character. These are the baser passions of the human heart—exceedingly reprehensible in man, but in woman disgusting and horrible. What will more entirely eclipse the loveliness of the countenance, than a scowl of hatred, or a storm of anger! And not only so, but how completely wretched do they cause those to become who indulge them! Every improper disposition cherished towards another, infuses a poison into your peace and happiness—so that by indulging it, you but injure yourself.

The most effectual method of destroying evil dispositions, is by cultivating good ones. Would you be respected, and esteemed, and loved?— would you render yourself agreeable and pleasing ?—would you be received into the circle of your associates, with the approving smile of friendship and approbation? There is but one way to accomplish this, and that is, by adding to a virtuous character, a kind, friendly, and benevolent disposition. How much these improve the attractions of a beautiful form and features! and how engaging do they cause the most plain and ordinary to appear, who exhibit them in their conduct! If you desire to be unesteemed, disliked, avoided—if you desire to be filled with anxiety and wretchedness—then you should be illtempered, morose, unkind, and uncharitable. But if you would secure the friendship and good will of others—if you would open in your own bosom a fountain of unfailing satisfaction -ex

hibit towards those with whom you associate, kindness, condescension, gentleness, forbearance, and evenness of temper, and you can not fail of accomplishing your object. What can be more captivating in a young lady, than a constant exhibition of kind emotions towards all around her —than a disposition to oblige, to make herself useful to her friends and all connected with her, and to display a placid sweetness of demeanor, that no circumstance can ruffle or disturb? And how enchantingly lovely is a young woman overflowing with pity and benevolence for the poor and unfortunate! A lady who has a cold, unfeeling heart—who can look unmoved upon sorrow, and want, and distress, while she is surrounded by comfort and plenty—is an anomaly ! With such a disposition, of what avail are her fair complexion, and faultless features, and symmetrical form? Every lovely attribute, when covering a heart of stone, becomes repulsive and abhorrent to the generous and noble mind. She is a "scentless flower, which shall blossom without esteem, and fall without regret!" But the female whose heart is susceptible of emotions of pity and generosity—who is eager to assuage misfortunes and relieve distress—adds a crowning excellency to her attractions, that can not fail to win admiration and esteem. If young ladies would promote their own prosperity and happiness, they must look well to the dispositions they cherish. Let them eradicate all that is evil,

and cultivate whatever is virtuous and good—let them exhibit "affability of manners, gentleness of demeanor, attention to the courtesies of life, compassion towards all who suffer, whether high or low, a kind construction of all the words and actions of their fellow-creatures, and patient forbearance, or generous forgiveness towards those who have grieved or injured them," and they will thus lay a safe and sure foundation for peace and happiness.

CHAPTER XI.

CONVERSATION.

It is a prevalent supposition that ladies possess the faculty of "ready utterance, in a higher degree, as a general rule, than the other sex. This position is strengthened, when we consider the fluency and ease with which females, when unembarrassed, communicate their thoughts. But this fluency of speech, when unguarded and unrestrained, becomes, not unfrequently, the fruitful source of evil. The character and prospects of ladies, depend much upon the matter and the manner of their conversation. To be enabled to select proper and useful subjects for conversation, and to express themselves in an appropriate and pleasant manner, are accomplishments which every young female should strive to acquire, and the possession of which, will tend greatly to her advantage in society.

It is true, nature is diversified in her gifts in this respect, as well as in others. To some she gives a greater aptitude or capability of expressing their

ideas in a fluent and graceful manner—while others find it difficult to speak in a mode satisfactory to themselves, or pleasing to others. But as appropriateness in conversation, depends not more upon the manner of speaking, than upon the character of the thoughts expressed, nature frequently equalizes her endowments, by giving unto those who are "slow and lame of speech," clear, strong, and expanded minds—so that the deficiency in their utterance is more than counterbalanced by the value of the sentiments they

express.

However, the faculty of conversation is capable of great improvement. By proper application and attention, the most deficient in this respect, can learn, not only the proper subjects of conversation, but also to speak in an appropriate and agreeable manner.

That there are evils growing out of an ignorance upon this subject, admits of not a doubt. How much unhappiness has been caused by improper language. Who has not experienced the evils flowing from even one "unruly tongue" in the neighborhood? How many misunderstandings, difficulties, feuds, animosities—how much contention, and discord, and warring—have been caused by "the little member," when it is "full of deadly poison!" Not only has society experienced these evils, but they have extended themselves to kingdoms. Nations have been involved in long and bloody wars, originating solely in the