whole end of her existence seems to be centered in a love of company and the fashion. No wonder she is noticed only by the less worthy part of the world. Amelia, the lovely Amelia, makes home her greatest happiness. Nature has not been so lavish of her charms, as to her sister; but she has a soft pleasing countenance, that plainly indicates the goodness of her heart within. Her person is not striking at first, but as it becomes familiar to the beholder, is more so than that of her sister. For her modest deportment, and her sweet disposition, will daily gain ground on any person who has the happiness of conversing with her. She reads much, and digests what she reads. Her serenity of mind is not to be disturbed by the disappointment of a party of pleasure, nor her spirit agitated by the shape of a cap, or the colour of a ribbon. She speaks but little when in company, but when she does, every one is silent, and attends to her as an oracle, and she has one true friend with whom she passes her days in tranquillity. The reader may easily judge which of these two sisters is the most amiable.

FAMILY LOVE AND HARMONY.

I WILL amuse you with a little experiment, said Charles one evening to Lucy, Emilia, and James, and rising from the table, he took the candles and held them about half an inch asunder, opposite to a medallion of Dr. Franklin, about two yards distant from it. The motto round the figure

Unhurt amidst the war of elements," was but just distinctly visible; when the degree of light had been sufficiently observed, he united the

F

flames of the two candles, by putting them close together, and the whole figure with the inscription became instantly illuminated in a much stronger manner than before. They were all pleased and struck with the effect, and they desired Euphronius, who now entered the parlour, to explain to them the cause of it. He commended their entertainment, and informed them that a greater degree of heat is produced by the junction of the two flames, and consequently a farther attention, and more copious emission of the particles of which light consists. But, my dear young friends, continued he, attend to the lessons of virtue, as well as of science, which the experiment you have seen affords. Nature has implanted in your hearts, benevolence, friendship, gratitude, humanity and generosity; and these social affections are separately shining lights in the world; but, they burn with peculiar warmth and lustre, when more concentered in the kindred charities of brother, sister, child and parent; and harmony, peace, sympathyin joy and grief, mutual good offices, forgiveness and forbearance are the bright emanations of domestic love. May the radiance of such virtues long illuminate this happy household.

PERCIVAL.

FENELON ON EDUCATION.

IF girls do not apply early to things of some solidity, they will have neither taste for them, nor pleasure in them, afterwards. A mother should by degrees represent to her daughter the advantage of rational application; but she should rather make the acquisition of knowledge a re

creation, than a toil, otherwise she will cause the child to be disgusted with all improvement.

Begin to teach children history, by relating little tales of interesting and noble actions, which will engage their attention, enlarge their ideas, and give them a taste for virtue: this method will lead them as they grow older, to wish to acquire general knowledge, and will render them pleasing companions.

But endeavour to guard against presumption, and self-conceit, always praise them more when they doubt or ask for information, than when they seem certain of their knowledge: this is the best means of infusing into them gently a proper modesty of opinion, and of discouraging an argumentative manner, which is extremely disgusting in young females.

Let not girls mistake vivacity of imagination and facility of speaking for wit; they will otherwise interfere upon all occasions, and talk and decide upon subjects the least suited to their capacity. Tell them that quickness of repartee, and ⚫ a readiness of expressing themselves with ease and grace, are not essential talents, because they are frequently possessed by women who are deficient in solidity of understanding; but imprint strongly on their minds, that a discreet and regular conduct, and a knowledge when to be silent and when to deliver their sentiments with propriety, are essential qualifications which command respect and conciliate esteem.

Parents frequently encourage girls in softness and timidity, bordering on weakness, which render them incapable of being firm and uniform characters. They are perhaps naturally fearful, and they affect to be so still more, and thus custom confirms this failing: if you show contempt

for these fears and affectations, it will be the most effectual way to correct them.

As an extreme love of refinement is too apt to influence the sex, represent to a young lady, the utility of an accommodating disposition. Since we must frequently associate with persons who are not very refined, and enter into occupations not suitable to our tastes: reason, which is true good sense, points out fastidiousness as a weakness of character. A mind that understands true politeness, and knows how to descend to ordinary occupations, is infinitely superior to those excessively delicate minds, that are overcome with disgust upon every occasion.

Endeavour to persuade young ladies not to imagine that great beauty is the most desirable gift. A beauty idolizes her own person more than the most passionate lover. Inform them, that beauty deceives the person who possesses it much more than those who are its admirers; and lead them to reflect, that a very few years will rob them of all their charms.

Beauty without merit is very little serviceable to a girl; she can only expect to draw in a young coxcomb to marry her, with whom she must be wretched. But when modesty and virtue are joined with beauty, the possessor of these qualifications may aspire to an union with a man of real merit.

As there are no regulations for dress, equipages, or way of living, there are in effect none for the general situations in life. Most women are disposed to love an ostentatious display, and are fond of leading the fashions: this vain ambition frequently ruins families, and the ruin of families must draw on the corruption of morals. On one side, this parade excites in persons of a low con

dition the desire of appearing above their situation, which leads them to commit dishonest actions; on the other hand, it induces persons of quality, who find themselves without resources, to be guilty of mean and scandalous actions to support their expenses; by these means are extinguished good faith, probity and ingenuousness, even amongst the nearest relations. Endeavour, therefore, to convince young ladies how much more estimable that honour is, which is derived from a right conduct and cultivated understanding, than from any ostentatious display.

Endeavour to give a young woman a proper sense of the part she is to act if she marries.— She is to have the care of educating her children; of the boys to a certain age, of the girls till they marry. She ought to have a quick discernment to find out the natural genius and disposition of each child, to conduct herself properly towards them, to discover their inclinations, talents and tempers, to persuade them by good advice, and ⚫ to correct their errours. She should carefully acquire and preserve her authority, without losing their love and confidence.

A mother of a family should have a proper sense of religion, to be able to intil good principles into her children. St. Paul assures women that their salvation depends upon well educating their children.

Many women too much neglect economy, particularly those in higher stations of life; accustomed to affluence and indolence, they disclaim this virtue, as involving them in unworthy occupations. Teach young ladies, that a mistress of a family should accustom herself to keep an account of her expenses, to know the value of the