pliability of temper, and humility of mind, are required from her; and the most highly-gifted cannot quit the path thus pointed out by habit, nature, and religion, without injury to her own character. Modesty, which may be termed the inherent virtue, and the native grace of woman -which she may be exhorted to retain, but will seldom be entreated to acquire-renders obedience, in general, easy and habitual to her, especially at that period of life when she is placed under paternal care, and "the yoke is easy, the burden light." There are, however, gay and buoyant spirits, haughty and self-willed minds, even among the softer sex, that are not otherwise ill-disposed, who feel obedience a difficult task, and are ready to question the wisdom, or analyse the rights of "all in authority over them." To such I would urge this virtue as a religious duty, if they could not submit to it as "a reasonable service." I would beseech them, as females called to selfcontrol and meekness, to obey, "for conscience' sake," in every case where conscience itself did not utter the command, "Hitherto shalt thou go, but no further." CONSIDERATION is of the utmost value in that situation where the conduct of woman has its greatest utility and most valuable influence, the domestic circle. It combines the powers of reflection, with the sentiments of kindness, and saves from many an anxious hour, and wearisome labour, the parent who thinks for you, the teacher who instructs you, the servant who toils for you. It is a gentle and feminine virtue, unobtrusive as to appearance, but important in effect. The threatenings of incipient disease, the ruin caused by foolish expenditure, or likely to ensue from idle speculation, -the temptations which might have misled an ignorant servant, the disclosures that would ruin an imprudent acquaintance, the present aid that may save a wretched family, may be happily prevented or supplied by consideration. It is the "still, small voice," which can allay the tempest or direct the tide of human affairs, by an agency alike mild and beneficial, powerful and unassuming. SINCERITY has been hailed by the poet as the "first of virtues ;" and it has the benefit of being, like modesty, a pretty general one to the young and artless, who cannot have so mixed with the world as to have learned deceit. Children are seldom disingenuous, but in some, extreme timidity produces this effect; the want of courage to own their faults, or reveal their wishes, leads them to effect, by cunning, the power of veiling the one, and procuring the other. Such a tendency to error calls for no little care from the instructor; and if her efforts have not wholly succeeded in clearing the soil, injured by the excess of its own delicacy, let the young lady herself seek diligently to recover her own esteem, by struggling against every thing in her bosom allied to concealment, lest deception should be mingled with reserve. It is the painful, but necessary, regime, to which her mind must be subjected, until she have acquired habits of sincerity, if not of openness; and all who love her must assist the effort. Sincerity is so nearly allied to Integrity, that they can scarcely exist asunder. The love of truth and the practice of fair-dealing go hand in hand; and whilst we regard them as virtues, lovely in their simplicity, we venerate them as the majestic foundation on which a beautiful structure shall hereafter be erected. But whilst I earnestly entreat one class of young ladies to render themselves sincere, as well as gentle, -ingenuous as well as meek,-I cannot dismiss the subject without advice to those frank and open-hearted girls, who are not liable to the sin of deceit, but who, in their scorn of flattery, and profession of extraordinary freedom, are liable to mistake rudeness for sincerity. To be blunt in reply, quick in censure, and severe in remonstrance, is not only unfeminine, unlady-like, and, as such, reprehensible, but it ought to be particularly avoided by the young; because they cannot possibly hope to be of any utility to their fellowcreatures, by affecting the character of reprovers. To them, more particularly, may the advice of our Lord apply, "Judge not, that ye be not judged;" for seldom are they aware how much the pride of their own hearts, and the irritation of their own tempers, may mingle with their admonitions: but they ought to be assured, that their equals in age will not suppose them wise enough to direct; and to their elders it must, unquestionably, seem presumption to attempt it. There may, undoubtedly, arise in early life, and especially in female life, occasions when "The grave rebuke Severe in youthful majesty," may be uttered from young lips, and glanced from young eyes, so as to prove effectual advocates for religion and but beneficial effects, of this description, are not often found to arise from those who pique themselves upon plain virtue; speaking. Such persons lose the power of delicate reproof, or