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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/35890-8.txt b/35890-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..27edd76 --- /dev/null +++ b/35890-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,5387 @@ +Project Gutenberg's Letters on the Improvement of the Mind, by Hester Chapone + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Letters on the Improvement of the Mind + Addressed to a Lady + +Author: Hester Chapone + +Release Date: April 17, 2011 [EBook #35890] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LETTERS ON THE IMPROVEMENT *** + + + + +Produced by Jonathan Ingram, JoAnn Greenwood and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This +file was produced from images generously made available +by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.) + + + + + + + + + + LETTERS + ON THE + IMPROVEMENT OF THE MIND. + + ADDRESSED TO A LADY. + + BY MRS. CHAPONE. + + + WITH + _THE LIFE OF THE AUTHOR._ + + * * * * * + + I consider an human Soul, without Education, like marble in + the Quarry, which shows none of its inherent Beauties till + the Skill of the Polisher fetches out the colours, makes the + surface shine, and discovers every ornamental Cloud, Spot, + and Vein, that runs through the Body of it. Education, after + the same manner, when it works upon a noble Mind, draws out + to view every latent Virtue and Perfection, which, without + such Helps, are never able to make their Appearance. + + ADDISON. + + * * * * * + + A New Edition. + + _LONDON_: + + Printed by Weed and Rider, Little Britain, + + FOR SCATCHERD AND LETTERMAN, AVE-MARIA LANE; LONGMAN, HURST, + REES, ORME, AND BROWN; CADELL AND DAVIES; F. C. AND J. + RIVINGTON; SHERWOOD, NEELY, AND JONES; G. AND W. B. + WHITTAKER; BALDWIN, CRADOCK, AND JOY; J. MAWMAN; J. HARRIS + AND SONS; HARVEY AND DARTON; AND C. TAYLOR. + + 1820. + + + + + _CONTENTS._ + + + Letter Page + + DEDICATION v + + Life of Hester Chapone vii + + I. On the first Principles of Religion 1 + + II. On the Study of the Holy Scriptures 15 + + III. The same Subject continued 34 + + IV. On the Regulation of the Heart + and Affections 51 + + V. The same Subject continued 66 + + VI. On the Government of the Temper 98 + + VII. On Economy 121 + + VIII. On Politeness and Accomplishments 143 + + IX. On Geography and Chronology 170 + + X. On the Manner and Course of reading + History 186 + + Conclusion 209 + + + + +TO + +_MRS. MONTAGU_. + + + MADAM, + +I BELIEVE you are persuaded that I never entertained a thought of +appearing in public, when the desire of being useful to one dear child, +in whom I take the tenderest interest, induced me to write the following +Letters:--perhaps it was the partiality of friendship, which so far +biassed your judgment as to make you think them capable of being more +extensively useful, and warmly to recommend the publication of them. +Though this partiality could alone prevent your judgment from being +considered as decisive in favour of the work, it is more flattering to +the writer than any literary fame; if, however, you will allow me to +add, that some strokes of your elegant pen have corrected these Letters, +I may hope, they will be received with an attention, which will insure a +candid judgment from the reader, and perhaps will enable them to make +some useful impressions on those, to whom they are now particularly +offered. + +They only, who know how your hours are employed, and of what important +value they are to the good and happiness of individuals, as well as to +the delight and improvement of the public, can justly estimate my +obligation to you for the time and consideration you have bestowed on +this little work. As _you_ have drawn it forth, I may claim a sort of +right to the ornament and protection of your name, and to the privilege +of publicly professing myself, with the highest esteem, + + MADAM, + + Your much obliged friend, + and most obedient + humble servant, + + HESTER CHAPONE. + + + + + LIFE + OF + _HESTER CHAPONE_. + + +Among the illustrious women whose literary productions adorned and +improved the age in which they appeared, and are likely to be +transmitted with reputation to posterity, Mrs. Chapone is entitled to +distinguished consideration. However, incited by the persuasions and +encouraged by the applauses of Richardson, she had many prejudices to +encounter, many impediments to overcome. Female writers, always severely +scrutinized, and often condemned, had not then obtained the estimation +they have since commanded. + + * * * * * + +Hester Mulso, better known as Chapone, was the daughter of Thomas Mulso, +Esq. of Twywell, in Northamptonshire; who, in the year 1719, married the +posthumous daughter of Colonel Thomas, of the Guards. She lived long +enough to see the last props of an ancient and towering family fall to +the dust. + +Of the immediate connections of Mr. Mulso, his elder sister, Anne, was +married to the Rev. Dr. Donne, formerly Prebendary of Canterbury; and +the younger, Susanna, to the brother of his own wife, the Rev. Dr. John +Thomas, who was preceptor to his Majesty King George III., and who +successively held the bishoprics of Peterborough, Salisbury, and +Winchester. Mr. Mulso had himself several children; but of these only +five lived to grow up, and even of the five, Charles, his third son, who +was an officer in the navy, died, in the Mediterranean, at the age of +twenty-one. + +Thomas, the eldest of Mr. Mulso's sons, was bred to the law; and, for +some years, he went the Oxford circuit. He declined legal practice on +coming to the possession of his paternal inheritance; but was afterwards +made Registrar of Peterborough, and a Commissioner of Bankrupts. He +published, in 1768, 'Calistus, or the Man of Fashion;' and 'Sophronius, +or the Country Gentleman.' Thomas was the elect brother of Mrs. Chapone. +He died early in February, 1799; and, as his death was not thought near, +she lost, in him, the tie that bound her to life. + +John, the second of Mr. Mulso's sons, became Prebendary of the +cathedrals of Winchester and Salisbury, and held two valuable benefices +in Hampshire. It was at the houses of this brother that Mrs. Chapone +spent much of her time; and to one of his children, her beloved niece, +the world owes her best work. He died at the prebendal residence at +Winchester, in 1791, having survived his wife one year. + +Edward, the youngest son, was in the Excise Office. He was skilled in +music, and for many years President of the Anacreonic Society. Of this +brother, the life of her youth, Mrs. Chapone was also fond; and, as his +death was sudden and quick, his loss seriously affected her. He died +during the April of 1782. + +Hester Mulso, the main subject of this sketch, was born on the 27th of +October, 1727; and was the only daughter whom her father had the +pleasure of seeing arrive to mature years. How soon Miss Mulso +accustomed herself to investigate what she read, and how well, may be +inferred from a passage in her published 'Miscellanies;' where, she +says, that when fifteen years old, being charmed with many of the +doctrines of the mystics, she then began to canvass them deeply; and +that, as reason grew, she was able to detect and to reject the fanciful +theology with which they were fraught. Even at nine years of age she was +an author. Accustomed to read the old romance, which suited her then +childish taste, she wrote 'The Loves of Amorat and Melissa,' which, +however defective, gave promise of the genius that distinguished her +maturer compositions. Her mind could not, however, long dwell on such +works. 'I make no scruple,' declares Miss Mulso, writing to Miss Carter, +from Peterborough, July, 1750, 'to call romances the worst of all the +species of writing: unnatural representations of the passions, false +sentiments, false precepts, false wit, false honour, and false modesty, +with a strange heap of improbable unnatural incidents, mixed up with +true history, and fastened upon some of the great names of antiquity, +make up the composition of a romance--at least of such as I have read, +which have been mostly French ones. Then the prolixity and poverty of +the style is unsupportable. I have (and yet I am still alive) drudged +through Le Grand Cyrus in twelve large volumes, Cleopatra in eight or +ten, Polexander, Ibrahim, Clelie, and some others, whose names, as well +as all the rest of them, I have forgotten; but this was in the days when +I did not choose my own books, for there was no part of my life in which +I loved romances.' This censure of romances, ancient or modern, is not +more severe than it is just. With scarcely an exception, the business of +romances is to make good bad, and bad good; to misplace and misstate +events, falsify characters, and mislead readers. They are full of grave +lies, well told, to an ill end. These are the Will o' Wisps of the mind. + +Something of importance is stated, where Miss Mulso says, that she read +romances, volume upon volume, in the days when she did not choose her +own books; and when, therefore, she could not avoid this infantile +course of reading. She was not then permitted to go in her own way. +Superadded to the disadvantages then attending female education, she +struggled under domestic discouragements. Maternal vanity set itself +against her advances in literature; and it was not till the death of her +mother took place, that Miss Mulso, liberated from all impediments, felt +herself free to pursue the cultivation of her own understanding. 'I +believe,' she writes, referring to her new situation, early in 1750, +'there are few people who are better pleased and contented with their +lot than I; for I am qualified to feel my present happiness; by having +early experienced very different sensations.' + +Here then is one marked era in the life of Miss Mulso. Being now +mistress of herself, as to the disposal of her time, she rapidly +compassed the circle of intellectual improvement. Notwithstanding that +she was self-instructed, she soon became mistress of the French and +Italian languages, and made some proficiency even in the Latin. Attached +thus to literature, she was also careful to select her acquaintance from +among persons who were likely to improve her own taste. It was in this +way that she cultivated an intimacy with the celebrated Richardson; and +that, in 1750, when she was twenty-three years of age, she ventured to +controvert his opinions on 'Filial Obedience.'[1] + +Richardson delighted to stimulate female talents to honourable and +persevering exertions. Perhaps his partiality for epistolary +intercourse, in which he successively engaged his fair friends, +eventually decided Mrs. Chapone as to the mode of communicating her +instructions to a beloved niece. + +About this time, 1749 to 1752, she wrote some poems. Her 'Ode to Peace,' +and that to Miss Carter, prefixed to Epictetus, were the first fruits of +her muse. Her verse comes up to what she thought of verse, and this +seems as much as can with truth be said of it. 'As fond as I am of the +works of fancy,' says she, 'of the bold imagery of a Shakspeare, or a +Milton, and the delicate landscapes of Thomson, I receive much greater +and more solid pleasure from their poetry, as it is the dress and +ornament of wisdom and morality, than all the flowers of fancy, and the +charms of harmonious numbers, can give + + 'When gay description holds the place of sense.' + +Pursuing the satisfactions of literature, Miss Mulso now produced the +'Story of Fidelia.' Although this tale was written for the 'Adventurer,' +she is represented as hesitating to give it to the world; and as +publishing it only in compliance with the wishes of friendship. Little +is to be said in praise of this story. Designed, as it was, to expose +the miseries of freethinking in women, its reasoning tends rather to +stagger the unlettered moralist than to confute intellectual scepticism. +It is affected as to its style, and problematical as to its end. + +While Miss Mulso was hesitating as to what should be Fidelia's fate, 'to +print or not to print,' Miss Carter, to whom she was now known, decided +her for the press. Miss Mulso idolized Miss Carter. Astonished at her +acquirements, humbled by her talents, she approaches to her as to one of +superior existence[2]. Miss Carter accepts the homage of Miss Mulso; and +seems, throughout her deportment, to view it as due to herself. Such +friends as they were, for their friendship was not mutual in kind, so +they lasted for more than fifty years. Letters were the chief cement of +their long friendship. + +Nearly at the same time that Miss Mulso commenced acquaintance with Miss +Carter, it was her lot to meet with Mr. Chapone, to whom she was at last +married. This gentleman, who was practising the law, was introduced to +Richardson's friends, at North-End, near Hammersmith, and fully admitted +among them in the year 1750. 'Most heartily do I thank good Mrs. Dewes,' +writes Richardson, August 20, 1750, 'for her recommendation of Mr. +Chapone to my acquaintance and friendship. I am greatly taken with him. +A sensible, and ingenious, a modest young gentleman.' Miss Mulso's +friends own, that, from 'their first introduction, she entertained a +distinguished esteem for Mr. Chapone. It was, with her, love at first +sight; but, according to her relations, as their intimacy improved, and +her attachment became rooted, she had the gratification to perceive that +it was mutual.' She was certainly in love. 'Your opinion of the lordly +sex,' she says, writing to Miss Carter, in 1754, 'I know is not a very +high one, but yet I will one day or other make you confess that a man +may be capable of all the delicacy, purity, and tenderness, which +distinguish our sex, joined with all the best qualities that dignify his +own.' Whatever were her father's original objections to her marriage, +these were for some time found to be insuperable; for, having been made +acquainted with her passion, he, instead of immediately countenancing +her wishes, made her promise that she would not contract any matrimonial +engagement without his previous permission. Prudence forbad him to +approve, we are told, what kindness would not suffer him to prohibit. + +Visiting the coterie of Richardson, during the summer of 1753, Miss +Mulso was gratified by an interview with Dr. Johnson, with whom she +before had no personal acquaintance. Her whole account of this interview +may be fitly told here. 'Mr. Johnson' (Miss Mulso is writing to Miss +Carter) 'was very communicative and entertaining, and did me the honour +to address most of his discourse to me. I had the assurance to dispute +with him on the subject of human malignity[3]; and wondered to hear a +man, who by his actions shows so much benevolence, maintain that the +human heart is naturally malevolent, and that all the benevolence we +see, in the few who are good, is acquired by reason and religion. You +may believe I entirely disagreed with him, being, as you know, fully +persuaded that benevolence, or the love of our fellow-creatures, is as +much a part of our nature as self-love; and that it cannot be +suppressed, or extinguished, without great violence from the force of +other passions. I told him I suspected him of these bad notions from +some of his Ramblers, and had accused him to you; but that you persuaded +me I had mistaken his sense. To which he answered, that if he had +betrayed such sentiments in his Ramblers, it was not with design; for +that he believed _the doctrine of human malevolence, though a true one, +is not an useful one_, and ought not to be published to the world. Is +there any truth,' subjoins Miss Mulso, 'that would not be useful, or +that should not be known?' + +The misfortune is, that, on such topics as this, which must implicate +the character of man, generally as well as personally, each one writes +as each sees things, and not as things might or ought to be seen. +Establishing our individual experience as the criterion of universal +opinion, we are too apt to speak of the world as we find it; and to +conclude, that what happens to us must of necessity happen to others, +and that uniformity of experience will terminate in similarity of +decision. Perhaps truth is still clear of extremes. Man is not so bad as +some state him to be; nor is man so good as some think him to be. + +Miss Mulso is now to be known as Mrs. Chapone. Perceiving that her +inclination to matrimony was decisive, Mr. Mulso, though he still +objected to the match, consented to such arrangements, towards the close +of 1760, as to admit of the union, in one day, of his eldest son, +Thomas, with Miss Prescott, and of his only daughter, Hester, with Mr. +Chapone. Living with her father, who was indulgently attached to her, +Miss Mulso had previously been permitted to enjoy, fairly and fully, the +society of Mr. Chapone.[4] + +'Give me your congratulations,' writes the now Mrs. Chapone, to Miss +Carter, from town, December the 9th, 1760, 'my dear friend; but, as much +for my brother and friend (Mr. Thomas Mulso and Miss Prescott) as for +myself; for, in truth, I could not have enjoyed my own happiness in an +union with the man of my choice, had I been forced to leave them in the +same uncomfortable state of tedious and almost hopeless expectation in +which they have suffered so long. I shall rejoice to hear that you are +coming to town, and shall hope for many a comfortable tête-à-tête with +you in my lodgings in Carey Street; for there I must reside till Mr. +Chapone can get a house that suits him, which is no easy matter, as he +is so confined in point of situation,' &c. &c. Pleasing as might be the +prospect of her marriage pleasures, it will soon be seen that, as Mrs. +Barbauld wrote, 'her married life was short, and,' short as it was, 'not +very happy!' + +Scarcely is Mrs. Chapone first settled, when _she seems to complain of +being in lodgings_; and, when her husband has taken a house, _still she +regrets living_ in Arundel Street, as this is '_very wide from_ Clarges +Street, where' she supposes that her friend _Miss Carter's_ '_residence_ +is fixed.' Even now, dissatisfied with 'a life of hurry and +engagement,' she puts 'the drudgery of answering all the congratulatory +letters,' heaped on them as newly married, 'upon Mr. Chapone; who, _poor +man_,' says his wife, 'was _forced to humour_ me _a little at first_.' +Here is not the worst. '_I have more hours to myself_,' she adds, '_than +I wish for_; for business usually allows me _very little of my husband's +company_, except at meals.' Instead of 'many a comfortable tête-à-tête +with' Miss Carter, whom she assures of her 'most perfect dissent' from +the maxim of Johnson's school, 'that a married woman can have no +friendship but with her husband,' Chapone himself, pleased with Miss +Carter's old friendship, is represented as wondering why she never +visits his wife. 