengthened the follies of each2 and strove to disengage their affections1 that they might turn their attention to more rational entertainments1 and more judicious advisers4 ,but they gloried in their friendship1 and thought it a substitute for every other virtue4 ,they were the dupes of adulation1 and the votaries of coquetry4 8,the attentions of a libertine1 instead of putting them on their guard against encroachments1 induced them to triumph in their fancied conquests1 and to boast of resolution sufficient to shield them from delusion4 8,love1 however1 which with such dispositions1 is the pretty play-thing of imagination1 assailed the tender heart of ,serena4 ,a gay youth1 with more wit than sense1 more show than substance1 more art than honesty1 took advantage of her weakness to ingratiate himself into her favour1 and persuade her they could not live without each other4 ,augusta was the confident of ,serena4 ,she fanned the flame1 and encouraged her resolution of promoting her own felicity1 though at the expense of every other duty4 ,her parents suspected her amour1 remonstrated against the man1 and forbade her forming any connexion with him1 on pain of their displeasure4 ,she apparently acquiesced2 but flew to ,augusta for counsel and relief4 ,augusta soothed her anxiety1 and promised to assist her in the accomplishment of all her wishes4 ,she accordingly contrived means for a clandestine intercourse1 both personal and epistolary4 8,aristus was a foreigner1 and avowed his purpose of returning to his native country1 urging her to accompany him4 ,serena had a fortune1 independent of her parents1 left her by a deceased relation4 ,this1 with her hand1 she consented to give to her lover1 and to quit a country1 in which she acknowledged but one friend4 ,augusta praised her fortitude1 and favored her design4 ,she accordingly eloped1 and embarked4 ,her parents were almost distracted by her imprudent and undutiful conduct1 and their resentment fell on ,augusta1 who had acted contrary to all the dictates of integrity and friendship1 in contributing to her ruin2 for ruin it proved4 ,her ungrateful paramour1 having rioted on the property which she bestowed1 abandoned her to want and despair4 ,she wrote to her parents1 but received no answer4 ,she represented her case to ,augusta1 and implored relief from her friendship2 but ,augusta alleged that she had already incurred the displeasure of her family on her account and chose not again to subject herself to censure by the same means4 8,serena at length returned to her native shore1 and applied in person to ,augusta1 who coolly told her that she wished no intercourse with a vagabond1 and then retired4 ,her parents refused to receive her into their house2 but from motives of compassion and charity1 granted her a small annuity1 barely sufficient to keep her and her infant from want4 8,too late she discovered her mistaken notions of friendship2 and learned by sad experience1 that virtue must be its foundation1 or sincerity and constancy can never be its reward4 8,sincerity and constancy are essential ingredients in virtuous friendship4 ,it invariably seeks the permanent good of its object2 and in so doing1 will advise1 caution and reprove1 with all the frankness of undissembled affection4 ,in the interchange of genuine friendship1 flattery is utterly excluded4 ,yet1 even in the most intimate connexions of this kind1 a proper degree of respect1 attention and politeness must be observed4 ,you are not so far to presume on the partiality of friendship1 as to hazard giving offence1 and wounding the feelings of persons1 merely because you think their regard for you will plead your excuse1 and procure your pardon4 ,equally cautious should you be1 of taking umbrage at circumstances which are undesignedly offensive4 8,hear the excellent advice of the wise son of ,sirach1 upon this subject3 8,admonish thy friend2 it may be he hath not done it2 and if he have done it1 that he do it no more4 ,admonish thy friend2 it may be he hath not said it2 and if he have1 that he speak it not again4 ,admonish thy friend2 for many times it is a slander2 and believe not every tale4 ,there is one that slippeth in his speech1 but not from his heart2 and who is he that offendeth not with his tongue80 8,be not hasty in forming friendships2 but deliberately examine the principles1 disposition1 temper and manners1 of the person you wish to sustain this important character4 ,be well assured that they are agreeable to your own1 and such as merit your entire esteem and confidence1 before you denominate her your friend4 ,you may have many general acquaintances1 with whom you are pleased and entertained2 but in the chain of friendship there is a still closer link4 8,reserve will wound it1 and distrust destroy1 ,deliberate on all things with thy friend3 ,but since friends grow not thick on every bough ,nor ev'ry friend unrotten at the core1 ,first on thy friend1 deliberate with thyself3 ,pause1 ponder1 first3 not eager in the choice1 ,nor jealous of the chosen3 fixen1 fix3 ,judge before friendship3 then confide till death40 8,but if you would have friends1 you must show yourselves friendly2 that is1 you must be careful to act the part you wish from another4 ,if your friend have faults1 mildly and tenderly represent them to her2 but conceal them as much as possible from the observation of the world4 ,endeavor to convince her of her errors1 to rectify her mistakes1 and to confirm and increase every virtuous sentiment4 8,should she so far deviate1 as to endanger her reputation and happiness2 and should your admonitions fail to reclaim her1 become not1 like ,augusta1 an abettor of her crimes4 ,it is not the part of friendship to hide transactions which will end in the ruin of your friend4 ,rather acquaint those who ought to have the rule over her of her intended missteps1 and you will have discharged your duty2 you will merit1 and very probably may afterwards receive her thanks4 8,narcissa and ,florinda were united in the bonds of true and generous friendship4 ,narcissa was called to spend a few months with a relation in the metropolis1 where she became acquainted with1 and attached to a man who was much her inferior2 but whose specious manners and appearance deceived her youthful heart1 though her reason and judgment informed her1 that her parents would disapprove the connexion4 ,she returned home1 the consciousness of her fault1 the frankness which she owed to her friend1 and her partiality to her lover1 wrought powerfully upon her mind1 and rendered her melancholy4 ,florinda soon explored the cause1 and warmly remonstrated against her imprudence in holding a moment's intercourse with a man1 whom she knew1 would be displeasing to her parents4 ,she searched out his character1 and found it far inadequate to ,narcissa's merit4 ,this she represented to her in its true colours1 and conjured her not to sacrifice her reputation1 her duty and her happiness1 by encouraging his addresses2 but to no purpose were her expostulations4 ,narcissa avowed the design of permitting him to solicit the consent of her parents1 and the determination of marrying him without it1 if they refused4 8,florinda was alarmed at this resolution2 and1 with painful anxiety1 saw the danger of her friend4 ,she told her plainly1 that the regard she had for her demanded a counteraction of her design2 and that if she found no other way of preventing its execution1 she should discharge her duty by informing her parents of her proceedings4 ,this ,narcissa resented1 and immediately withdrew her confidence and familiarity2 but the faithful ,florinda neglected not the watchful solicitude of friendship2 and when she perceived that ,narcissa's family were resolutely opposed to her projected match and that ,narcissa was preparing to put her rash purpose into execution1 she made known the plan which she had concerted and by that mean prevented her destruction4 ,narcissa thought herself greatly injured1 and declared that she would never forgive so flagrant a breach of fidelity4 ,florinda endeavoured to convince her of her good intentions1 and the real kindness of her motives2 but she refused to hear the voice of wisdom1 till a separation from her lover1 and a full proof of his unworthiness opened her eyes to a sight of her own folly and indiscretion1 and to a lively sense of ,florinda's friendship1 in saving her from ruin without her consent4 ,her heart overflowed with gratitude to her generous preserver4 ,she acknowledged herself indebted to ,florinda's benevolence1 for deliverance from the baneful impetuosity of her own passions4 ,she sought and obtained forgiveness2 and ever after lived in the strictest amity with her faithful benefactress40 ,saturday1 ,a4 ,m4 ,,love4 8,the highest state of friendship which this life admits1 is in the conjugal relation4 ,on this refined affection1 love1 which is but a more interesting and tender kind of friendship1 ought to be founded4 ,the same virtues1 the same dispositions and qualities which are necessary in a friend1 are still more requisite in a companion for life4 ,and when these enlivening principles are united1 they form the basis of durable happiness4 ,but let not the mask of friendship1 or of love1 deceive you4 ,you are now entering upon a new stage of action where you will probably admire1 and be admired4 ,you may attract the notice of many1 who will select you as objects of adulation1 to discover their taste and gallantry2 and perhaps of some whose affections you have really and seriously engaged4 ,the first class your penetration will enable you to detect2 and your good sense and virtue will lead you to treat them with the neglect they deserve4 ,it is disreputable for a young lady to receive and encourage the officious attentions of those mere pleasure-hunters1 who rove from fair to fair1 with no other design than the exercise of their art1 addresses1 and intrigue4 ,nothing can render their company pleasing1 but a vanity of being caressed1 and a false pride in being thought an object of general admiration1 with a fondness for flattery which bespeaks a vitiated mind4 ,but when you are addressed by a person of real merit1 who is worthy your esteem and may justly demand your respect1 let him be treated with honor1 frankness and sincerity4 ,it is the part of a prude1 to affect a shyness1 reserve1 and indifference1 foreign to the heart4 ,innocence and virtue will rise superior to such little arts1 and indulge no wish which needs disguise4 8,still more unworthy are the insidious and deluding wiles of the coquette4 ,how disgusting must this character appear to persons of sentiment and integrity6 how unbecoming the delicacy and dignity of an uncorrupted female6 8,as you are young and inexperienced1 your affections may possibly be involuntarily engaged1 where prudence and duty forbid a connexion4 ,beware1 then how you admit the passion of love4 ,in young minds1 it is of all others the most uncontrollable4 ,when fancy takes the reins1 it compels its blinded votary to sacrifice reason1 discretion and conscience to its impetuous dictates4 ,but a passion of this origin tends not to substantial and durable happiness4 ,to secure this1 it must be quite of another kind1 enkindled by esteem1 founded on merit1 strengthened by congenial dispositions and corresponding virtues1 and terminating in the most pure and refined affection4 8,never suffer your eyes to be charmed by the mere exterior2 nor delude yourselves with the notion of unconquerable love4 ,the eye1 in this respect1 is often deceptious1 and fills the imagination with charms which have no reality4 ,nip1 in the bud1 every particular liking1 much more all ideas of love1 till called forth by unequivocal tokens as well as professions of sincere regard4 ,even then1 harbor them not without a thorough knowledge of the temper1 disposition and circumstances of your lover1 the advice of your friends2 and1 above all the approbation of your parents4 ,maturely weigh every consideration for and against1 and deliberately determine with yourselves1 what will be most conducive to your welfare and fidelity in life4 ,let a rational and discreet plan of thinking and acting1 regulate your deportment1 and render you deserving of the affection you wish to insure4 ,this you will find far more conducive to your interest1 than the indulgence of that romantic passion1 which a blind and misguided fancy paints in such alluring colors to the thoughtless and inexperienced4 8,recollect the favourite air you so often sing3 8,ye fair1 who would be blessed in love1 ,take your pride a little lower3 ,let the swain that you approve1 ,rather like you than adore4 ,love that rises into passion1 ,soon will end in hate or strife3 ,but from tender inclination ,flow the lasting joys of life40 8,i by no means undervalue that love which is the noblest principle of the human mind2 but wish only to guard you against the influence of an ill-placed and ungovernable passion1 which is improperly called by this name4 8,a union1 formed without a refined and generous affection for its basis1 must be devoid of those tender endearments1 reciprocal attentions1 and engaging sympathies1 which are peculiarly necessary to alleviate the cares1 dispel the sorrows1 and soften the pains of life4 ,the exercise of that prudence and caution which ,i have recommended1 will lead you to a thorough investigation of the character and views of the man by whom you are addressed4 8,without good principles1 both of religion and morality1 7for the latter cannot exist independent of the former7 you can not safely rely1 either upon his fidelity or his affection4 ,good principles are the foundation of a good life4 8,if the fountain be pure1 the streams which issue from it will be of the same description4 8,next to this1 an amiable temper is essentially requisite4 ,a proud1 a passionate1 a revengeful1 a malicious1 or a jealous temper1 will render your lives uncomfortable1 in spite of all the prudence and fortitude you can exert4 8,beware1 then1 lest1 before marriage1 love blind your eyes to those defects1 to a sight of which1 grief and disappointment may awaken you afterwards4 ,you are to consider marriage as a connexion for life2 as the nearest and dearest of all human relations2 as involving in it the happiness or misery of all your days2 and as engaging you in a variety of cares and duties1 hitherto unknown4 ,act1 therefore1 with deliberation1 and resolve with caution2 but1 when once you come to a choice1 behave with undeviating rectitude and sincerity4 8,avarice is not commonly a ruling passion in young persons of our sex4 ,yet some there are1 sordid enough to consider wealth as the chief good1 and to sacrifice every other object to a splendid appearance4 ,it often happens1 that these are miserably disappointed in their expectations of happiness4 ,they find1 by dear bought experience1 that external pomp is but a wretched substitute for internal satisfaction4 8,but ,i would not have outward circumstances entirely overlooked4 ,a proper regard should always be had to a comfortable subsistence in life4 ,nor can you be justified in suffering a blind passion1 under whatever pretext1 to involve you in those embarrassing distresses of want1 which will elude the remedies of love itself1 and prove fatal to the peace and happiness at which you aim4 8,in this momentous affair1 let the advice and opinion of judicious friends have their just weight in your minds4 ,discover1 with candor and frankness1 the progress of your amour1 so far as is necessary to enable them to judge aright in the cause2 but never relate the love tales of your suitor1 merely for your own1 or any other person's amusement4 ,the tender themes inspired by love1 may be pleasing to you2 but to an uninterested person1 must be insipid and disgusting in the extreme4 8,never boast of the number1 nor of the professions of your admirers4 ,that betrays an unsufferable vanity1 and will render you perfectly ridiculous in the estimation of observers4 ,besides1 it is a most ungenerous treatment of those who may have entertained1 and expressed a regard for you4 ,whatever they have said upon this subject1 was doubtless in confidence1 and you ought to keep it sacred1 as a secret you have no right to divulge4 8,if you disapprove the person1 and reject his suit1 that will be sufficiently mortifying1 without adding the insult of exposing his overtures4 8,be very careful to distinguish real lovers from mere gallants4 ,think not every man enamoured with you1 who is polite and attentive4 ,you have no right to suppose any man in love with you1 till he declares it in plain1 unequivocal and decent terms4 8,never suffer1 with impunity1 your ear to be wounded by indelicate expressions1 double entendres1 and insinuating attempts to seduce you from the path of rectitude4 ,true love will not seek to degrade its object1 much less to undermine that virtue which ought to be its basis and support4 ,let no protestations induce you to believe that person your friend1 who would destroy your dearest interests1 and rob you of innocence and peace4 ,give no heed to the language of seduction2 but repel the insidious arts of the libertine1 with the dignity and decision of insulted virtue4 ,this practice will raise you superior to the wiles of deceivers1 and render you invulnerable by the specious flattery of the unprincipled and debauched4 8,think not the libertine worthy of your company and conversation even as an acquaintance4 8,that reformed rakes make the best husbands10 is a common1 and ,i am sorry to say1 a too generally received maxim4 ,yet ,i cannot conceive1 that any lady who values1 or properly considers her own happiness1 will venture on the dangerous experiment4 ,the term reformed can1 in my opinion1 have very little weight2 since those1 whose principles are vitiated1 and whose minds are debased by a course of debauchery and excess1 seldom change their pursuits1 till necessity1 or interest requires it2 and1 however circumstances may alter or restrain their conduct1 very little dependence can be placed on men whose disposition is still the same1 but only prevented from indulgence by prudential motives4 ,as a rake is most conversant with the dissolute and abandoned of both sexes1 he doubtless forms his opinion of others by the standard to which he has been accustomed1 and therefore supposes all women of the same description4 ,having been hackneyed in the arts of the baser sort1 he cannot form an idea1 that any are in reality superior to them4 ,this renders him habitually jealous1 peevish and tyrannical4 ,even if his vicious inclinations be changed1 his having passed his best days in vice and folly1 renders him a very unsuitable companion for a person of delicacy and refinement4 8,but whatever inducements some ladies may have to risk themselves with those who have the reputation of being reformed1 it is truly surprising that any should be so inconsiderate as to unite with such as are still professed libertines4 ,what hopes of happiness can be formed with men of this character8 8,vice and virtue can never assimilate2 and hearts divided by them can never coalesce4 ,the former is the parent of discord1 disease and death2 the latter1 of harmony1 health and peace4 ,a house divided against itself cannot stand2 much less can domestic felicity subsist between such contrasted dispositions4 8,but however negligent or mistaken many women of real merit may be1 relative to their own interest1 ,i cannot but wish they would pay some regard to the honor and dignity of their sex4 ,custom only has rendered vice more odious in a woman than in a man4 ,and shall we give our sanction to a custom1 so unjust and destructive in its operation2 a custom which invites and encourages the enemies of society to seek our ruin8 ,were those who glory in the seduction of innocence1 to meet with the contempt they deserve1 and to be pointedly neglected by every female of virtue1 they would be ashamed of their evil practices1 and impelled to relinquish their injurious designs4 8,but while they are received and caressed in the best companies1 they find restraint altogether needless2 and their being men of spirit and gallantry 7as they style themselves7 is rather a recommendation than a reproach6 8,i cannot help blushing with indignation1 when ,i see a lady of sense and character gallanted and entertained by a man who ought to be banished from society1 for having ruined the peace of families1 and blasted the reputation of many1 who but for him1 might have been useful and happy in the world2 but who by his insidious arts1 are plunged into remediless insignificance1 disgrace and misery40 ,saturday1 ,p4 ,m4 ,,religion4 8,having given you my sentiments on a variety of subjects which demand your particular attention1 ,i come now to the closing and most important theme2 and that is religion4 ,the virtuous education you have received1 and the good principles which have been instilled into your minds from infancy1 will render the enforcement of ,christian precepts and duties a pleasing lesson4 8,religion is to be considered as an essential and durable object2 not as the embellishment of a day2 but an acquisition which shall endure and increase through the endless ages of eternity4 8,lay the foundation of it in youth1 and it will not forsake you in advanced age2 but furnish you with an adequate substitute for the transient pleasures which will then desert you1 and prove a source of rational and refined delight3 a refuge from the disappointments and corroding cares of life1 and from the depressions of adverse events4 8,remember now your creator1 in the days of your youth1 while the evil days come not1 nor the years draw nigh1 when you shall say we have no pleasure in them40 ,if you wish for permanent happiness1 cultivate the divine favour as your highest enjoyment in life1 and your safest retreat when death shall approach you4 8,that even the young are not exempt from the arrest of this universal conqueror1 the tombstone of ,amelia will tell you4 ,youth1 beauty1 health and fortune1 strewed the path of life with flowers1 and left her no wish ungratified4 ,love1 with its gentlest and purest flame1 animated her heart1 and was equally returned by ,julius4 ,their passion was approved by their parents and friends2 the day was fixed1 and preparations were making for the celebration of their nuptials4 ,at this period ,amelia was attacked by a violent cold1 which seating on her lungs1 baffled the skill of the most eminent physicians1 and terminated in a confirmed hectic4 ,she perceived her disorder to be incurable1 and with inexpressible regret and concern anticipated her approaching dissolution4 ,she had enjoyed life too highly to think much of death2 yet die she must6 8,oh10 said she1 8that ,i had prepared1 while in health and at ease1 for this awful event6 ,then should ,i not be subjected to the keenest distress of mind1 in addition to the most painful infirmities of body6 ,then should ,i be able to look forward with hope1 and to find relief in the consoling expectation of being united beyond the grave1 with those dear and beloved connexions1 which ,i must soon leave behind6 ,let my companions and acquaintance learn from me the important lesson of improving their time to the best of purposes2 of acting at once as becomes mortal and immortal creatures60 8,hear1 my dear pupils1 the solemn admonition1 and be ye also ready6 8,too many1 especially of the young and gay1 seem more anxious to live in pleasure1 than to answer the end of their being1 by the cultivation of that piety and virtue which will render them good members of society1 useful to their friends and associates1 and partakers of that heart-felt satisfaction which results from a conscience void of offence both towards ,god and man4 8,this1 however1 is an egregious mistake2 for in many situations1 piety and virtue are our only source of consolation2 and in all1 they are peculiarly friendly to our happiness4 8,do you exult in beauty1 and the pride of external charms8 ,turn your eyes for a moment1 on the miserable ,flirtilla4#a ,like her1 your features and complexion may be impaired by disease2 and where then will you find a refuge from mortification and discontent1 if destitute of those ennobling endowments which can raise you superior to the transient graces of a fair form1 if unadorned by that substantial beauty of mind which can not only ensure respect from those around you1 but inspire you with resignation to the divine will1 and a patient acquiescence in the painful allotments of a holy ,providence4 ,does wealth await your command1 and grandeur with its fascinating appendages beguile your fleeting moments8 ,recollect1 that riches often make themselves wings and fly away4 ,a single instance of mismanagement2 a consuming fire1 with various other misfortunes which no human prudence can foresee or prevent1 may strip you of this dependence2 and1 unless you have other grounds of comfort than earth can boast1 reduce you to the most insupportable wretchedness and despair4 ,are you surrounded by friends1 and happy in the society of those who are near and dear to you8 ,soon may they be wrested from your fond embrace1 and consigned to the mansions of the dead6 ,footnote #a3 ,see page #dh4 8,whence1 then1 will you derive support1 if unacquainted with that divine ,friend1 who will never fail nor forsake you2 who is the same yesterday1 to-day and forever4 8,health and youth1 my dear girls1 are the seasons for improvement4 ,now you may lay up a treasure which neither sickness nor adversity can impair4 8,but the hour of distress is not the only time1 in which religion will be advantageous to you4 ,even in prosperity1 it will prove the best solace and the highest ornament of your lives4 ,what can be more dignified1 respectable1 and lovely1 than the ,christian character8 ,the habitual practice of those duties which the gospel inculcates will give lustre to your beauty and durability to your charms4 ,by correcting your passions1 it will improve your joys1 endear you to your friends and connexions1 and render you contented1 happy1 and useful in every stage and condition of life4 8,religion will not deprive you of temporal enjoyments2 it will heighten and increase them4 ,it will not depress1 but exhilarate your spirits4 ,for it consists not in a gloomy1 misanthropic temper1 declining the social and innocent delights of life2 but prepares the mind to partake with satisfaction of every pleasure which reason approves1 and which can yield serenity and peace in the review4 ,be not ashamed then of appearing religious1 and of rising by that mean above the vain1 unthinking crowd4 8,let not the idle jests of heedless and unprincipled companions deter you from a stedfast adherence to the path of truth and righteousness4 #8,follow not the multitude to do evil4' ,never conform to fashion1 even though it claim the patronage of politeness1 so far as to countenance irreligion in any of its modifications4 8,jesting upon sacred subjects1 ridiculing the professors of ,christianity1 light and irreverent conduct upon solemn occasions1 ought to be cautiously avoided and decidedly condemned4 ,too many girls are so extremely thoughtless as to carry the levity of their manners even to the sanctuary2 and by whispering1 winking1 tittering and other indecent actions1 display their folly to their own disgrace1 and to the great disgust of all judicious and sober people4 ,such behaviour is not only offensive to the ,deity1 but insulting to all who would worship him free from interruption4 ,it is not only an indignity offered to religion1 but a flagrant breach of the rules of good breeding4 ,content not yourselves1 therefore1 with a bare attendance on the institutions of religion2 but conduct with propriety1 decorum1 and seriousness1 while engaged in the solemn service4 ,bear in mind1 that you assemble with a professed purpose of paying homage to the ,supreme2 and consider yourselves as in his immediate presence6 8,the offices of devotion demand your attention in private1 as well as in public4 8,accustom yourselves1 therefore1 to stated periods of retirement for meditation and prayer2 and adopt every other mean which is calculated to keep alive in your minds a due sense of your dependence and obligations1 and to inspire you with that uniform love to ,god and benevolence to the human kind1 which will prove your greatest glory here1 as well as your crown of rejoicing hereafter40 ,the hour of departure having arrived1 on ,monday morning1 ,mrs4 ,williams assembled with her pupils2 when the regret1 visibly depicted on every countenance1 was variously expressed4 ,the tear of grateful regard stole silently down the bloomy cheeks of some2 others betrayed their sensibility by audible sobs1 which they could not repress2 and all united in testifying the sense they entertained of the advantages they had received from ,mrs4 ,williams's tuition1 the happiness they had enjoyed in each other's society1 and their determination to remember her counsels1 cultivate continued friendship among themselves1 and endeavor to be worthy of her's4 ,mrs4 ,williams then took an affectionate leave of each one1 and left them with her daughters4 ,the most cordial good wishes were mutually interchanged1 till their carriages received and separated them4 ,the friendship and unity thus commenced and confirmed1 were never obliterated4 ,they always cherished the most sincere affection for their ,preceptress1 and each other2 which they displayed in an unreserved and social correspondence1 both personal and epistolary4 ,the residence of ,mrs4 ,williams they denominated ,harmony-,grove1 which it ever after retained1 and by which it is designated in the following selection of their letters4 ,,letters4 ,to ,mrs4 ,m4 ,,williams1 ,,boston4 ,,respected ,,and ,,dear ,,madam1 ,conformably to my promise1 when ,i left your abode1 the first efforts of my pen are dedicated to you4 ,the pleasure which arises from the recollection of your more than maternal kindness to me1 especially your unwearied endeavors to refine and embellish my mind and to lay the foundation of right principles and practices1 is interwoven with my existence2 and no time or circumstances can erase my gratitude4 ,i arrived last evening safely2 and was affectionately received by my honored parents1 and beloved brothers and sisters4 ,the emotions of regret which ,i felt in the morning1 at the painful separation from you and my dear school-mates1 with whom ,i have lived so happily1 had not wholly subsided4 ,i could not help listening1 now and then1 for some judicious observation from my ,preceptress2 and frequently cast my eyes around in search of some of the amiable companions1 among whom ,i had been used to unbend every thought4 ,the splendor of the apartments gave me ideas of restraint that were painful2 and ,i looked abroad for the green1 where we were wont to gambol1 and the lawn where we so often held our twilight sports1 and almost fancied that we sometimes caught a glimpse of the attendant ,sylphs who played around us2 but in vain4 ,stately domes1 crowded streets1 rattling carriages1 and all the noise and confusion of a commercial city were substituted4 ,i retired to bed1 and was awaked in the night by the riotous mirth of a number of ,bacchanalians1 reeling from the haunts of intemperance and excess4 ,alas6 said ,i1 this is not the olian harp that used to soothe our slumbers at the boarding school4 ,i composed myself again2 but awoke at the accustomed hour of five4 ,i arose2 and1 having praised my ,maker for the preservations of the night1 walked down4 ,not a living creature was stirring in the house4 ,i took a turn in the garden4 ,here art seemed to reign so perfectly mistress1 that ,i was apprehensive lest ,i should injure her charms by viewing them4 ,i accordingly retired to the summer-house1 and1 having a book in my hand1 sat down and read till the clock struck seven4 ,i then thought it must be breakfast time1 and returned to the house2 but was much disappointed to find none of the family up1 except one man servant and the house maid who had just crept down4 ,they appeared perfectly astonished to see me come in from abroad2 and the girl respectfully inquired if indisposition had occasioned my rising so early4 ,i told her no2 that the wish to preserve my health had called me up two hours before4 ,well1 rejoined she1 you will not find any body to keep you company here for two hours to come4 ,i was chagrined at the information1 and asked her for a bowl of milk1 it being past my usual breakfast time4 ,the milk man had just arrived1 and ,i drank some2 but it had lost its flavor on the road4 ,it was not like that which was served us at ,harmony-,grove4 ,i stepped to the harpsichord1 and having sung and played a morning hymn1 returned to my chamber1 where1 taking my work1 ,i sat down by the window to view the listless tribe of yawning mortals who were beginning to thicken in the streets4 ,one half of these appeared to be dragged forth by necessity1 rather than any inclination to enjoy the beauties of a fine morning4 ,at nine1 ,i was summoned into the parlor to breakfast4 ,my sisters gently chid me for disturbing their repose with my music4 ,i excused myself by alleging that ,i had been so long accustomed to early rising that ,i should find it difficult to alter the habit4 ,here1 madam1 you have an account of my first night and morning's occupation4 ,were ,i to proceed with every new occurrence1 through the year1 and subjoin my own remarks1 ,i must write volumes instead of letters4 ,please to communicate this scroll to your amiable daughters1 and remind them of their promise to write4 ,a line from ,harmony-,grove would be a luxury to me4 ,meanwhile1 permit me still to subscribe myself1 with the utmost respect your grateful pupil1 ,,harriot ,,henly4 ,to ,miss ,,matilda ,,fielding4 ,,boston4 ,,dear ,,matilda1 ,i did not intend when we parted at the boarding school1 that a whole month should have elapsed without bearing you some testimony of my continued friendship and affection2 but so numerous have been my avocations1 and so various my engagements1 that ,i have scarcely called a moment my own since ,i returned home4 ,having been from town a year1 ,i was considered as too antique to appear in company abroad1 till ,i had been perfectly metamorphosed4 ,every part of my habit has undergone a complete change1 in conformity to the present fashion4 ,it was with extreme regret that ,i parted with the neatness and simplicity of my country dress2 which1 according to my ideas of modesty1 was more becoming4 ,but ,i trust1 this alteration of appearance will have no tendency to alienate those sentiments from my heart which ,i imbibed under the tuition of ,mrs4 ,williams4 ,i went1 last evening1 to the assembly2 but though dazzled1 ,i was by no means charmed1 by the glare of finery and tinselled decorations that were displayed4 ,there were some ladies1 whose gentility and fashionable dress were evidently the product of a correct taste2 but others were so disguised by tawdry gewgaws1 as to disgust me exceedingly4 ,mrs4 ,williams used to say1 that the dress was indicative of the mind4 ,if this observation be just1 what opinion am ,i to form of the gay multitudes who trip along the streets and throng the places of public resort in this metropolis2 the lightness and gaudiness of whose appearance1 bespeak a sickly taste1 to say no more4 ,i am furnished with feathers1 flowers1 and ribbons in profusion4 ,i shall1 however1 use them very sparingly2 and though ,i would not be entirely singular1 yet ,i must insist on consulting my own fancy a little1 and cannot willingly sacrifice my own opinion to the capricious whims of fashion1 and her devotees4 ,my aunt ,lawrence1 who you know1 is extravagantly genteel1 is making us a visit4 ,she laughs very heartily at my silly notions1 as she calls them1 and styles me a novice in the ways of the world3 but hopes1 notwithstanding1 that ,i shall acquire a better taste when ,i am more acquainted with fashionable life4 ,that ,i may be much improved by a more extensive knowledge of the world1 ,i doubt not2 yet may ,i never be corrupted by that levity and folly1 which are too prevalent among a part of my sex4 8,i will not1 however1 censure and condemn others2 but attend to myself and be humble4 ,adieu40 ,,laura ,,guilford ,to ,miss ,,matilda ,,fielding4 ,,harmony-,,grove4 ,,dear ,,matilda1 ,the tear of regret for your departure is scarcely dried from the cheek of your ,maria2 and the pleasing remembrance of the happiness ,i have enjoyed in your society is accompanied with a sigh1 whenever ,i reflect that it exists no more4 ,my mamma has observed that those friendships which are formed in youth1 provided they be well founded1 are the most sincere1 lively and durable4 ,i am sure that the ardency of mine can never abate2 my affectionate regard for you can never decay4 ,we have another class of boarders2 but you and your amiable companions had so entirely engrossed my confidence and esteem1 that ,i shall find it difficult to transfer them1 in any degree1 to others4 ,the sensations of ,anna are very different1 though she is capable of the most refined friendship4 ,the natural vivacity1 and1 as ,i tell her1 the volatility of her disposition1 renders a variety of associates pleasing to her4 ,in order to recall your ideas to the exercises of ,harmony-,grove1 ,i enclose the sallies of my pen for this morning1 fully assured of your candour and generosity in the perusal4 ,pray omit no opportunity of writing1 and favor me with your observations on the polite world4 ,i shall receive every line as a pledge of your continued love to your ,,maria ,,williams4 ,,an ,,ode ,,on ,,spring4 ,enclosed in the preceding ,letter4 ,hail delight-restoring spring6 ,balmy pleasures with thee bring2 ,aromatic gales dispense1 ,misty vapours banish hence4 ,blithe the jocund hinds appear1 ,joy supports returning care1 ,mirth the ready hand attends1 ,pleasing hope the toil befriends4 ,hark6 the shady groves resound1 ,love and praise re-echo round1 ,music floats in every gale1 ,peace and harmony prevail4 ,here no stormy passions rise1 ,here no feuds impede our joys1 ,here ambition never roams1 ,pride or envy never comes4 ,come ,matilda2 ruddy morn ,tempts us o'er the spacious lawn2 ,spring's reviving charms invite ,every sense to taste delight2 ,such delights as never cloy1 ,health and innocence enjoy4 ,youth's the spring-time of our years1 ,short the rapid scene appears2 ,let's improve the fleeting hours1 ,virtue's noblest fruits be ours4 ,to ,miss ,,caroline ,,littleton4 ,,boston4 ,you have left--you have forsaken me1 ,caroline6 ,but ,i will haunt you with my letters2 obtrude myself upon your remembrance2 and extort from you the continuance of your friendship6 ,what do ,i say8 ,obtrude and extort6 ,can these harsh words be used when ,i am addressing the generous and faithful ,caroline8 ,but you have often encouraged my eccentricities by your smile1 and must therefore still indulge them4 ,nature has furnished me with a gay disposition2 and happy is it for me1 that a lax education has not strengthened the folly too commonly arising from it4 ,mrs4 ,williams' instructions were very seasonably interposed to impress my mind with a sense of virtue and propriety4 ,i trust they have had the desired effect2 and that they will prove the guardian of my youth1 and the directory of maturer age4 ,how often has the dear1 good woman taken me into her chamber1 and reminded me of indecorums of which ,i was unconscious at the time2 but thankful afterwards that they had not escaped her judicious eye2 as her observations tended to rectify my errors1 and render me more cautious and circumspect in future4 ,how salutary is advice like her's2 conveyed1 not with the dogmatic air of supercilious wisdom1 but with the condescending ease and soothing kindness of an affectionate parent1 anxiously concerned for the best good of those under her care6 ,i was very happy at ,harmony-,grove2 and the result of that happiness1 ,i hope1 will accompany me through life4 ,yet ,i find the gaiety of the town adapted to my taste2 nor does even ,mrs4 ,williams condemn the enjoyment of its pleasures4 ,i was1 last evening1 at a ball1 and ,i assure you1 the attention ,i gained1 and the gallantry displayed to attract my notice and approbation1 were very flattering to my vanity2 though ,i could not forbear inwardly smiling at the futile arts of the pretty fellows who exhibited them4 ,their speeches appeared to have been so long practised1 that ,i was on the point of advising them to exercise their genius1 if they had any1 in the invention of something new4 ,but a polite conformity to the ton restrained my satire1 ,adieu4 ,,julia ,,greenfield4 ,to ,miss ,,cleora ,,partridge4 ,,newburyport4 ,i am disappointed and displeased1 ,cleora6 ,i have long been anxious to procure the ,marchioness de ,sevigne's letters1 having often heard them mentioned as standards of taste and elegance in the epistolary way4 ,this excited my curiosity1 and raised my hopes of finding a rich entertainment of wit and sentiment4 ,i have perused1 and perused in vain2 for they answer not my ideas of either4 ,they are replete with local circumstances1 which to indifferent readers1 are neither amusing nor interesting4 ,true1 the style is easy and sprightly2 but they are chiefly composed of family matters1 such as relate to her own movements and those of her daughter2 many of which are of too trifling a nature to be ranked in the class of elegant writing4 ,i own myself1 however1 not a competent judge of their merit as a whole1 even in my own estimation2 for ,i have read the two first volumes only4 ,that letters ought to be written with the familiarity of personal conversation1 ,i allow2 yet many such conversations1 even between persons of taste and refinement1 are unworthy the public attention4 ,equal was my chagrin1 not long since1 on reading ,pope's letters4 ,he1 said ,i to myself1 who bears the palm from all contemporary poets1 and who is so consummate a master of this divine art1 must surely furnish a source of superior entertainment1 when he descends to friendly and social communications4 ,indeed1 there are good sentiments and judicious observations1 interspersed in his letters2 but the greater part of them have little other merit than what arises from the style4 ,perhaps you will charge me with arrogance for presuming to criticise1 much more to condemn1 publications which have so long been sanctioned by general approbation4 ,independent in opinion1 ,i write it without reserve1 and censure not any one who thinks differently4 ,give me your sentiments with the same freedom upon the books which you honor with a perusal1 and you will oblige your affectionate ,,caroline ,,littleton4 ,to ,miss ,,caroline ,,littleton4 ,,salem4 ,,dear ,,caroline1 ,i received yours with those lively sensations of pleasure which your favors always afford4 ,as ,i was perusing it1 my papa came into the room4 ,he took it out of my hand and read it2 then returning it with the smile of approbation1 ,i think1 said he1 that your correspondent has played the critic very well4 ,has she played it justly1 ,sir8 said ,i4 ,why1 it is a long time1 said he1 since ,i read the ,marchioness de ,sevigne's letters4 ,i am not1 therefore1 judge of their merit4 ,but with regard to ,pope1 ,i blame not the sex for retaliating upon him2 for he always treated them satirically4 ,i believe revenge was no part of my friend's plan1 said ,i4 ,she is far superior to so malignant a passion1 though1 were she capable of seeking it1 it would be in behalf of her sex4 ,company now coming in1 the conversation shifted4 ,i have often smiled at the pitiful wit of those satirists and essayists1 who lavish abundant eloquence on trifling foibles1 the mere whims of a day2 and of no consequence to the body natural1 moral1 or political4 ,the extension of a hoop1 the contraction of the waist1 or the elevation of the head-dress1 frequently afford matter for pages of elaborate discussion4 ,these reformers1 too1 always aim at the good of our sex6 ,i think it a great pity they do not lop off some of their own exuberant follies2 though perhaps they wish us to exchange labours2 and in return for their benevolent exertions1 that we endeavor to expose and correct their errors4 ,i have sometimes thought their satire to be tinctured with malice2 and that the cause of their disaffection may generally be found in personal resentment4 ,had ,pope and his coadjutors been favourites with the ladies1 ,i doubt not but they would have found more excellencies in them than they have ever yet allowed4 ,i have lately been reading the generous and polite ,fitzorsborne's letters2 and ,i need not tell you how much ,i was pleased and charmed with them4 ,the justness of his sentiments1 and the ease and elegance of his diction1 are at once interesting and improving4 ,his letter and ode to his wife on the anniversary of their marriage1 surpass any thing of the kind ,i have ever read4 ,i verily think1 that1 had ,i the offer of a heart capable of dictating such manly tenderness of expression1 and such pathetic energy of generous love1 ,i should be willing to give my hand in return1 and assent to those solemn words1 8love1 honor1 and--7,i had almost said7 obey40 ,adieu4 ,,cleora ,,partridge4 ,to ,miss ,,cleora ,,partridge4 ,,newburyport4 ,,dear ,,cleora1 ,i agree with you1 that the habits of the weak and vain are too insignificant to employ the pens of those1 whose literary talents might produce great and good effects in the political1 moral1 and religious state of things4 ,were absurd fashions adopted only by those whose frivolity renders them the dupes of folly1 and whose example can have no effect on the considerate and judicious part of the community1 ,i should think them below the attention of statesmen1 philosophers1 and divines3 but this is not the case4 ,the votaries and the inventors of the most fantastical fashions are found in the ranks of1 what is called1 refined and polished society2 from whom we might hope for examples of elegance and propriety1 both in dress and behaviour4 ,by these1 luxury and extravagance are sanctioned4 ,their influence upon the poorer class is increased2 who1 emulous of