ourselves the best. If the wife studies to make the domestic fire-side pleasant and delightful to her companion, the case is rare that she will have just cause to complain of his absence. By pursuing this prudent and judicious course, on the appearance of the first symptoms of an inclination in the husband to tarry needlessly from home, and, indeed, when no such inclination exists at all—the wife can not only secure her own peace and enjoyment, but can save the husband from threatened degradation and ruin.* Such being a general view of the influence possessed by woman in her different stations in society, young ladies will perceive the importance of qualifying themselves to sway it, in a manner beneficial to themselves and their race. The saying, that "woman rules the world," can hardly be an exaggeration. Her power is immense; and when properly directed, can be the cause of an incalculable amount of good. But woman should remember that she can rule only by pleasing--and she can never please by stepping out of her proper sphere and arbitrarily demanding to to rule. It is necessary that young ladies should reflect much upon the peculiarities of the condition they will be likely to occupy in community; * The remarks in this chapter, applicable to married ladies, are naturally involved in the subject of female influence, and are addressed to young women, from the supposition that the most of those who peruse these lines, will, in due time, enter the marriage state. that by a full understanding of the necessary requisites, they may be prepared for a faithful and useful discharge of all the duties that may devolve upon them. CHAPTER III. EARLY ASSOCIATES. The love of society is plan ed in human nature. an emotion deeply imTo be in the presence of our fellow-beings, to interchange thoughts, emotions and opinions, upon subjects mutually interesting, is a source of high intellectual and social enjoyment. This inclination for society, termed by Phrenologists, "Adhesiveness," has been exhibited in all ages. Amid the blooming beauties of Eden, the happiness of our father Adam was not complete, until a companion was provided to be the sharer of his thoughts and his joys. In childhood, this propensity for society is early developed. Children evince an exceeding fondness for each other's company; and soon they form those friendships and attachments, which frequently continue through life. The social inclination appears to exist more strongly in woman than in man. Under the influence of misanthropic feelings, man sometimes so far violates the promptings of his nature, as to withdraw from all intercourse with his fellowbeings, and in the gloomy mountain cavern, or the far recesses of the forest, pass his days in dreary solitude. But in the whole history of our race, I know not that there is an instance recorded, where woman thus voluntarily banished herself from society. It is well known that females in the years of childhood and youth, exhibit to a high degree, this love of social intercourse. They delight to mingle together; and by a mutual disposition to please, they confer enjoyment upon each other. These feelings are natural and proper; and the young should be allowed to indulge them to a consistent extent. The influence exercised upon young ladies by their associates, must necessarily be great, and will exert an important tendency in the formation of character. "We are all," says Locke, "a kind of chameleons, that take a tincture from the objects that surround us." It is a maxim of Solomon, that "he that walketh with wise men shall be wise, but a companion of fools shall be destroyed." And the same wise man utters another admonition of similar import—" Make no friendship with an angry man, and with a furious man thou shalt not go; lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul." These maxims are founded upon the well known propensity in human nature, to imitate the characteristics of those with whom we associate. We slowly, yet surely, imbibe a certain degree of the disposition, tastes and habits, whether good or bad, of our companions. Their peculiarities in thinking, speaking and acting, gradually become ours, and we ere long, in a measure, see with their eyes, and hear with their ears. How necessary, then, young ladies, that you should exercise great precaution and circumspection, in the selection of your associates of both sexes. You should not trust this matter entirely to chance--you should not mingle indiscriminately with whatever company you may casually come in contact; but with prudence and care, should you select those with whom you would associate and form intimacies. You can not be too careful in regard to the character, habits and accomplishments of those whom you choose for companions. An associate of loose morals, of low and indelicate habits, whose conversation is vulgar, and whose general demeanor is uncultivated, will exercise an influence over you, the deleterious consequences of which may be ruin and wretchedness. Mankind seem to imbibe vicious habits more readily than those that are virtuous. This can be accounted for on no other principle, than that exertion, industry and perseverance, are necessary to acquire or retain virtuous habits against the assaults of vicious temptations—while to become corrupt and depraved, it is only requisite that we allow our mental and moral powers to remain in a quiescent, indolent state, and permit the passions to obtain that control which they |