'Surely, my dear,' he would say to her, 'if Miss Carter +loved you, she would sometimes have spent a day with you; and then I +should have known her better. _If ever she loved you, I fancy she left +it off on your being married._' Mrs. Chapone's letters may explain the +absence of Miss Carter. What friend would be in haste to run to her, who +tells that she 'lived in dirt,' and in 'puddling lodgings;' and who +adds, 'at last,' that she reckons herself to be but 'tolerably settled?' + +Lengthened courtships too seldom conclude with happy marriages. Six +years of the lives of one pair, 1754 to 1760, was by far too long to +make love. Our choice may prove to be our lot, just when our lot is no +more our choice. + +Miss Mulso was also more than old enough for Mrs. Chapone. When women +are of disputatious dispositions[5], fixed in their notions, and do not +like learned husbands[6], because they may hope to rule simple ones, +they should marry before the age of thirty-three. + +Poverty is inimical to felicity; but marriage penury, worst of woes, is +inevitably calamitous. Pecuniary difficulties long protracted the union +of Miss Mulso with Mr. Chapone, who at last died in embarrassing +circumstances. Much may be borne; but to court long, wait for wealth, +wed late, and fare ill, seem more than the griefs to which flesh is +heir. + +In her advice to a beloved niece, and in the letter to a new-married +lady, there are passages perhaps referable to the fate of Mrs. Chapone. +'Young women,' she observes, '_know so little_ of the world, especially +_of the other sex_, and _such pains are usually taken to deceive them_, +that they are every way unqualified to choose for themselves, &c. Many a +heart-ache shall _I_ feel for _you_, my sweet girl, if I live a few +years longer[7]!' Equally impressive is her delineation of matrimonial +bickerings. 'Whatever may be said of the _quarrels of lovers_, (believe +_me_!) _those of married people have always dreadful consequences_, +especially if they are not very short and very slight. If _they_ are +suffered to _produce bitter or contemptuous expressions_, or betray +_habitual dislike_ in one party _of any thing in the person or mind_ of +the other, _such wounds can scarcely ever be thoroughly healed_: and +though regard to principle and character lays the married couple under a +necessity to make up the breach as well as they can, yet is their +affiance in each other's affection so rudely shaken in such conflicts, +that it can hardly ever be perfectly fixed again. _The painful +recollection of what is passed, will often intrude upon the tenderest +hours_; and every trifle will awaken and renew it. You must, _even now_, +(it is to a lady _newly married_ that Mrs. C. is addressing herself) be +particularly on your guard against _this_ source of misery.' + +Within the short space of ten months after marriage, Mr. Chapone, whose +health could not have been good, was seized by a fever, which, in about +a week, terminated his mortal career. Though his illness was short, and +thought fatal at first, Mrs. Chapone was not with him for five days +before _his death_, 'as her presence was judged to be very hurtful to +him!' She then heard of his death 'with _her accustomed meekness_;' and, +continues Miss Burrows, writing to Miss Carter, September the 22d, 1761, +'you would hardly believe me were I to describe to you _her calmness and +composure_,' &c., or, 'half _the noble things she says and does_,' &c. +'_She suffered herself_,' again writes Miss Burrows, October 5, 1761, +'_to be the most consoled_, by the kindness of her friends, _I ever saw +any body in her situation_.' Mrs. Chapone was yet for some time ill, on +the death of Mr. Chapone; and she found some other difficulties[8] +against which to bear up. Circumstances shortly after induced her to +retire into lodgings upon a small but decent income, where, cultivating +her connections, she contrived to preserve her independence and +respectability. Her small property was soon augmented by the death of +her father, who did not survive her husband quite two years. + +Mrs. Chapone now spent much of her time with friends. Dr. John Thomas, +her maternal uncle, being then Bishop of Winchester, she was always +welcome either at Farnham Castle, or at Winchester House. Of her various +letters from Farnham Castle, the following one, relating to royalty, is +sufficiently interesting to find its place here. It must be remembered, +that the Bishop had been preceptor to our late and venerable King.--'Mr. +Buller went to Windsor on Saturday,' writes Mrs. Chapone to Mr. Burrows, +August 20, 1778, 'saw the King, who enquired much about the Bishop; and +hearing that he would be eighty-two next Monday, "Then," said he, "I +will go and wish him joy." "And I," said the Queen, "will go too." Mr. +B. then dropped a hint of the additional pleasure it would give the +Bishop if he could see the Princes. "_That_," said the King, "requires +contrivance; but, if I can manage it, we will _all_ go".' ... Monday +morning, a little after eleven o'clock, 'came the King and Queen in +their phaeton, three coaches and six, and one coach and four, with a +large retinue of servants. They were all conducted into the great +drawing-room, by Mr. and Mrs. Buller, where, after paying their +compliments to the Bishop and Mrs. Thomas, those of the first column +remained there to breakfast; those of the second column left the room, +and were led by Mrs. T. to the dressing-room, where Mrs. T. and I were, +and where I made tea for them. After our breakfast was over, as well as +that of the upper house, the royal guests[9] came to visit me in the +dressing-room. The King sent the Princes in to pay their compliments to +_Mrs. Chapone_: himself, he said, was an old acquaintance. Whilst the +Princes were speaking to me, Mr. Arnold, sub-preceptor, said, "These +gentlemen are well acquainted with a certain Ode[10] prefixed to Mrs. +Carter's Epictetus, if you know any thing of it." Afterwards the King +came and spoke to us; and the Queen led the Princess Royal to me, +saying, "This is a young lady, who, I hope, has profited much by your +instructions[11]. She has read them more than once, and will read them +oftener;" and the Princess assented to the praise which followed, with a +very modest air. She has a sweet countenance, and simple unaffected +manners. I was pleased with all the Princes, but particularly with +Prince William, who is little of his age, but so sensible and engaging, +that he won the Bishop's heart; to whom he particularly attached +himself, and would stay with him while all the rest ran about the house. +His conversation was surprisingly manly and clever for his age: yet with +the young Bullers he was quite the boy; and said to John Buller, by way +of encouraging him to talk, "Come, we are both boys, you know." All of +them showed affectionate respect to the Bishop; the Prince of Wales +pressed his hand so hard that he hurt it. Mrs. B----'s two girls were +here, and the eldest son, and great notice was taken of them all. The +youngest girl, a comical natural little creature between eight and nine, +says she thinks it hard that Princes may not marry whom they please; and +seems not without hopes, that, if it were not for this restriction, the +Prince of Wales might prove a lover of hers.' + +Dr. Thomas, to whom these royal honours were thus paid, died in May +1781, at the age of eighty-six years. + +Several months of the year 1766 were passed by Mrs. Chapone at the +parsonage of her second brother, John, at Thornhill, near Wakefield, in +Yorkshire. It was then she conceived that partiality for her niece, his +eldest daughter, to which society is indebted for her 'Letters on the +Improvement of the Mind.' + +Having become acquainted with Mrs. Montagu some time in 1762, she about +eight years after joined her in her tour into Scotland; a tour from +which she derived both information and amusement, and which her pen has +described with fidelity and interest. 'I am grown as bold as a lion with +Mrs. Montagu,' asserts Mrs. Chapone, two years before their tour, to +Mrs. Carter, 'and fly in her face whenever I have a mind: in short, I +enjoy her society with the most perfect _goût_; and find my love for her +takes off my fear and awe, though my respect for her character +continually increases.' Mrs. Montagu's great friendship was found +eminently conducive to the welfare of Mrs. Chapone. It added to her +sources of intellectual gratification, extended the old circle of her +acquaintance, and emboldened and encouraged her to submit her writings +to the world. + +We are now to consider Mrs. Chapone's literary performances; which, +following the order of publication, consist of + + Letters on the Improvement of the Mind; 1773. + + Miscellanies, in Prose and Verse; 1775. + + Posthumous Works; two volumes, 1804. + +These latter volumes contain Mrs. Chapone's Correspondence with Mr. +Richardson, on Filial Obedience; a Matrimonial Creed, sent by her to +him; Letters to her friends; some Fugitive Poetry; and 'An Account of +her _Life and Character_, drawn up _by her own Family_.' Dismissing the +consideration of its partiality, this account, justly so called, has no +claim to the character of biography. + +Her 'Letters on the Improvement of the Mind' owed much of their early +success to the talents and kindness of Mrs. Montagu. 'The bookseller,' +writes their Author, July the 20th, 1773, 'is preparing the second +edition with all haste, the whole of the first being gone out of his +hands; which, considering that he printed off fifteen hundred at first, +is an extraordinary quick sale. _I attribute this success principally to +Mrs. Montagu's name, and patronage_,' &c. More of this is told in the +Dedication of the work to her. 'I believe you (Mrs. Montagu) are +persuaded that I (Mrs. Chapone) never entertained a thought of appearing +in public, when the desire of being useful to one dear child, in whom I +take the tenderest interest[12], induced me to write the following +letters: perhaps it was the partiality of friendship which so far +biassed your judgment as to make you think them capable of being more +extensively useful, and warmly to recommend the publication of them. +If,' proceeds the author, 'you will allow me to add that _some strokes +of your elegant pen_ have corrected these Letters, I may hope _they will +be received with an attention_ which will insure a candid judgment from +the reader; and, perhaps, will enable them to _make some useful +impressions_ on those to whom they are now particularly offered.' + +Notwithstanding their intrinsic excellence, various circumstances +co-operated to give to her Letters immediate popularity. Besides the +beginning preference for books on education, epistolary composition, the +style of her work, was then in very general estimation. It was the style +to which the volumes of Richardson, the correspondence of Pope, the +letters of Chesterfield and of Orrery, had familiarized the public mind. +Nor could expectation have been indifferent to any production from the +pen of one who was the friendly pupil of Samuel Richardson; in favour of +whom the discerning part of readers were already prepossessed, by the +commendation he had bestowed on her talents, and the assiduity with +which he had cultivated her correspondence. What might not be hoped from +a lady, who, when not much above twenty years of age, was considered +qualified to controvert with him the subject of paternal authority and +filial obedience? But, if admiration had been excited, it was only in +order to be gratified. Mrs. Chapone did not disappoint the expectations +entertained concerning Miss Mulso. + +It is the imperishable honour of Mrs. Chapone, that the foundation of +_her_ temple of education is on the rock, and not in the sands; that the +superstructure is therefore not only beautiful, but lasting. On the +being of a God, she fixes the tottering hopes of mere mortality: and by +his Revealed Will would direct its steps, to certainty, happiness, and +glory. Nor has she been unsuccessful in displaying the benevolent +attributes of Deity, and in exciting the gratitude of the heart towards +him. Without impeaching his justice, she has exalted his mercy; without +diminishing the awe, she has increased the fervency of pious adoration; +without depreciating prayer, she has insisted on a spirit of +thanksgiving. Devotion, in her view, becomes attractive as well as +important. We love, while we obey; while we tremble, we rejoice. Resting +the ground-work of all morality on religion, _assent_ is insisted upon +prior to _investigation_; not that the latter is excluded. Since, +however, we are compelled to _act_ before we become qualified to +_think_, it is of the utmost importance that some standard be +established in the mind, for the regulation of the conduct. Religion +supplies this deficiency. Its penalties and rewards are offered, at a +time when we are principally governed by our hopes or fears; and are, +indeed, incapable of being acted upon by abstracted considerations of +right and wrong. + +Of the early _historical_ parts of the Old Testament, Mrs. Chapone +speaks with the commendation they will always obtain from discriminating +minds. Nothing in profane history is equal to their beautiful +simplicity, their affecting minuteness. They are not sufficiently +studied. + +On the scope of the Gospel, as delivered in the New Testament, it is +justly affirmed--'The whole tenor of the Gospel is to offer us every +help, direction, and motive, that can enable us to attain that degree of +perfection, on which depends our eternal good.' Exception must +nevertheless be taken to a few epithets, by which she endeavours to +picture a future state of blessedness; as, 'the richest imagination can +paint:' for, what imagination shall paint that which 'it hath not +entered into the heart of man to conceive?' + +Letters the Fourth and Fifth, _On the Regulation of the Heart and +Affections_, display considerable knowledge of human nature, exhibit +high reasoning powers on the part of the writer, and are fraught with +excellent moral distinctions. The fifth, however, owing to the subjects +it embraces, is particularly valuable to the sex to whom it is +addressed. This encomium will apply to her sentiments _On Household +Economy_, and _On Deportment towards Servants_. The course of _Studies_ +and _Accomplishments_ recommended by her, perhaps, still includes all +that is essential. + +Unornamental, but not ungraceful, Mrs. Chapone's style, though plain, is +deserving of commendation. If there be one main fault in it, one +reigning vice, it is that it abounds with parentheses, which tend to +obscure it. + +The success of her Letters is stated by herself to have been the source +of much good to her: she who, only ten years before, declared that 'this +world had nothing for her but a few friends,' who owns that 'a certain +weariness of life, and a sense of insignificance and insipidity,' did +then 'deject' her, now feels that the success of her writings appeased +'that uneasy sense of helplessness and insignificancy which often +depressed and afflicted her.' Her work gave her some tie to the world. +Her intellectual existence, her new life, succeeded to her sympathetic +state. + +Of her next work, the 'Miscellanies,' not much need be said. +Unqualified in her admiration of the author's abilities, Mrs. Barbauld +seems to labour to explain the unpopularity of this publication. The +toil was not worth the pains. Excepting the _Letter to a New-married +Lady_, and _Three Essays_, the contents of this volume did not authorize +the distinction to which friendship conceived it to be entitled. + +Her long epistolary controversy with Richardson, respecting 'Filial +Obedience' generally, evidences great superiority of thought. It extends +to three letters; of which the first is dated October 12, and the second +November 10, 1750; and the third, which is her last, bears date the 3d +of January, 1750-51. Perhaps Miss Carter was not far from the fact, +when, as now appears from one of Mrs. Chapone's Letters to her, she +called this controversy 'an unmerciful prolixity upon a plain simple +subject.' Still it is, in such hands, of much worth. Differing from +Richardson in some essential particulars, Mrs. Chapone, young as she +then was, magnanimously promulgated, and resolutely defended, her own +sentiments. Authority seems to have been here considered by Richardson +as synonymous with what most men think tyranny. Parents were to be +despots, and children to live as their bond-slaves. Obligation is +reciprocal. Subjection necessarily supposes protection; and paternal +authority has the best claim to filial obedience, where benevolence +endears dependance, and where conduct demands respect. Goldsmith told no +more than truth, when, as his Essays will show, he declared that there +were parents who got children for the gratification of tyrannising over +them. + +Mrs. Chapone had the gift of letter-writing. When she writes to her few +friends, it is with ease, with sense, and with life. She does not then +write for the press. She read much, thought more, and wrote as she +thought. Many of her judgments, both of men and books, deserve to be +weighed. + +The last years of life, it is painful to add, were not her best years. +Surviving those by whom life was to her rendered estimable, unshaken as +was her religion, her mind, it is acknowledged by friends, yielded to +its afflictions; 'her memory became visibly and materially impaired; and +her body was so much affected by the sufferings of her mind, that she +soon sank into a state of alarming debility.' She who bore with +'calmness and composure' the death of a husband, of him whom she calls +'the man of her choice,' felt that she lost on the death of a brother, +'her strongest tie to this world,' and 'sank into a state of alarming +debility!' Where the treasure is, there also will the heart still be +found. Sublunary happiness is at the best uncertain as unstable; and +those whose plans of good are made for this earth, will see, sooner or +later, that they have built on the sands instead of the rock. + +Contracted in circumstances, and limited in the number of her friends, +Mrs. Chapone, with her youngest niece, retired to Hadley, in the autumn +of 1800; where her living near to Miss Amy Burrows[13], who had been +there for some years, opened new prospects of comfort for her rapidly +declining age. + +It was now that Mrs. Chapone needed all that the most affectionate +assiduity could do for her. 'Mrs. and Miss Burrows,' continues the short +account by her family, 'were her constant visitors; and while they +surveyed, with compassion and humiliation, the awful lesson to nature +which the wreck of so bright an ornament to it presented, they omitted +no opportunity to administer every soothing means of relief she was then +capable of experiencing.' Mr. Cottrell, also, successor to the Rev. Mr. +Burrows, at Hadley, and his family, with their friends, sometimes +enlivened the solitary seclusion to which she was doomed; but her +infirmities augmented so much, at this time, that she was not able to go +down stairs more than three or four times. + +Her life was near its close. October 1801, she completed her 74th year; +and on the Christmas-day following, without any direct illness, having +described herself as unusually well the day before, and after +experiencing less distemper during the last than any of the years of her +life, she fell into a doze, from which nothing could rouse her; and at +the eighth hour of the night, she drew her last breath, tranquilly and +imperceptibly, in the arms of her niece. Mrs. Burrows was also with her. + +Mrs. Chapone is not represented as one who had pretensions to what men +term beauty. If, however, any credit is due to the opinion of +Richardson, who knew her in her best days, and who could judge of the +sex, there was in her something of physiognomical fascination, that +bright emanation of soul, illuminating the countenance, which, candid +and benign, gave to the face its best charm. + +Music was one of her delights. Naturally possessing a voice both +mellifluous and powerful, with much true taste, and great accuracy of +ear, she, without the aid of science, would often surpass the efforts of +professional excellence. Aided by her brother[14] on the violin, her +singing frequently astonished those who were the highest judges of that +talent.