imitating their superiors1 think that the most eligible appearance1 7however beyond their income1 or unsuitable to their circumstances and condition in life7 which is preferred and countenanced by their wealthier neighbors4 ,absurd and expensive fashions1 then1 are injurious to society at large1 and require some check2 and why is not satire levelled against them1 laudable in its design1 and likely to produce a good effect8 ,adieu4 ,,caroline ,,littleton4 ,to ,miss ,,matilda ,,fielding4 ,,harmony-,,grove4 ,,dear ,,matilda1 ,notwithstanding the coldness of the season1 every heart seems to be enlivened1 and every mind exhilarated by the anniversary of the new year4 ,why this day is so peculiarly marked out for congratulations1 ,i shall not now inquire2 but in compliance with the prevailing custom of expressing good wishes on the occasion1 ,i send you mine in a scribble ,early ,i greet the opening year1 ,while friendship bids the muse appear1 ,to wish ,matilda blest4 ,the muse1 devoid of selfish art1 ,obeys the dictates of a heart1 ,which warms a friendly breast4 ,the rolling earth again has run ,her annual circuit round the sun1 ,and whirl'd the year away2 ,she now her wonted course renews1 ,her orbit's track again pursues2 ,nor feels the least decay4 ,how soon the fleeting hours are gone6 ,the rapid wheels of time glide on1 ,which bring the seasons round4 ,winter disrobes the smiling plain1 ,but spring restores its charms again1 ,and decks the fertile ground4 ,the sweet returns of cheerful ,may ,come with a vivifying ray1 ,inspiring new delight3 ,beclad with every various charm ,to please the eye1 the fancy warm1 ,and animate the sight4 ,but youth no kind renewal knows2 ,swiftly the blooming season goes1 ,and brings the frost of age6 ,no more the vernal sun appears1 ,to gild the painful round of years1 ,and wintry damps assuage4 ,with rapid haste1 the moments fly1 ,which you and ,i1 my friend1 enjoy2 ,and they return no more6 ,then let us wisely now improve ,the downy moments1 as they rove1 ,which nature can't restore4 ,o source of wisdom6 we implore ,thy aid to guide us safely o'er ,the slippery paths of youth3 ,o deign to lend a steady ray ,to point the sure1 the certain way ,to honor and to truth6 ,let thy unerring influence shed ,its blessings on ,matilda's head1 ,while piety and peace1 ,thy genuine offspring round her wait1 ,and guard her through this transient state1 ,to joys that never cease6 ,may constant health its charms extend1 ,and fortune every blessing lend1 ,to crown each passing day2 ,may pleasures in succession shine1 ,and every heart-felt bliss be thine1 ,without the least allay4 ,,maria ,,williams4 ,to ,miss ,,cleora ,,partridge4 ,,boston4 ,,dear ,,cleora1 ,i have this week engaged in the celebration of the nuptials of my friend1 ,amanda ,south4 ,a splendid wedding1 a gay company1 an elegant supper1 and a magnificent ball1 were the sum of our entertainment4 ,i imagine such exhilarating scenes designed to dispel the anxiety and thoughtfulness1 which every reflecting person must feel on this solemn occasion4 ,this untried state presents to the apprehensive mind such a variety of new cares and duties1 that cheerfulness1 festivity and hilarity seem necessary to banish the thought of them1 so far as to render a delicate and sensible female sufficiently composed to conduct with propriety4 ,but ,i must confess that were ,i called to the trial1 ,i should choose to retire from the observation of those indifferent and unfeeling spectators1 to whom the blushing modesty of a bride is often a pastime4 ,indeed1 ,cleora1 when we look around the world and observe the great number of unhappy marriages1 which were contracted with the brightest prospects1 yet from some unforeseen cause1 have involved the parties in wretchedness for life1 we may well indulge a diffidence of our own abilities to discharge the duties of the station1 and be solicitous that our future companion should in all respects be qualified to assist in bearing the burdens of the conjugal state4 ,experience only can determine how far we are right in the judgment we form of ourselves1 and of the person of our choice4 ,so many are the deceptions which love and courtship impose upon their votaries1 that ,i believe it very difficult for the parties concerned to judge impartially1 or to discern faults1 where they look only for virtues4 ,hence they are so frequently misled in their opinions1 and find1 too late1 the errors into which they have been betrayed4 ,when do you come to ,boston1 ,cleora8 ,i am impatient for your society2 because your friendship is void of flattery1 and your sincerity and cheerfulness are always agreeable and advantageous4 ,adieu4 ,,harriot ,,henly4 ,to ,miss ,,harriot ,,henly4 ,,salem4 ,indeed1 ,harriot1 ,i open your letters with as much gravity as ,i would a sermon2 you have such a knack of moralizing upon every event6 ,what mortal else would feel serious and sentimental at a wedding8 ,positively1 you shall not come to mine4 ,your presence1 ,i fear1 would put such a restraint upon me1 as to render me quite foolish and awkward in my appearance4 ,however1 ,i must acknowledge it a weighty affair2 and what you say has1 perhaps1 too much truth in it to be jested with4 ,i believe1 therefore1 we had better resolve not to risk the consequences of a wrong choice1 or imprudent conduct2 but wisely devote ourselves to celibacy4 ,i am sure we should make a couple of very clever old maids4 ,if you agree to this proposition1 we will begin in season to accustom ourselves to the virtues and habits of a single life4 ,by observing what is amiss in the conduct of others in the same state1 and avoiding their errors1 ,i doubt not but we may bring even the title into repute4 ,in this way we shall be useful to many of our own sex1 though ,i am aware it would be a most grievous dispensation to a couple of the other2 but no matter for that4 ,the world needs some such examples as we might become2 and if we can be instrumental of retrieving old-maidism from the imputation of ill-nature1 oddity1 and many other mortifying charges1 which are now brought against it1 ,i believe we shall save many a good girl from an unequal and unhappy marriage4 ,it might have a salutary effect on the other sex too4 ,finding the ladies independent in sentiment1 they would be impelled to greater circumspection of conduct to merit their favor4 ,you see that my benevolence is extensive4 ,i wish to become a general reformer4 ,what say you to my plan1 ,harriot8 ,if you approve it1 dismiss your long train of admirers immediately1 and act not the part of a coquette1 by retaining them out of pride or vanity4 ,we must rise above such narrow views1 and let the world know that we act from principle1 if we mean to do good by our example4 ,i shall continue to receive the addresses of this same ,junius1 till ,i hear that you have acceded to my proposal2 and then1 display my fortitude by renouncing a connexion which must be doubtful as to the issue1 and will certainly expose me to the mortification of being looked at1 when ,i am married4 ,farewell4 ,,cleora ,,partridge4 ,to ,miss ,,caroline ,,littleton4 ,,boston4 ,,dear ,,caroline1 ,i have just returned from a rural excursion1 where1 in the thicket of a grove1 ,i enjoyed all the luxury of solitude4 ,the sun had nearly finished his diurnal course1 and was leaving our hemisphere to illuminate the other with his cheering rays4 ,the sprightly songsters had retired to their bowers1 and were distending their little throats with a tribute of instinctive gratitude and praise4 ,the vocal strains re-echoed from tree to tree and invited me to join the responsive notes4 ,my heart expanded with devotion and benevolence4 ,i wished the whole human kind to share the feelings of happiness which ,i enjoyed2 while the inanimate creation around seemed to partake of my satisfaction6 ,methought the fields assumed a livelier verdure2 and the zephyrs were unusually officious in wafting the fragrance of aromatic gales4 ,i surveyed the surrounding scenery with rapturous admiration2 and my heart glowed with inexpressible delight at the lovely appearance of nature1 and the diffusive bounties of its almighty author4 ,let others1 said ,i1 exult in stately domes1 and the superfluities of pomp2 immerse themselves in the splendid novelties of fashion1 and a promiscuous crowd of giddy amusements6 ,i envy them not4 ,give me a mind to range the sylvan scene1 ,and taste the blessings of the vernal day2 ,while social joys1 and friendly1 intervene ,to chase the gloomy cares of life away4 ,i wish not to abandon society1 nor to resign the pleasures which it affords2 but it is a select number of friends1 not a promiscuous crowd1 which ,i prefer4 ,when the mind is much engrossed by dissipating pleasures1 it is apt to forget itself1 and neglect its own dignity and improvement4 ,it is necessary often to retreat from the noise and bustle of the world1 and commune with our own hearts4 ,by this mean we shall be the better qualified both to discharge the duties and participate in the enjoyments of life4 ,solitude affords a nearer and more distinct view of the works of creation2 elevates the mind1 and purifies its passions and affections4 ,o solitude6 in thee the boundless mind ,expands itself1 and revels unconfin'd2 ,from thee1 each vain1 each grov'lling passion flies1 ,and all the virtues of the soul arise4 ,adieu1 ,,julia ,,greenfield4 ,to ,miss ,,laura ,,guilford4 ,,boston4 ,,my ,,dear ,,laura1 ,rambling in the garden1 ,i have picked a nosegay1 which ,i transmit to you as a token of my remembrance4 ,though the poetical bagatelle which accompanies it1 is not equal to the elegance of the subject2 yet ,i confide in your candor to excuse its futility1 and give a favorable interpretation to its design4 ,laura1 this little gift approve1 ,pluck'd by the hand of cordial love6 ,with nicest care the wreath ,i've dress'd1 ,fit to adorn your friendly breast4 ,the rose and lily are combin'd1 ,as emblems of your virtuous mind6 ,pure as the first is seen in thee ,sweet blushing sensibility4 ,carnations here their charms display1 ,and nature shines in rich array1 ,od'rous1 as virtue's accents sweet1 ,from ,laura's lips with wit replete4 ,the myrtle with the laurel bound1 ,and purple amaranthus crown'd1 ,within this little knot unite1 ,like ,laura's charms1 to give delight6 ,fair1 fragrant1 soft1 like beauty dress'd2 ,so she unrivalled stands confess'd2 ,while blending still each finish'd grace1 ,her virtues in her mien we trace6 ,virtues1 which far all tints outshine1 ,and1 verdant brave the frost of time4 ,i am1 c4 ,,sophia ,,manchester4 ,to ,miss ,,maria ,,williams4 ,,boston4 ,,dear ,,sister1 ,i am not so far engaged by the new scenes of fashionable gaiety which surround me1 as to forget you and the other dear friends1 whom ,i left at ,harmony-,grove4 ,yet so great is the novelty which ,i find in this crowded metropolis1 that you cannot wonder if my attention is very much engrossed4 ,mr4 and ,mrs4 ,henly1 with their amiable daughters1 are extremely polite and attentive to me2 and having taken every method to contribute to my amusement1 ,i went yesterday1 in their company1 to ,commencement1 at ,cambridge2 and was very much entertained with the exhibition4 ,i pretend not to be a judge of the talents displayed by the young gentlemen who took an active part1 or of the proficiency they had made in science4 ,i have an opinion of my own1 notwithstanding2 and can tell how far my eye and ear were gratified4 ,i never knew before1 that dress was a classical study2 which ,i now conclude it must be1 or it would not have exercised the genius of some of the principal speakers on this public occasion4 ,the female garb too1 seemed to claim particular attention4 ,the bon ton1 taste and fashions of our sex1 afforded a subject of declamation to the orator2 and of entertainment to the audience1 composed1 in part1 of our legislators1 politicians1 and divines6 ,i could not but think that those scholars who employ their time in studying1 investigating and criticising the ladies' dresses1 might as well be occupied in the business of a friseur or the man-milliner2 either of which would afford them more frequent opportunities for the display of their abilities1 and render their labors more extensively useful to the sex4 ,others might then improve the time1 which they thus frivolously engrossed on this anniversary1 in contributing to the entertainment of the literati1 who doubtless expect to be gratified by the exertions of genius and an apparent progress in those studies1 which are designed to qualify the rising youth of ,america for important stations both in church and state4 ,the assembly was extremely brilliant2 the ladies seemed to vie with each other in magnificent decorations4 ,so much loveliness was visible in their native charms1 that without any hint from the speakers of the day1 ,i should have thought it a pity to add those foreign ornaments1 which rather obscure than aid them4 ,i was a little displeased by the unbecoming levity of some of my sex2 and am apprehensive lest it might induce misjudging and censorious people to imagine that they were led thither more by the vanity of attracting notice1 than to receive any mental entertainment4 ,without our consent1 we ran a race back to town1 which endangered our necks4 ,the avaricious hackman1 desirous of returning for another freight1 had no mercy on his passengers or horses4 ,however1 we arrived safely1 though much fatigued by the pleasure of the day4 ,pleasure carried to excess degenerates into pain4 ,this ,i actually experienced2 and sighed for the tranquil enjoyments of ,harmony grove1 to which ,i propose soon to return1 and convince you how affectionately ,i am your's1 ,,anna ,,williams4 ,to ,miss ,,anna ,,williams4 ,,harmony-,,grove4 ,,dear ,,anna1 ,your enlivening letter restored us1 in some measure1 to your society2 or at least1 alleviated the pain of your absence4 ,i am glad you attended commencement4 ,it was a new scene1 and consequently extended your ideas4 ,i think you rather severe on the classical gentlemen4 ,we simple country folks must not presume to arraign their taste1 whose learning and abilities render them conspicuous on the literary stage4 ,they1 doubtless1 write on subjects better adapted to their capacities4 ,as for the follies of fashion1 ,i think the gentlemen are under obligations to the ladies for adopting them2 since it gives exercise to their genius and pens4 ,you were tired1 you say1 with pleasure4 ,i believe those dissipating scenes1 which greatly exhilarate the spirits1 call for the whole attention1 and oblige us to exert every power1 are always fatiguing4 ,pleasures of a calmer kind1 which are moderately enjoyed1 which enliven rather then exhaust1 and which yield a serenity of mind on reflection1 are the most durable1 rational and satisfying4 ,pleasure is the most alluring object which is presented to the view of the young and inexperienced4 ,under various forms it courts our attention2 but while we are still eager in the pursuit1 it eludes our grasp4 ,its fascinating charms deceive the imagination1 and create a bower of bliss in every distant object4 ,but let us be careful not to fix our affections on any thing1 which bears this name1 unless it be founded on virtue1 and will endure the severest scrutiny of examination4 ,our honored mamma1 and all your friends here1 are impatient for your return4 ,they unitedly long to embrace1 and bid you welcome to these seats of simplicity and ease3 but none more ardently than your affectionate sister1 ,,mary ,,williams4 ,to ,miss ,,matilda ,,fielding4 ,,boston4 ,,dear ,,matilda1 ,anxious to make the best possible use of the education ,i have received2 and fully impressed with the idea1 that the human mind is capable of continual improvements1 it is my constant endeavor to extract honey from every flower which falls in my way1 or1 to speak without a figure1 to derive advantage from every incident4 ,pursuant to the advice of our excellent ,preceptress1 ,i keep this perpetually in view2 and am therefore disappointed when defeated in the attempt4 ,this afternoon ,i have been in company with three ladies1 celebrated for their beauty and wit4 ,one of them ,i think may justly claim the reputation of beauty4 ,to a finished form1 and florid complexion1 an engaging1 animating countenance is added4 ,yet a consciousness of superior charms was apparent in her deportment2 and a supercilious air counteracted the effects of her personal accomplishments4 ,the two others were evidently more indebted to art than to nature for their appearance4 ,it might easily be discovered that paint constituted all the delicacy of their complexion4 ,what a pity that so many are deceived in their ideas of beauty6 ,certain it is1 that artificial additions serve rather to impair than increase its power4 8,who can paint like nature80 ,what hand is skilful enough to supply her defects8 ,do not those who attempt it always fail1 and render themselves disgusting8 ,do they not really injure what they strive to mend2 and make it more indifferent than usual1 when divested of its temporary embellishments8 ,beauty cannot possibly maintain its sway over its most obsequious votaries1 unless the manners and the mind unitedly contribute to secure it4 ,how vain then is this subterfuge6 ,it may deceive the eye and gain the flattery of the prattling coxcomb2 but accumulated neglect and mortification inevitably await those who trust in the wretched alternative4 ,from their good sense1 ,i had been led to expect the greatest entertainment4 ,i therefore waited impatiently till the first compliments were over1 and conversation commenced4 ,but to my extreme regret1 ,i found it to consist of ludicrous insinuations1 hackneyed jests and satirical remarks upon others of their acquaintance who were absent4 ,the pretty fellows of the town were criticised2 and their own adventures in shopping1 were related with so much minuteness1 hilarity1 and glee1 that ,i blushed for the frivolous levity of those of my sex1 who could substitute buffoonery for wit1 and the effusions of a perverted imagination1 for that refined and improving conversation1 which a well cultivated mind and a correct taste are calculated to afford4 ,if1 said ,i1 to myself1 this be the beauty and the wit of polished society1 restore me again to the native simplicity and sincerity of ,harmony-,grove4 ,i took my leave as soon as politeness would allow2 and left them to animadvert upon me4 ,independent for happiness on the praise or censure of superficial minds1 let me ever be conscious of meriting approbation1 and ,i shall rest contented in the certain prospect of receiving it4 ,adieu4 ,,sophia ,,manchester4 ,to ,miss ,,sophia ,,manchester4 ,,beverly4 ,i sympathize with you1 my dear ,sophia1 in the disappointment you received in your expectations from beauty and wit4 ,you may nevertheless derive advantage from it4 ,your refined and delicate ideas raise you too far above the scenes of common life4 ,they paint the defects of your inferiors in such lively colours1 that the greater part of the community must be displeasing to you4 ,few1 you should remember1 have had the advantages which you have enjoyed2 and still fewer have your penetrating eye1 correct taste1 and quick sensibility4 ,let charity then draw a veil over the foibles of others1 and candor induce you to look on the best and brightest side4 ,it is both our duty and interest to enjoy life as far as integrity and innocence allow2 and in order to this1 we must not soar above1 but accommodate ourselves to its ordinary state4 ,we cannot stem the torrent of folly and vanity2 but we can step aside and see it roll on1 without suffering ourselves to be borne down by the stream4 ,empty conversation must be disgusting to every rational and thinking mind2 yet1 when it partakes not of malignity1 it is harmless in its effects1 as the vapour which floats over the mead in a summer's eve4 ,but when malice and envy join to give scope to detraction1 we ought to avoid their contagion1 and decidedly condemn the effusions of the ill-natured merriment which they inspire4 ,our sex have been taxed as defamers4 ,i am convinced1 however1 they are not exclusively guilty2 yet1 for want of more substantial matter of conversation1 ,i fear they too often give occasion for the accusation6 ,a mind properly cultivated and stored with useful knowledge1 will despise a pastime which must be supported at the expense of others4 ,hence only the superficial and the giddy are reduced to the necessity of filling the time in which they associate together1 with the degrading and injurious subjects of slander4 ,but ,i trust that our improved country-women are rising far superior to this necessity1 and are able to convince the world1 that the ,american fair are enlightened1 generous1 and liberal4 ,the false notions of sexual disparity1 in point of understanding and capacity1 are justly exploded2 and each branch of society is uniting to raise the virtues and polish the manners of the whole4 ,i am1 c4 ,,matilda ,,fielding4 ,to ,miss ,,julia ,,greenfield4 ,,salem4 ,,dear ,,julia1 ,from your recommendation of ,mrs4 ,chapone's letters2 and1 what is still more1 from the character given them by ,mrs4 ,williams1 ,i was anxious to possess the book2 but1 not being able to procure it here1 my clerical brother1 who was fortunately going to ,boston1 bought and presented it to me4 ,i am much gratified by the perusal1 and flatter myself that ,i shall derive lasting benefit from it4 ,so intricate is the path of youth1 and so many temptations lurk around to beguile our feet astray1 that we really need some skilful pilot to guide us through the delusive maze4 ,to an attentive and docile mind1 publications of this sort may afford much instruction and aid4 ,they ought1 therefore1 to be carefully collected1 and diligently perused4 ,anxious to make my brother some acknowledgment for his present1 ,i wrought and sent him a purse1 accompanied with a dedication which ,i thought might amuse some of his solitary moments2 and which1 for that purpose1 ,i here transcribe and convey to you4 ,the enclosed1 with zeal and with reverence due1 ,implor'd my permission to wait upon you2 ,and begg'd that the muse would her favor extend1 ,to briefly her worth and her service commend4 ,the muse1 who by dear bought experience had known ,how little her use to the clergy had grown1 ,with officious advice thus attacked the poor purse3 ,why1 you novice6 'tis plain that you cannot do worse6 ,if the end of your being you would ever attain1 ,and honor1 preferment and influence gain1 ,go quick to the pocket of some noble knave1 ,whose merit is wealth1 and his person is slave3 ,or enter the mansion where splendor appears1 ,and pomp and eclat are the habit she wears3 ,or hie to the court1 where so well you are known1 ,so highly esteem'd and so confident grown1 ,that without your assistance and recommendation1 ,none claims any merit1 or fills any station6 ,seek either of these2 and with joy you'll behold ,yourself crown'd with honor1 and filled with gold4 ,but to wait on a priest6 ,how absurd is the