decisive disapprobation, on the extraordinary occasions which may occur, by wasting their energies on trivial subjects, and evincing a determination to speak their hastilyformed opinions, at the expense of humility, charity, and patience. Let us never forget, my dear young friends, that “a mild answer turneth away wrath ;" and that the same Divine Word which bade many "resist unto death" for a great cause, bade its followers, also, "be affable and courteous." It is, in these times, our happy and pleasant duty to add that politeness of the heart, which is produced by the Christian graces, to that polish of the manners which is the result of a sound understanding and self-controlled mind. The purest sincerity is compatible with both; and it should be an object of solicitude with every one, to be alike upright and consistent, gentle and sincere. PRUDENCE may be termed rather a quality than a virtue; but it is so necessary for all the purposes of life, that an imprudent person seldom escapes the imputation of some vice, and the infliction of much unnecessary sorrow. The generosity and ardour of youth, too frequently lead young people to consider the lessons of prudence as allied to mistrust, fastidiousness, or avarice; but they are by no means necessarily so, though it is possible for them thus to degenerate in peculiar dispositions. Sincerity is perfectly compatible with true politeness; and prudence, with generosity, confidence, and friendship. Every young lady, who thinks before she acts, will easily see the path which prudence dictates, and rarely find that it demands any other sacrifice than those required by positive duty; and without thinking, she can neither acquire virtue nor secure happiness. ACTIVITY and CHEERFULNESS may be linked together, for the former is frequently the cause of the latter; and both are demanded in early life, as the flowers of spring, which give beauty and gladness to the earth for the present, whilst they promise the harvest which will enrich us at a future hour. Indolence of habit creates gloominess of manner and acerbity in temper, and induces those diseases which create and increase the evil, and prove more injurious to the character and the person than sickness itself. We have all seen amiable but afflicted young people, who have endured confinement with cheerfulness-pain with fortitude; and, from motives of affection to their parents and friends, pre served a portion of their youthful sprightliness and energy, through days of weariness and nights of suffering; but in the listless apathy of idleness, and the languor of indifference, every virtue perishes, and every talent fades. Far better is it to have too much enthusiasm, buoyancy, and energy, in youth, than too little; for experience, care, and knowledge, will correct the redundancy but it is, indeed, difficult to excite the cold-hearted to exertion, or woo the inert and stupid to the cultivation of taste and intellect. She who has, from a sense of duty, and the force of good principles, conquered this lethargy of the mind, is therefore entitled to the highest praise; and her future activity and cheerfulness may, indeed, be ranked in the list of virtues. In every family, from the highest to the humblest situation, there is a necessity for active services on the part of the young ladies, too evident to require enumeration. So soon as the cares of education are over, every mother has a right to expect from her daughter such attention to the domestic arrangements, the younger branches of the family, and the entertainment of visitants, as may lighten her own burden, and impart to her the delightful satisfaction of finding a friend and companion in that beloved being, for whose welfare she has been so long solicitous. Such occupation need not, by any means, interfere with the elegant pursuits, or the common amusements of social life, if early rising be adopted; for two hours in the morning are more valuable than four at any later period, when the routine of family engagements is entered upon. It has the additional merit, to an active and modest girl, of rendering her pursuits private. That much more might have been said, will be evident to all who duly weigh the subject; but I would not weary those whom I desire to benefit. A writer, who has for many years conscientiously endeavoured to supply to the young those lessons they greatly need, in the form they constantly desire, has a right to be considered a personal friend, since they are familiarly acquainted with her principles, feelings, thoughts, and wishes. As such, affectionately and earnestly I request their attention to subjects so deeply interesting, so immediately connected with their best interests, and which, for the first time, I venture to offer without the clothing of fiction, or the aid of anecdote.YOUNG LADY'S BOOK. H EARLY RISING CONDUCIVE TO HEALTH. Unwary belles, Who, day by day, the fashionable round Nor let the sweetest blossom nature boasts -HURDIS. |