[15] + +Accomplished in deportment, intelligent in conversation, uniformly +agreeable to society generally, her company was coveted by all who knew +her, and sought for by numbers of persons with whom she never +associated. + +Physical infirmities were to her the source of habitual misery. Cold and +wet seem to have been too much for her frame; and, by the medium of +that, for her mind. + +With all her faults, for some there were in her, she was still great. +Her life may teach much that it will be well to learn; nor can too much +be said in praise of her best work. + +Mrs. Chapone holds out one bright proof of what intelligence and +perseverance may in due time hope to accomplish. She cast her own lot. +Herself made herself; and to the honours of her name, great as they are, +those who tread in her steps may yet aspire. + +Considering the high importance of her literary exertions, no task would +have been more pleasing than that of bestowing unqualified approbation +on her character. Her writings, already productive of good the most +extensively beneficial, will stand the imperishable monument of her +worth. While the sentiments which they inculcate are valued, and the +language in which they are conveyed is known, while virtue is loved, or +piety revered among us, the 'Letters on the Improvement of the Mind' +will suffer no diminution of that reputation in which they have been so +long held by the world. + +FOOTNOTES: + +[1] 'I am at present engaged with a most admirable young lady of little +more than twenty, Miss Mulso, on the subject of Filial Obedience and +Paternal Authority, &c. Miss Mulso is a charming writer, &c. Your +ladyship will be charmed with her part of the subject.' _Richardson to +Lady Bradshaigh, 1751._ + +'I have been engaged in a kind of amicable controversy with my honoured +friend Mr. Richardson, which has occasioned letters of so immoderate a +length between us, that I have been quite tired of pen and ink, and +inexcusably negligent of all my other correspondents. Does it not sound +strange, my dear Miss Carter, that a girl like me should have dared to +engage in a dispute with such a man? Indeed I have often wondered at my +own assurance; but the pleasure and improvement I expected from his +letters were motives too strong to be resisted, and the kind +encouragement he gave me got the better of my fear of exposing myself.' +_Miss Mulso to Miss Carter, March 1750._ + +This correspondence is dated from October 1750, to January 1751. + +[2] 'I shall still find in her (Miss Mulso is writing _to_ and _of_ Miss +Carter) that amiable condescension, and unreserved benevolence, which +endears her conversation, and enhances the value of her understanding; +which teaches her how to improve her companions without appearing to +instruct them, to correct without seeming to reprove, and even to +reprove without offending.' _Miss Mulso to Miss Carter, September 11, +1749._ + +'It is impossible not to be better, as well as happier, for an intimate +acquaintance with _Miss Carter_; take her for all in all, I think, I may +venture to pronounce her _the first of women_!' _Miss Mulso to Mr. +Richardson, July 24, 1752._ + +[3] 'I think I read the 'Rambler' with great attention, yet I cannot +entirely acquit him of the charge of severity in his satires on mankind. +I believe him a worthy humane man; but I think I see a little of the +asperity of disappointment in his writings.' _Miss Mulso to Miss Carter, +October 1752._ + +'I am very unwilling to believe those that fright us with shocking +pictures of human nature, and could almost quarrel with my very great +favourite, 'The Rambler,' for his too-general censures on mankind; and +for speaking of envy and malice as universal passions.' _Ibid._ + +[4] 'I thank God, (Canterbury, August 29, 1757,) my best soul has now +the upper hand, by the assistance of medicine and cool weather, much +more than of reason; and perhaps by the hope of two or three days of +fancied good, in the presence of a _fancied essential_ (Mr. Chapone) to +my happiness, who has promised to come down and see me some time before +the middle of next month.'----'I shall now tell you something of myself, +who live here (Salisbury, John, the second brother to her, being then +its Prebendary) uncorrupted by grandeur, &c. &c. &c. who could prefer _a +little attorney_ (Chapone) even to my Lord Feversham; had he offered to +me, instead of the fair young lady he has so happily won.' _Miss Mulso +to Miss Carter._ + +[5] 'Nothing can ever make me amends for that luxurious ease and +security, in the kindness of all around me, which enables me to wrangle, +abuse, and dispute, till I am black in the face,' &c. &c. _Mrs. Chapone +to Mr. Burrows, 1773._ + +[6] 'It has always been one of my prayers, that I might never be the +wife of an overgrown scholar.' _Miss Mulso to Miss Carter, 1754._ + +[7] Letters on the Improvement of the Mind, edit. 1801, pages 93, 94. + +[8] 'I have been very near death; and, at the time he threatened me +most, it was the most earnest wish of my heart to meet and embrace him. +But, I bless God, I am restored not only to life, but to a sense of the +great mercy indulged me in the grant of a longer tern of trial.'--'You +are so obligingly solicitous about my circumstances, that I would +willingly inform you of the state of them, if I had any certainty about +them. But my dear Mr. Chapone's affairs were left in great confusion and +perplexity by his sudden death; which happened just at the time of year +in which he should have settled his accounts, and made out his bills. As +these are very considerable, his estate must suffer a great loss from +this circumstance. At present, things are in a very melancholy state, +and my own prospects such as would probably have appeared very dreadful +to me at any other time.' _Mrs. Chapone to Miss Carter, December 6, +1761._ + +[9] King George III. and Queen Charlotte; his present Majesty, then +Prince of Wales, and sixteen years old; Prince Frederic, Duke of York, +then fifteen years old; Prince William, Duke of Clarence, then thirteen +years old; Princess Royal, now Queen of Wirtemberg, then about fourteen +years old, and Princess Augusta, then about ten years old. + +[10] Addressed by Mrs. Chapone to her friend Mrs. Carter. + +[11] 'Letters on the Improvement of the Mind.' They had been published +five years then. + +[12] This young lady, of whom the reader must wish to know more, was the +eldest daughter of Mrs. Chapone's second brother, John, who was +Prebendary of the cathedrals of Winchester and Salisbury. She became +attached to this niece in 1766, while on a visit at her home; wrote the +Letters, to her, in 1772; and, stimulated by her literary friends, +published them in 1773.--'I had great satisfaction,' writes Mrs. Chapone +to Miss Carter, November 1797, 'in seeing my darling niece established +in the happiest manner, at Winchester, with husband (Rev. Benjamin +Jeffreys) who seems in every respect calculated to make her happy.' Mrs. +Chapone passed the autumns 1797 and 1798 at the Deanery at Winchester. +Here she awaited the approaching accouchement of her dearest niece, +which was destined to terminate one or her fondest hopes. This last joy +of her life, this child of her heart, was now torn from her, after the +birth of a dead infant, in March 1799. + +[13] Of the family of the Burrows's, who were her tried friends, 'I am +glad,' writes Mrs. Chapone to Miss Carter, July 31, 1761, 'that you love +my Burrows's, who are, indeed, some of the most valuable persons I have +ever known.----Poor Miss Amy (who was her last prop!) is still +complaining, and consequently her sisters are anxious and unhappy.----I +wish you were to hear Mr. Burrows preach. There is a simplicity and an +earnestness in his manner more affecting than any thing I ever heard +from the pulpit.' Mrs. Smith and Mrs. Elizabeth Burrows, two of the +sisters mentioned in this place, together with Mr. and Mrs. Burrows, +died before Mrs. Chapone's final retreat to Hadley; so that 'out of that +amiable and happy circle with whom she delighted to associate, and on +whom she relied as the sources of the most refined enjoyments, only one +sister, the present Mrs. Amy Burrows, remained to bestow on her that +heartfelt consolation which this inestimable friend never failed to +administer.' The houses of Mr. Burrows, with his wife and two younger +sisters, and of his eldest sister, wife of Sir Culling Smith, Bart. were +long her favourite asylums, and the hours spent by her in them were +among the most happy of her life. + +[14] Edward Mulso. 'Since you went,' (Miss Carter had just left the then +Miss Mulso,) 'I have done nothing,' writes Mrs. C., 'but sing +Metastasio's song. I am distracted for a tune that will go to the +Translation, that I might sing that, from morning to night. I have made +_Neddy_ walk with me to the tree, by Sir _Edward_ Hale's park; and +intend often to reconnoitre the spot where you sat by me there.'--'Your +friend _Edward_ is with us; and we make a pretty little concert at home, +pretty often,' &c. &c. + +[15] The following compliment to the vocal powers of Mrs. C., though +high, appears to be ingenuous. Dr. Kennicott, relating the University +Festival, at Oxford, in a letter to Richardson, dated Exeter College, +June 9, 1754, observes--"The first clap of applause was upon _Forasi's_ +taking her place in the orchestra; _Signiora_ seemed a little too +sensible of the honour, &c. But I forgive her; for indeed _she_ sings--I +cannot say _most_ delightfully--for have I not heard Miss _Mulso_?" + + + + +LETTERS ON THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE MIND. + + + + +LETTER I. + +ON THE FIRST PRINCIPLES OF RELIGION. + + + _MY DEAREST NIECE_, + +THOUGH you are so happy as to have parents, who are both capable and +desirous of giving you all proper instruction, yet I, who love you so +tenderly, cannot help fondly wishing to contribute something, if +possible, to your improvement and welfare: and, as I am so far separated +from you, that it is only by pen and ink I can offer you my sentiments, +I will hope that your attention may be engaged, by seeing on paper, from +the hand of one of your warmest friends, Truths of the highest +importance, which, though you may not find new, can never be too deeply +engraven on your mind. Some of them perhaps may make no great +impression at present, and yet may so far gain a place in your memory as +readily to return to your thoughts when occasion recalls them. And, if +you pay me the compliment of preserving my letters, you may possibly +re-peruse them at some future period, when concurring circumstances may +give them additional weight:--and thus they may prove more effectual +than the same things spoken in conversation. But, however this may +prove, I cannot resist the desire of trying in some degree to be useful +to you on your setting out in a life of trial and difficulty; your +success in which must determine your fate for ever. + +Hitherto you have "thought as a child, and understood as a child; but it +is time to put away childish things." You are now in your fifteenth +year, and must soon act for yourself; therefore it is high time to store +your mind with those principles, which must direct your conduct, and fix +your character. If you desire to live in peace and honour, in favour +with God and man, and to die in the glorious hope of rising from the +grave to a life of endless happiness--if these things appear worthy your +ambition, you must set out in earnest in the pursuit of them. Virtue +and happiness are not attained by chance, nor by a cold and languid +approbation: they must be sought with ardour, attended to with +diligence, and every assistance must be eagerly embraced that may enable +you to obtain them. Consider, that good and evil are now before you; +that, if you do not heartily choose and love the one, you must +undoubtedly be the wretched victim of the other. Your trial is now +begun; you must either become one of the glorious _children_ of _God_, +who are to rejoice in his love for ever, or a _child_ of +_destruction_--miserable in this life, and punished with eternal death +hereafter. Surely, you will be impressed by so awful a situation! you +will earnestly pray to be directed into that road of life, which leads +to excellence and happiness; and you will be thankful to every kind hand +that is held out, to set you forward in your journey. + +The first step must be to awaken your mind to a sense of the importance +of the task before you, which is no less than to bring your frail nature +to that degree of Christian perfection, which is to qualify it for +immortality, and without which, it is necessarily incapable of +happiness; for it is a truth never to be forgotten, that God has annexed +happiness to virtue, and misery to vice, by the unchangeable nature of +things; and that a wicked being (while he continues such) is in a +natural incapacity of enjoying happiness, even with the concurrence of +all those outward circumstances, which in a virtuous mind would produce +it. + +As there are degrees of virtue and vice, so are there of reward and +punishment, both here and hereafter: But, let not my dearest Niece aim +only at escaping the dreadful doom of the wicked--let your desires take +a nobler flight, and aspire after those transcendent honours, and that +brighter crown of glory, which await those who have excelled in virtue; +and, let the animating thought, that every secret effort to gain his +favour is noted by your all-seeing Judge, who will, with infinite +goodness, proportion your reward to your labours, excite every faculty +of your soul to please and serve him. To this end you must _inform your +understanding_ what you ought to _believe_ and to _do_.--You must +_correct_ and _purify_ your _heart_; cherish and improve all its good +affections, and continually mortify and subdue those that are evil.--You +must _form_ and _govern_ your _temper_ and _manners_, according to the +laws of benevolence and justice; and qualify yourself, by all means in +your power, for an _useful_ and _agreeable_ member of society. All this +you see is no light business, nor can it be performed without a sincere +and earnest application of the mind, as to its great and constant +object. When once you consider life, and the duties of life, in this +manner, you will listen eagerly to the voice of instruction and +admonition, and seize every opportunity of improvement; every useful +hint will be laid up in your heart, and your chief delight will be in +those persons, and those books, from which you can learn true wisdom. + +The only sure foundation of human virtue is Religion, and the foundation +and first principle of religion is in the belief of the one only God, +and a just sense of his attributes. This you will think you have learned +long since, and possess in common with almost every human creature in +this enlightened age and nation; but, believe me, it is less common than +you imagine, to believe in the true God--that is, to form such a notion +of the Deity as is agreeable to truth, and consistent with those +infinite perfections, which all profess to ascribe to him. To form +worthy notions of the Supreme Being, as far as we are capable, is +essential to true religion and morality; for as it is our duty to +imitate those qualities of the Divinity, which are imitable by us, so is +it necessary we should know what they are, and fatal to mistake them. +Can those who think of God with servile dread and terror, as of a gloomy +tyrant, armed with almighty power to torment and destroy them, be said +to believe in the true God?--in that God, who, the scriptures say, is +love?--the kindest and best of Beings, who made all creatures in +bountiful goodness, that he might communicate to them some portion of +his own unalterable happiness!--who condescends to style himself our +Father; and who pitieth us, as a father pitieth his own children! Can +those, who expect to please God by cruelty to themselves or to their +fellow-creatures--by horrid punishments of their own bodies for the sin +of their souls--or, by more horrid persecution of others for difference +of opinion, be called true believers? Have they not set up another God +in their own minds, who rather resembles the worst of beings than the +best? Nor do those act on surer principles who think to gain the favour +of God by senseless enthusiasm and frantic raptures, more like the wild +excesses of the most depraved human love, than that reasonable +adoration, that holy reverential love, which is due to the pure and holy +Father of the universe. Those likewise, who murmur against his +providence, and repine under the restraint of his commands, cannot +firmly believe him infinitely wise and good. If we are not disposed to +trust him for future events, to banish fruitless anxiety, and to believe +that all things work together for good to those that love him, surely we +do not really believe in the God of mercy and truth. If we wish to avoid +all remembrance of him, all communion with him, as much as we dare, +surely we do not believe him to be the source of joy and comfort, the +dispenser of all good. + +How lamentable it is, that so few hearts should feel the pleasures of +real piety; that prayer and thanksgiving should be performed, as they +too often are, not with joy, and love, and gratitude; but, with cold +indifference, melancholy dejection, or secret horror! It is true, we +are all such frail and sinful creatures, that we justly fear to have +offended our gracious Father: but let us remember the condition of his +forgiveness: If you have sinned, "sin no more." He is ready to receive +you whenever you sincerely turn to him--and he is ready to assist you, +when you do but desire to obey him. Let your devotion then be the +language of filial love and gratitude; confide to this kindest of +fathers every want and every wish of your heart; but submit them all +to his will, and freely offer him the disposal of yourself, and of all +your affairs. Thank him for his benefits, and even for his +punishments--convinced that these also are benefits, and mercifully +designed for your good. Implore his direction in all difficulties; his +assistance in all trials; his comfort and support in sickness or +affliction; his restraining grace in time of prosperity and joy. Do not +persist in desiring what his providence denies you; but be assured it +is not good for you. Refuse not any thing he allots you, but embrace it +as the best and properest for you. Can you do less to your heavenly +Father than what your duty to an earthly one requires? If you were to +ask permission of your father to do or to have any thing you desire, +and he should refuse it to you, would you obstinately persist in +setting your heart upon it notwithstanding his prohibition? Would you +not rather say, My father is wiser than I am; he loves me, and would +not deny my request, if it was fit to be granted; I will therefore +banish the thought, and cheerfully acquiesce in his will? How much +rather should this be said of our heavenly Father, whose wisdom cannot +be mistaken, and whose bountiful kindness is infinite! Love him, +therefore, in the same manner you love your earthly parents, but in a +much higher degree--in the highest your nature is capable of. Forget +not to dedicate yourself to his service every day; to implore his +forgiveness of your faults, and his protection from evil, every night: +and this not merely in formal words, unaccompanied by any act of the +mind, but "in spirit and in truth;" in grateful love and humble +adoration. Nor let these stated periods of worship be your only +communication with him; accustom yourself to think often of him, in all +your waking hours,--to contemplate his wisdom and power, in the works +of his hands,--to acknowledge his goodness in every object of use or of +pleasure,--to delight in giving him praise in your inmost heart in the +midst of every innocent gratification--in the liveliest hour of social +enjoyment. You cannot conceive, if you have not experienced, how much +such silent acts of gratitude and love will enhance every pleasure; nor +what sweet serenity and cheerfulness such reflections will diffuse over +your mind. On the other hand, when you are suffering pain or sorrow, +when you are confined to an unpleasant situation, or engaged in a +painful duty, how will it support and animate you, to refer yourself to +your Almighty Father!