scheme2 ,his reward's in reversion2 the future's his theme4 ,will these1 for the present1 your craving's supply1 ,or soften the din of necessity's cry8 ,of hunger and want1 the loud clamours repel2 ,or crush the poor moth that would on you revel6 ,for poets and prophets the world has decreed1 ,on fame and on faith may luxuriously feed6 ,here the puss interpos'd with a strut and a stare1 ,pray good madam muse1 your suggestions forbear6 ,on virtue and worth ,i'm resolved to attend1 ,a firm1 if ,i am not a plentiful friend4 ,tho' not swell'd with gold1 and with metal extended1 ,what little ,i have shall be rightly expended3 ,and a trifle1 by justice and wisdom obtained1 ,is better than millions dishonestly gain'd6 ,yet ,i hope and presume that ,i never shall be excluded his pocket for the lack of a fee6 ,thus the muse and the purse--till ,i took the direction1 ,and destin'd the latter to your kind protection4 ,my wishes attend her1 with fervor express'd1 ,that in yellow or white she may always be dress'd2 ,and e'er have the power each dull care to beguile2 ,make the summer more gay1 and the bleak winter smile6 ,but if ,fortune be blind2 or should she not favor ,these wishes of mine1 you must scorn the deceiver3 ,and1 rising superior to all she can do1 ,find a bliss more substantial than she can bestow6 ,,cleora ,,partridge4 ,to ,miss ,,laura ,,guilford4 ,,worcester4 ,,dear ,,laura1 ,i have spent a very agreeable summer in the country2 but am now preparing to return to town4 ,i anticipate1 with pleasure1 a restoration to your society1 and that of my other friends there4 ,i should1 however1 quit these rural scenes with reluctance1 were it not that they are giving place to the chilling harbingers of approaching winter4 ,they have afforded charms to me1 which the giddy round of fashionable amusements can never equal4 ,many1 however1 think life insupportable1 except in the bustle and dissipation of a city4 ,of this number is the volatile ,amelia ,parr1 whom you know as well as ,i4 ,so extreme is her gaiety1 that the good qualities of her mind are suffered to lie dormant2 while the most restless passions are indulged without restraint4 ,i have just received a letter from her1 which you will see to be characteristic of her disposition4 ,i enclose that1 and my answer to it1 for your perusal4 ,read both with candour2 and believe me ever yours1 ,,harriot ,,henly4 ,to ,miss ,,harriot ,,henly4 7,enclosed in the preceding47 ,,boston4 ,where are you1 ,harriot2 and what are you doing8 ,six long months absent from the town6 ,what can you find to beguile the tedious hours8 ,life must be a burden to you6 ,how can you employ yourself8 ,employ1 did ,i say8 ,pho6 ,i will not use so vulgar a term6 ,i meant amuse6 ,amusement surely is the prime end of our existence6 ,you have no plays1 no card-parties1 nor assemblies1 that are worth mentioning6 ,intolerably heavy must the lagging wheels of time roll on6 ,how shall ,i accelerate them for you8 ,a new novel may do something towards it6 ,i accordingly send you one1 imported in the last ships4 ,foreign1 to be sure2 else it would not be worth attention4 ,they have attained to a far greater degree of refinement in the old world1 than we have in the new2 and are so perfectly acquainted with the passions1 that there is something extremely amusing and interesting in their plots and counterplots1 operating in various ways1 till the dear creatures are jumbled into matrimony in the prettiest manner that can be conceived6 ,we1 in this country1 are too much in a state of nature to write good novels yet4 ,an ,american novel is such a moral1 sentimental thing1 that it is enough to give any body the vapours to read one4 ,pray come to town as soon as possible1 and not dream away your best days in obscurity and insignificance4 ,but this boarding school1 this ,harmony-,grove1 where you formerly resided1 has given you strange ideas of the world4 ,with what raptures ,i have heard you relate the dull scenes in which you were concerned there6 ,i am afraid that your diseased taste has now come to a crisis1 and you have commenced prude in earnest6 ,but return to your city friends2 and we will lend our charitable assistance1 in restoring you to gaiety and pleasure4 ,,amelia ,,parr4 99 99 99 99 99 ,the ,answer4 ,,worcester4 ,,dear ,,amelia1 ,your letter----your rattle1 rather1 came to hand yesterday4 ,i could not avoid smiling at your erroneous opinions2 and1 in my turn1 beg leave to express my wonder at your entertainments in town4 ,true1 we have no plays4 ,we are not obliged by fashion1 to sit1 half suffocated in a crowd1 for the greater part of the night1 to hear the rantings1 and see the extravagant actions of the buskin heroes1 7and those not always consistent with female modesty to witness67 ,we have no card-parties1 avowedly formed for the purpose of killing time6 ,but we have an agreeable neighborhood1 among which we can easily collect a social circle2 and persons of taste1 politeness and information1 compose it4 ,here we enjoy a rational and enlivening conversation1 which is at once refined and improving4 ,we have no assemblies1 composed of a promiscuous crowd of gaudy belles and beaux2 many of whom we should despise in a private company1 and deem unworthy of our notice4 ,but we have genteel balls1 the company of which is select1 none being admitted but such as do honor to themselves and each other4 ,the amusement is not protracted till the yawning listlessness of the company proclaims their incapacity for enjoyment2 but we retire at a seasonable hour1 and add to the pleasure of the evening1 that of undisturbed rest through the night4 ,of course1 we can rise with the sun1 and sip the nectarious dews1 wafted in the aromatic gale4 ,we breakfast before the heat of the day has brought on a languor and deprived us of appetite2 after which1 we amuse ourselves with our needles1 books1 or music2 recline on the sofa1 or ramble in the grove1 as fancy or convenience directs4 ,in the shady bower we enjoy either the luxury of solitude1 or the pleasures of society2 while you are1 the whole time1 in the midst of hurry and bustle4 ,eager in the chase1 you fly from one scene of dissipation to another2 but the fatigue of this ceaseless round1 and the exertion of spirits necessary to support it1 render the objects of pursuit tasteless and insipid4 ,which mode of life1 yours or mine1 do you now think the most rational1 and productive of the greatest happiness8 ,the boarding school1 which you affect to despise1 has1 it is true1 formed my taste2 and ,i flatter myself that ,i shall never wish it altered4 ,i shall soon return to town2 but not for pleasure4 ,it is not in crowds that ,i seek it4 ,adieu4 ,,harriot ,,henly4 ,to ,miss ,,sophia ,,manchester4 ,,concord4 ,,dear ,,sophia1 ,having been with my aunt ,burchel for a fortnight past1 ,i have indulged myself in reading novels2 with which her library is well supplied4 ,richardson's works have occupied a large portion of the time4 ,what a surprising command has this great master of the passions over our feelings6 ,it is happy for his own and succeeding ages1 that he embarked in the cause of virtue4 ,for his influence on the affections of his readers is so great1 that it must have proved very pernicious1 had he enlisted on the side of vice4 ,though ,i am not much of a novel-reader1 yet his pen has operated like magic on my fancy2 and so extremely was ,i interested1 that ,i could have dispensed with sleep or food for the pleasure ,i found in reading him4 ,by this circumstance ,i am more than ever convinced of the great caution which ought to be used in perusing writings of the kind4 ,how secretly and how insidiously may they undermine the fabric of virtue1 by painting vice and folly in the alluring colours1 and with the lively style of this ingenious author4 ,the mind should be well informed1 and the judgment properly matured1 before young people indulge themselves in the unrestrained perusal of them4 ,the examples of virtue and noble qualities1 exhibited by the author ,i have mentioned1 are truly useful2 but every writer of novels is not a ,richardson3 and what dreadful effects might the specious manners of a ,lovelace have on the inexperienced mind1 were they not detected by a just exhibition of his vices6 ,the noble conduct of ,clementina and ,miss ,byron1 are worthy of imitation2 while the indiscretion of ,clarissa1 in putting herself under the protection of a libertine1 is a warning to every fair4 ,but both examples are often overlooked4 ,while the ear is charmed with the style1 and the fancy riots on the luxuriance of description1 which so intimately blend the charms of virtue and the fascinations of vice1 they are not readily distinguished by all4 ,i am not equally pleased with all ,richardson's writings2 yet so multifarious are his excellencies1 that his faults appear but specks1 which serve as foils to display his beauties to better advantage4 ,before ,i went from home ,i was engaged in reading a course of history2 but ,i fear ,i shall not return from this flowery field to the dry and less pleasing path of more laborious studies4 ,this is one disadvantage of novel reading4 ,it dissipates the ideas1 relaxes the mind1 and renders it inattentive to the more solid and useful branches of literature4 ,adieu4 ,,laura ,,guilford4 ,to ,mrs4 ,,williams4 ,,boston4 ,,dear ,,madam1 ,neither change of place nor situation can alienate my affections from you1 or obliterate my grateful remembrance of your kindness4 ,your admonitions and counsels have been the guide of my youth4 ,the many advantages which ,i have already received from them1 and the condescending readiness with which they were always administered1 embolden me to solicit your direction and advice in a still more important sphere4 ,the recommendation of my parents and friends1 seconded by my own inclination1 have induced me to yield my heart and engage my hand to ,mr4 ,sylvanus ,farmington1 with whose character you are not unacquainted4 ,next ,thursday is the era fixed for our union4 ,o madam1 how greatly shall ,i need a monitor like you6 ,sensible of my own imperfections1 ,i look forward with diffidence and apprehension1 blended with pleasing hopes1 to this new and untried state6 ,your experienced pen can teach me how to discharge the duties1 divide the cares1 and enjoy the pleasures1 peculiar to the station on which ,i am entering4 ,pray extend your benevolence1 and communicate your sentiments on female deportment in the connubial relation4 ,practising upon such a model1 ,i may still be worthy the appellation1 which it will ever be my ambition to deserve1 of your affectionate friend and pupil1 ,,harriot ,,henly4 ,to ,miss ,,harriot ,,henly4 ,,harmony-,,grove4 ,indeed1 my dear ,harriot1 you are making an important change of situation2 a change interesting to you and your friends2 a change which involves not only your own happiness1 but the happiness of the worthy man whom you have chosen2 of the family1 over which you are to preside2 and perhaps1 too1 of that with which you are to be connected4 ,i rejoice to hear that this connexion1 on which so much depends1 is not hastily formed2 but that it is the result of long acquaintance1 is founded on merit1 and consolidated by esteem4 ,from characters like yours1 mutually deserving and excellent1 brilliant examples of conjugal virtue and felicity may be expected4 ,yet as human nature is imperfect1 liable to errors1 and apt to deviate from the line of rectitude and propriety1 a monitorial guide may be expedient and useful4 ,your partiality has led you to request this boon of me2 but diffidence of my own abilities compels me to decline the arduous task4 ,nevertheless1 ,i have it happily in my power to recommend an abler instructor1 who has written professedly upon the subject4 ,,the ,,american ,,spectator1 or ,,matrimonial ,,preceptor1 lately published by ,mr4 ,david ,west1 of ,boston1 contains all you can wish4 ,the judicious compiler has collected and arranged his materials with admirable skill and address4 ,peruse this book1 and you will be at no loss for counsels to direct1 and cautions to guard you through the intricate cares and duties of the connubial life4 ,the essays are1 chiefly1 extracted from the most approved ,english writers4 ,the productions of so many able pens1 properly disposed1 and exhibited in a new and agreeable light1 must not only be entertaining1 but useful to every reader of taste and judgment4 ,i wish this publication to be considered as a necessary piece of furniture by every housekeeper4 ,the editor has certainly deserved well of his country2 and ,hymen should crown him with unfading garlands4 ,i shall visit you1 my dear ,harriot1 after the happy knot 7for such ,i flatter myself it will prove7 is tied4 ,in the mean time1 ,i subscribe myself1 with the most ardent wishes for your prosperity and happiness1 your sincere friend1 ,,mary ,,williams4 ,to ,miss ,,cleora ,,partridge4 ,,newburyport4 ,what think you of wit1 ,cleora8 ,if you estimate it by the worth of your own1 you think it an invaluable jewel4 ,but this jewel is variously set4 ,yours is in the pure sterling gold of good sense3 yet1 as displayed by some1 it glistens on the mere tinsel of gaiety1 which will not bear the scrutinizing eye of judgment4 ,yesterday ,i received a visit from a young lady1 lately moved into this neighbourhood1 who is reputed a wit4 ,her conversation reminded me of ,pope's satirical remark3 8,there are1 whom ,heaven has bless'd with store of wit2 ,but want as much again to manage it40 ,i found her's to consist in smart sayings1 lively repartees1 and ludicrous allusions4 ,so strong was her propensity to display this talent1 that she could not resist any temptation which offered1 though it led her to offend against the rules of politeness and generosity4 ,as some persons of real genius were present1 topics of literature and morality were discussed4 ,upon these she was mute as a statue2 but whenever the playfulness of her fancy could find a subject1 she was extremely loquacious4 ,this induced me to suspect that the brilliance of her imagination had dazzled her understanding1 and rendered her negligent of the more solid and useful acquisitions of the mind4 ,is it not often the case1 that those who are distinguished by any superior endowment1 whether personal or mental1 are too much elated by the consciousness of their pre-eminence1 and think it sufficient to counterbalance every deficiency8 ,this1 ,mrs4 ,williams used to say1 is owing to the want of self-knowledge2 which1 if once possessed1 will enable us properly to estimate our own characters1 and to ascertain with precision wherein we are defective1 as well as wherein we excel4 ,but it is the misfortune of us1 young people1 that we seldom attain this valuable science1 till we have experienced many of the ills which result from the want of it4 ,ambition1 vanity1 flattery1 or some such dazzling meteor1 engrosses our attention1 and renders us blind to more important qualifications4 ,but to return to this same wit1 of which ,i was speaking4 ,it is certainly a very dangerous talent1 when imprudently managed4 ,none that we can possess tends so directly to excite enmity1 or destroy friendship4 ,an ill-natured wit is of all characters the most universally dreaded4 ,people of this description are always feared1 but rarely loved4 ,humanity and benevolence are essentially necessary to render wit agreeable4 ,accompanied by these1 it cannot fail to please and entertain4 8,wit1 how delicious to man's dainty taste6 ',tis precious as the vehicle of sense2 ,but as its substitute1 a dire disease6 ,pernicious talent6 flatter'd by mankind1 ,yet hated too4---------------- ,sense is the diamond1 weighty1 solid1 sound2 ,when cut by wit1 it casts a brighter beam2 ,yet1 wit apart1 it is a diamond still4 ,wit1 widow'd of good sense1 is worse than naught2 ,it hoists more sail to run against a rock40 ,but ,i believe ,i cannot give a better proof of my own wit1 than to conclude this scribble before your patience is quite exhausted by the perusal4 ,adieu4 ,,caroline ,,littleton4 ,to ,miss ,,harriot ,,henly4 ,,harmony-,,grove4 ,,dear ,,harriot1 ,the first moment which ,i have been able to snatch from the affectionate embraces of my honored mamma1 and my dear sister ,maria1 is devoted to you4 ,judging by the anxious solicitude of my own heart1 ,i know you are impatient to hear of my safe arrival4 ,it is needless to tell you how cordially ,i was received4 ,you have witnessed the mutual tenderness which actuates our domestic circle4 ,where this is the governing principle1 it is peculiarly interesting to sensibility4 ,it is extremely exhilarating to the mind to revisit1 after the shortest absence1 the place of our nativity and juvenile happiness4 8,there is something so seducing in that spot1 in which we first had our existence1 that nothing but it can please4 ,whatever vicissitudes we experience in life1 however we toil1 or wheresoever we wander1 our fatigued wishes still recur to home for tranquillity4 ,we long to die in that spot which gave us birth1 and in that pleasing expectation opiate every calamity40#b ,footnote #b3 ,goldsmith4 ,the satisfaction of returning home1 however1 has not obliterated the pleasure which ,i enjoyed on my visit to you4 ,does not a change of scene and situation contribute to the happiness of life8 ,the natural love of this variety seems wisely implanted in the human breast2 for it enables us to accommodate ourselves with facility to the different circumstances in which we are placed4 ,i believe that no pleasures make so deep an impression on the memory1 as those of the first and most innocent period of our lives4 ,with what apparent delight do persons1 advanced in years1 re-trace their puerile feats and diversions6 8,the hoary head looks back with a smile of complacency1 mixed with regret1 on the season when health glowed on the cheek1 when lively spirits warmed the heart1 and when toil strung the nerves with vigour40#c ,footnote #c3 ,knox4 ,the pleasures of childhood and youth1 when regulated by parental wisdom1 and sweetened by filial affection and obedience1 must be grateful to the recollection at any age3 and for this plain reason1 because innocence and simplicity are their leading traits4 ,how soothing1 how animating1 then1 must be reflection1 at the evening of a life1 wholly spent in virtue and rectitude6 ,pope observes that 8,every year is a critique on the last4 ,the man despises the boy1 the philosopher the man1 and the ,christian all40 ,happy are those who can take a retrospect of all1 with the supporting consciousness that each part has been rightly performed6 ,adieu4 ,,anna ,,williams4 ,to ,miss ,,matilda ,,fielding4 ,,boston4 ,i am impatient for an opportunity of returning your civilities1 my dear ,matilda2 and if possible1 of repaying you some part of the pleasure1 which you so liberally afforded me1 during my late visit to your hospitable mansion4 ,for this purpose1 ,i must insist on the performance of your promise to spend the winter in town4 ,it is true that ,i cannot contribute to your amusement in kind4 ,yet1 according to the generally received opinion1 that variety is necessary to the enjoyment of life1 we may find ours mutually heightened by the exchange4 ,delightful rambles1 and hours of contemplative solitude1 free from the interruptions of formality and fashion1 ,i cannot insure2 but you may depend on all that friendship and assiduity can substitute2 and while the bleak winds are howling abroad1 a cheerful fireside1 and a social circle1 may dispel the gloom of the season4 ,the pleasures of our family are very local4 ,few are sought1 in which the understanding and affections can have no share4 ,for this reason1 a select1 not a promiscuous acquaintance is cultivated4 ,and however unfashionable our practice may be deemed1 we can find entertainment1 even in the dull hours of winter1 without recourse to cards4 ,almost every other recreation affords some exercise and improvement to the body or mind1 or both2 but from this neither can result4 ,the whole attention is absorbed by the game4 ,reason lies dormant1 and the passions only are awake4 ,however little is depending1 the parties are frequently as much agitated by hope and fear1 as if their all were at stake4 ,it is difficult for the vanquished not to feel chagrin2 while the victors are gratified at the expense of their friends4 ,but the principal objection with me1 is the utter exclusion of conversation2 a source of pleasure1 and of profit too1 for which ,i can admit nothing as an equivalent4 ,winter evenings are peculiarly adapted to this rational and refined entertainment4 ,deprived of that variety of scenery1 and those beauties of nature1 which the vernal and autumnal seasons exhibit1 we are obliged to have recourse to the fireside for comfort4 ,here we have leisure to collect our scattered ideas1 and to improve1 by social intercourse1 and the exertion of our mental powers4 ,our sex are often rallied on their volubility3 and1 for myself1 ,i frankly confess1 that ,i am so averse to taciturnity1 and so highly prize the advantages of society and friendship1 that ,i had rather plead guilty to the charge than relinquish them4 8,hast thou no friend to set thy mind a-broach8 ,good sense will stagnate4 ,thoughts shut up1 want air1 ,and spoil1 like bales unopen'd to the sun4 ,had thought been all1 sweet speech had been deny'd2 ,speech1 thought's canal6 ,speech1 thought's criterion too4 ,thought1 in the mine1 may come forth gold or dross2 ,when coin'd in word1 we know its real worth3 ,if sterling1 store it for thy future use2 ',twill buy thee benefit1 perhaps renown4 ,thought1 too1 deliver'd1 is the more possess'd2 ,teaching1 we learn2 and giving1 we retain ,the births of intellect3 when dumb1 forgot4 ,speech ventilates our intellectual fire3 ,speech burnishes our mental magazine3 ,brightens for ornament1 and whets for use40 ,come then1 ,matilda1 participate the pleasures1 and accelerate the improvement1 of your affectionate friend1 ,,laura ,,guilford4 ,to ,miss ,,laura ,,guilford4 ,,beverly4 ,,dear ,,laura1 ,yours of the #ith ult4 has just come to hand4 ,it gave me renewed experience of the truth of the observation1 that next to the personal presence and conversation1 is the epistolary correspondence of a friend4 ,i am preparing1 with the most lively sensations of pleasure1 to gratify my own wishes1 and comply with your polite invitation4 ,the romantic beauty of the rural scenes has forsaken me2 and what can so amply compensate for their absence1 as the charms you offer8 ,i envy you nothing which the town affords1 but the advantages you derive from the choice of society adapted to your own taste4 ,your sentiments of the fashionable diversion of card-playing1 are1 in my view1 perfectly just4 ,i believe that many people join in it1 because it is the ton1 rather than from any other motive4 ,and as such persons generally pay the greatest deference to ,lord ,chesterfield's opinions and maxims1 ,i have often wondered how they happened to overlook1 or disregard his animadversions upon this subject2 and have felt a strong inclination to tell