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birds, warbling their fprightlieft ftrains.

The fong of Joy, and the laugh of mirth, were heard among us, and in innocent conviviality glided away the appropriated time of vifiting. The period of departure furprized me by its fudden arrival, and bade the happy family adieu, not without the tendereft fentiments of regret.

My friend had relinquished the engagements of commercial life, and wifhed the refidue of his days, to steal away amid the tweets of paftoral rufticity. His villa was remarked for neat fimplicity. The garden was portioned out with tafte, and the ftatues and obelisks caught the eye at each opening avenue, and produced a fine effect on the fpectator's imagination. From the centre of this incloure rofe an elevated mound of earth. Its form reminded me of the tapering cone. The fummit affords a diverfified profpect of the furrounding coun-tigued near the end of my jourtry. Upon the fide of the hilloc was a cave fimilar to Trophonius's of old, but decorated by a fanciful arrangement of curiofities, taken from the foffile and vegetable king-ling flowers, whofe odoriferous fradoms. A group of trees concealed the entrance into this hermitage; and its interior parts infpired the frequenter with the foothing melancholy of folitude.

Returning homewards, the amiable fifters recurred to my mind, and their private and focial virtues a preffed forcibly on my heart. Fa

ney, I threw myfelf on a bank, over whofe verdant furface lay fcattered the primrose and the violet, intermingled with other fweet-fmel

Save where the beetle wheel'd his droning flight,

And drowly tinklings lull'd the diftant folds.

Thus fituated, I indulged a meditative humour, and leaning penfively on my am,' I exclaimed in a faint tone of voice: "Who can estimate female worth? who can

grance delicioully regaled the fenfes. The evening was calm and ferene, the declining fun finking below the western horizon, and the fky lightly tinged with the luxuriancy of vaThe proprietor of this little fpot riegated colours. Hufhed and fiwas bleffed with two amiable daugh-lent were all things around me, ters. To perceive the young ladies. vying with each other in expreffons of filial affection, fmoothing the brow of declining years, and diminishing the burden accumulated by the decrepitude of age, might gratify the benevolence of an angel. To their lot had fallen no uncommon fhare of that frail article, beauty; but their tempers were mild-their difpofitions fweet-be indifferent to the charms of feand their minds improved by a fuitable education. When at leisure we rambled through the garden, or diverted ourselves with the mufic of the harpsichord; for the elder fifter played with fuperior skill on that delicate inftrument. Every morning we hailed the rifing fun, and our fpirits were exhilarated, contemplating the beauties of na. ture. The cuckoo entertained us with his reiterated note, expreffive pf fpring's return; and our ears were ravifled with the caroling of

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male excellence?" Uttering this foliloquy, I fell into a deep flumher, and the followng imaginary train of circumftances rofe inftantly to view.

Before me, I beheld an extended plain. Upon this plain ftood a ftately throne of curious workmanfhip. Before the throne was gathered a large concourfe of females. The whiteness of their garments rivalled the new-fallen fnow, and their fpirited countenances betokened an anxiety, derived from the

eager

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eagerness of curiofity. Numerous of his benevolence made woman

an help-meet to man. You are, therefore, poffeffed of a fimilar form, endowed with an intelligent foul, and furnished with paffions and difpofitions neceffary to accom

and refpectable were the fpectators of this extraordinary fcene. When I enquired who the individuals were, that compofed the affembly, and why met together, it was replied Upon yonder plain, fir,plish the purposes of your exiftare affembled the fair fex, from the middle and higher walks of life. The throne is to be filled by the Goddess of female excellence. We await her defcent. She will addrefs her youthful auditors, and furnifh them with directions for the regulation of their future lives."

A fecret fatisfaction ftole across my foul, in being prefent on the interefting occafion- But fcarcely was the information communicated, when the acclamations of the multitude announced the appearance of the Goddess. Rapid and magnificent was her defcent from the fky. Her prefence flung a vivid effulgence over every adjacent object. Tall and graceful was her perfon. Simple, yet elegant, her habiliments. In her countenance was blended the bloom of youth, with the fedateness of maturer years.

Grace was in all her steps;- Heaven in her eye;

In every gefture, dignity and love.

The celeftial vifitant feated herfelf upon the throne. A filence, not unlike the universal stilness of a fummer's noon, pervaded the affembly. Every eye fixed itfelf on the goddefs. Every bofom glowed with fervid expectation. She arofe with a majestic air, and thus addreffed the attentive audience :

ence. Upon moft of your fex, Nature beftows the graceful form-the well-proportioned feature - the engaging mien-and the delicate complexion. Thefe exterior charms, though fascinating, and though many plume themielves upon them, are of little worth, unaccompanied with the more permanent accomplishments of the mind. To these I call your attention. May their enumeration kindle a spirit of emulation. For nobler ends were you defigned, than to flutter about, like gaudy and infignificant infects, enamoured of outward fhow. You are capable of elevated attainments. Seek them with affiduity. Cultivate them with enthusiasm.