--to be assured that he knows your state and your +intentions; that no effort of virtue is lost in his sight, nor the +least of your actions or sufferings disregarded or forgotten!--that his +hand is ever over you, to ward off every real evil, which is not the +effect of your own ill-conduct, and to relieve every suffering that is +not useful to your future well-being. + +You see, my dear, that true devotion is not a melancholy sentiment, that +depresses the spirits, and excludes the ideas of pleasure, which youth +is fond of: on the contrary, there is nothing so friendly to joy, so +productive of true pleasure, so peculiarly suited to the warmth and +innocence of a youthful heart. Do not therefore think it too soon to +turn your mind to God; but offer him the first fruits of your +understanding and affections: and be assured, that the more you increase +in love to him, and delight in his laws, the more you will increase in +happiness, in excellence, and honour:--that in proportion as you improve +in true piety, you will become dear and amiable to your +fellow-creatures; contented and peaceful in yourself; and qualified to +enjoy the best blessings of this life, as well as to inherit the +glorious promise of immortality. + +Thus far I have spoken of the first principles of all religion; namely, +belief in God, worthy notions of his attributes, and suitable +affections towards him--which will naturally excite a sincere desire of +obedience. But before you can obey his will, you must know what that +will is; you must enquire in what manner he has declared it, and where +you may find those laws which must be the rule of your actions. + +The great laws of morality are indeed written in our hearts, and may be +discovered by reason: but our reason is of slow growth, very unequally +dispensed to different persons, liable to error, and confined within +very narrow limits in all. If, therefore, God vouchsafed to grant a +particular revelation of his will--if he has been so unspeakably +gracious, as to send his Son into the world to reclaim mankind from +error and wickedness--to die for our sins--and to teach us the way to +eternal life--surely it becomes us to receive his precepts with the +deepest reverence; to love and prize them above all things; and to study +them constantly, with an earnest desire to conform our thoughts, our +words, and actions to them. + +As you advance in years and understanding, I hope you will be able to +examine for yourself the evidences of the Christian religion, and be +convinced, on rational grounds, of its divine authority. At present, +such inquiries would demand more study, and greater powers of reasoning, +than your age admits of. It is your part, therefore, till you are +capable of understanding the proofs, to believe your parents and +teachers, that the holy scriptures are writings inspired by God, +containing a true history of facts, in which we are deeply concerned--a +true recital of the laws given by God to Moses, and of the precepts of +our blessed Lord and Saviour, delivered from his own mouth to his +disciples, and repeated and enlarged upon in the edifying epistles of +his apostles--who were men chosen from amongst those who had the +advantage of conversing with our Lord, to bear witness of his miracles +and resurrection--and who, after his ascension, were assisted and +inspired by the Holy Ghost. This sacred volume must be the rule of your +life. In it you will find all truths necessary to be believed; and plain +and easy directions for the practice of every duty. Your Bible then must +be your chief study and delight: but as it contains many various kinds +of writing--some parts obscure and difficult of interpretation, others +plain and intelligible to the meanest capacity--I would chiefly +recommend to your frequent perusal such parts of the sacred writings as +are most adapted to your understanding, and most necessary for your +instruction. Our Saviour's precepts were spoken to the common people +amongst the Jews; and were therefore given in a manner easy to be +understood, and equally striking and instructive to the learned and +unlearned; for the most ignorant may comprehend them, whilst the wisest +must be charmed and awed, by the beautiful and majestic simplicity with +which they are expressed. Of the same kind are the Ten Commandments, +delivered by God to Moses; which, as they were designed for universal +laws, are worded in the most concise and simple manner, yet with a +majesty which commands our utmost reverence. + +I think you will receive great pleasure, as well as improvement, from +the Historical Books of the Old Testament--provided you read them as an +history, in a regular course, and keep the thread of it in your mind, as +you go on. I know of none, true or fictitious, that is equally +wonderful, interesting, and affecting; or that is told in so short and +simple a manner as this, which is, of all histories, the most authentic. + +In my next letter, I will give you some brief directions, concerning the +method and course I wish you to pursue, in reading the Holy Scriptures. +May you be enabled to make the best use of this most precious gift of +God--this sacred treasury of knowledge! May you read the Bible, not as a +task, nor as the dull employment of that day only in which you are +forbidden more lively entertainments--but with a sincere and ardent +desire of instruction; with that love and delight in God's word which +the holy psalmist so pathetically felt, and described, and which is the +natural consequence of loving God and virtue! Though I speak this of the +Bible in general, I would not be understood to mean that every part of +the volume is equally interesting. I have already said, that it consists +of various matter, and various kinds of books, which must be read with +different views and sentiments. The having some general notion of what +you are to expect from each book may possibly help you to understand +them, and heighten your relish of them. I shall treat you as if you were +perfectly new to the whole; for so I wish you to consider yourself; +because the time and manner, in which children usually read the Bible, +are very ill-calculated to make them really acquainted with it; and too +many people who have read it thus, without understanding it in their +youth, satisfy themselves that they know enough of it, and never +afterwards study it with attention, when they come to a maturer age. + +Adieu, my beloved Niece! If the feelings of your heart, whilst you read +my letters, correspond with those of mine, whilst I write them, I shall +not be without the advantage of your partial affection, to give weight +to my advice; for, believe me, my own dear girl, my heart and eyes +overflow with tenderness while I tell you, with how warm and earnest +prayers for your happiness here, and hereafter, I subscribe myself + + Your faithful friend + + and most affectionate AUNT. + + + + +LETTER II. + +ON THE STUDY OF THE HOLY SCRIPTURES. + + +I NOW proceed to give my dear Niece some short sketches of the matter +contained in the different books of the Bible, and of the course in +which they ought to be read. + +The first Book, GENESIS, contains the most grand, and, to us, the most +interesting, events that ever happened in the universe: The creation of +the world, and of man:--The deplorable fall of man, from his first state +of excellence and bliss, to the distressed condition in which we see all +his descendants continue:--The sentence of death pronounced on Adam, and +on all his race, with the reviving promise of that deliverance which has +since been wrought for us by our blessed Saviour:--The account of the +early state of the world:--Of the universal deluge:--The division of +mankind into different nations and languages:--The story of Abraham, the +founder of the Jewish people, whose unshaken faith and obedience, under +the severest trial human nature could sustain, obtained such favour in +the sight of God, that he vouchsafed to style him his friend, and +promised to make his posterity a great nation; and that in his +seed--that is, in one of his descendants--all the kingdoms of the earth +should be blessed: this, you will easily see, refers to the Messiah, who +was to be the blessing and deliverance of all nations. It is amazing +that the Jews, possessing this prophecy among many others, should have +been so blinded by prejudice, as to have expected from this great +personage only a temporal deliverance of their own nation from the +subjection to which they were reduced under the Romans: it is equally +amazing, that some Christians should, even now, confine the blessed +effects of his appearance upon earth to this or that particular sect or +profession, when he is so clearly and emphatically described as the +Saviour of the whole world! The story of Abraham's proceeding to +sacrifice his only son at the command of God, is affecting in the +highest degree, and sets forth a pattern of unlimited resignation, that +every one ought to imitate, in those trials of obedience under +temptation, or of acquiescence under afflicting dispensations, which +fall to their lot: of this we may be assured, that our trials will be +always proportioned to the powers afforded us: if we have not Abraham's +strength of mind, neither shall we be called upon to lift the bloody +knife against the bosom of an only child: but, if the almighty arm +should be lifted up against him, we must be ready to resign him, and all +we hold dear, to the Divine will. This action of Abraham has been +censured by some, who do not attend to the distinction between obedience +to a special command, and the detestably cruel sacrifices of the +heathens, who sometimes voluntarily, and without any Divine injunctions, +offered up their own children, under the notion of appeasing the anger +of their gods. An absolute command from God himself--as in the case of +Abraham--entirely alters the moral nature of the action; since he, and +he only, has a perfect right over the lives of his creatures, and may +appoint whom he will, either angel or man, to be his instrument of +destruction. That it was really the voice of God which pronounced the +command, and not a delusion, might be made certain to Abraham's mind, by +means we do not comprehend, but which we know to be within the power of +_him_ who made our souls as well as bodies, and who can control and +direct every faculty of the human mind: and we may be assured, that, if +he was pleased to reveal himself so miraculously, he would not leave a +possibility of doubting whether it was a real or an imaginary +revelation: thus the sacrifice of Abraham appears to be clear of all +superstition, and remains the noblest instance of religious faith and +submission that was ever given by a mere man: we cannot wonder that the +blessings bestowed on him for it should have been extended to his +posterity. This book proceeds with the history of Isaac, which becomes +very interesting to us, from the touching scene I have mentioned; and +still more so, if we consider him as the type of our Saviour: it +recounts his marriage with Rebecca--the birth and history of his two +sons, Jacob, the father of the twelve tribes, and Esau, the father of +the Edomites or Idumeans--the exquisitely affecting story of Joseph and +his brethren--and of his transplanting the Israelites into Egypt, who +there multiplied to a great nation. + +In EXODUS you read of a series of wonders wrought by the Almighty, to +rescue the oppressed Israelites from the cruel tyranny of the Egyptians, +who, having first received them as guests, by degrees reduced them to a +state of slavery. By the most peculiar mercies and exertions in their +favour, God prepared his chosen people to receive, with reverent and +obedient hearts, the solemn restitution of those primitive laws, which +probably he had revealed to Adam and his immediate descendants, or +which, at least, he had made known by the dictates of conscience, but +which, time, and the degeneracy of mankind, had much obscured. This +important revelation was made to them in the wilderness of Sinah: there, +assembled before the burning mountain, surrounded "with blackness, and +darkness, and tempest," they heard the awful voice of God pronounce the +eternal law, impressing it on their hearts with circumstances of terror, +but without those encouragements and those excellent promises, which +were afterwards offered to mankind by Jesus Christ. Thus were the great +laws of morality restored to the Jews, and through them transmitted to +other nations; and by that means a great restraint was opposed to the +torrent of vice and impiety, which began to prevail over the world. + +To those moral precepts, which are of perpetual and universal +obligation, were superadded, by the ministration of Moses, many peculiar +institutions, wisely adapted to different ends--either to fix the memory +of those past deliverances, which were figurative of a future and far +greater salvation--to place inviolable barriers between the Jews and the +idolatrous nations, by whom they were surrounded--or, to be the civil +law, by which the community was to be governed. + +To conduct this series of events, and to establish these laws with his +people, God raised up that great prophet Moses, whose faith and piety +enabled him to undertake and execute the most arduous enterprises, and +to pursue, with unabated zeal, the welfare of his countrymen: even in +the hour of death, this generous ardour still prevailed: his last +moments were employed in fervent prayers for their prosperity, and in +rapturous gratitude for the glimpse vouchsafed him of a Saviour, far +greater than himself, whom God would one day raise up to his people. + +Thus did Moses, by the excellency of his faith, obtain a glorious +pre-eminence among the saints and prophets in heaven; while, on earth, +he will be ever revered, as the first of those benefactors to mankind, +whose labours for the public good have endeared their memory to all +ages. + +The next book is LEVITICUS, which contains little besides the laws for +the peculiar ritual observance of the Jews, and therefore affords no +great instruction to us now: you may pass it over entirely; and, for the +same reason, you may omit the first eight chapters of NUMBERS. The rest +of Numbers is chiefly a continuation of the history, with some ritual +laws. + +In DEUTERONOMY, Moses makes a recapitulation of the foregoing history, +with zealous exhortations to the people, faithfully to worship and obey +that God, who had worked such amazing wonders for them: he promises them +the noblest temporal blessings, if they prove obedient, and adds the +most awful and striking denunciations against them, if they rebel or +forsake the true God. I have before observed, that the sanctions of the +Mosaic law were _temporal_ rewards and punishments, those of the New +Testament are _eternal_: these last, as they are so infinitely more +forcible than the first, were reserved for the last, best gift to +mankind--and were revealed by the Messiah, in the fullest and clearest +manner. Moses, in this book, directs the method in which the Israelites +were to deal with the seven nations, whom they were appointed to punish +for their profligacy and idolatry! and whose land they were to possess, +when they had driven out the old inhabitants. He gives them excellent +laws, civil as well as religious, which were ever after the standing +municipal laws of that people. This book concludes with Moses' song and +death. + +The book of JOSHUA contains the conquests of the Israelites over the +seven nations, and their establishment in the promised land. Their +treatment of these conquered nations must appear to you very cruel and +unjust, if you consider it as their own act, unauthorized by a positive +command: but they had the most absolute injunctions, not to spare these +corrupt people--"to make no covenant with them, nor shew mercy to them, +but utterly to destroy them." And the reason is given--"lest they should +turn away the Israelites from following the Lord, that they might serve +other gods[16]." The children of Israel are to be considered as +instruments in the hand of the Lord, to punish those whose idolatry and +wickedness had deservedly brought destruction on them: this example, +therefore, cannot be pleaded in behalf of cruelty, or bring any +imputation on the character of the Jews. With regard to other cities, +which did not belong to these seven nations, they were directed to deal +with them, according to the common law of arms at that time. If the city +submitted, it became tributary, and the people were spared; if it +resisted, the men were to be slain, but the women and children +saved[17]. Yet, though the crime of cruelty cannot be justly laid to +their charge on this occasion, you will observe in the course of their +history many things recorded of them very different from what you would +expect from the chosen people of God, if you supposed them selected on +account of their own merit: their national character was by no means +amiable; and we are repeatedly told, that they were not chosen for their +superior righteousness--"for they were a stiff-necked people, and +provoked the Lord with their rebellions from the day they left +Egypt."