them1 that this all-accomplished master of politeness1 and oracle of pleasure1 expressly says1 8,all amusements1 where neither the understanding nor the senses can have the least share1 ,i look upon as frivolous1 and the resources of little minds1 who either do not think1 or do not love to think40 ,we had a pretty party here1 last evening2 and a party it literally was2 for it consisted entirely of ladies4 ,this singular circumstance was remarked by one of the company1 who1 at least1 pretended to think it agreeable1 because1 said she1 we can now speak without restraint1 or the fear of criticism4 ,i confess that ,i was not prude enough to acquiesce in her opinion4 ,ladies of delicacy and refinement will not countenance or support a conversation1 which gentlemen of sense and sentiment can disapprove4 ,as each were formed for social beings1 and depend on the other for social happiness1 ,i imagine that society receives its greatest charm from a mutual interchange of sentiment and knowledge4 8,both sexes are reciprocal instruments of each other's improvement4 ,the rough spirit of the one is tempered by the gentleness of the other1 which has likewise its obligations to that spirit4 ,men's sentiments contract a milder turn in the company of women1 who1 on the other hand1 find their volatility abated in that of the men4 ,their different qualities1 intermingling1 form a happy symphony4 ,from their intimate conjunction1 their real advantages must be common and inseparable2 and as for those ridiculous wranglings about superiority1 they may be reckoned insults to nature1 and betray a want of a due sense of its wise and gracious dispensations40#d ,footnote #d3 ,the ,ladies' ,friend4 ,many ladies affect to think it inconsistent with female reserve1 to acknowledge themselves pleased with the company of the other sex2 but while such are the objects and advantages of a mixed society1 ,i blush not to own myself desirous of its cultivation4 ,adieu4 ,,matilda ,,fielding4 ,to ,miss ,,caroline ,,littleton4 ,,boston4 ,,dear ,,caroline1 ,i take the liberty to send you ,bennet's ,letters4 ,when my mamma put them into my hand1 ,sophia1 said she1 ,i recommend this book to your attentive perusal4 ,it highly deserves it1 and will richly reward your labour4 ,you have1 indeed1 completed your school education2 but you have much yet to learn4 ,improvements in knowledge are necessarily progressive4 ,the human mind is naturally active and eager in pursuit of information2 which we have various and continual means of accumulating3 but never will you have a more favourable opportunity for the cultivation of your mind1 than you now enjoy4 ,you are now free from those domestic cares and avocations1 which may hereafter fall to your lot1 and occupy most of your time4 ,speculation must then give place to practice4 ,be assiduous1 therefore1 to increase the fund1 that it may yield you a competent interest1 and afford you a constant resource of support and enjoyment4 ,with these words she withdrew1 while ,i was still listening to the sweet accents of maternal tenderness and discretion1 which vibrated on my ear1 even after her departure4 ,i find it worthy the recommendation of so good a judge4 ,as a moral writer1 the precepts and observations of its author are excellent2 as a religious one1 his piety is exemplary1 and his instructions improving4 ,his selection of books1 which he deems most proper for our sex1 though too numerous1 perhaps1 may1 notwithstanding1 assist and direct the young in their course of reading4 ,who would not imitate his ,louisa8 ,in her he has forcibly displayed the beauties of an amiable disposition1 and the advantages which even that may derive from a virtuous and religious education4 ,these letters are not scholastic and elaborate dissertations2 they are addressed to the heart2 they are the native language of affection3 and they can hardly fail to instil the love of virtue into every mind susceptible of its charms4 ,if you have not read them1 ,i will venture to predict that they will afford you entertainment1 as well as instruction2 and if you have1 they will bear a second perusal4 ,indeed1 every valuable book should be re-perused4 ,on a first reading1 our curiosity to know something of all it contains1 hurries us forward with a rapidity which outstrips both the memory and judgment4 ,when this predominant passion is gratified1 an attentive review will commonly furnish many useful and important lessons1 which had nearly or quite escaped our notice before4 ,this1 by some1 is deemed too laborious a task4 ,they prefer company and conversation to reading of any kind2 and allege1 in defence of their opinion1 that a knowledge of the world1 and of human nature1 together with that ease and gracefulness of manners1 which are of the utmost consequence to all who would make a respectable figure in life1 are much better obtained in this way1 than by the cold and unimpassioned perusal of books4 ,but is not every acquisition of this sort merely superficial8 ,need we not a guide1 superior to our own judgment and experience1 to point out the line of duty and propriety1 in the various conditions and relations of our existence8 ,our acquaintance with living characters and manners can afford us but a very limited view of mankind1 in the different periods and stages of society4 ,the inquisitive mind labours to extend its knowledge to the most distant climes and remote antiquity2 and craves other materials for the exercise of its reflecting powers1 than can be derived from occasional and desultory conversation4 ,now1 by what means can this laudable curiosity be so effectually satisfied1 as by the perusal of judicious and well chosen books8 ,not that ,i would depreciate the value of good company 7for ,i esteem it highly27 but add its many advantages to those which reading affords4 ,this combination must have a happy tendency to give us possession1 both of the virtues and graces2 and to render our attainments at once solid and ornamental4 ,what think you1 ,caroline8 ,do you agree with me in opinion8 ,let me hear from you by the first opportunity2 and believe me yours most sincerely4 ,,sophia ,,manchester4 ,to ,miss ,,sophia ,,manchester4 ,,newburyport4 ,i thank you1 my dear friend1 for the book you were so obliging as to send me2 and for the letter which accompanied it4 ,the book ,i had read2 but as you justly observe1 ,i must be a gainer by a second perusal4 ,upon the subject of reading1 ,i perfectly accord with you in sentiment4 ,it is an amusement1 of which ,i was always enthusiastically fond4 ,mrs4 ,williams regulated my taste2 and1 by directing and maturing my judgment1 taught me to make it a source of refined and substantial pleasure4 ,i do not wish to pursue study as a profession1 nor to become a learned lady2 but ,i would pay so much attention to it1 as to taste the delights of literature1 and be qualified to bear a part in rational and improving conversation4 ,indeed1 ,i would treasure up such a fund of useful knowledge1 as may properly direct my course through life1 and prove an antidote against the vexations and disappointments of the world4 ,i think1 ,sophia1 that our sex stand in special need of such a resource to beguile the solitary hours which a domestic station commonly imposes4 ,is it not for the want of this that some females furnish a pretext for the accusation 7which is illiberally brought against all7 of having recourse to scandal1 and the sallies of indelicate mirth8 ,conversation requires a perpetual supply of materials from the mind3 and accordingly as the mind has been cultivated or neglected1 dignified or degrading subjects will be introduced4 ,i received a letter yesterday from our lively and lovely friend1 ,anna ,williams4 ,how delightfully blended in this charming girl1 are vivacity and sentiment1 ease and propriety4 ,adieu4 ,,caroline ,,littleton4 ,to ,miss ,,maria ,,williams4 ,,boston4 ,so often1 my dear ,maria1 has the pen of the divine1 the moralist1 and the novelist been employed on the subject of female frailty and seduction2 and so pathetically has each described the folly and misery of the fatal delusion which involves many in disgrace1 that ,i am astonished when ,i see those1 who have the best means of information1 heedlessly sacrificing their reputation1 peace and happiness to the specious arts of the libertine6 ,in this case it is common for our sex to rail against the other1 and endeavor to excite the pity of the world by painting the advantage which has been taken of their credulity and weakness4 ,but are we not sufficiently apprised of the enemies we have to encounter8 ,and have we not adequate motives to circumspection and firmness8 ,i am generally an advocate for my own sex--but when they suffer themselves to fall a prey to seducers1 their pusillanimity admits no excuse4 ,i am bold to affirm that every woman1 by behaving with propriety on all occasions1 may not only resist temptation1 but repel the first attempts upon her honor and virtue4 ,that levity of deportment1 which invites and encourages designers1 ought studiously to be avoided4 ,flattery and vanity are two of the most dangerous foes to the sex4 ,a fondness for admiration insensibly throws off their guard1 and leads them to listen and give credit to the professions of those who lie in wait to deceive4 ,the following remarks1 though severe1 perhaps can hardly be deemed inconsistent with the character which their author assumes4#e 8,women would do well to forbear their declamations against the falsity and wickedness of men2 the fault is theirs1 to fall into such coarse-spun snares as are laid for them4 ,footnote #e3 ,the ,ladies' ,friend4 8,that servile obsequiousness which woman should immediately look upon as the mark of fraud1 and which should make them apprehend a surprise1 is the very thing which allures them1 and renders them soon the victims of perjury and inconstancy2 the just punishment of a disposition which fixes their inclinations on superficial qualities4 ,it is this disposition which draws after them a crowd of empty fops1 who if they have any meaning at all1 it is only to deceive4 ,something pleasing in a man's person1 a giddy air1 a perpetual levity1 supply the place of valuable endowments40 ,a recent and singular adventure has rendered observations of this sort peculiarly striking to my mind2 which may account for the subject and the length of this letter4 ,i will give you a detail of it1 though ,i must conceal the real names of the parties concerned4 ,yesterday1 the weather being very fine1 and the sleighing excellent1 several of our family1 with two or three friends1 were induced to make an excursion a few miles in the country4 ,we stopped at a house which had formerly been a tavern1 and in which we had often been well entertained on similar occasions4 ,as we were in haste to receive the benefit of a good fire1 we did not notice the removal of the sign1 nor advert to the possibility of its being converted into a private mansion4 ,being very cold1 ,i stepped first out of the sleigh and ran hastily in2 leaving the gentlemen to exercise their gallantry with the other ladies4 ,the room ,i entered had no fire4 ,i therefore opened the door which led to the next apartment1 when ,i beheld the beautiful and admired ,clarinda sitting in an easy chair1 pale and wan1 with an infant in her arms6 ,i stood mute and motionless1 till the woman of the house appeared1 to conduct me to another room4 ,confusion and shame were visibly depicted in ,clarinda's countenance2 and1 unable to meet my eye1 she threw her handkerchief over her face1 and fell back in the chair4 ,i followed the good woman1 and apologising for my intrusion1 told her the cause4 ,she recollected my having been there before1 and readily excused my freedom4 ,by this time the rest of the company1 who had been shown into a decent parlour1 were inquiring for me2 and ,i could scarcely find opportunity to request my conductress to ask ,clarinda's forgiveness in my name1 and to assure her of my silence1 before ,i had joined them4 ,i assumed an appearance of cheerfulness very foreign to the feelings of my heart1 and related my mistake without any mention of the melancholy discovery ,i had made4 ,we prevailed on the woman to accommodate us with tea and coffee1 as we wished to ride no further4 ,while preparations were making she came in to lay the table1 and as she withdrew1 gave me a token to follow her2 when she informed me that ,clarinda had been extremely overcome by my detecting her situation1 but being somewhat recovered desired a private interview4 ,i accordingly repaired to her apartment1 where ,i found her bathed in tears4 ,pity operated in my breast1 and with an air of tenderness ,i offered her my hand2 but she withheld hers1 exclaiming in broken accents1 ,o no6 ,i am polluted--,i have forfeited your friendship--,i am unworthy even of your compassion4 ,i begged her to be calm1 and promised her that she should suffer no inconvenience from my knowledge of her condition4 ,she thanked me for my assurances1 and subjoined that1 since she knew the candor and generosity of my disposition1 she would entrust me with every circumstance relative to her shameful fall2 when1 after a considerable pause1 she proceeded nearly in the following words4 8,though our acquaintance has been for some time suspended1 and though we have lived in different parts of the town1 yet common fame has doubtless informed you that ,i was addressed by the gay1 and to me1 too charming ,florimel6 ,to the most captivating form1 he superadded the winning graces of politeness1 and all those insinuating arts which imperceptibly engage the female heart4 8,his flattering attentions1 and apparent ardour of affection1 were to my inexperienced and susceptible mind1 proofs of his sincerity2 and the effusions of the most lively passion1 were returned with unsuspecting confidence4 8,my father1 strict in his principles1 and watchful for my real welfare1 disapproved his suit2 alleging that although ,florimel was calculated to please in the gayer moments of life1 he was nevertheless destitute of those sentiments of religion and virtue1 which are essentially requisite to durable felicity4 ,but ,i could not be persuaded that he lacked any perfection which maturer years would not give him2 and therefore finding my attachment unconquerable1 my father reluctantly acquiesced in the proposed connexion4 ,my ill-judged partiality for this ungenerous man absorbed every other passion and pursuit2 while he took advantage of my yielding fondness1 and assumed liberties which ,i knew to be inconsistent1 with delicacy1 but had not resolution to repel4 ,one encroachment succeeded another1 and every concession was claimed and granted as a proof of love1 till at length he became absolute master of my will and my person4 ,shame and remorse soon roused me to a sense of my guilt1 and ,i demanded an immediate performance of his promise of marriage4 ,this1 under one pretext or another1 he constantly evaded4 ,his visits daily became less frequent1 and his attentions less assiduous--while the most poignant anguish of mind deprived me of every comfort4 ,i found myself reduced to the humiliating alternative of entreating my seducer to screen me from infamy by the name of wife1 though he should never consider or treat me as such4 ,to this he insultingly replied1 that my situation must necessarily detect our illicit commerce2 and his pride could never brook the reputation of having a wife whose chastity had been sacrificed4 ,as soon as rage and resentment1 which at first took from me the power of utterance1 would permit1 ,wretch6 exclaimed ,i1 is it not to you the sacrifice has been made8 ,who but you has triumphed over my virtue1 and subjected me to the disgrace and wretchedness ,i now suffer8 ,was it not in token of my regard for you that ,i yielded to your solicitations8 ,and is this the requital ,i am to receive8 ,base1 ungrateful man6 ,i despise your meanness6 ,i detest the ungenerous disposition you betray1 and henceforth reject all intercourse and society with you6 ,i will throw myself on the mercy of my injured parents1 and renounce you forever4 8,seeing me almost frantic1 he endeavored to soothe and appease me4 ,he apologized for the harshness of his language1 and even made professions of unabated affection2 but gave as a reason for deferring the conjugal union1 at present1 that commercial affairs obliged him to sail immediately for ,europe2 assuring me at the same time that on his return he would not fail to renew and consummate the connexion4 ,to this ,i gave no credit1 and therefore made no reply4 ,he then requested me to accept a purse to defray my expenses1 during his absence1 which ,i rejected with disdain2 and he departed4 ,the distress and despair of my mind were inexpressible4 ,for some days ,i resigned myself entirely to the agonizing pangs of grief4 ,my parents imputed my dejection to ,florimel's departure1 and strove to console me4 ,it was not long1 however1 before my mother discovered the real cause4 ,in her1 resentment gave place to compassion2 but the anger of my father could not be appeased4 ,he absolutely forbade me his presence for some time2 but my mother at length prevailed on him to see1 and assure me of forgiveness and restoration to favor1 if ,i would consent to renounce and disown my child2 to which1 not then knowing the force of maternal affection1 ,i readily consented4 ,this place was privately procured for me1 and hither1 under pretence of spending a month or two with a friend in the country1 ,i retired4 ,to-morrow my dear babe is to be taken from me6 ,it is to be put to nurse1 ,i know not where6 ,all ,i am told is1 that it shall be well taken care of6 ,constantly will its moans haunt my imagination1 while ,i am deprived even of the hope of ministering to its wants2 but must leave it to execrate the hour which gave it birth1 and deprive it of a parent's attention and kindness4 8,as soon as possible1 ,i shall return to my father's house2 and as ,i am unknown here1 and you are the only person1 out of our family1 who shares the dreadful secret1 ,i flatter myself that my crime may still be concealed from the world4 ,the reproaches of my own mind ,i can never escape4 ,conscious guilt will give the aspect of accusation to every eye that beholds me2 and however policy may compel me to wear the mask of gaiety and ease1 my heart will be wrung with inexpressible anguish by the remembrance of my folly1 and always alive to the distressing sensations of remorse and shame6 ,oh ,julia6 you have witnessed my disgrace6 pity and forgive me6 ,perhaps ,i once appeared as virtuous and respectable as you now do2 but how changed6 how fallen6 how debased6 ,learn from my fate to despise the flattery of the worthless coxcomb1 and the arts of the abandoned libertine40 ,by this time ,i was summoned to tea2 when giving all the consolation in my power to the unhappy ,clarinda1 ,i rejoined my company2 and to prevent their inquisitiveness about my absence1 told them ,i had been with a sick woman1 upon whom ,i had accidentally intruded when ,i first came in2 and that she had detained me1 all this time1 by a recital of her complaints and misfortunes4 ,this account satisfied their curiosity2 but the melancholy into which my mind had been thrown1 was not easily dissipated2 nor could ,i1 without doing violence to my feelings1 put on the appearance of my usual cheerfulness and ease4 ,here my dear ,maria1 is a picture of the frailty and weakness of our sex6 ,how much reason have we then to 8watch1 and pray1 that we enter not into temptation60 ,with affectionate regards to your mamma and sister1 ,i subscribe myself yours most sincerely1 ,,julia ,,greenfield4 ,to ,miss ,,julia ,,greenfield4 ,,harmony-,,grove4 ,,my ,,dear ,,friend1 ,i was much affected by the wo-fraught tale which you gave me in your last4 ,we cannot too much regret that such instances of duplicity and folly are ever exhibited4 ,they are alike disgraceful to both sexes1 and demonstrate the debasing and fatal tendency of the passions1 when suffered to predominate4 ,your observations upon our sex ,i believe to be just1 though many would probably deem them severe4 ,however1 ,i think it not much to the honor of the masculine character1 which the ,god of nature designed for a defence and safeguard to female virtue and happiness1 to take advantage of the tender affection of the unsuspecting and too credulous fair2 and1 in return for her love and confidence1 perfidiously to destroy her peace of mind1 and deprive her of that reputation which might have rendered her a useful and ornamental member of society4 ,true1 we ought to take warning by such examples of treachery and deceit2 yet how much more conducive to the honor and happiness of our species1 were there no occasion to apprehend such ungenerous requitals of our sincerity and frankness4 ,yesterday1 my mamma took the liberty to read that part of your letter1 which contains the story of ,clarinda1 to her pupils1 and to make such comments upon it as the subject suggested2 during which we could not but observe the extreme emotion of one of the misses1 a most amiable girl of about sixteen4 ,when the paragraph respecting ,clarinda's disowning her child was read1 she hastily rose and in broken accents begged leave to withdraw4 ,this was granted without any inquiry into the cause2 though our curiosity1 as you may well suppose1 was much excited4 ,after we were dismissed1 my mamma prevailed on her to tell the reason of her agitation4 8,i am10 said she1 8the illegitimate offspring of parents1 whom ,i am told are people of fortune and fashion4 ,the fear of disgrace overcame the dictates of natural affection1 and induced my mother to abandon me in my infancy4 ,she accordingly gave me away1 with a large sum of money1 which she vainly imagined would procure me kind and good treatment4 ,but unhappily for me the people to whom ,i was consigned1 availed themselves of their security from inspection and inquiry1 abused the trust reposed in them1 and exposed me to the greatest hardships4 ,as they were persons of vulgar minds and unfeeling hearts1 they did not commiserate my friendless condition4 ,my quick sensibility incurred their displeasure or derision4 ,i was often insultingly reproached with the misfortune of my birth2 while the tears which these ungenerous reflections extorted from me1 were either mocked or punished4 ,i had a thirst for knowledge2 but they allowed me no time for acquiring it1 alleging they could not support me in idleness1 but that ,i must earn my living as they did theirs1 by hard labor4 ,oppressed by these insults1 ,i bore the galling yoke of their authority with the utmost impatience4 ,when screened from observation1 my tears flowed without restraint2 and the idea of my parents' cruelty1 in thus subjecting me to infamy and wretchedness1 continually haunted my imagination4 ,sometimes ,i fancied my mother in view1 and exposing my tattered raiment1 expostulated with her concerning the indignities ,i suffered1 and the unreasonable hardship of leaving me to bear all the punishment of my guilty birth6 ,at other times ,i painted