Couple with this advice the very necessary caution, that, with all your fancies, you must not permit yourself to intimate in any manner to the fair object of them, the silly things which are passing in your mind. If she have sense, she will laugh at, and avoid you; if she have not, then will engagements take place, of the most pernicious tendency if kept, or of the most unhappy influence if afterwards broken. You bring yourself into very uncomfortable bonds. If your sentiments and character are honourable, you oblige yourself, perhaps, to do violence, by snapping injudicious promises, or to ruin your own peace, and the happiness of your partner, by fulfilling vows which time and better experience show ought never to have been made. The liberty to fall in love, does not include a permission to go a-courting. That is quite another thing. I must talk with your father, before I grant that.

In the Life and Letters of the Rev. J. Newton, a circumstance is recorded greatly corroborative of the present advice. He formed a strong

attachment in very early life, at a time when he could not mention it to the fair object, which was well for both parties; but, in future scenes of sorrow, suffering, and temptation; the recollection of her image soothed him, and the hope of one day obtaining her, kept him from perpetrating many dishonourable actions. "The bare possibility of seeing her again was the only present and obvious means of restraining me from the most horrid designs against myself and others."

It will not be quite in vain to you, if your imagination should be haunted with any favourite image, especially if her character be respectable, to say now and then, what would she think were she now to see me? It might help to show you the true character of your employment; might assist in breaking the force of fascinating temptations, and stimulate you to exertions honourable, and thus made, successful.

Even the activity needful to your success in business, may be thus excited and main

tained. The wish to marry, if it be prudently indulged, will always be connected with the attaining such an income as may fairly be proposed to the party and her friends. He who determines to live a single life, perhaps contracts his endeavours to his sole wants; or squanders without proper calculation, on the idea that he can always procure enough for himself. A bad system this, in every view. That hope which aims at a partner beloved, a family, a fire-side, will become active beyond expectation; will elicit talents, and urge them to their full energy; will court the powerful assistance of economy; and thus eventually will be attained an object, which had, at one time, appeared to be at an inaccessible distance. Little Cupid redeems his character now and then, as well he had need. It is only, however, when he calls in the assistance of prudence that he is likely to do good.

No doubt but this advice is liable to abuse. But it may be fairly asked, what is there which is free from such liability? The counsel may be just, may be important, never

theless.

Let those who disapprove of it give better. If they wholly neglect female influence, that influence will yet be operative. Is it not better to make adequate use of principles so strong, abounding every where, and capable of easy application?

To grow up without attachment to the sex is hardly possible. Wherever it occurs, it includes a loss of some of the sweetest sensations which can swell the bosom. To let such attachments be irregular, is to debase those sensations, to the ruin of character and of internal worth. To regulate them is the only chance for good; and if early trained to the support of proper feeling and honourable conduct a great advantage is gained, a power like the fulcrum for which Archimedes longed, when he talked of moving the whole globe.

CHAP. XI.

OCCASIONAL DEVIATIONS.

WHATEVER may be a youth's principles or habits, the temptation to occasional deviation from his accustomed strictness of conduct will continually arise. The world is, indeed, one series of temptation to evil; all its businesses, recreations, and afflictions are accompanied by opportunities of going wrong, and by importunities addressed to the powerful principle of evil within; no wonder that the young, the half-steady, are at times overcome; and yet, as it is only now and then, fancy no great harm has happened.

He whose general conduct is correct, unless ́very clear, and well grounded in principle, will still think well of himself on this account, although he may occasionally indulge in what is not altogether justifiable. His conscience is