--"You have been rebellious against the Lord," says Moses, "from +the day that I knew you[18]." And he vehemently exhorts them, not to +flatter themselves that their success was, in any degree, owing to their +own merits. They were appointed to be the scourge of other nations, +whose crimes rendered them fit objects of Divine chastisement. For the +sake of righteous Abraham, their founder, and perhaps for many other +wise reasons, undiscovered to us, they were selected from a world +over-run with idolatry, to preserve upon earth the pure worship of the +one only God, and to be honoured with the birth of the Messiah amongst +them. For this end, they were precluded, by Divine command, from mixing +with any other people, and defended by a great number of peculiar rites +and observances from falling into the corrupt worship practised by their +neighbours. + +The book of JUDGES, in which you will find the affecting stories of +Samson and of Jephtha, carries on the history from the death of Joshua, +about two hundred and fifty years; but the facts are not told in the +times in which they happened, which makes some confusion; and it will be +necessary to consult the marginal dates and notes, as well as the index, +in order to get any clear idea of the succession of events during that +period. + +The history then proceeds regularly through the two books of SAMUEL, and +those of KINGS: nothing can be more interesting and entertaining than +the reigns of Saul, David, and Solomon: but, after the death of Solomon, +when the ten tribes revolted from his son Rehoboam, and became a +separate kingdom, you will find some difficulty in understanding +distinctly the histories of the two kingdoms of Israel and Judah, which +are blended together, and, by the likeness of the names, and other +particulars, will be apt to confound your mind, without great attention +to the different threads thus carried on together: the Index here will +be of great use to you. The Second Book of Kings concludes with the +Babylonish captivity, 588 years before Christ; till which time, the +kingdom of Judea had descended uninterruptedly in the line of David. + +The first book of CHRONICLES begins with a genealogy from Adam, through +all the tribes of Israel and Judah; and the remainder is the same +history which is contained in the books of Kings, with little or no +variation, till the separation of the ten tribes: from that period, it +proceeds with the history of the kingdom of Judah alone, and gives +therefore a more regular and clear account of the affairs of Judah than +the book of Kings. You may pass over the first book of Chronicles, and +the nine first chapters of the second book: but, by all means, read the +remaining chapters, as they will give you more clear and distinct ideas +of the history of Judah, than that you read in the second book of Kings. +The second of Chronicles ends, like the second of Kings, with the +Babylonish captivity. + +You must pursue the history in the book of EZRA, which gives an account +of the return of some of the Jews, on the edict of Cyrus, and of the +rebuilding the Lord's temple. + +NEHEMIAH carries on the history for about twelve years, when he himself +was governor of Jerusalem, with authority to rebuild the walls, &c. + +The story of ESTHER is prior in time to that of Ezra and Nehemiah; as +you will see by the marginal dates: however, as it happened during the +seventy years captivity, and is a kind of episode, it may be read in its +own place. + +This is the last of the canonical books that is properly historical; and +I would therefore advise, that you pass over what follows, till you have +continued the history through the apocryphal books. + +The history of JOB is probably very ancient, though that is a point upon +which learned men have differed: It is dated, however, 1520 years before +Christ: I believe it is uncertain by whom it was written: many parts of +it are obscure, but it is well worth studying, for the extreme beauty of +the poetry, and for the noble and sublime devotion it contains. The +subject of the dispute, between Job and his pretended friends, seems to +be, whether the providence of God distributes the rewards and +punishments of this life in exact proportion to the merit or demerit of +each individual. His antagonists suppose that it does: and therefore +infer, from JOB'S uncommon calamities, that, notwithstanding his +apparent righteousness, he was in reality a grievous sinner: they +aggravate his supposed guilt, by the imputation of hypocrisy, and call +upon him to confess it, and to acknowledge the justice of his +punishment. Job asserts his own innocence and virtue in the most +pathetic manner, yet does not presume to accuse the Supreme Being of +injustice. Elihu attempts to arbitrate the matter, by alleging the +impossibility that so frail and ignorant a creature as man should +comprehend the ways of the Almighty, and, therefore, condemns the unjust +and cruel inference the three friends had drawn from the sufferings of +Job. He also blames Job for the presumption of acquitting himself of all +iniquity, since the best of men are not pure in the sight of God--but +all have something to repent of; and he advises him to make this use of +his affliction. At last, by a bold figure of poetry, the Supreme Being +himself is introduced, speaking from the whirlwind, and silencing them +all by the most sublime display of his own power, magnificence, and +wisdom, and of the comparative littleness and ignorance of man. This +indeed is the only conclusion of the argument which could be drawn, at +a time when life and immortality were not yet brought to light. A future +retribution is the only satisfactory solution of the difficulty arising +from the sufferings of good people in this life. + +Next follow THE PSALMS, with which you cannot be too conversant. If you +have any taste, either for poetry or devotion, they will be your +delight, and will afford you a continual feast. The Bible translation is +far better than that used in the Common Prayer Book: and will often give +you the sense, when the other is obscure. In this, as well as in all +other parts of the scripture, you must be careful always to consult the +margin, which gives you the corrections made since the last translation, +and is generally preferable to the words of the text. I would wish you +to select some of the Psalms that please you best, and get them by +heart; or, at least, make yourself mistress of the sentiments contained +in them: Dr. Delany's Life of David will show you the occasions on which +several of them were composed, which add much to their beauty and +propriety; and, by comparing them with the events of David's life, you +will greatly enhance your pleasure in them. Never did the spirit of true +piety breathe more strongly than in these divine songs; which, being +added to a rich vein of poetry, makes them more captivating to my heart +and imagination than any thing I ever read. You will consider how great +disadvantages any poems must sustain from being rendered literally into +prose, and then imagine how beautiful these must be in the original. May +you be enabled, by reading them frequently, to transfuse into your own +breast that holy flame which inspired the writer!--to delight in the +Lord, and in his laws, like the Psalmist--to rejoice in him always, and +to think "one day in his courts better than a thousand!" But may you +escape the heart-piercing sorrow of such repentance as that of David, by +avoiding sin, which humbled this unhappy king to the dust, and which +cost him such bitter anguish, as it is impossible to read of without +being moved. Not all the pleasures of the most prosperous sinner could +counterbalance the hundredth part of those sensations described in his +Penitential Psalms; and which must be the portion of every man, who has +fallen from a religious state into such crimes, when once he recovers a +sense of religion and virtue, and is brought to a real hatred of sin: +however available such repentance may be to the safety and happiness of +the soul after death, it is a state of such exquisite suffering here, +that one cannot be enough surprised at the folly of those, who indulge +in sin, with the hope of living to make their peace with God by +repentance. Happy are they who preserve their innocence unsullied by any +great or wilful crimes, and who have only the common failings of +humanity to repent of: these are sufficiently mortifying to a heart +deeply smitten with the love of virtue, and with the desire of +perfection. There are many very striking prophecies of the Messiah in +these divine songs; particularly in Psalm xxii: such may be found +scattered up and down almost throughout the Old Testament. To bear +testimony to _him_ is the great and ultimate end, for which the spirit +of prophecy was bestowed on the sacred writers:--but this will appear +more plainly to you, when you enter on the study of prophecy, which you +are now much too young to undertake. + +The PROVERBS and ECCLESIASTES are rich stores of wisdom; from which I +wish you to adopt such maxims as may be of infinite use, both to your +temporal and eternal interest. But detached sentences are a kind of +reading not proper to be continued long at a time: a few of them well +chosen and digested will do you much more service than to read half a +dozen chapters together: in this respect they are directly opposite to +the historical books, which, if not read in continuation, can hardly be +understood, or retained to any purpose. + +The SONG of SOLOMON is a fine poem; but its mystical reference to +religion lies too deep for a common understanding: if you read it, +therefore, it will be rather as matter of curiosity than of edification. + +Next follow the PROPHECIES, which, though highly deserving the greatest +attention and study, I think you had better omit for some years, and +then read them with a good exposition; as they are much too difficult +for you to understand without assistance. Dr. Newton on the Prophecies +will help you much, whenever you undertake this study; which you should +by all means do, when your understanding is ripe enough; because one of +the main proofs of our religion rests on the testimony of the +prophecies; and they are very frequently quoted and referred to in the +New Testament: besides the sublimity of the language and sentiments, +through all the disadvantages of antiquity and translation, must, in +very many passages, strike every person of taste; and the excellent +moral and religious precepts found in them must be useful to all. + +Though I have spoken of these books in the order in which they stand, I +repeat, that they are not to be read in that order; but that the thread +of the history is to be pursued, from Nehemiah, to the first book of +MACCABEES, in the Apocrypha; taking care to observe the Chronology +regularly, by referring to the Index, which supplies the deficiencies of +this history, from _Josephus's Antiquities of the Jews_. The first of +Maccabees carries on the story till within 195 years of our Lord's +circumcision: the second book is the same narrative, written by a +different hand, and does not bring the history so forward as the first; +so that it may be entirely omitted, unless you have the curiosity to +read some particulars of the heroic constancy of the Jews, under the +tortures inflicted by their heathen conquerors; with a few other things +not mentioned in the first book. + +You must then connect the history by the help of the Index, which will +give you brief heads of the changes that happened in the state of the +Jews, from this time, till the birth of the Messiah. + +The other books of the Apocrypha, though not admitted as of sacred +authority, have many things well worth your attention; particularly the +admirable book called ECCLESIASTICUS, and the BOOK OF WISDOM. But, in +the course of reading which I advise, these must be omitted till after +you have gone through the Gospels and Acts, that you may not lose the +historical thread. I must reserve, however, what I have to say to you +concerning the New Testament to another letter. + + Adieu, my dear! + +FOOTNOTES: + +[16] Deut. chap. ii. + +[17] Ibid. chap. xx. + +[18] Deut. chap. ix. ver. 24. + + + + +LETTER III. + + + _MY DEAREST NIECE_, + +WE come now to that part of scripture, which is the most important of +all; and which you must make your constant study, not only till you are +thoroughly acquainted with it, but all your life long; because how often +soever repeated, it is impossible to read the life and death of our +blessed Saviour, without renewing and increasing in our hearts that +love, and reverence, and gratitude, towards him, which is so justly due +for all he did and suffered for us! Every word that fell from his lips +is more precious than all the treasures of the earth; for his "are the +words of eternal life!" They must therefore be laid up in your heart, +and constantly referred to on all occasions, as the rule and direction +of all your actions; particularly those very comprehensive moral +precepts he has graciously left with us, which can never fail to direct +us aright, if fairly and honestly applied: such as, _whatsoever ye would +that men should do unto you, even so do unto them_. There is no +occasion, great or small, on which you may not safely apply this rule, +for the direction of your conduct: and, whilst your heart honestly +adheres to it, you can never be guilty of any sort of injustice or +unkindness. The two great commandments, which contain the summary of our +duty to God and man, are no less easily retained, and made a standard by +which to judge our own hearts.--_To love the Lord our God with all our +hearts, with all our minds, with all our strength; and our neighbour_ +(or fellow-creature) _as ourselves_. "Love worketh no ill to his +neighbour;" therefore, if you have true benevolence, you will never do +any thing injurious to individuals, or to society. Now, all crimes +whatever are (in their remoter consequences at least, if not immediately +and apparently) injurious to the society in which we live. It is +impossible _to love God_ without desiring to please him; and, as far as +we are able, to resemble him; therefore, the love of God must lead to +every virtue in the highest degree; and, we may be sure, we do not truly +love him, if we content ourselves with avoiding flagrant sins, and do +not strive in good earnest, to reach the greatest degree of perfection +we are capable of. Thus do those few words direct us to the highest +Christian virtue. Indeed, the whole tenor of the gospel is to offer us +every help, direction, and motive, that can enable us to attain that +degree of perfection, on which depends our eternal good. + +What an example is set before us in our blessed Master! How is his whole +life, from earliest youth, dedicated to the pursuit of true wisdom, and +to the practice of the most exalted virtue! When you see him, at _twelve +years of age_, in the temple amongst the doctors, hearing them, and +asking them questions on the subject of religion, and astonishing them +all with his understanding and answers, you will say, perhaps, "Well +might the Son of God, even at those years, be far wiser than the aged; +but, can a mortal child emulate such heavenly wisdom? Can such a pattern +be proposed to _my_ imitation?" Yes, my dear; remember that he has +bequeathed to you his heavenly wisdom, as far as concerns your own good. +He has left you such declarations of his will, and of the consequences +of your actions, as you are, even now, fully able to understand, if you +will but attend to them. If then you will imitate his zeal for +knowledge, if you will delight in gaining information and improvement, +you may, even now, become _wise unto salvation_. Unmoved by the praise +he acquired amongst those learned men, you see him meekly return to the +subjection of a child, under those who appeared to be his parents, +though he was in reality their Lord: you see him return to live with +them, to work for them, and to be the joy and solace of their lives; +till the time came, when he was to enter on that scene of public action, +for which his heavenly Father had sent him from his own right hand, to +take upon him the form of a poor carpenter's son. What a lesson of +humility is this, and of obedience to parents. When, having received +the glorious testimony from heaven, of his being the beloved Son of the +Most High, he enters on his public ministry, what an example does he +give us, of the most extensive and constant benevolence!--how are all +his hours spent in doing good to the souls and bodies of men!--not the +meanest sinner is below his notice: to reclaim and save them, he +condescends to converse familiarly with the most corrupt as well as the +most abject. All his miracles are wrought to benefit mankind; not one to +punish and afflict them. Instead of using the almighty power, which +accompanied him, to the purpose of exalting himself and treading down +his enemies, he makes no other use of it than to heal and to save. + +When you come to read of his sufferings and death, the ignominy and +reproach, the sorrow of mind, and torment of body, which he submitted +to--when you consider, that it was for all our sakes--"that by his +stripes we are healed"--and by his death we are raised from destruction +to everlasting life--what can I say that can add any thing to the +sensations you must then feel? No power of language can make the scene +more touching than it appears in the plain and simple narrations of the +evangelists. The heart that is unmoved by it can be scarcely human. +But, my dear, the emotions of tenderness and compunction, which almost +every one feels in reading this account, will be of no avail, unless +applied to the true end--unless it inspires you with a sincere and warm +affection towards your blessed Lord--with a firm resolution to obey his +commands:--to be his faithful disciple--and ever to renounce and abhor +those sins, which brought mankind under Divine condemnation, and from +which we have been redeemed at so dear a rate. Remember, that the title +of Christian, or follower of Christ, implies a more than ordinary degree +of holiness and goodness. As our motives to virtue are stronger than +those which are afforded to the rest of mankind, our guilt will be +proportionably greater if we depart from it. + +Our Saviour appears to have had three great purposes, in descending from +his glory and dwelling amongst men. The first, to teach them true +virtue, both by his example and precepts: the second, to give them the +most forcible motives to the practice of it, "by bringing life and +immortality to light," by showing them the certainty of a resurrection +and judgment, and the absolute necessity of obedience to God's laws: +the third, to sacrifice himself for us, to obtain by his death the +remission of our sins upon our repentance and reformation, and the power +of bestowing on his sincere followers the inestimable gift of immortal +happiness. + +What a tremendous scene of the _last day_ does the gospel place before +our eyes?--of _that day_ when you, and every one of us, shall awake from +the grave, and behold the Son of God, on his glorious tribunal, attended +by millions of celestial beings, of whose superior excellence we can now +form no adequate idea:--When, in presence of all mankind, of those holy +angels, and of the great Judge himself, you must give an account of your +past life, and hear your final doom, from which there can be no appeal, +and which must determine your fate to all eternity. Then think--if for a +moment you can bear the thought--what will be the desolation, shame, and +anguish of those wretched souls, who shall hear these dreadful +words:--_Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for +the devil and his angels_. Oh! my beloved child! I cannot support even +the idea of your becoming one of those undone, lost creatures. I trust +in God's mercy, that you will make a better use of that knowledge of his +will, which he has vouchsafed you, and of those amiable dispositions he +has given you. Let us therefore turn from this horrid, this +insupportable view, and rather endeavour to imagine, as far as is +possible, what will be the sensation of your soul, if you shall hear our +heavenly Judge address you in these transporting words--_Come, thou +blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the +foundation of the world_. Think, what it must be, to become an object of +the esteem and applause, not only of all mankind assembled together, but +of all the host of heaven, of our blessed Lord himself, nay, of his and +our Almighty Father: to find your frail flesh changed in a moment into a +glorious celestial body, endowed with perfect beauty, health, and +agility--to find your soul cleansed from all its faults and infirmities; +exalted to the purest and noblest affections, overflowing with divine +love and rapturous gratitude;--to have your understanding enlightened +and refined, your heart enlarged and purified, and every power and +disposition of mind and body adapted to the highest relish of virtue and +happiness! Thus accomplished, to be admitted into the society of +amiable and happy beings, all united in the most perfect peace and +friendship, all breathing nothing but love to God, and to each +other;--with them to dwell in scenes more delightful than the richest +imagination can paint--free from every pain and care, and from all +possibility of change or satiety:--but, above all, to enjoy the more +immediate presence of God himself--to be able to comprehend and admire +his adorable perfections in a high degree, though still far short of +their infinity--to be conscious of his love and favour, and to rejoice +in the light of his countenance!