to myself a father1 in some gentleman of pleasing aspect2 and fondly indulged the momentary transport of throwing myself at the feet of one1 whom ,i could call by that venerable and endearing name6 ,too soon1 however1 did the reverse of parental tenderness awake me from my delusive reveries4 8,in this manner ,i lingered away my existence1 till ,i was twelve years old2 when going one day to the house of a gentleman in the neighborhood1 to which ,i was often sent to sell herbs1 and other trifles1 ,i was directed into the parlor1 where the most beautiful sight in nature opened to my view2 while the contrast between my own situation1 and that of children blessed with affectionate parents1 gave me the most painful sensations4 ,the lady of the house was surrounded by her four sons1 the eldest of whom was reading lessons1 which she most pathetically inculcated upon all4 ,as the door was open1 ,i stood some minutes unobserved2 and was so delighted with the tender accents in which her instructions were imparted1 and the cheerful obedience with which they were received1 that ,i had no disposition to interrupt them4 8,at length ,i was seen1 and bid to come in4 ,but when questioned about my errand ,i was so absorbed in the contemplation of maternal and filial love1 exhibited in this happy group1 that my tongue refused utterance1 and ,i burst into tears4 ,the children gathered around and inquired what ailed the poor little girl8 ,but when the lady took me by the hand1 and kindly asked what was the matter1 ,i could not restrain or conceal my feelings4 ,when my tears had relieved me1 ,i related the cause of my grief2 describing my own situation1 and the effect which its contrast had produced on my mind4 8,she was affected by my story1 and seemed pleased with my sensibility2 while the children lamented my misfortunes1 and artlessly requested their mamma to let me come and live with them4 8,little did ,i then expect so great a favor2 but to my surprise as well as joy1 ,mrs4 ----1 the lady of whom ,i have been speaking1 and by whom ,i am put under your care1 came a few days after1 and asked the people where ,i lived1 if they were willing to part with me4 ,by their consent she took me home1 and has ever since treated me like a child4 8,i am now happy beyond expression4 ,my gratitude to my benefactress1 who1 guided by a wise and good ,providence1 has snatched me from obscurity and misery1 and given me so many advantages for improvement1 is unbounded4 8,but the idea that any helpless innocent should be unnaturally exposed to the sufferings which ,i have experienced1 is insupportably distressing to my imagination4 8,let my story1 if possible1 be told to ,clarinda1 that she may be induced to have compassion upon her defenceless offspring40 ,you are at liberty1 therefore1 my dear ,julia1 to make what use you please of this letter4 ,i shall make no comments upon the subject of it1 nor add any thing more to its length1 but that ,i am affectionately yours4 ,,maria ,,williams4 ,to ,miss ,,anna ,,williams4 ,,salem4 ,,dear ,,anna1 ,my contemplated visit to ,harmony-,grove must be deferred4 ,a severe illness has lately confined my mamma to her chamber4 ,this claimed all my time and attention1 and called me to a new scene of care2 that of a family which ,i was obliged to superintend during her indisposition4 ,her recovery has1 at length1 restored tranquillity and joy to our abode2 but she has not yet resumed the direction of her household affairs4 ,to this1 she tells me she is reconciled by the hope that experience may render me an adept in domestic economy4 ,indeed1 ,anna1 ,i think this an essential branch of female education2 and ,i question whether it can be acquired by mere speculation4 ,to me it is plain that every lady ought to have some practice in the management of a family1 before she takes upon herself the important trust4 ,do not many of the mistakes and infelicities of life arise from a deficiency in this point8 ,young ladies of fashion are not obliged to the task1 and have too seldom any inclination to perform duties which require so much time and attention2 and with which1 perhaps1 they have injudiciously been taught to connect the idea of servility4 ,hence it is1 that when called to preside over families1 they commit many errors1 during their novitiate1 at least1 which are alike detrimental to their interest and happiness4 ,how necessary is it1 then1 to avoid this complication of evils by a seasonable application to those offices of housewifery1 which may one day become our province4 ,early rising1 ,i find a great assistance in my present occupation4 ,it is almost incredible how much may be gained by a diligent improvement of those hours which are but too commonly lost in sleep4 ,i arose this morning with the dawn4 ,the serenity of the sky and the fragrance of the air invited me abroad4 ,the calmness which universally prevailed served to tranquillize my mind1 while the receding shades of night1 and the rising beams of day1 formed a contrasted assemblage of the beautiful1 the splendid1 the solemn1 and the sublime4 ,the silence which pervaded the surrounding scenery was interrupted only by the melody of the feathered songsters1 who seemed to rejoice in this undisturbed opportunity of praising their maker4 ,my heart expanded with gratitude and love to the all-bountiful ,author of nature2 and so absorbed was ,i in the most delightful meditations1 that ,i saw with regret the hour approaching which must again call me to the active duties of domestic and social life4 ,these however1 are objects of real moment1 and cannot innocently be disregarded4 ,they give a relish to amusement1 and even to devotion1 which neither the dissipated nor the recluse can know4 ,adieu4 ,,cleora ,,partridge4 ,to ,miss ,,harriot ,,henly4 ,,beverly4 ,,dear ,,harriot1 ,i sincerely thank you for your affectionate letter1 by the last post1 and for the book with which it was accompanied4 ,the very title is sufficient to rouse the feelings and attract the attention of the patriotic mind4 ,beacon-,hill claims a conspicuous place in the history of our country4 ,the subject of this poem must be highly interesting to every true ,american2 while the genius it displays cannot fail to gratify every poetical taste4 ,philenia's talents justly entitle her to a rank among the literary ornaments of ,columbia4 ,i have been reviewing ,millot's ,elements of ,ancient and ,modern ,history2 and recommend it to your re-perusal4 ,it is undoubtedly the most useful compendium extant4 ,the tedious minuteness and prolix details of sieges and battles1 negotiations and treaties1 which fatigue the reader and oppress the memory in most works of the kind1 are happily avoided in this2 while the elegance1 simplicity1 conciseness and perspicuity of the style1 render it intelligible to every capacity1 and pleasing to every taste4 ,to those who have a relish for history1 but want leisure to give full scope1 ,millot is well calculated to afford both information and entertainment4 ,it is an objection1 commonly made by our sex to studies of this nature1 that they are dry and elaborate2 that they yield little or no exercise to the more sprightly faculties of the mind2 that the attention is confined to an uninteresting and barren detail of facts1 while the imagination pants in vain for the flowery wreaths of decoration4 ,this is a plausible excuse for those who read only for amusement1 and are willing to sacrifice reason1 and the enlargement of their minds1 to the gaudy phantom of a day2 but it can never be satisfactory to the person1 who wishes to combine utility with pleasure1 and dignity with relaxation4 ,history improves the understanding1 and furnishes a knowledge of human nature and human events1 which may be useful as well as ornamental through life4 8,history10 says the late celebrated ,gauganelli1 8brings together all ages and all mankind in one point of view4 ,presenting a charming landscape to the mental eye1 it gives colour to the thoughts1 soul to the actions1 and life to the dead2 and brings them upon the stage of the world1 as if they were again living2 but with this difference1 that it is not to flatter1 but to judge them40 ,the duties and avocations of our sex will not often admit of a close and connected course of reading4 ,yet a general knowledge of the necessary subjects may undoubtedly be gained even in our leisure hours2 provided we bestow them not on works of mere taste and fancy1 but on the perusal of books calculated to enrich the understanding with durable acquisitions4 ,the sincerest wishes for your health and happiness glow in the breast of your affectionate ,,matilda ,,fielding4 ,to ,miss ,,maria ,,williams4 ,,boston4 ,,my ,,dear ,,maria1 ,since ,i wrote you last1 ,i have made an agreeable visit to my good friend ,sylvia ,star4 ,after rambling in the fields and gardens till we were fatigued1 we went into her brother's library4 ,he was in a studious attitude1 but gave us a polite reception4 ,we are come1 ,amintor1 said ,i4 ,be so kind as to furnish us with some instructive page1 which combines entertainment and utility2 and while it informs the mind1 delights the imagination4 ,i am not happy enough to know your taste respecting books1 said he2 and therefore1 may not make a proper selection4 ,here1 however1 is an author highly spoken of by a lady who has lately added to the number of literary publications2 handing me ,sterne's ,sentimental ,journey4 ,i closed and returned the book4 ,you have1 indeed1 mistaken my taste1 said ,i4 ,wit1 blended with indelicacy1 never meets my approbation4 ,while the fancy is allured1 and the passions awakened1 by this pathetic humourist1 the foundations of virtue are insidiously undermined1 and modest dignity insensibly betrayed4 ,well1 said he1 smilingly1 perhaps you are seriously inclined4 ,if so1 this volume of sermons may possibly please you4 ,still less1 rejoined ,i4 ,the serious mind must turn with disgust from the levity which pervades these discourses1 and from the indecent flow of mirth and humour1 which converts even the sacred writings1 and the most solemn subjects of religion1 into frolic and buffoonery4 ,since such is your opinion of this celebrated writer1 said he1 ,i will not insult your feelings by offering you his ,tristram ,shandy4 ,but here is another wit1 famous for his 8purity40 ,yes1 said ,i1 if obscene and vulgar ideas1 if ill-natured remarks and filthy allusions by purity1 ,swift undoubtedly bears the palm from all his contemporaries4 ,as far as grammatical correctness and simplicity of language can deserve the epithet1 his advocates may enjoy their sentiments unmolested2 but in any other sense of the word1 he has certainly no claim to 8purity40 ,i conceive his works1 notwithstanding1 to be much less pernicious in their tendency1 than those of ,sterne4 ,they are not so enchanting in their nature1 nor so subtle in their effects4 ,in the one1 the noxious insinuations of licentious wit are concealed under the artful blandishments of sympathetic sensibility2 while we at once recoil from the rude assault which is made upon our delicacy1 by the roughness and vulgarity of the other4 ,choose then1 said ,amintor1 for yourself4 ,i availed myself of his offer1 and soon fixed my eyes upon ,dr4 ,belknap's ,history of ,new ,hampshire1 and ,american ,biography2 both of which ,i have since read with the greatest satisfaction4 ,by this judicious and impartial historian1 we are led from its first settlement to trace the progress of the infant colony4 ,we accompany its inhabitants in their enterprizes1 their dangers1 their toils1 and their successes4 ,we take an interest in their prosperity2 and we tremble at the dreadful outrages of the barbarous foe4 ,our imagination is again recalled to the gradual advance of population and agriculture4 ,we behold the wilderness blooming as the rose1 and the haunts of savage beasts1 and more savage men1 converted into fruitful fields and pleasant habitations4 ,the arts and sciences flourish2 peace and harmony are restored2 and we are astonished at the amazing contrast1 produced in little more than a century4 ,when we return to the ,american ,biography1 gratitude glows in our bosoms towards those intrepid and active adventurers1 who traversed a trackless ocean1 explored an unknown region1 and laid the foundation of empire and independence in this western hemisphere4 ,the undaunted resolution1 and cool1 determined wisdom of ,columbus1 fill us with profound admiration4 ,we are constrained to pay a tribute of just applause to the generosity of a female mind exemplified in ,isabella1 who1 to surmount every obstacle1 nobly consented to sacrifice even her personal ornaments to the success of this glorious expedition4 ,the daring spirit of ,captain ,smith1 and the prudence1 policy and magnanimity of his conduct to the treacherous natives1 and to his equally treacherous and ungrateful countrymen1 exhibit an example of patriotism and moderation1 which at once commands our applause1 and interests our feelings4 ,while we tremble and recoil at his dreadful situation1 when bending his neck to receive the murderous stroke of death1 the native virtues of our sex suddenly reanimate our frame2 and with sensations of rapture1 we behold compassion1 benevolence1 and humanity1 triumphant even in a savage breast2 and conspicuously displayed in the conduct of the amiable though uncivilized ,pocahontas6 ,nor are the other characters in this work uninteresting2 and ,i am happy to find that the same masterly pen is still industriously employed for the public good2#f and that a second volume of ,american ,biography is now in press4 ,footnote #f3 ,how vain are our expectations6 ,while the types were setting for this very page1 ,dr4 ,belknap suddenly expired in a fit4--,printer4 ,in reviewing this letter1 ,i am astonished at my own presumption1 in undertaking to play the critic4 ,my imagination has outstripped my judgment2 but ,i will arrest its career1 and subscribe myself most affectionately yours4 ,,sophia ,,manchester4 ,to ,miss ,,anna ,,williams4 ,,boston4 ,,dear ,,anna1 ,i retired1 after breakfast this morning1 determined to indulge myself in my favorite amusement1 and write you a long letter4 ,i had just mended my pen and folded my paper1 when ,i was informed that three ladies waited for me in the parlor4 ,i stepped down and found ,lucinda ,p----1 ,flavia ,f----1 and ,delia ,s----4 ,they were gaily dressed1 and still more gaily disposed4 8,we called10 said they1 8to invite you1 ,miss ,maria1 to join our party for a shopping tour40 ,loath to have the ideas dissipated1 which ,i had collected in my pericranium1 for the purpose of transmitting to a beloved sister1 ,i declined accepting their invitation2 alleging that ,i had no occasion to purchase any thing to day2 and therefore begged to be excused from accompanying them4 ,they laughed at my reason for not engaging in the expedition4 8,buying10 said their principal speaker1 8is no considerable part of our plan1 ,i assure you4 ,amusement is what we are after4 ,we frankly acknowledge it a delightful gratification of our vanity1 to traverse ,cornhill1 to receive the obsequious congees1 and to call forth the gallantry and activity of the beaux1 behind the counter2 who1 you must know1 are extremely alert when we belles appear4 ,the waving of our feathers1 and the attractive airs we assume1 command the profoundest attention1 both of master and apprentices2 who1 duped by our appearance1 suffer less brilliant customers to wait1 or even to depart without notice1 till we have tumbled over and refused half the goods in the shop4 ,we then bid a very civil adieu2 express our regret at having given so much trouble2 are assured in return that it has been rather a pleasure2 and leave them their trouble for their pains40 ,a most insignificant amusement this1 said ,i to myself6 ,how little can it redound to the honor and happiness of these unthinking girls1 thus to squander their time in folly's giddy maze6 ,they undoubtedly wish to attract eclat2 but they would do well to remember those words of the satirist1 which1 with the alteration of a single term1 may be applied to them4 8,columbia's daughters1 much more fair than nice1 ,too fond of admiration1 lose their price6 ,worn in the public eye1 give cheap delight ,to throngs1 and tarnish to the sated sight40 ,viewing their conduct in this light1 ,i withstood their solicitations1 though ,i palliated my refusal in such a manner as to give no umbrage4 ,of all expedients to kill time1 this appears to me1 as ,i know it will to you1 the most ridiculous and absurd4 ,what possible satisfaction can result from such a practice8 ,it certainly fatigues the body2 and is it any advantage to the mind8 ,does it enlarge the understanding1 inspire useful ideas1 or furnish a source of pleasing reflection8 ,true1 it may gratify a vitiated imagination1 and exhilarate a light and trifling mind4 ,but these ought to be restrained and regulated by reason and judgment1 rather than indulged4 ,i wish those ladies1 who make pleasure the supreme object of their pursuit1 and argue in vindication of their conduct1 that 8,pleasure is good1 and they for pleasure made10 would confine themselves to that species which 8,neither blushes nor expires40 ,the domestic virtues1 if duly cultivated1 might certainly occupy those hours1 which they are now solicitous to dissipate1 both with profit and delight4 8,but it is time enough to be domesticated10 say they1 8when we are placed at the head of families1 and necessarily confined to care and labor40 ,should not the mind1 however1 be seasonably inured to the sphere of life which ,providence assigns us8 8,to guide the pencil1 turn th' instructive page2 ,to lend new flavor to the fruitful year1 ,and heighten nature's dainties2 in their race ,to rear their graces into second life2 ,to give society its highest taste2 ,well-ordered home man's beet delight to make2 ,and1 by submissive wisdom1 modest skill1 ,with every gentle care eluding art1 ,to raise the virtues1 animate the bliss1 ,and sweeten all the toils of human life2 ,this be the female dignity and praise40 ,a proper attention to these necessary duties and embellishments1 would not only correct this rambling disposition1 but happily leave neither leisure nor temptation for its indulgence4 ,i intended to have given you some account of my agreeable visit here2 but the chit-chat of the ladies ,i have mentioned1 has occupied a large portion of my time this morning1 and an engagement to dine abroad claims the rest4 ,i hope soon to embrace you in our beloved retirement1 and again to enjoy the sweets of my native home4 8,had ,i the choice of sublunary good1 ,what could ,i wish that ,i possess not there8 ,health1 leisure1 means t' improve it1 friendship1 peace40 ,my most dutiful affections await mamma2 and my kind regards attend the young ladies residing with her4 ,how great a share of my ardent love is at your command1 need not be renewedly testified4 ,,maria ,,williams4 ,to ,miss ,,sophia ,,manchester4 ,,newburyport4 ,the extracts which you transmitted to me in your last letter1 my dear ,sophia1 from your favorite author1 ,dr4 ,young1 corresponded exactly with the solemnity infused into my mind by the funeral of a neighbor1 from which ,i had just returned4 ,i agree with you that the ,night-,thoughts are good devotional exercises4 ,it is impossible to read them with that degree of attention which they merit1 without being affected by the important and awful subjects on which they treat4 ,but ,young1 after all1 is always too abstruse1 and in many instances too gloomy for me4 ,the most elaborate application is necessary to the comprehension of his meaning and design2 which when discovered often tend rather to depress than to elevate the spirits4 ,thompson is much better adapted to my taste4 ,sentiment1 elegance1 perspicuity and sublimity are all combined in his ,seasons4 ,what an inimitable painter6 ,how admirably he describes the infinitely variegated beauties and operations of nature6 ,to the feeling and susceptible heart they are presented in the strongest light4 ,nor is the energy of his language less perceivable1 when he describes the ,deity riding on the wings of the wind1 and directing the stormy tempest4 8,how chang'd the scene6 ,in blazing height of noon1 ,the sun oppress'd1 is plunged in thickest gloom1 ,still horror reigns1 a dismal twilight round1 ,of struggling night and day malignant mix'd1 ,far to the hot equator crowding fast1 ,where highly rarefy'd1 the yielding air1 ,admits their stream1 incessant vapours roll1 ,amazing clouds on clouds continual heap'd2 ,or whirl'd tempestuous by the gusty wind1 ,or silent1 borne along1 heavy and slow1 ,with the big stores of streaming oceans charg'd3 ,meantime1 amid these upper sea's condens'd ,around the cold aerial mountain's brow1 ,and by conflicting winds together dash'd1 ,the thunder holds his black tremendous throne1 ,from cloud to cloud the rending lightnings rage2 ,till in the furious elemental war ,dissolve the whole precipitated mass1 ,unbroken floods and torrents pours40 ,conscious of our own weakness and dependence1 we can hardly fail to adore and to fear that ,divine ,power1 whose agency this imagery exhibits to our minds4 ,nor are the devout affections of our hearts less excited1 when we behold the same glorious ,being arrayed in love1 and accommodating the regular succession of summer and winter1 seed time and harvest to our convenience and comfort4 ,when nature1 obedient to his command1 revives the vegetable world1 and diffuses alacrity and joy throughout the animal1 and even rational creation1 we involuntarily exclaim with the 8,,hail1 ,,source ,,of ,,being6 ,,universal ,,soul ,of heaven and earth6 ,,essential ,,presence1 hail6 ,to ,,thee ,i bend the knee2 to ,,thee my thoughts ,continual climb2 who1 with a master hand1 ,hast the great whole into perfection touch'd4 ,by ,,thee various vegetative tribes1 ,wrapt in a filmy net and clad with leaves1 ,draw the live ether1 and imbibe the dew4 ,by ,,thee disposed into cogenial foils1 ,stands each attractive plant1 and sucks1 and swells ,the juicy tide2 a twining mass of tubes4 ,at ,,thy command1 the vernal sun awakes ,the torpid sap1 detruded to the root ,by wintry winds2 which now in fluent dance1 ,and lively fermentation1 mounting spreads ,all this inumerous-colour'd scene of things40 ,aided in our observations by this pathetic and pious writer1 our hearts beat responsive to the sentiments of gratitude1 which he indirectly1 yet most forcibly inculcates in that devout address to the ,supreme ,parent3 8----,were every faltering tongue of man1 ,almighty ,father6 silent in thy praise1 ,thy works themselves would raise a general voice1 ,even in the depth of solitary woods1 ,by human foot untrod3 proclaim the power1 ,and to the quire celestial ,thee resound1 ,th' eternal cause1 support1 and ,end of all60 ,by this beautiful poem we are allured to the study of nature1 and to the contemplation of nature's ,god4 ,our hearts glow with devotion and love to the sovereign ,lord and benefactor of the universe2 and we are drawn1 by the innumerable displays of