"Attend carefully to the improvement of the mind. This is of primary importance. I do not mean you fhould be verfed in the profound parts of literature. I do not require you to be skilful linguifts, acute philofophers, or ex-. pert mathematicians. The abftruse fciences are unconnected with domeftic life. But, why not rendered companions for the more difcerning of the other fex? From the too common neglect of intellectual accomplishments flows the falfe and illiberal fuggeftion, that your underftanding is weak, and therefore incapable of any confiderable cul"Daughters of men, this day ture. But are not the distinguished ye are affembled for an important female writers numerous? Do they purpose. 1 fhall impart fentiments, not rank high in the annals of liwith which you fhould be intimate-terary fame? It may be granted, ly acquainted. I have your dearest interests at heart. I breathe the warmest wishes for your prefent and future felicity.

"The Creator, in the plenitude VOL. XXVI..

your minds are formed for relishing works of imagination, rather than for commenting on the productions of a Newton. This conceflion, in its utinoft extent, declares only, F

th.

that the delicacy of your frame, joined to exquifite fenfibility, mark you out for the cultivation of one branch of knowledge, in preférence to another. The wifdom of Providence is confpicuous in the appointment. You are the better capacitated for the lefs active, though not lefs ufeful fphere, in which you move. By reading and meditation, improve the faculties of the mind. Biography, voages, travels, and poetry, felected with judgment, repay amply the time confumed upon them. Romance perufe with caution. Most of them inflame the juvenile imagination, irritate the fancy, and exhibiting fallacious views of life, cruelly torture the female heart. The inftructive page, both of facred and profane hiftory, fhould ever lie open before you. The rife, progrefs, and fall of kingdoms and of individuals, teach admirable leffons, and pour upon you that knowledge of human nature, of which none fhould be deftitute, who pretend to any degree of refinement. Geography, and chronology, the favourite handmaids of hiftory, enable you to perceive fully the beauty and propriety of the hiftoric tale. Aftronomy is worthy attention. The per fpicuity, with which its firft prin ciples are laid down, facilitates their attainment. Delightful is it, to trace the fignatures of wifdom and goodness every where impreffed on creation, and to know fomething of the general laws by which your days and your nights, your fummers and your winters, roll round with fuch aftonishing regularity. Nor be unconverfant with period cal effays. They prove an inexhauftible fund of rational entertainment and intruction. Mufic, painting, and occafional vifits, may occupy vacant hours. The informed mind hath been likenend to a piece of polished marble, which exhibits to the eye, in all their perfection, thofe beau

9

tiful fpots and veins which, on its ruder furface, but faintly appeared.

"The cultivation of a good temper merits particular attention. It inclines you to be fatisfied with the lot affigned by Providence, to forgive the injuries of enemies, and to be unoffended with the foibles of friends. It is the bafis of human blifs. The infirmities of mankind call for its perpetual exercise. With the wifdom of the serpent, mingle the gentleness of the dove. And may the genius of difcord never hover over your habitations. Is not domeftic felicity, of fublunary enjoyments the moft dear, marred by the obliquities of an irritable temper?

"To the nicer fenfibilities of the heart be not inattentive. Graceful is the garb of humanity. Generous is the heart, dilated by the milk of human kindness. To melt at another's woe, and to commiferate the unfortunate, are congenial to the female mind. Unfufceptible of hu◄ mane fenfations, a deep fhade is flung over your best qualities. To raife the dejected-to adminifter. the cup of cold water-and to vifit the fatherlefs and the widow, are your almost exclufive province. Sympathy avails, when boasted me. dicine proves inefficacious. Withhold not what is in the power of all to give. Spare no exertion to alleviate human woe.

"in your friendships be firm. I your attachments be decidedly fixed. Coquettish frivolity difgraces those who dare indulge it. Give no room for the imputation. Having juft reafon to think favourably of an individual, let not idle report, fordid intereft, or volatile caprice, enfeeble your predilection. Believe not all you hear. The breath of calumny fullies the moft uncontaminated reputation. Rafhly difapprove of none. The human character is complicated. Latent are the excellencies of many. Long acquaintance

me to clofe. Is not even that flowergarden, the hue and fragrance of whofe productions moft powerfully hit the fenfes, injured by the naufeous weed? To the female character alfo adhere blemishes, which tarnish its beauty, and obfcure its glory. Over thefe, charity refufes to fling her veil. To fpecify them, is painful. Excufe me. All I utter is dictated by a concern for your trueft welfare.

acquaintance and clofe fcrutiny bring them fully to view. Is not the fickle mind, like the restless ocean, a ftranger to tranquillity and peace? "Let modefty prefide over every department of conduct. The reign of modefty is the reign of fimplicity and innocence. She is the queen of virtues. She is the patronels of every thing excellent and praifeworthy. With incredible charms the decorates female beauty. Divefted of her enchanting influence, the sweetest complexion is unattractive, and the finest features have but a flender power to engage. Mo-tation ridiculous, and extravagance defty is a thin tranfparent veil, hateful. No efteem is conciliated which fhews with fuperior luftre the by the haughty look, the froward graces it would feem to cover, as a gait, or the forbidding mien. Denew-blown rofe is more beautiful, traction indicates unamiableness of when its leaves are a little folded, fpirit, and is incompatible with the than when its glories are fully dif. dignity of the fex. Never counteplayed.