--but here all imagination fails:--We +can form no idea of that bliss which may be communicated to us by such a +near approach to the source of all beauty and all good:--We must content +ourselves with believing, that it is what _mortal eye hath not seen, nor +ear heard, neither hath it entered into the heart of man to conceive_. +The crown of all our joys will be to know that we are secure of +possessing them _for ever_--What a transporting idea! + +My dearest child! can you reflect on all these things, and not feel the +most earnest longings after immortality? Do not all other views and +desires seem mean and trifling when compared with this? And does not +your inmost heart resolve that this shall be the chief and constant +object of its wishes and pursuit, through the whole course of your life? +If you are not insensible to that desire of happiness, which seems woven +into our nature, you cannot surely be unmoved by the prospect of such a +transcendent degree of it; and that, continued to all eternity--perhaps +continually increasing. You cannot but dread the forfeiture of such an +inheritance as the most insupportable evil! Remember then--remember the +conditions on which alone it can be obtained. God will not give to vice, +to carelessness, or sloth, the prize he has proposed to virtue. You have +every help that can animate your endeavours:--You have written laws to +direct you--the example of Christ and his disciples to encourage +you--the most awakening motives to engage you--and you have, besides, +the comfortable promise of constant assistance from the Holy Spirit, if +you diligently and sincerely pray for it. O, my dear child! let not all +this mercy be lost upon you; but give your attention to this your only +important concern, and accept, with profound gratitude, the inestimable +advantages that are thus affectionately offered you. + +Though the four gospels are each of them a narration of the life, +sayings, and death of Christ; yet, as they are not exactly alike, but +some circumstances and sayings, omitted in one, are recorded in another, +you must make yourself perfectly mistress of them all. + +The ACTS of the holy Apostles, endowed with the Holy Ghost, and +authorized by their divine Master, come next in order to be read. +Nothing can be more interesting and edifying, than the history of their +actions--of the piety, zeal, and courage, with which they preached the +glad tidings of salvation--and of the various exertions of the wonderful +powers conferred on them by the Holy Spirit, for the confirmation of +their mission. + +The character of St. Paul, and his miraculous conversion, demand your +particular attention: most of the apostles were men of low birth and +education; but St. Paul was a Roman citizen; that is, he possessed the +privileges annexed to the freedom of the city of Rome, which was +considered as an high distinction in those countries that had been +conquered by the Romans. He was educated amongst the most learned sect +of the Jews, and by one of their principal doctors. He was a man of +extraordinary eloquence, as appears not only in his writings, but in +several speeches in his own defence, pronounced before governors and +courts of justice, when he was called to account for the doctrines he +taught. He seems to have been of an uncommon warm temper, and zealous in +whatever religion he professed: this zeal, before his conversion, showed +itself in the most unjustifiable actions, by furiously persecuting the +innocent Christians: but though his actions were bad, we may be sure his +intentions were good; otherwise we should not have seen a miracle +employed to convince him of his mistake, and to bring him into the right +way. This example may assure us of the mercy of God towards mistaken +consciences, and ought to inspire us with the most enlarged charity and +good-will towards those whose erroneous principles mislead their +conduct: instead of resentment and hatred against their persons, we +ought only to feel an active wish of assisting them to find the truth; +since we know not whether, if convinced, they might not prove, like St. +Paul, chosen vessels to promote the honour of God, and of true religion. +It is not my intention now to enter with you into any of the arguments +for the truth of Christianity, otherwise it would be impossible wholly +to pass over that which arises from this remarkable conversion, and +which has been so admirably illustrated by a noble writer,[19] whose +tract on this subject is in every body's hand. + +Next follow the EPISTLES, which make a very important part of the New +Testament: and you cannot be too much employed in reading them. They +contain the most excellent precepts and admonitions, and are of +particular use in explaining more at large several doctrines of +Christianity, which we could not so fully comprehend without them. There +are indeed in the Epistles of St. Paul many passages hard to be +understood; such, in particular, are the first eleven chapters to the +Romans; the greater part of his Epistles to the Corinthians and +Galatians; and several chapters of that to the Hebrews. Instead of +perplexing yourself with these more obscure passages of Scripture, I +would wish you to employ your attention chiefly on those that are plain; +and to judge of the doctrines taught in the other parts, by comparing +them with what you find in these. It is through the neglect of this +rule, that many have been led to draw the most absurd doctrines from +the Holy Scriptures. Let me particularly recommend to your careful +perusal the 12th, 13th, 14th, and 15th chapters of the Epistle to the +Romans. In the 14th chapter, St. Paul has in view the difference between +the Jewish and Gentile (or Heathen) converts at that time; the former +were disposed to look with horror on the latter, for their impiety in +not paying the same regard to the distinctions of days and meats, that +they did; and the latter, on the contrary, were inclined to look with +contempt on the former, for their weakness and superstition. Excellent +is the advice which the apostle gives to both parties: he exhorts the +Jewish converts not to judge, and the Gentiles not to despise; +remembering that the kingdom of heaven is not meat and drink, but +righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. Endeavour to +conform yourself to this advice; to acquire a temper of universal +candour and benevolence: and learn neither to despise nor condemn any +persons on account of their particular modes of faith and worship; +remembering always, that goodness is confined to no party; that there +are wise and worthy men among all the sects of Christians; and that, to +his own master, every one must stand or fall. + +I will enter no further into the several points discussed by St. Paul in +his various epistles--most of them too intricate for your understanding +at present, and many of them beyond my abilities to state clearly. I +will only again recommend to you, to read those passages frequently, +which, with so much fervour and energy, excite you to the practice of +the most exalted piety and benevolence. If the effusions of a heart, +warmed with the tenderest affection for the whole human race--if +precept, warning, encouragement, example, urged by an eloquence which +such affection only could inspire, are capable of influencing your mind, +you cannot fail to find, in such parts of his epistles as are adapted to +your understanding, the strongest persuasives to every virtue that can +adorn and improve your nature. + +The Epistle of St. James is entirely practical, and exceedingly fine; +you cannot study it too much. It seems particularly designed to guard +Christians against misunderstanding some things in St. Paul's writings, +which have been fatally perverted to the encouragement of a dependance +on faith alone, without good works. But the more rational commentators +will tell you, that by the works of the law, which the apostle asserts +to be incapable of justifying us, he means not the works of moral +righteousness, but the ceremonial works of the Mosaic law; on which the +Jews laid the greatest stress, as necessary to salvation. But St. James +tells us, that, "If any man among us seem to be religious, and bridleth +not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, that man's religion is +vain." And that pure religion, and undefiled before God the Father, is +this: "to visit the fatherless and widow in their affliction, and to +keep himself unspotted from the world." Faith in Christ, if it produce +not these effects, he declares is dead, or of no power. + +The Epistles of St. Peter are also full of the best instructions and +admonitions, concerning the relative duties of life; amongst which are +set forth the duties of women in general, and of wives in particular. +Some part of the second Epistle is prophetical; warning the church of +false teachers, and false doctrines, which would undermine morality, and +disgrace the cause of Christianity. + +The first of St. JOHN is written in a highly figurative style, which +makes it in some parts hard to be understood: but the spirit of divine +love, which it so fervently expresses, renders it highly edifying and +delightful.--That love of God and of man, which this beloved apostle so +pathetically recommends, is in truth the essence of religion, as our +Saviour himself informs us. + +The book of REVELATIONS contains a prophetical account of most of the +great events relating to the Christian church, which were to happen from +the time of the writer, St. John, to the end of the world. Many learned +men have taken a great deal of pains to explain it; and they have done +this in many instances very successfully: but, I think, it is yet too +soon for you to study this part of scripture; some years hence perhaps +there may be no objection to your attempting it, and taking into your +hands the best expositions to assist you in reading such of the most +difficult parts of the New Testament as you cannot now be supposed to +understand. May Heaven direct you in studying this sacred volume, and +render it the means of making you wise unto salvation! May you love and +reverence, as it deserves, this blessed and invaluable book, which +contains the best rule of life, the clearest declaration of the will +and laws of the Deity, the reviving assurance of favour to true +penitents, and the unspeakably joyful tidings of eternal life and +happiness to all the truly virtuous, through Jesus Christ, the Saviour +and Deliverer of the world! + + Adieu. + +FOOTNOTE: + +[19] Lord Lyttelton. + + + + +LETTER IV. + +ON THE REGULATION OF THE HEART AND AFFECTIONS. + + +YOU will have read the New Testament to very little purpose, my dearest +Niece, if you do not perceive the great end and intention of all its +precepts to be the improvement and regulation of the heart: not the +outward actions alone, but the inward affections, which give birth to +them, are the subjects of those precepts; as appears in our Saviour's +explanation[20] of the commandments delivered to Moses; and in a +thousand other passages of the gospels, which it is needless to recite. +There are no virtues more insisted on, as necessary to our future +happiness, than humility, and sincerity, or uprightness, of heart; yet +none more difficult and rare. Pride and vanity, the vices opposite to +humility, are the sources of almost all the worst faults, both of men +and women. The latter are particularly accused--and not without +reason--of _vanity_, the vice of _little_ minds, chiefly conversant with +trifling subjects. Pride and vanity have been supposed to differ so +essentially, as hardly ever to be found in the same person. "Too proud +to be vain," is no uncommon expression; by which I suppose is meant, too +proud to be over anxious for the admiration of others: but this seems to +be founded on mistake. Pride is, I think, an high opinion of one's self, +and an affected contempt of others: I say _affected_, for that it is not +a _real_ contempt is evident from this, that the lowest object of it is +important enough to torture the proud man's heart, only by refusing him +the homage and admiration he requires. Thus Haman could relish none of +the advantages in which he valued himself, whilst that Mordecai, whom he +pretended to despise, sat still in the king's gate, and would not bow to +him as he passed. But as the proud man's contempt of others is only +assumed with a view to awe them into reverence by his pretended +superiority, so it does not preclude an extreme inward anxiety about +their opinions, and a slavish dependance on them for all his +gratifications. Pride, though a distinct passion, is seldom +unaccompanied by vanity, which is an extravagant desire of admiration. +Indeed, I never saw an insolent person, in whom a discerning eye might +not discover a very large share of vanity, and of envy, its usual +companion. One may nevertheless see many _vain_ persons who are not +_proud_; though they desire to be admired, they do not always admire +themselves: but as timid minds are apt to despair of those things they +earnestly wish for, so you will often see the woman who is most anxious +to be thought handsome, most inclined to be dissatisfied with her looks, +and to think all the assistance of art too little to attain the end +desired. To this cause, I believe, we may generally attribute +affectation; which seems to imply a mean opinion of one's own real form, +or character, while we strive against nature to alter ourselves by +ridiculous contortions of body, or by feigned sentiments and unnatural +manners. There is no art so mean, which this mean passion will not +descend to for its gratification--no creature so insignificant, whose +incense it will not gladly receive. Far from despising others, the vain +man will court them with the most assiduous adulation; in hopes, by +feeding their vanity, to induce them to supply the craving wants of his +own. He will put on the guise of benevolence, tenderness, and +friendship, where he feels not the least degree of kindness, in order to +prevail on good-nature and gratitude to like and to commend him; but if, +in any particular case, he fancies the airs of insolence and contempt +may succeed better, he makes no scruple to assume them; though so +awkwardly, that he still appears to depend on the breath of the person +he would be thought to despise. Weak and timid natures seldom venture to +try this last method; and, when they do, it is without the assurance +necessary to carry it on with success: but a bold and confident mind +will oftener endeavour to command and extort admiration than to court +it. As women are more fearful than men, perhaps this may be one reason +why they are more vain than proud; whilst the other sex are oftener +proud than vain. It is, I suppose, from some opinion of a certain +greatness of mind accompanying the one vice rather than the other, that +many will readily confess their pride, nay, and even be proud of their +pride, whilst every creature is ashamed of being convicted of vanity. +You see, however, that the end of both is the same, though pursued by +different means; or, if it differs, it is in the importance of the +subject. Whilst men are proud of power, of wealth, dignity, learning, or +abilities, young women are usually ambitious of nothing more than to be +admired for their persons, their dress, or their most trivial +accomplishments. The homage of men is their grand object; but they only +desire them to be in love with their persons, careless how despicable +their minds appear, even to these their pretended adorers. I have known +a woman so vain as to boast of the most disgraceful addresses; being +contented to be thought meanly of, in points the most interesting to her +honour, for the sake of having it known, that her person was attractive +enough to make a man transgress the bounds of respect due to her +character, which was not a vicious one, if you except this intemperate +vanity. But this passion too often leads to the most ruinous actions, +always corrupts the heart, and, when indulged, renders it, perhaps, as +displeasing in the sight of the Almighty, as those faults which find +least mercy from the world; yet, alas! it is a passion so prevailing, I +had almost said universal, in our sex, that it requires all the efforts +of reason, and all the assistance of grace, totally to subdue it. +Religion is indeed the only effectual remedy for this evil. If our +hearts are not dedicated to God, they will in some way or other be +dedicated to the world, both in youth and age. If our actions are not +constantly referred to him, if his approbation and favour is not our +principal object, we shall certainly take up with the applause of men, +and make that the ruling motive of our conduct. How melancholy is it to +see this phantom so eagerly followed through life! whilst all that is +truly valuable to us is looked upon with indifference; or, at best, made +subordinate to this darling pursuit! + +Equally vain and absurd is every scheme of life that is not subservient +to, and does not terminate in, that great end of our being--the +attainment of real excellence, and of the favour of God. Whenever this +becomes sincerely our object, then will pride and vanity, envy, +ambition, covetousness, and every evil passion, lose their power over +us; and we shall, in the language of scripture, "walk humbly with our +God." We shall then cease to repine under our natural or accidental +disadvantages, and feel dissatisfied only with our moral defects;--we +shall love and respect all our fellow-creatures, as the children of the +same dear parent, and particularly those who seek to do his will: All +our delight will be "in the saints that are in the earth, and in such as +excel in virtue." We shall wish to cultivate good-will, and to promote +innocent enjoyment wherever we are:--we shall strive to please, not from +vanity, but from benevolence. Instead of contemplating our own fancied +perfections, or even real superiority with self-complacence, religion +will teach us to "look into ourselves, and fear:" the best of us, God +knows, have enough to fear, if we honestly search into all the dark +recesses of the heart, and bring out every thought and intention fairly +to the light, to be tried by the precepts of our pure and holy religion. + +It is with the rules of the gospel we must compare ourselves, and not +with the world around us; for we know, "that the many are wicked: and +that we must not be conformed to the world." + +How necessary it is frequently thus to enter into ourselves, and search +out our spirit, will appear, if we consider, how much the human heart is +prone to insincerity, and how often, from being first led by vanity into +attempts to impose upon others, we come at last to impose on ourselves. + +There is nothing more common than to see people fall into the most +ridiculous mistakes, with regard to their own characters; but I can by +no means allow such mistakes to be unavoidable, and therefore innocent: +they arose from voluntary insincerity, and are continued for want of +that strict honesty towards ourselves and others, which the Scripture +calls "_singleness of heart_;" and which in modern language is termed +_simplicity_,--the most enchanting of all qualities, esteemed and +beloved in proportion to its rareness. + +He, who "requires truth in the inward parts," will not excuse our +self-deception; for he has commanded us to examine ourselves diligently, +and has given us such rules as can never mislead us, if we desire the +truth, and are willing to see our faults, in order to correct them. But +this is the point in which we are defective; we are desirous to gain our +own approbation, as well as that of others, at a cheaper rate than that +of being really what we ought to be; and we take pains to persuade +ourselves that we are that which we indolently admire and approve. + +There is nothing in which this self-deception is more notorious than in +what regards sentiment and feeling. Let a vain young woman be told that +tenderness and softness is the peculiar charm of the sex, that even +their weakness is lovely, and their fears becoming, and you will +presently observe her grow so tender as to be ready to weep for a fly; +so fearful, that she starts at a feather; and so weak-hearted, that the +smallest accident quite overpowers her. Her fondness and affection +become fulsome and ridiculous; her compassion grows contemptible +weakness; and her apprehensiveness the most abject cowardice: for, when +once she quits the direction of Nature, she knows not where to stop, and +continually exposes herself by the most absurd extremes. + +Nothing so effectually defeats its own ends as this kind of affectation: +for though warm affections and tender feelings are beyond measure +amiable and charming, when perfectly natural, and kept under the due +control of reason and principle, yet nothing is so truly disgusting as +the affectation of them, or even the unbridled indulgence of such as are +real. + +Remember, my dear, that our feelings were not given us for our ornament, +but to spur us on to right actions. Compassion, for instance, was not +impressed upon the human heart, only to adorn the fair face with tears, +and to give an agreeable languor to the eyes; it was designed to excite +our utmost endeavours to relieve the sufferer. Yet, how often have I +heard that selfish weakness, which flies from the sight of distress, +dignified with the name of tenderness!