his goodness1 to the practice of virtue and religion4 ,you may1 possibly call me an enthusiast4 ,be it so4 ,yet ,i contend for the honor1 but especially for the privilege1 of being a cheerful one4 ,for ,i think we dishonor our heavenly father by attaching any thing gloomy or forbidding to his character4 ,in this participation of divine blessings1 let us rather exercise a thankful1 and contented disposition4 ,i remain your's most affectionately4 ,,caroline ,,littleton4 ,to ,mrs4 ,,williams4 ,,boston4 ,,dear ,,madam1 ,by her desire in conjunction with my own inclination1 ,i inform you that ,harriot ,henly1 is no more----,yesterday she gave her hand1 and renounced her name together2 threw aside the sprightly girl we have been so long accustomed to admire1 and substituted in her place the dignified and respectable head of a family1 in ,mrs4 ,farmington4 ,have ,i not lost my amiable friend and associate6 ,will not her change of situation tend to lessen our intercourse1 and alienate our affections8 ,when ,i contemplate the social circle1 so firmly cemented in the bands of friendship1 at the boarding school1 where the most perfect harmony1 ease and satisfaction presided1 ,i recoil at the idea of becoming less dear1 less interesting1 and less necessary to each other4 ,it is with the utmost reluctance that ,i admit the idea of rivals to that affection and benevolence which we have1 so long1 and so sincerely interchanged4 ,the charm however is broken4 ,harriot is already married2 and my friends are extremely solicitous that ,i should follow her example4 ,but in a connexion which requires so many precautions1 before it is formed1 and such uninterrupted circumspection and prudence afterwards2 the great uncertainty of the event inspires me with timidity and apprehension4 ,harriot put into my hands1 and ,i read with pleasure1 the book which you recommended to her on the subject4 ,but still we wished for your instruction and advice4 ,the sentiments of a person so dear and interesting to us1 are particularly calculated to engage our attention1 and influence our conduct4 ,relying1 too1 on your judgment and experience1 your forming pen may render us more worthy objects of attachment4 ,we1 however1 unite in assuring you of our gratitude for all past favours2 and in presenting our sincere regards to the young ladies4 ,i am1 with great respect1 your affectionate and grateful ,,laura ,,guilford4 ,to ,miss ,,laura ,,guilford4 ,,harmony-,,grove4 ,,dear ,,laura1 ,the obligations under which you lay me1 by your generous confidence1 and affectionate expressions of regard1 induce me again to assume the ,preceptress towards you1 and to gratify your wishes1 by imparting my sentiments on your present situation and prospects4 ,i am told by my daughter1 who had the honor of bearing your letter1 that you are what ,i always expected you would be1 an object of general admiration4 ,yet1 ,i trust1 your good sense will enable you duly to distinguish and treat the several candidates for your favor4 ,it is1 indeed1 my young friend1 a matter of the most serious consequence1 which lies upon your mind1 and awakens your anxiety4 ,your friends are studious of your welfare1 and kindly concerned that the important die on which the happiness of your life depends1 should be judiciously cast4 ,you doubtless remember1 that ,i discoursed upon this subject in my concluding lessons to your class4 ,disparity of tempers1 among other things which were then suggested1 and which you will doubtless recollect1 was represented1 as tending to render life uncomfortable4 ,but there are other disparities which may be equally hostile to your peace4 ,disparity of years is very apt to occasion the indulgence of passions destructive of conjugal felicity4 ,the great difference between the sprightly vivacity1 and enterprise of youth1 and the deliberate caution1 phlegmatic coldness1 and sententious wisdom of age render them very unpleasant companions to each other4 ,marriage between persons of these opposite descriptions is commonly the result of pecuniary motives1 with one party1 at least3 the suspicion of this1 in the other1 must necessarily produce discontent1 uneasiness1 and disaffection4 ,age is naturally jealous of respect1 and apprehensive of being slighted4 ,the most trifling and unmeaning inattentions will therefore be construed amiss4 ,for an excessive desire of being objects of supreme regard is almost invariably accompanied with a strong persuasion of being the reverse4 ,hence accusations1 reproaches and restraints1 on the one side1 produce disgust1 resentment and alienation on the other1 till mutual and unceasing wretchedness ensue4 ,indeed1 where interest alone1 without this inequality of years1 is the principal inducement1 marriage is seldom happy4 ,esteem and love are independent of wealth and its appendages4 ,they are not to be sold or bought4 ,the conjugal relation is so near and interesting1 the mind as well as the person is so intimately concerned in it1 that something more substantial and engaging than gold is requisite to make it a blessing4 ,marriage1 being the commencement of a domestic life1 beside the many agreeable circumstances attending it1 has its peculiar cares and troubles which require the solace of a companion actuated by better principles1 and possessed of more amiable endowments than outward splendor and magnificence can afford4 ,in the hour of sickness and distress1 riches it is true1 can bestow bodily comforts and cordials2 but can they be made an equivalent for the tender sympathy1 the endearing kindness1 and the alleviating attention of a bosom friend1 kindly assiduous to ease our pains1 animate our prospects1 and beguile the languid moments which elude all other consolations8 ,the sorrows as well as the joys of a family state1 are often such as none but a bosom friend can participate4 ,the heart must be engaged before it can repose with ease and confidence4 ,to a lady of sensibility1 the confinement of the body1 without the consent and union of according minds1 must be a state of inexpressible wretchedness4 ,another situation1 not less to be deplored1 is a connexion with the immoral and profane4 ,how shocking must it be1 to hear that sacred ,,name1 which you revere and love1 constantly treated with levity and irreverence6 ,and how painful the necessity of being constrained1 for the sake of peace1 to witness in silence1 and without even the appearance of disapprobation1 the most shameful outrages upon religion and virtue6 ,may you never taste the bitterness of this evil4 ,intemperance is a vice1 which one would imagine no lady would overlook in a suitor4 ,but1 strange to tell6 there are those even among our own sex1 who think and speak of inebriation in the other1 at the jovial and well furnished board1 as a mark of conviviality and good fellowship4 ,how degrading and how dreadful must this enormity appear to an interested1 affectionate and virtuous wife6 ,what agonizing pangs of mortification and anguish must she endure1 when she meets him1 in whose society she delights2 whose return she has anticipated with impatience1 and whose happiness and honor are the moving springs of her life1 intoxicated with wine2 the powers of his mind suspended by the poisonous cup1 and every faculty absorbed in the deadly draught6 ,what a perpetual source of dread and apprehension must hence arise2 and how often must the blush of indignant virtue and wounded delicacy be called forth4 ,the gamester is an equally dangerous companion4 ,his family is robbed1 not only of his company and his talents1 but of that property1 to the benefit of which they have an indisputable claim4 ,his earnings are squandered among worthless and profligate associates abroad2 while the fruitful partner of his life1 and perhaps1 too1 a rising offspring1 languish at home for want of bread6 ,how fatal is the tendency of such examples6 ,how can that father inculcate the duties of piety1 virtue and decency1 who exhibits the reverse of each in his own conduct8 ,and under what an unspeakable disadvantage1 must that mother labor1 in the instruction and education of her children1 whose admonitions1 counsels1 and directions are practically counteracted by him who ought to bear an equal share of the burden6 ,the government and superintendence of a family are objects of such magnitude and importance1 that the union and co-operation of its heads are indispensably necessary4 ,it is a little commonwealth2 and if internal feuds and dissentions arise1 anarchy and confusion must ensue4 ,domestic happiness is the foundation of every other species4 ,at times1 indeed1 we may enjoy ourselves abroad1 among our friends--but a good heart will return home1 as to the seat of felicity4 8----,home is the resort ,of love1 of joy1 of peace and plenty1 where ,supporting and supported1 polish'd friends ,and dear relations mingle into bliss40 ,since so much1 then1 depends upon a judicious choice1 how important is it1 that you examine well before you decide2 and that you dispense with no quality in the man to whom you shall give your hand1 which is essential to the virtue and happiness of your life4 ,for this purpose1 consult your judgment rather than your fancy2 and suffer not superficial accomplishments1 but solid merit to preponderate4 ,i have now endeavored to point out the most apparent and threatening dangers to which you may be exposed4 ,but though these are avoided1 many unforeseen accidents will doubtless occur to cloud your sanguine hopes4 ,these1 when there are no vices to produce them1 may arise from follies1 and from the indulgence of erroneous expectations4 ,little misunderstandings sometimes occasion disagreements which terminate in coldness and disaffection1 and plant a root of bitterness which can hardly be eradicated4 ,let prudence1 therefore1 be your pole-star1 when you enter the married state4 ,watch with the greatest circumspection over yourself2 and always exercise the tenderest affection1 the most unwearied patience1 and the most cheerful acquiescence in the treatment of your companion4 ,guard especially against being affected by those little inattentions and foibles1 which too often give pain and umbrage without design2 and produce those remonstrances1 criminations1 and retorts1 which are the great inlets of strife1 and bane of love4 ,you must bear with calmness1 every thing that the sincerest desire of peace can dictate2 and studiously avoid every expression1 and even look1 which may irritate and offend4 ,your own happiness1 you will consider so intimately connected with that of your husband1 as to be inseparable2 and consequently1 that all your hopes of comfort in this life1 and perhaps too1 in the next1 depend upon your conducting with propriety and wisdom towards him4 ,i take the liberty1 through you1 to convey my congratulations to ,mrs4 ,farmington4 ,may her change of condition be happy1 to the full extent of our most sanguine expectations1 and benevolent wishes4 ,i fully intended writing her on the subject1 but having unwarily bestowed so much time upon you1 that for the present1 ,i must forego the pleasure4 ,some things in this letter1 which you will doubtless communicate1 are applicable to her case4 ,these she will receive as friendly hints from me2 and ,i am confident that her known discretion will continue to shed a benign and engaging influence upon her whole deportment and render her uniformly respected and beloved4 ,the bearer is waiting1 and ,i can only add1 that ,i remain your sincere and affectionate friend4 ,,mary ,,williams4 ,to ,miss ,,cleora ,,partridge4 ,,boston4 ,,dear ,,cleora1 ,the pleasing hope with which you inspired me1 when we parted last1 of receiving a visit from you in town1 has been constantly cherished4 ,i have anticipated your arrival with the utmost impatience2 but have endeavored1 notwithstanding1 to beguile the slow-paced hours by a useful and pleasing occupation2 the revision of my geographical studies4 ,my papa has kindly procured me ,doctor ,morse's last and much improved edition of ,universal ,geography1 which with the assistance of a pair of globes he possessed1 has afforded me the most delightful entertainment4 ,when at school1 ,i thought this the most agreeable study allotted me2 never deeming it a task1 but an amusement4 ,it affords me1 as it must every true ,american1 the sincerest pleasure to be furnished with the means of acquiring this favorite science1 by my own countryman2 and the spirit of ,columbian independence exults in my bosom1 at the idea of being able to gain an accurate acquaintance with my own and other countries1 without recourse to the labors of foreigners4 ,i think the present generation are under special obligations to the active industry of ,dr4 ,morse1 in providing us with that necessary and rich fund of information1 which his ,geography and ,gazeteer contain4 ,from these sources we may derive a sufficient knowledge of the world we inhabit1 without departing from our domestic sphere4 ,come then1 my dear ,cleora1 and without fatigue or expense1 we will make the tour of the globe together4 ,after investigating the local situation of different and distant climes1 we will turn to the historic page1 and examine the manners1 government1 character and improvements of their inhabitants4 ,we will traverse the frozen wastes of the frigid zones1 and the burning sands of the equatorial region2 then return and bless the temperate and happy medium in which we are placed2 and casting an eye around1 exult in our peculiar advantages of soil and situation1 peace and good government1 virtue and religion4 ,the fine mornings of this season afford many delightful hours1 before the heat of the day relaxes the mind and enervates the body4 ,come1 then1 enjoy and improve these1 in concert with your faithful and affectionate friend1 ,,julia ,,greenfield4 ,to ,miss ,,matilda ,,fielding4 ,,harmony-,,grove4 ,,dear ,,matilda1 ,last ,thursday1 after having concluded the usual occupations and sedentary amusements of the day1 ,i walked out1 towards evening1 to enjoy the benefit of a cool and fragrant air1 and the serenity and beauty of those rural scenes which have a powerful tendency to soothe and tranquillize the mind4 ,when ,i had rambled in the fields to a considerable distance1 ,i crossed into the road1 to return home free from the inconvenience of the dew1 which had begun to fall4 ,i had not proceeded far1 when ,i observed a female1 who had the appearance of youth and misfortune1 sitting by the wall in a pensive attitude1 with an infant in her lap4 ,when ,i approached her1 she arose1 and in the most humble and pathetic accents1 besought me to direct her to some shelter1 where she might repose her weary limbs for the night4 ,the aspect and language of distress awakened my compassion4 ,to know she really needed charity1 was a sufficient inducement with me to bestow it1 without scrupulously inquiring whether she deserved it or not4 ,i therefore told her to follow me1 and ,i would conduct her to a lodging4 ,as we walked on1 ,i questioned her respecting the place of her nativity1 her parentage1 and the reason of her being reduced to the situation in which ,i had found her4 ,she informed me that she was born in ,ireland3 that her parents brought her into this country before her remembrance2 that while she was very young1 they both died1 and left her to the protection and mercy of strangers2 that she was bandied one from another1 in the village where ,providence had cast her lot1 till she was able to earn her own living3 8and since that time10 said she1 8,i believe the character of an honest and industrious girl will not be refused me40 ,how then1 said ,i1 came you by this incumbrance8 pointing to the child4 8,in that10 replied she1 8,i am very guilty4 ,brought up in ignorance of those principles of decency1 virtue1 and religion1 which have kept you innocent1 ,madam1 ,i was ruined by a deceitful man1 who1 under the mask of love1 and with the most solemn promises of marriage1 betrayed my confidence1 and left me to reap the bitter fruits of my credulity4 ,the woman where ,i lived1 when she discovered my situation1 ordered me to leave her house immediately4 ,it was no matter1 said she1 how much ,i suffered1 or what became of me4 ,on my own head1 she told me1 my iniquity should fall2 she would not lighten the burden1 if it were in her power4 8,some of the neighbors informed me1 that she had reason to be severe upon my fault1 being once in the same condemnation herself4 8,having no friend who could assist me1 ,i applied to the selectmen of the town1 who provided for me till ,i was able to work1 and then told me ,i must shift for myself2 offering1 however1 to keep the child1 which ,i refused1 being determined that it should never suffer for want of a mother's care1 while ,i had life4 8,i am now wandering in pursuit of employment1 that the labor of my hands may support myself and little one4 ,this has been often denied me1 either for fear my child should be troublesome1 or because my character was suspected4 ,i have sometimes suffered so much from fatigue and want1 that ,i have despaired of relief1 and heartily wished both myself and babe in the grave40 ,on examination1 ,i found her knowledge confined entirely to domestic drudgery2 that she had never been taught either to read or write4 ,she appears1 notwithstanding1 to have good natural sense2 and a quickness of apprehension1 and readiness of expression1 seldom equalled in her sphere of life4 ,i conducted her into the kitchen1 and desired she might have supper and a bed provided for her4 ,my mamma1 whose benevolent heart and liberal hand are always ready to relieve the necessitous1 was pleased to approve my conduct2 and having kept her through the next day1 and observed her disposition and behaviour1 hired her as a servant2 and we have reason to believe1 from her apparent fidelity and grateful exertions1 that our kindness will be well repaid4 ,i have even extended my charity further1 and undertaken to teach her to read4 ,she is very tractable2 and ,i expect to be amply rewarded for my labor1 by her improvements4 ,indeed1 ,matilda1 it is melancholy to see our fellow-creatures reared up1 like the brute creation2 neither instructed how to live above their animal appetites1 nor how to die as ,christians1 when they have finished their toilsome career6 ,this girl is only seventeen4 ,her age1 therefore1 as well as her docility and submissiveness1 encourage the pleasing hope of restoring her to the paths of rectitude and peace4 ,i shall endeavor1 as opportunity offers1 to instil into her susceptible mind1 the principles of virtue and religion2 and1 perhaps1 ,i may lead her to the love and practice of both1 and render her a useful member of society4 ,her fate impresses more forcibly than ever1 on my mind1 the importance of a good education1 and the obligations it confers4 ,had you or ,i been subjected to the same ignorance1 and the same temptations1 who can say that we should have conducted better8 ,how many fall for want of the directing hand of that parental love and friendship1 with which we are blessed6 ,contrasting our situation with hers1 how much have we to account for1 and how inexcusable shall we be1 if we violate our duty1 and forfeit our dignity1 as reasonable creatures4 ,that extreme bitterness and acrimony1 which is sometimes indulged against persons who are unhappily seduced from the way of virtue1 may operate as a discouragement to all designs and endeavors to regain it2 whereas1 the soothing voice of forgiveness1 and the consequent prospect of being restored to reputation and usefulness1 might rouse the attention1 and call forth the exertions of some1 at least1 who through despair of retrieving their characters1 abandon themselves to vice1 and adopt a course1 alike disgraceful to their sex1 and to human nature4 ,but though ,i advocate the principles of philanthropy and ,christian charity1 as extending to some very special cases1 ,i am far from supposing this fault generally capable of the least extenuation4 ,whatever allowance may be made for those1 whose ignorance occasions their ruin1 no excuse can be offered for others1 whose education1 and opportunities for knowing the world and themselves1 have taught them a better lesson4 ,i need not1 however1 be at the pains to enforce this truth upon you3 and1 as my head is so full of the subject1 that ,i have no disposition to write upon any thing else1 ,i will put an end to this incoherent scroll1 by annexing the name of your sincere and faithful friend1 ,,maria ,,williams4 ,to ,miss ,,caroline ,,littleton4 ,,boston4 ,,dear ,,caroline1 ,happening to be in my chamber1 this morning1 the maid came running up stairs in such violent haste1 as to put herself fairly out of breath4 ,will you be so kind1 ,miss ,sophia1 said she1 as to lend me a quarter of a dollar8 ,i put my hand into my pocket1 and found ,i had no small change4 ,i have nothing less than a dollar1 ,susan1 said ,i2 but if it is a matter of consequence to you1 ,i will go to my mamma1 and procure it for you4 ,she was loath to give me that trouble2 but1 if ,i would1 it would really oblige her very much indeed4 ,her solicitude excited my curiosity4 ,will you inform me what you want it for8 said ,i4 ,o yes2 she believed it was no harm--,but there was a woman in the wood-house who told fortunes2 and she wished to know hers1 but could not without the money4 ,a woman who tells fortunes6 said ,i4 ,what fortunes8 the past or the future8 ,the future1 to be sure1 ,ma'am1 replied she4 ,ay1 how does she know them8 said ,i4 ,has she been let into the secret designs of ,providence8 or can she divine the mysteries of fate8 ,she tells fortunes by cards1 ,ma'am1 said she2 and ,i really believe she tells true4 ,can you imagine1 said ,i1 that a knowledge of your destiny in life1 is to be gained from any possible arrangement of a pack of cards8 ,why not ,ma'am8 ,many people have been told exactly what was to happen4 ,you may depend on it1 ,susan1 said ,i1 you are deceived4 ,the ,almighty who disposes all events according to his sovereign pleasure1 does not unveil futurity to mortals1 especially to such mortals1 who by an idle1 vicious course of life1 counteract his laws1 and disregard his authority4 ,i would willingly give you the money1 twice told1 if you needed it2 but ,i cannot consent to your being imposed on by this worthless vagrant1 who has no other design than to pick your pocket4 ,the girl departed at these words2 and though ,i felt an emotion of regret at refusing to gratify her1 yet my reason and conscience forbad my being accessary to the fraud4 ,this curiosity to explore the hidden counsels of the ,most ,high1 prevails not only among servants1 but even many from whom better things might be expected1 are under its infatuating influence4 ,the ,supreme ,being has1 for wise and benevolent reasons1 concealed from us the future incidents of our lives4 ,a humble reliance on his power and goodness1 accompanied with a cheerful submission to the dispensations of his providence1 is what the ,lord our ,god requireth of us4 ,i have heard my mamma relate an anecdote of a particular friend of hers1 who