abroad. And by no one thing, perhaps, is their vanity likely to be more promoted, and their progress in every useful study more retarded, than by a passionate fondness for fine clothes. But against this you have already taken measures to provide a remedy, by pointing out its exceeding folly, by engaging their attention to something more important, and by pointing out to them those poor af flicted fellow beings, both at home and in foreign lands, who are destitute not only of comfortable clothing, but of most of the comforts and conveniences of civilized life, and of the hopes of any thing better beyond the grave. "I am sure now,' " said Caroline, "Ma', I don't want to wear but one of these ruffles at a time, and why mayn't I sell two of them,

leaf grows, or why a single hair falls; and that even her nominal knowledge is nothing, compared with what may be learnt by such imperfect beings. How important that parents understand at least enough of science to teach their children these humiliating lessons! Such instruction has a tendency at the same time to render them more happy in themselves, and to increase their respect and filial submission to their parents and teachers; without which all their instruction will be thrown away. What a picture of primeval happiness is a well-ordered family circle! the children by turns attentively reading and listening; the parents prompting, explaining, and deducing practical instruction. Rarely, it is believed, do we find a perfectly docile child, or a perfectly natural reader, who we shall not find, upon inquiry, has been some time or other taught in this very way,

and my pearl beads, and gold mounted indispensable*, (a plain one will do just as well) and send the money to those poor little girls in India, to buy them some Bibles, and some clothes, and school-masters and ministers?" Oh, with what heart-felt satisfaction did you hear from your youngest child, a beloved daughter, this language of self-denial and genuine fellow feeling! How different this from the affected and cruel tenderness of those misses who can cry at the whining of a favourite lap-dog, at the same time that they are tormenting birds and crushing insects for diversion; and who, when they get older, can leave a languishing mother at home, and go away, decked in all the frippery of folly and extravagance, to weep at fiction in the theatre! Says the moralizing Cowper,

"I would not number on my list of friends "(Tho' grac'd with polish'd manners and fine sense, "Yet wanting sensibility) the man

"Who needlessly sets foot upon a worm."

But to return to those "other things."-Some of them have been anticipated. Music has been mentioned as an accomplishment. I wish to mention it again-I mean now sacred music, as an art and science, to which

*Gold indispensable! Strange inconsistency! why did not the sweet girl coin a new word, and say gold mounted dispensable?

it is not only a satisfaction, but an imperious duty, for every one who has the rational ability and opportunity, to attend; at least, so far as to be able to unite in it with propriety in time of public and social worship.

There is another subject also, to which if I call your attention a moment, it is only for the sake of the good of your neighbours. I mean the very vague and indefinite subject of politeness. If, however, I apprehended that I should be understood by this term to signify that medley of vanity and affectation usually learnt in the dancing room, and at large parties, I had much rather be silent-at least, as to any thing which might be construed into commendation. I only mean, that there is a certain ease of manners and self-command, which it is desirable and important, that every one who would be the most useful in life, be master of in a good degree; vastly more important than I fear some of the best of people are aware. If we would profit others, especially strangers, by our intercourse and conversation, we must be careful not to disgust by our impertinence, or shut their mouths by our reserve, and their hearts by our forbidding formality. This genuine politeness, however, is more an internal principle, than any external mode; ever emanating from an enlarged fellow-feeling of benevolence, an heartfelt desire to see all about us

happy; showing itself in a thousand little decencies, and extending itself throughout our every thought, word, look, and gesture. In a word, politeness is an habitual desire to please our friends and companions, in such a way as will not be displeasing to God. Hav ing thus learnt what it is, and where it is seated, the direct way to come at it seems not obscure. Would youth learn the art of politeness, let them learn to exercise and manifest those feelings towards God and man which they ought, and they will have no more on this subject to learn. Till then, they must be always learning, and their parents always teaching; not so much indeed by precept and by cold propositions addressed to the understanding, as by amiable example, and instructions designed to reach and mend the heart.

I trust you have not had as yet, nor ever will have occasion to alter your sentiments on the importance of learning children of both sexes industrious habits. Your sentiments on this point, as well as on many others, I indeed gathered rather from your practice, than your conversation. But if expressed in words, they would I think amount to nearly this; active industry is the sole preserver of health, the great steward of livelihood, the protector of innocence, the saviour of virtue, the discarder of vice, the champion of liberty, and the prime minister of state.' You have

doubtless considered this of as great impor tance, at least, as I have said. Happy would it be, were this the case with those parents, from whose example, indulgence, and tacit consent, their children early learn the selfcomplacent language of false honour: 'I am the child of a gentleman; it is beneath my dignity to be employed in menial occupations. Alas! who are verier slaves than those of pride, ignorance, and folly! Should such ideas and practices continue, and should the lives and healths of such children be almost miraculously protracted to the time of middle age, how would they manage a family should they ever be placed in one, thus void of all experience? And what would be their situation, should their boasted privileges of gentlemen and gentlewomen, happen to last no longer than their riches, which are already taking to themselves wings. We may fre quently see some of them in the character of visitors, changing about with the changing moon, and going from one house to another, to see their wearied, nominal friends, while they deserve our compassion scarcely less than the wandering mendicant.

But, "the one thing needful," I think I hear you say, is none of these. Madam, the all important subject of RELIGION, has not yet been mentioned; which so far from being excluded from a proper education, or put by