Be virtuous and religious. Ah!
of what avail was the confummate
beauty of Helen and of Cleopatra,
of Rofamond and of Shore? Un-
enamelled by the excellence of mo-
ral goodness, it entangled them in
fatal fnares, and pierced them
through with excruciating forrows.
But virtue alone, though valuable,
is infufficient. Devoid of religion,
the female character is incomplete.
The goodly train of charities, un-
originating in a rational and fer-
vent piety, are precarioufly found-
ed. Mere unaffifted virtue is of
too delicate a texture to fuffer long
the rude blafts of this inhofpitable
clime. It droops its head, and dies
away, like the lily, nipped by the
frozen gale. As religion confers
upon virtue ftrength and permanen-
cy-believe firmly its truths, imbibe
its fpirit, obey its precepts, imitate
the example of its immaculare Au-
thor, and
afpire to the transcend-
ant honours of a blissful immorta-

lity.
"Such are the prominent fea-
tures of female excellence- but here,

regard for

your

best interests forbids

"Watch against the intrufion of pride, affectation, and extravagance. Pride renders you difgufting, affec

nance the obfequious flatterer. His defign is evil. His incenfe `is pestilential. The gilded, but empoifoned pill of adulation is adminiftered with deplorable fuccefs. Thus, the innocence and reputation of the modeft, but too credulous virgin, are facrificed often at the fhrine of unhallowed paffion. But of all the infelicities of life, is not his the greatest, who enlarges the catalogue of female woes? Be not the votaries of prepofterous fashion. This pernicious turn of mind generates embarraffments, forely felt, deeply regretted, yet not easily obviated. To the manners of the country where you refide, a temperate regard is due, dictated by good fenfe and ftrict propriety. Repre's the rage for popular amufements, which characterises the prefent age Do they not often encroach on the time claimed by domeftic affairs? Are they not accompanied with enormous expence? Have they not fometimes annihilated fobriety of mind, and banished regularity of conduct, the leading excellencies of moral character?

"Upon the eye of the impaflionF 2

ed admirer, the ray of female ex- | gaging mien-and the delicate complexion, may there be added, the improved mind-the mild difpofition-and the obliging temper. May you be diftinguished for intelligence, modefty, fenfibility, virtue, and religion. May every avenue to your heart be guarded against the wiles of the infidious adulator, and the lefs difguifed infinuations of the vicious and unprincipled rake. May the fond hopes of your parents be realized. May your partners in life equal your wishes. May your children rife up to call you blessed.

cellence plays with diftinguished brilliancy. Direct into an ufeful channel, whatever afcendancy you obtain. In fome cafes your influence may be almoft authoritative. Abuse not the entrufted prerogative. Eve abused it, when fire plucked the forbidden fruit, and gave it to Adam. Helen abused it, when the occafioned the Trojan war, which lafted ten long years. Cleopatra abused it, when the accelerated the ruin of Anthony, in the height and fplendour of his military career, Awed by thefe examples, let your jurifdiction over the other sex be inild and beneficial. Then, you humanize the ferocious, difarm the evil-mindedness of paffion, and check the folly of diffipated extravagance.

"In fine, you poffefs the momentous traft of training up the rifing generation. Under your immediate infpection, the individuals of the human race pafs the important years of infancy and childhood; important, not indeed in themfelves, but on account of their connection with fubfequent life. When their memories are retentive, and their minds docile, teach them the inetimable leffons of wisdom, virtue, and religion:

"Delightful task! to rear the tender thought,

To teach the young idea how to fhoot, pour the fresh inftruction o'er the mind,

To

To breathe th'enlivening spirit, and to fix

The generous purpose in the glowing

breaft."

"May He, who in the beginning empowered woman to captivate, and gave man the fufceptibility of impreffion, guide you through the mazes, and fupport you under

Quitting this troubled theatre, may you be admitted into the abodes of bliss, and clothed in the robes of immortal beauty!"

Here the goddefs ceafed. The exultations of the affembly roused me from my flumbers; and the vifionary fcene vanifhed in the twinkling of an eye! Finding the evening far advanced, and the dews of night faft falling, I fprang from the bank on which I reclined,' and haftened homewards, pleased with my rural excurfion.

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W

THOMSON.

the perplexities of this tranfitoryHEN men of honour, whofe principles and difpofitions are naturally juft, fall under misfortunes, and experience adverfity

existence. To the graceful formthe well-regulated feature-the en

and

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