was imposed on very seriously in this way4 ,a gentleman1 whom ,i shall call ,sylvander1 was very deeply in love with her2 but his person1 and1 much more1 his disposition and manners1 were extremely disgusting to her4 ,averse to the very idea of a connexion with him1 she accordingly refused his addresses4 ,yet he had art sufficient to interest her friends in his behalf2 who1 pitying his situation1 endeavored to soften the heart of the obdurate fair4 ,but in vain they strove to conciliate her affections4 ,in defiance of all opposition1 however1 he intruded his visits1 till she reluctantly admitted them2 and being somewhat coquetish1 she at times received him more benignly2 which flattered his hopes of ultimately accomplishing his wishes4 ,finding his ardent suit of but little avail1 and perceiving that he made but small progress towards gaining her favor1 he had recourse to art4 ,surprising her one day in close confabulation with a fortune-teller1 the idea immediately struck him1 that he might effect1 through this mean1 what all his assiduity and solicitations could never insure4 ,he communicated his plan to a female friend1 who was equally the confident of both parties4 ,directed by him1 she conversed with ,sylvia on the subject2 professed her belief in the skill of these jugglers2 and appeared desirous of taking this measure to learn her fate4 ,sylvia joined in her opinion and wishes2 and away they tripped together on the important errand4 ,meanwhile1 ,sylvander had been to the fellow who was to reveal their destinies8 and1 bribing him to favor the design1 left him instructed what answers to make to their interrogations4 ,they arrived and proposed their business4 ,the mediums of information1 a pack of cards1 were brought forth1 and mysteriously arranged4 ,sylvia's curiosity was on tip-toe4 ,she listened with profound attention to his oracular wisdom2 and believed him really inspired when he told her that her former lover1 for-whom she had a great regard1 was gone to a foreign country4 ,this she knew to be true and therefore gave him a full credence1 when he added1 that he would never live to return2 and when he proceeded still further to observe that another gentleman of great merit now courted her2 that she was not fond of his addresses1 but would soon see his worth and her own error1 and give him her hand1 and be happy4 ,in short1 he so artfully blended the past and present1 which she knew1 with the future which ,sylvander wished1 and had therefore dictated1 that she was firmly persuaded that he dealt with some invisible power1 and that fate had indeed predestined her to the arms of ,sylvander4 ,convinced of this1 she attended to his overtures more placidly1 contemplated his person and endowments with less aversion1 and endeavored to reconcile herself to the unavoidable event4 ,this she effected2 and not long after1 he obtained her in marriage1 and triumphed in the success of his duplicity4 ,in process of time her other lover returned4 ,disappointment and despair presided in his breast4 ,he saw ,sylvia1 upbraided her with her inconstancy1 and declared himself utterly ruined4 ,pity and returning love operated in her mind1 and rendered her completely wretched4 ,she most severely condemned her own folly1 in listening to the dictates of a misguided curiosity2 and acknowledged herself justly punished1 for presuming to pry in the secret designs of ,heaven4 ,these strolling pretenders to foreknowledge are peculiarly dangerous to the weak-minded and credulous part of the community2 and how it happens that they are encouraged1 is to me inconceivable4 ,did they actually give the information they promise1 how much reason should we have to avoid them6 ,how many sources of grief would be opened1 by the anticipation of future evils1 of which now we have no apprehension6 and how often should we be deprived of the consolatory hope of a speedy deliverance from present sufferings4 ,with every sentiment of respect and affection1 ,i am most sincerely yours4 ,,sophia ,,manchester4 ,to ,miss ,,anna ,,williams4 ,,boston4 ,,dear ,,anna1 ,a most melancholy and distressing event has spread a gloom over the face of the metropolis4 ,every heart heaves the sympathetic sigh1 and every eye drops the tear of regret4 ,the very sudden death of ,doctor ,clarke1 who was seized with an apoplectic fit1 in the midst of his sermon1 yesterday afternoon1 and expired this morning1 is a subject of universal lamentation4 ,not only we1 who had the happiness to sit under his ministry1 and to enjoy his particular friendship and attention1 but the whole town2 and1 indeed1 the public at large have sustained a great loss in his departure4 ,amiable in his disposition1 engaging in his manners1 and benevolent in his whole deportment1 he conciliated the affections of every class4 ,his talents as a scholar1 philosopher1 and divine1 commanded the respect of the most judicious and learned2 while the elegance1 perspicuity and delicacy of his style1 joined with the undissembled seriousness of his manner1 rendered him uniformly acceptable to the devout4 ,in every condition and relation of life1 he was exemplary as a ,christian2 and as a preacher1 an air of persuasion invariably accompanied him1 which arrested the attention of the most heedless auditors4 ----8,by him1 in strains as sweet ,as angels use1 the gospel whisper'd peace4 ,grave1 simple and sincere3 in language plain3 ,and plain in manner4 ,decent1 solemn1 chaste ,and natural in gesture4 ,much impress'd ,himself as conscious of his awful charge1 ,and anxious mainly that the flock he fed ,might feel it too4 ,affectionate in look1 ,and tender in address1 as well becomes ,a messenger of grace to guilty men40 ,he was particularly attractive to young people4 ,while he charmed their ear1 he convinced their understanding and excited them to the love and practice of virtue4 ,a striking example of this occurred some years ago1 which ,i will take the liberty to relate4 ,he preached in a neighboring church on these words1 8,she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth40#g ,in this discourse he painted those allurements of pleasure which surround the young and gay2 more especially of our sex1 in the most just and lively colours4 ,he represented1 in pathetic1 engaging and refined language1 the snares to which they are exposed1 and the most probable means of escaping them4 ,he exhibited with all their attractions1 the native charms of virtue1 and portrayed vice in its true deformity4 ,he described in the most animating terms1 the respectability1 usefulness1 and happiness of those who undeviatingly adhere to the path of rectitude and innocence2 and with the most energetic and affectionate tenderness1 warned the youth to avoid the devious walks of vice and dissipation4 ,footnote #g3 #a ,timothy1 v4 #f4 ,a number of young ladies1 who had been his hearers1 happening to be together in the evening1 united in the wish to express their gratitude to him2 but not having a personal acquaintance with him1 could devise no better method than writing4 ,the following anonymous letter was accordingly penned by one of the company1 and privately conveyed to the ,doctor1 at the request of all4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,boston4 8,,reverend ,,sir1 8,the well known candour of your disposition1 and your apparent zeal for the promotion of religion and virtue1 embolden us to flatter ourselves that you will pardon this method of conveying to you our sincere and united thanks for your very seasonable1 judicious1 and useful discourse1 delivered last ,sunday morning1 at our meeting4 8,it is much to be lamented1 that the depravity of the age is such1 as to render sermons of this nature just and necessary2 and it is almost matter of equal regret1 that we have so seldom opportunities of being benefitted by them4 8,that we oftener hear than receive instruction1 is a truth which can neither be denied or evaded2 and can only be accounted for1 by that passionate fondness for pleasure1 which prevails to such a degree of enthusiasm1 as to precipitate its votaries into whatever presents itself under this deluding aspect1 without considering whether it be durable or fleeting4 8,it is certainly a most humiliating reflection1 that our sex 7which is the female7 should ever take more pains to gain the qualifications of agreeable triflers than of rational friends2 or be more anxious to become amusing1 than useful companions4 ,but sir1 does not such conduct in ladies too often receive the most flattering encouragement from the gentlemen8 ,how seldom is intrinsic merit distinguished2 and the serious1 prudent female preferred even by those who style themselves men of sense and penetration1 to the airy1 flaunting coquette6 8,the constant attention which is paid to those who make the gayest appearance1 and the applause which is lavished upon her who has the largest portion of external graces and fashionable embellishments1 induce many who entertain the good natured desire of pleasing to bestow more of their time and care on the cultivation of those superficial accomplishments1 which they find necessary to render them acceptable to most circles in which they fall1 than upon the acquisition of those substantial virtues which they daily see neglected and ridiculed2 though at the same time1 perhaps they are convinced of the superior satisfaction which the latter would afford4 8,but it is needless for one sex to criminate the other4 ,we allow1 that1 generally speaking1 they are equally to blame4 ,in this instance1 however1 as the male assume the prerogative of superior judgment and intellectual abilities1 they ought to prove the justice of their claim by setting nobler examples1 and by endeavoring to reform whatever tends to vitiate the taste and corrupt the morals of society4 8,yet1 after all1 the evil cannot be effectually remedied1 but by the concurrent exertions of both2 and we are humbly of opinion1 that if this reformation were more frequently inculcated from the pulpit1 in the delicate1 engaging and pious manner of the discourse which now excites our gratitude to you1 and our resolutions to conduct accordingly1 it would be efficacious in bringing about so desirable an event4 8,we entreat your pardon1 ,reverend ,sir1 for the freedom1 prolixity1 and errors of this epistle4 8,though personally unknown to you1 we doubt not you will readily grant it1 when we assure you1 that we are actuated by a sincere regard to the interests of religion and morality1 and by a grateful sense of your exertions in the glorious cause4 8,the united sentiments of a number of young ladies1 who heard and admired your sermon1 last ,sunday morning1 are expressed above4 ,rev4 ,,john ,,clarke40 ,it is much to be regretted that ,doctor ,clarke did not publish more of his literary labours4 ,the universal approbation bestowed upon those1 which he suffered to see the light1 is an unequivocal evidence of his merit1 as an author4 ,his 8,letters to a ,student in the ,university of ,cambridge10 are written in a most pleasing style1 and contain instruction and advice of which no person in pursuit of a public education ought to be ignorant4 ,his 8,answer to the question1 ,why are you a ,christian80 which has already had three editions in ,boston1 and three in ,england1 is one of the best compendiums of the external and internal evidences of our holy religion1 extant4 ,it is plain and intelligible to the lowest capacity and may enable every one1 without much study1 to give a reason for the hope that is in him4 ,from these specimens we may form an opinion of what the world has lost by his early exit4 ,i shall make no other apology for the length of this letter1 than the interest which ,i feel in the subject2 and this1 ,i am persuaded1 you will deem sufficient4 ,my affectionate regards wait on your mamma and sister1 while ,i subscribe myself yours most sincerely1 ,,julia ,,greenfield4 ,to ,miss ,,cleora ,,partridge4 ,,beverly4 ,,dear ,,cleora1 ,the shortness of time is a very common subject of complaint2 but ,i think the misuse of it1 a much more just one4 ,its value is certainly underrated by those who indulge themselves in morning sloth4 ,sweet1 indeed1 is the breath of morn2 and after the body has been refreshed by the restoring power of sleep1 it is peculiarly prepared to procure and participate the pleasures of the mind4 ,the jarring passions are then composed1 and the calm operations of reason succeed of course2 while 8----------------------,gentle gales1 ,fanning their odoriferous wings1 dispense ,native perfumes1 and whisper when they stole ,these balmy spoils40 ,the morning is undoubtedly a season1 of all others1 most favorable to useful exertions4 ,those1 therefore1 who lose three or four hours of it1 in slumbering inaction1 make a voluntary sacrifice of the best part of their existence4 ,i rose to-day1 not with the sun1 but with the dawn2 and after taking a few turns in the garden1 retired to the summer-house4 ,this you know is a favorite hour with me4 8,to me be nature's volume broad display'd2 ,and to peruse its all-instructing page1 ,or1 haply catching inspiration thence1 ,some easy passage raptur'd to translate1 ,my sole delight2 as thro' the falling glooms1 ,pensive ,i stray1 or with the rising dawn ,on fancy's eagle wing excursive soar40 ,having a memorandum book and pencil in my pocket1 ,i descend from the lofty heights to which the immortal bard1 my beloved ,thompson1 had insensibly raised my imagination1 to the humble strains of simple rhyme1 in order to communicate my sensations to you4 ,these ,i enclose1 without attempting to tell you1 either in prose or verse1 how affectionately ,i am yours4 ,,matilda ,,fielding4 99 99 99 99 99 ,the morning dawns1 the russet grey ,slowly avoids the opening day3 ,receding from the gazing eye1 ,the misty shades of twilight fly4 ,the ruddy streaks of light appear1 ,to guide our western hemisphere2 ,while tuneful choirs responsive join ,to praise the gracious ,pow'r ,divine1 ,whose mighty hand with sov'reign sway1 ,restores1 alternate1 night and day4 ,hail1 opening morn6 thy sober rays ,demand the contemplative gaze3 ,unnumber'd beauties please the sight1 ,and give the mental eye delight4 ,o dawn6 thy sombre shades ,i love6 ,with thee in solitude ,i'll rove3 ,while health expansive gives the mind ,to taste thy pleasures unconfin'd4 ,here free from fashion's artful forms1 ,benevolence the bosom warms3 ,persuasive virtue charms the soul1 ,and reason's laws alone control4 ,let others1 lost in sloth forego ,the joys thy early hours bestow3 ,thy zephyrs far more sweets dispense1 ,than ,somnus yield to drowsy sense6 ,mild as the beams of radiance shine1 ,may piety my powers refine3 ,pure as the mimic pearls1 that spread ,their liquid beauties o'er the mead3 ,and like yon rising orb of day1 ,may wisdom guide my dubious way4 ,to ,miss ,,matilda ,,fielding4 ,,harmony-,,grove4 ,,dear ,,matilda1 ,i was last week at ,boston2 and having occasion for a new hat1 stepped into a milliner's shop to inquire the mode4 ,the milliner replied that it was not yet in her power to answer my question4 8,the spring ships10 said she1 8are later than common2 but their arrival is hourly expected1 when we shall be furnished with memorandum books which will ascertain and determine the fashion for the season40 ,what she meant by memorandum books1 ,i could not conceive4 ,i had always supposed them blanks1 designed for noting whatever occurred without inconvenience4 ,unwilling1 however1 to be thought a simple country girl1 totally unacquainted with the world1 ,i sought no explanation from her2 but repaired to a particular friend for instruction2 from whom ,i learned that the chief value of these same memorandum books consists in their containing imported cuts of ladies' headdresses1 hats and other habiliments1 which are always sure to be admired and imitated1 as the perfection of taste and propriety4 ,this discovery mortified me exceedingly4 ,it justified1 beyond any thing which ,i had ever suspected to exist as a fact1 what ,i once heard a ,european assert1 8that ,americans had neither character nor opinion of their own40 ,with due deference to those better judges1 who despise the simplicity of our ancestors1 and labor to introduce the corrupt manners and customs of the old world into our country1 ,i cannot but think it extremely ridiculous for an independent nation1 which discards all foreign influence1 glories in its freedom1 and boasts of its genius and taste1 servilely to ape exotic fashions1 even in articles of dress and fanciful ornaments4 ,have not the daughters of ,columbia sufficient powers of invention to decorate themselves8 ,must we depend upon the winds and waves for the form1 as well as the materials of our garb8 ,why may we not follow our own inclination2 and not be deemed finical or prudish in our appearance1 merely because our habit is not exactly correspondent with the pretty pictures in the memorandum books1 last imported4 ,it is sincerely to be regretted that this subject is viewed in so important a light4 ,it occupies too much of the time1 and engrosses too much of the conversation of our sex4 ,for one1 ,i have serious thoughts of declaring independence4 ,,anna ,,williams4 ,to ,miss ,,caroline ,,littleton4 7,on the ,death of her ,mother47 ,,harmony-,,grove4 ,,my ,,dear ,,caroline1 ,to tell you that ,i am sorry for your loss1 or that ,i sympathize in your affliction1 would be but the language you daily hear2 and often perhaps1 from the unfeeling and indifferent4 ,but you will do me the justice to believe1 that ,i take a particular interest in your concerns1 and really share your grief4 ,a holy ,providence has wounded you by a stroke1 which is extremely painful and severe4 ,your best friend is shrouded in the grave4 ,in the maternal breast our fondest affections1 and most unsuspecting confidence have hitherto concentrated2 and who can provide you with an equivalent substitute8 ,to the ,almighty ,father and ,friend of creation1 it becomes you to repair for comfort and support4 ,the dying advice and counsel of your dear mamma1 which you inform me1 were pathetic1 instructive and consolatory1 will be a guide to your feet4 ,often realize the solemn scene1 and remember1 that1 8though dead1 she yet speaketh40 ,you have great cause of thankfulness1 that she was spared to direct you so far through the intricate and dangerous path of youth2 to complete your education2 to teach you1 by her example1 how to acquit yourself with usefulness and honor2 and above all1 to furnish you with that important knowledge1 to which every thing else should be made subservient--how to die4 ,an era of your life has now commenced1 which is no less important than affecting4 ,that assisting hand which formerly led you is now cold and lifeless6 ,those lips1 from which you have been accustomed to receive information and advice1 are sealed in perpetual silence6 ,and that heart1 which always glowed with the warmest solicitude for your happiness has ceased to palpitate4 ,you must now think and act for yourself4 ,as the eldest daughter1 you will be placed at the head of your father's family4 ,you must1 therefore1 adopt a plan of conduct1 conducive to its harmony1 regularity and interest4 ,filial duty to your surviving parent1 more tenderly inculcated by your participation of his heavy bereavement1 will lead you to consult his inclination1 and sedulously contribute all in your power to lighten the burden of domestic arrangements devolved upon him4 ,while he laments the death of a prudent1 affectionate1 and beloved wife1 give him reason to rejoice that he is blessed with a daughter1 capable of soothing the pains1 alleviating the cares1 and heightening the enjoyments of his life4 ,your brothers and sisters will look up to you as the guide of their tender years4 ,while their weeping eyes and pathetic accents are directed towards you1 let kindness1 discretion1 and patience1 characterize your deportment1 and engage their confidence and love4 ,having mentioned your duty to others1 ,i cannot dismiss the subject without dropping a few hints for your direction1 in regard to your personal behaviour4 ,a very important charge is committed to you1 as well in the duties which you owe to yourself1 as in the superintendence of your father's family4 ,the sovereign disposer of all things has1 at an early age1 made you1 in a measure1 your own guardian4 ,your father's business calls him much abroad4 ,with you1 therefore1 he is obliged to entrust1 not only his domestic concerns2 but1 what is still more dear to his heart1 the care of your own person and mind2 of your own reputation and happiness4 ,circumstanced as you are1 company has the most powerful charms4 ,yours is now the prerogative of receiving and returning visits in your own name4 ,at home1 you are sole mistress of ceremonies4 ,this is extremely alluring to the sprightly fancy of youth4 ,but time1 you will remember1 is too important a blessing to be sacrificed to a promiscuous crowd of unimproving companions4 ,besides1 the character of a young lady will necessarily be sullied by the imputation of being constantly engaged in parties of pleasure1 and exhilarating amusement4 ,flattery often avails itself of the unguarded moments of gaiety2 and insinuating its insidious charms into the heedless and susceptible mind1 inflates it with pride and vanity1 and produces an affectation and air of self-importance1 which are peculiarly disgusting1 because easily distinguished from that true dignity of manners1 which results from conscious rectitude4 ,genuine merit is always modest and unassuming2 diffident of itself and respectful to others4 ,your father has a right to your unlimited confidence4 ,you will1 therefore1 make him your chief friend and counsellor4 ,though he may not possess all the winning softness of a mother1 he doubtless has as ardent an affection for you1 and as sincere a desire to promote your welfare4 ,hence you may safely repose your dearest concerns in his paternal breast1 and receive1 with the utmost deference1 his kind instruction and advice4 ,let his judgment have an entire ascendency over your mind and actions1 especially in your intercourse and society with the other sex4 ,consider him as better acquainted with their merit1 circumstances1 and views1 than you can be2 and should you contemplate a connexion for life1 let his opinion determine your choice4 ,watch over your dear little sisters with all the tenderness of fraternal affection2 be their protector and friend2 instil into their minds the principles of virtue and religion2 arm them against the snares and temptations by which they will be surrounded2 and lead them by your own conduct1 in the way of truth and peace4 ,when you have leisure and inclination to write1 the effusions of your pen will always be acceptable to your sincere and faithful friend ,,mary ,,williams ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------- ,,transcriber',s ,,notes #a4 ,added ,table of ,,contents4 #b4 ,silently corrected typographical errors4 #c4 ,retained anachronistic and non-standard spellings as printed4 #d4 ,enclosed italics font in underscores4