--"My friend is, I hear, in the +deepest affliction and misery;--I have not seen her--for indeed I cannot +bear such scenes--they affect me too much!--those who have less +sensibility are fitter for this world;--but, for my part, I own, I am +not able to support such things.--I shall not attempt to visit her, till +I hear she has recovered her spirits." This have I heard said, with an +air of complacence; and the poor selfish creature has persuaded herself +that she had finer feelings than those generous friends, who are sitting +patiently in the house of mourning, watching, in silence, the proper +moment to pour in the balm of comfort;--who suppressed their own +sensations, and only attended to those of the afflicted person; and +whose tears flowed in secret, whilst their eyes and voice were taught to +enliven the sinking heart with the appearance of cheerfulness. + +That sort of tenderness which makes us useless, may indeed be pitied and +excused, if owing to natural imbecility; but, if it pretends to +loveliness and excellence, it becomes truly contemptible. + +The same degree of active courage is not to be expected in woman as in +man; and, not belonging to her nature, it is not agreeable in her: but +passive courage--patience, and fortitude under sufferings--presence of +mind, and calm resignation in danger--are surely desirable in every +rational creature; especially in one professing to believe in an +over-ruling Providence, in which we may at all times quietly confide, +and which we may safely trust with every event that does not depend upon +our own will. Whenever you find yourself deficient in these virtues, let +it be a subject of shame and humiliation--not of vanity and +self-complacence: do not fancy yourself the more amiable for that which +really makes you despicable; but content yourself with the faults and +weaknesses that belong to you, without putting on more by way of +ornament. With regard to tenderness, remember that compassion is best +shown by an ardour to relieve; and affection, by assiduity to promote +the good and happiness of the persons you love; that tears are +unamiable, instead of being ornamental, when voluntarily indulged; and +can never be attractive but when they flow irresistibly, and avoid +observation as much as possible: the same may be said of every other +mark of passion. It attracts our sympathy, if involuntary, and not +designed for our notice--It offends, if we see that it is purposely +indulged and obtruded on our observation. + +Another point, on which the heart is apt to deceive itself, is +generosity: we cannot bear to suspect ourselves of base and ungenerous +feelings, therefore we let them work without attending to them, or we +endeavour to find out some better motive for those actions, which really +flow from envy and malignity. Before you flatter yourself that you are a +generous benevolent person, take care to examine whether you are really +glad of every advantage and excellence, which your friends and +companions possess, though they are such as you are yourself deficient +in. If your sister or friend makes a greater proficiency than yourself +in any accomplishment, which you are in pursuit of, do you never wish to +stop her progress, instead of trying to hasten your own? + +The boundaries between virtuous emulation and vicious envy are very +nice, and may be easily mistaken. The first will awaken your attention +to your own defects, and excite your endeavours to improve; the last +will make you repine at the improvements of others, and wish to rob them +of the praise they have deserved. Do you sincerely rejoice when your +sister is enjoying pleasure or commendation, though you are at the same +time in disagreeable or mortifying circumstances? Do you delight to see +her approved and beloved, even by those who do not pay you equal +attention? Are you afflicted and humbled, when she is found to be in +fault, though you yourself are remarkably clear from the same offence? +If your heart assures you of the affirmative to these questions, then +may you think yourself a kind sister and a generous friend: for you must +observe, my dear, that scarcely any creature is so depraved as not to be +capable of kind affections in some circumstances. We are all naturally +benevolent, when no selfish interest interferes, and where no advantage +is to be given up: we can all pity distress, when it lies complaining at +our feet, and confesses our superiority and happier situation: but I +have seen the sufferer himself become the object of envy and ill-will, +as soon as his fortitude and greatness of mind had begun to attract +admiration, and to make the envious person feel the superiority of +virtue above good fortune. + +To take sincere pleasure in the blessings and excellencies of others, is +a much surer mark of benevolence than to pity their calamities: and you +must always acknowledge yourself ungenerous and selfish, whenever you +are less ready to "rejoice with them that do rejoice," than to "weep +with them that weep." If ever your commendations of others are forced +from you, by the fear of betraying your envy--or if ever you feel a +secret desire to mention something that may abate the admiration given +them, do not try to conceal the base disposition from yourself, since +that is not the way to cure it. + +Human nature is ever liable to corruption, and has in it the seeds of +every vice, as well as of every virtue; and the first will be +continually shooting forth and growing up, if not carefully watched and +rooted out as fast as they appear. It is the business of religion to +purify and exalt us, from a state of imperfection and infirmity, to that +which is necessary and essential to happiness. Envy would make us +miserable in heaven itself, could it be admitted there; for we must +there see beings far more excellent, and consequently more happy than +ourselves; and till we can rejoice in seeing virtue rewarded in +proportion to its degree, we can never hope to be among the number of +the blessed. + +Watch then, my dear child, and observe every evil propensity of your +heart, that you may in time correct it, with the assistance of that +grace which alone can conquer the evils of our nature, and which you +must constantly and earnestly implore. + +I must add, that even those vices which you would most blush to own, and +which most effectually defile and vilify the female heart, may by +degrees be introduced into yours--to the ruin of that virtue, without +which, misery and shame must be your portion--unless the avenues of the +heart are guarded by a sincere abhorrence of every thing that +approaches towards evil. Would you be of the number of those blessed, +"who are pure in heart," you must hate and avoid every thing, both in +books and in conversation, that conveys impure ideas, however neatly +clothed in decent language, or recommended to your taste by pretended +refinements, and tender sentiments--by elegance of style, or force of +wit and genius. + +I must not now begin to give you my thoughts on the regulation of the +affections, as that is a subject of too much consequence to be soon +dismissed. I shall dedicate to it my next letter: in the mean time, +believe me, + + Your ever affectionate. + +FOOTNOTE: + +[20] Matt. v. + + + + +LETTER V. + +ON THE REGULATION OF THE AFFECTIONS. + + +THE attachments of the heart, on which almost all the happiness or +misery of life depends, are most interesting objects of our +consideration. I shall give my dear niece the observations which +experience has enabled me to draw from real life, and not from what +others have said or written, however great their authority. + +The first attachment of young hearts is _friendship_--the noblest and +happiest of affections, when real, and built on a solid foundation; but, +oftener pernicious than useful to very young people, because the +connection itself is ill understood, and the subject of it frequently +ill chosen. Their first error is that of supposing equality of age, and +exact similarity of disposition, indispensably requisite in friends; +whereas these are circumstances which in great measure disqualify them +for assisting each other in moral improvements, or supplying each +other's defects; they expose them to the same dangers, and incline them +to encourage rather than correct each other's failings. + +The grand cement of this kind of friendship is telling secrets, which +they call confidence: and I verily believe that the desire of having +secrets to tell, has often helped to draw silly girls into very unhappy +adventures. If they have no lover or amour to talk of, the too frequent +subject of their confidence is betraying the secrets of their families; +or conjuring up fancied hardships to complain of against their parents +or relations: this odious cabal, they call friendship; and fancy +themselves dignified by the profession; but nothing is more different +from the reality, as is seen by observing how generally those early +friendships drop off, as the parties advance in years and understanding. + +Do not you, my dear, be too ready to profess a friendship with any of +your young companions. Love them, and be always ready to serve and +oblige them, and to promote all their innocent gratifications: but, be +very careful how you enter into confidence with girls of your own age. +Rather choose some person of riper years and judgment, whose good-nature +and worthy principles may assure you of her readiness to do you a +service, and of her candour and condescension towards you. + +I do not expect that youth should delight to associate with age, or +should lay open its feelings and inclinations to such as have almost +forgot what they were, or how to make proper allowance for them; but if +you are fortunate enough to meet with a young woman eight or ten years +older than yourself, of good sense and good principles, to whom you can +make yourself agreeable, it may be one of the happiest circumstances of +your life. She will be able to advise and to improve you--and your +desire of this assistance will recommend you to her taste, as much as +her superior abilities will recommend her to you. Such a connection will +afford you more pleasure, as well as more profit, than you can expect +from a girl like yourself, equally unprovided with knowledge, prudence, +or any of those qualifications which are necessary to make society +delightful. + +With a friend, such as I have described, of twenty-three or twenty-four +years of age, you can hardly pass an hour without finding yourself +brought forward in some useful knowledge; without learning something of +the world or of your own nature, some rule of behaviour, or some +necessary caution in the conduct of life: for even in the gayest +conversations, such useful hints may often be gathered from those whose +knowledge and experience are much beyond our own. Whenever you find +yourself in real want of advice, or seek the relief of unburdening your +heart, such a friend will be able to judge of the feelings you describe, +or of the circumstances you are in--perhaps from her own experience--or, +at least, from the knowledge she will have gained of human nature! she +will be able to point out your dangers, and to guide you into the right +path; or, if she finds herself incapable, she will have the prudence to +direct you to some abler adviser. The age I have mentioned will not +prevent her joining in your pleasures, nor will it make her a dull or +grave companion; on the contrary, she will have more materials for +entertaining conversation, and her liveliness will shew itself more +agreeably than in one of your own age. Your's therefore will be the +advantage in such a connection; yet do not despair of being admitted +into it, if you have an amiable and docile disposition. Ingenuous youth +has many charms for a benevolent mind; and, as nothing is more endearing +than the exercise of benevolence, the hope of being useful and +beneficial to you will make her fond of your company. + +I have known some of the sweetest and most delightful connections +between persons of different ages, in which the elder has received the +highest gratification from the affection and docility of the younger; +whilst the latter has gained the noblest advantages from the +conversation and counsels of her wiser friend. Nor has the attachment +been without use as well as pleasure to the elder party. She has found +that there is no better way of improving one's own attainments, than by +imparting them to another; and the desire of doing this in the most +acceptable way has added a sweetness and gentleness to her manner, and +taught her the arts of insinuating instruction, and of winning the +heart, whilst she convinces the understanding. + +I hope, my dear, you in your turn will be this useful and engaging +friend to your younger companions, particularly to your sisters and +brothers, who ought ever--unless they should prove unworthy--to be your +nearest and dearest friends, whose interest and welfare you are bound to +desire as much as your own. If you are wanting here, do not fancy +yourself qualified for friendship with others, but, be assured, your +heart is too narrow and selfish for so generous an affection. + +Remember, that the end of true friendship is the good of its object, and +the cultivation of virtue, in two hearts emulous of each other, and +desirous to perpetuate their society beyond the grave. Nothing can be +more contrary to this end than that mutual intercourse of flattery, +which some call friendship. A real friend will venture to displease me, +rather than indulge my faulty inclinations, or increase my natural +frailties; she will endeavour to make me acquainted with myself, and +will put me upon guarding the weak parts of my character. + +Friendship, in the highest sense of the word, can only subsist between +persons of strict integrity and true generosity. Before you fancy +yourself possessed of such a treasure, you should examine the value of +your own heart, and see how well it is qualified for so sacred a +connection; and then a harder task remains--to find out whether the +object of your affection is also endued with the same virtuous +disposition. Youth and inexperience are ill able to penetrate into +characters: the least appearance of good attracts their admiration, and +they immediately suppose they have found the object they pursued. + +It is a melancholy consideration, that the judgement can only be formed +by experience, which generally comes too late for our own use, and is +seldom accepted for that of others. I fear it is in vain for me to tell +you what dangerous mistakes I made in the early choice of friends--how +incapable I then was of finding out such as were fit for me, and how +little I was acquainted with the true nature of friendship, when I +thought myself most fervently engaged in it! I am sensible all this will +hardly persuade you to choose by the eyes of others, or even to suspect +that your own may be deceived. Yet, if you should give any weight to my +observations, it may not be quite useless to mention to you some of the +essential requisites in a friend; and to exhort you never to choose one +in whom they are wanting. + +The first of these is a deep and sincere regard for religion. If your +friend draws her principles from the same source with yourself, if the +gospel precepts are the rule of her life, as well as your's, you will +always know what to expect from her, and have one common standard of +right and wrong to refer to, by which to regulate all material points of +conduct. The woman who thinks lightly of sacred things, or who is ever +heard to speak of them with levity or indifference, cannot reasonably be +expected to pay a more serious regard to the laws of friendship, or to +be uniformly punctual in the performance of any of the duties of +society; take no such person to your bosom, however recommended by +good-humour, wit, or any other qualification; nor let gaiety or +thoughtlessness be deemed an excuse for offending in this important +point: a person habituated to the love and reverence of religion and +virtue, no more wants the guard of serious consideration to restrain her +from speaking disrespectfully of them, than to prevent her speaking ill +of her dearest friend. In the liveliest hour of mirth, the innocent +heart can dictate nothing but what is innocent; it will immediately take +alarm at the apprehension of doing wrong, and stop at once in the full +career of youthful sprightliness, if reminded of the neglect or +transgression of any duty. Watch for these symptoms of innocence and +goodness, and admit no one to your entire affection, who would ever +persuade you to make light of any sort of offence, or who can treat with +levity or contempt any person or thing that bears a relation to +religion. + +A due regard to reputation is the next indispensable +qualification.