gratifying a foolish vanity?" "Abhor then all immodest exposure of the person; though faults of this kind should be committed, without being prompted by any wrong passion, they originate at least in vanity, and an immoderate desire to please." "Does this vanity justify, in the view of God, and in the estimation of men, conduct so rash, so scandalous, and so pernicious in its influence on others ?" "Is this inconsiderate desire to please, becoming in a Christian, who ought to regard as idolatry every thing which turns away the affections from the Creator to fasten them on creatures ?" "But what is the object in thus seeking to please?" to excite the passions of men?" passions so much under our control that we can check them ?" "If they become too vehement, ought not all the consequences to be imputed to us?” "And do they not always go too far, however slightly they may be inflamed?" "You prepare a subtle and deadly poison; you pour it on all who behold you, and yet think yourself innocent!" Refer to

"Is it not

"Are these

examples of persons whom their modesty has made esteemed and respected, and of others to whom their immodesty has proved a source of evil; but especially permit nothing in the exterior of young ladies, that is above their station. Rigidly repress all their whims and lofty notions. Show them the danger to which they are exposed, and how much they are despised by persons of wisdom, when they thus forget what they are.

What remains to be done is to undeceive young ladies with respect to their ideas of wit and genius. Unless care is exercised, when they possess a degree of vivacity, they put themselves forward, they wish to give their opinion on every subject, they decide upon works far above their capacity, they affect to suffer ennui from extreme delicacy.

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A young lady ought never to speak except when there is a real necessity for it, and then she should speak with an air of doubt and deference; she should not give her sentiments on subjects that are above the capacity of ordinary young ladies, even though she

should herself be acquainted with them. However admirably she may be endowed with memory, vivacity, pleasantry, the faculty of conversing with ease and gracefulness, these are qualities which she will possess in common with a great number of other females who have very little good sense, and who are very contemptible; but let her maintain an undeviating and consistent course of conduct, an equable and well-balanced mind -let her know how to be silent and to share in the management of important concerns― and these rare qualities will distinguish her from her sex. False delicacy and the affectation of ennui should be repressed, by convincing her that good taste consists in being pleased with things just in proportion to their utility.

Nothing is truly estimable but good sense and virtue; both these lead us to regard disgust and ennui, not as marks of a commendable delicacy, but as the weaknesses of a disordered mind.

Since we cannot avoid living with those

who are destitute of refinement, since we must engage in occupations not always in accordance with our taste, reason, which is the only genuine delicacy, consists in making our feelings conform to the views and feelings of those around us. A mind which can taste the pleasures of refinement, but which can dispense with politeness, when it is necessary in order to attain more important objects, is infinitely superior to those delicate minds which are rendered powerless by their own fastidiousness.

CHAPTER XI.

THE APPROPRIATE DUTIES OF WOMEN.

WE come now to the particular examination of things in which women should be instructed. What are their occupations? They are intrusted with the education of their children; of boys till they have arrived at a certain age; of girls till they leave the paternal roof; they have charge of the conduct of domestics, their morals, and their occupations ;-the detail of expenses, the means of disposing every thing in a creditable and economical manner, and, not unfrequently, the management of business, and the disposal of property.

The knowledge of women, like that of men, should be confined to instruction relat