--"Have regard to thy name," saith the wise son of Sirach, +"for that will continue with thee above a thousand great treasures of +gold." The young person, who is careless of blame, and indifferent to +the esteem of the wise and prudent part of the world, is not only a most +dangerous companion, but gives a certain proof of the want of rectitude +in her own mind. Discretion is the guardian of all the virtues; and, +when she forsakes them, they cannot long resist the attacks of an enemy. +There is a profligacy of spirit in defying the rules of decorum, and +despising censure, which seldom ends otherwise than in extreme +corruption and utter ruin. Modesty and prudence are qualities that early +display themselves, and are easily discerned: where these do not appear, +you should avoid, not only friendship, but every step towards intimacy, +lest your own character should suffer with that of your companion; but, +where they shine forth in any eminent degree, you may safely cultivate +an acquaintance, in the reasonable hope of finding the solid fruits of +virtue beneath such sweet and promising blossoms: should you be +disappointed, you will at least have run no risk in the search after +them, and may cherish as a creditable acquaintance the person so +adorned, though she may not deserve a place in your inmost heart. + +The understanding must next be examined: and this is a point which +requires so much understanding to judge of in another, that I must +earnestly recommend to you, not to rely entirely on your own, but to +take the opinion of your older friends. I do not wish you to seek for +bright and uncommon talents, though these are sources of inexhaustible +delight and improvement, when found in company with solid judgment and +sound principles. Good sense (by which I mean a capacity for reasoning +justly and discerning truly) applied to the uses of life, and exercised +in distinguishing characters and directing conduct, is alone _necessary_ +to an intimate connection; but, without this, the best intentions, +though certain of reward hereafter, may fail of producing their effects +in this life; nor can they singly constitute the character of an useful +and valuable friend. On the other hand, the most dazzling genius, or the +most engaging wit and humour, can but ill answer the purposes of +friendship, without plain common sense and a faculty of just reasoning. + +What can one do with those who will not be answered with reason, and +who, when you are endeavouring to convince or persuade them by serious +arguments, will parry the blow with a witty repartee or a stroke of +poignant raillery? I know not whether such a reply is less provoking +than that of an obstinate fool, who answers your strongest reasons +with--"What you say may be very true, but this is my way of thinking." A +small acquaintance with the world will show you instances of the most +absurd and foolish conduct in persons of brilliant parts and +entertaining faculties. But how trifling is the talent of diverting an +idle hour, compared with true wisdom and prudence, which are perpetually +wanted to direct us safely and happily through life, and to make us +useful and valuable to others! + +Fancy, I know, will have her share in friendship, as well as in +love:--you must please as well as serve me, before I can love you as the +friend of my heart. But the faculties that please for an evening may not +please for life. The humourous man soon runs through his stock of odd +stories, mimickry, and jest; and the wit, by constant repeated flashes, +confounds and tires one's intellect, instead of enlivening it with +agreeable surprise: but good sense can neither tire nor wear out; it +improves by exercise, and increases in value, the more it is known: the +pleasure it gives in conversation is lasting and satisfactory, because +it is accompanied with improvement; its worth is proportioned to the +occasion that calls for it, and rises highest on the most interesting +topics; the heart, as well as the understanding, finds its account in +it; and our noblest interests are promoted by the entertainment we +receive from such a companion. + +A good temper is the next qualification; the value of which in a friend, +you will want no arguments to prove, when you are truly convinced of the +necessity of it in yourself, which I shall endeavour to show you in a +following letter. But, as this is a quality in which you may be +deceived, without a long and intimate acquaintance, you must not be +hasty in forming connections, before you have had sufficient opportunity +for making observations on this head. A young person, when pleased and +enlivened by the presence of her youthful companions, seldom shows ill +temper; which must be extreme indeed, if it is not at least controllable +in such situations. But, you must watch her behaviour to her own family, +and the degree of estimation she stands in with them. Observe her manner +to servants and inferiors--to children--and even to animals. See in +what manner she bears disappointments, contradiction, and restraint; +and what degree of vexation she expresses on any accident of loss or +trouble. If in such little trials she shows a meek, resigned, and +cheerful temper, she will probably preserve it on greater occasions; but +if she is impatient and discontented under these, how will she support +the far greater evils which may await her in her progress through life? +If you should have an opportunity of seeing her in sickness, observe +whether her complaints are of a mild and gentle kind, forced from her by +pain, and restrained as much as possible; or whether they are +expressions of a turbulent rebellious mind, that hardly submits to the +Divine hand. See whether she is tractable, considerate, kind, and +grateful, to those about her: or whether she takes the opportunity, +which their compassion gives her, to tyrannize over and torment them. +Women are in general very liable to ill health, which must necessarily +make them in some measure troublesome and disagreeable to those they +live with. They should therefore, take the more pains to lighten the +burden as much as possible, by patience and good humour; and be careful +not to let their infirmities break in on the health, freedom, or +enjoyments of others, more than is needful and just. Some ladies seem +to think it very improper for any person within their reach to enjoy a +moment's comfort while they are in pain; and make no scruple of +sacrificing to their own least convenience, whenever they are +indisposed, the proper rest, meals, or refreshments of their servants, +and even sometimes of their husbands and children. But their selfishness +defeats its own purpose, as it weakens that affection and tender pity +which excites the most assiduous services, and affords the most healing +balm to the heart of the sufferer. + +I have already expressed my wishes that your chosen friend may be some +years older than yourself; but this is an advantage not always to be +obtained. Whatever be her age, _religion_, _discretion_, _good sense_, +and _good temper_, must on no account be dispensed with; and till you +can find one so qualified, you had better make no closer connection than +that of a mutual intercourse of civilities and good offices. But if it +is always your aim to mix with the best company, and to be worthy of +such society, you will probably meet with some one among them deserving +your affection, to whom you may be equally agreeable. + +When I speak of the best company, I do not mean, in the common +acceptation of the word, persons of high rank and fortune--but rather +the most worthy and sensible. It is however very important to a young +woman to be introduced into life on a respectable footing, and to +converse with those whose manners and style of life may polish her +behaviour, refine her sentiments, and give her consequence in the eye of +the world. Your equals in rank are most proper for intimacy, but to be +sometimes amongst your superiors is every way desirable and +advantageous, unless it should inspire you with pride, or with the +foolish desire of emulating their grandeur and expense. + +Above all things avoid intimacy with those of low birth and education! +nor think it a mark of humility to delight in such society; for it much +oftener proceeds from the meanest kind of pride,--that of being the head +of the company, and seeing your companions subservient to you. The +servile flattery and submission, which usually recommend such people, +and make amends for their ignorance and want of conversation, will +infallibly corrupt your heart, and make all company insipid from whom +you cannot expect the same homage. Your manners and faculties, instead +of improving, must be continually lowered, to suit you to your +companions; and, believe me, you will find it no easy matter to raise +them again to a level with those of polite and well-informed people. + +The greatest kindness and civility to inferiors is perfectly consistent +with proper caution on this head. Treat them always with affability, and +talk to them of their own affairs with an affectionate interest; but +never make them familiar, nor admit them as associates in your +diversions: but, above all, never trust them with your secrets, which is +putting yourself entirely in their power, and subjecting yourself to the +most shameful slavery. The only reason for making choice of such +confidants, must be the certainty that they will not venture to blame or +contradict inclinations, which you are conscious no true friend would +encourage. But this is a meanness into which I trust you are in no +danger of falling. I rather hope you will have the laudable ambition of +spending your time chiefly with those, whose superior talents, +education, and politeness, may continually improve you, and whose +society will do you honour. However, let no advantage of this kind +weigh against the want of principle. I have long ago resolved with +David, that, as far as lies in my power, "I will not know a wicked +person." Nothing can compensate for the contagion of bad example, and +for the danger of wearing off by use that abhorrence of evil actions and +sentiments, which every innocent mind sets out with, but which an +indiscriminate acquaintance in the world soon abates, and at length +destroys. + +If you are good, and seek friendship only among the good, I trust you +will be happy enough to find it. The wise son of Sirach pronounces that +you will. "[21]A faithful friend," saith he, "is the medicine of life; +and he that feareth the Lord shall find him. Whoso feareth the Lord +shall direct his friendship aright; for, as he is, so shall his +neighbour be also." In the same admirable book, you will find directions +how to choose and preserve a friend. Indeed there is hardly a +circumstance in life concerning which you may not there meet with the +best advice imaginable. Caution in making friendships is particularly +recommended. "[22]Be in peace with many, nevertheless have but one +counsellor of a thousand. If thou wouldst get a friend, prove him first, +and be not hasty to credit him; for some man is a friend for his own +occasion, and will not abide in the day of trouble. And there is a +friend, who, being turned to enmity and strife, will discover thy +reproach." Again, "Some friend is a companion at the table, and will not +continue in the day of thy affliction; but in thy prosperity he will be +as thyself, and will be bold over thy servants: if thou be brought low, +he will be against thee, and will hide himself from thy face." Chap. ix. +10. "Forsake not an old friend; for the new is not comparable to him--A +new friend is as new wine; when it is old, thou shalt drink it with +pleasure." + +When you have discreetly chosen, the next point is how to preserve your +friend. Numbers complain of the fickleness and ingratitude of those on +whom they bestowed their affection; but few examine, whether what they +complain of is not owing to themselves. Affection is not like a portion +of freehold land, which once settled upon you is a possession for ever, +without further trouble on your part. If you grow less deserving, or +less attentive to please, you must expect to see the effects of your +remissness, in the gradual decline of your friend's esteem and +attachment. Resentment and reproaches will not recal what you have lost; +but, on the contrary, will hasten the dissolution of every remaining +tie. The best remedy is, to renew your care and assiduity to deserve and +cultivate affection, without seeming to have perceived its abatement. +Jealousy and distrust are the bane of friendship, whose essence is +esteem and affiance. But if jealousy is expressed by unkind upbraidings, +or, what is worse, by cold haughty looks and insolent contempt, it can +hardly fail, if often repeated, to realize the misfortune, which at +first perhaps was imaginary. Nothing can be more an antidote to +affection than such behaviour, or than the cause of it, which, in +reality, is nothing but pride; though the jealous person would fain +attribute it to uncommon tenderness and delicacy: but tenderness is +never so expressed: it is indeed deeply sensible of unkindness, but it +cannot be unkind;--it may subsist with anger, but not with contempt;--it +may be weakened, or even killed, by ingratitude; but it cannot be +changed into hatred. Remember always, that if you would be _loved_, you +must be _amiable_. Habit may, indeed, for a time, supply the deficiency +of merit; what we have long loved we do not easily cease to love; but +habit will at length be conquered by frequent disgusts.--"[23]Whoso +casteth a stone at the birds, frayeth them away; and he that upbraideth +his friend, breaketh friendship. Though thou drewest a sword at thy +friend, yet despair not, for there may be a returning to favour. If thou +hast opened thy mouth against thy friend, fear not, for there may be a +reconciliation; excepting for _upbraiding_, or _pride_, or _disclosing +of secrets_, or a _treacherous wound_,--for, for these things every +friend will depart." + +I have hitherto spoken of a friend in the singular number, rather in +compliance with the notions of most writers, who have treated of +friendship, and who generally suppose it can have but one object, than +from my own ideas. The highest kind of friendship is indeed confined to +one;--I mean the conjugal, which, in its perfection, is so entire and +absolute an union of interest, will, and affection, as no other +connection can stand in competition with. But there are various degrees +of friendship, which can admit of several objects, esteemed, and +delighted in, for different qualities, and whose separate rights are +perfectly compatible. Perhaps it is not possible to love two persons +exactly in the same degree; yet, the difference may be so small, that +none of the parties can be certain on which side the scale +preponderates. + +It is narrowness of mind to wish to confine your friend's affection +solely to yourself; since you are conscious that, however perfect your +attachment may be, you cannot possibly supply to her all the blessings +she may derive from several friends, who may each love her as well as +you do, and may each contribute largely to her happiness. If she depends +on you alone for all the comforts and advantages of friendship, your +absence or death may leave her desolate and forlorn. If therefore you +prefer her good to your own selfish gratification, you should rather +strive to multiply her friends, and be ready to embrace in your +affections all who love, and deserve her love: this generosity will +bring its own reward, by multiplying the sources of your pleasures and +supports; and your first friend will love you the more for such an +endearing proof of the extent of your affection, which can stretch to +receive all who are dear to her. But if, on the contrary, every mark of +esteem shewn to another excites uneasiness or resentment in you, the +person you love must soon feel her connection with you a burden and +restraint. She can own no obligation to so selfish an attachment; nor +can her tenderness be increased by that which lessens her esteem. If she +is really fickle and ungrateful, she is not worth your reproaches: If +not, she must be reasonably offended by such injurious imputations. + +You do not want to be told, that the strictest fidelity is required in +friendship: and though possibly instances might be brought, in which +even the secret of a friend must be sacrificed to the calls of justice +and duty, yet these are rare and doubtful cases; and we may venture to +pronounce that, "[24]Whoso discovereth secrets, loseth his credit, and +shall never find a friend to his mind."--"Love thy friend, and be +faithful unto him: but if thou betrayest his secrets, follow no more +after him. For as a man that hath destroyed his enemy, so hast thou +destroyed the love of thy friend. As one that letteth a bird go out of +his hand, so hast thou let thy neighbour go. Follow no more after him, +for he is too far off; he is as a roe escaped out of the snare. As for a +wound, it may be bound up; and after revilings there may be +reconcilement; but he that betrayeth secrets is without hope." + +But in order to reconcile this inviolable fidelity with the duty you owe +to yourself or others, you must carefully guard against being made the +repository of such secrets as are not fit to be kept. If your friend +should engage in any unlawful pursuit--if, for instance, she should +intend to carry on an affair of love, unknown to her parents--you must +first use your utmost endeavours to dissuade her from it; and if she +persists, positively and solemnly declare against being a confidant in +such a case. Suffer her not to speak to you on the subject, and warn her +to forbear acquainting you with any step she may propose to take towards +a marriage unsanctified by parental approbation. Tell her, you would +think it your duty to apprize her parents of the danger into which she +was throwing herself. However unkindly she may take this at the time, +she will certainly esteem and love you the more for it, whenever she +recovers a sense of her duty, or experiences the sad effects of swerving +from it. + +There is another case, which I should not choose to suppose possible, in +addressing myself to so young a person, was it not that too many +instances of it have of late been exposed to public animadversion: I +mean the case of a married woman, who encourages or tolerates the +addresses of a lover. May no such person be ever called a friend of +your's! but if ever one, whom, when innocent, you had loved, should fall +into so fatal an error, I can only say that, after proper remonstrances, +you must immediately withdraw from all intimacy and confidence with her. +Nor let the absurd pretence of _innocent intentions_, in such +circumstances, prevail with you to lend your countenance a moment to +disgraceful conduct. There cannot be innocence, in any degree of +indulgence to unlawful passion. The sacred obligations of marriage are +very ill understood by the wife, who can think herself innocent, while +she parleys with a lover, or with love, and who does not shut her heart +and ears against the most distant approaches of either. A virtuous +wife--though she should be so unhappy as not to be secured, by having +her strongest affections fixed on her husband--will never admit an idea +of any other man, in the light of a lover; but if such an idea should +unawares intrude into her mind, she would instantly stifle it, before it +grew strong enough to give her much uneasiness. Not to the most intimate +friend--hardly to her own soul--would she venture to confess a weakness, +she would so sincerely abhor. Whenever therefore such infidelity of +heart is made a subject of confidence, depend upon it the corruption has +spread far, and has been faultily indulged. Enter not into her counsels: +show her the danger she is in, and then withdraw yourself from it, +whilst you are yet unsullied by contagion. + +It has been supposed a duty of friendship to lay open every thought and +every feeling of the heart to our friend. But I have just mentioned a +case, in which this is not only unnecessary, but wrong. A disgraceful +inclination, which we resolve to conquer, should be concealed from every +body; and is more easily subdued when denied the indulgence of talking +of its object; and, I think, there may be other instances, in which it +would be most prudent to keep our thoughts concealed even from our +dearest friend. Some things I would communicate to one friend, and not +to another, whom perhaps I loved better, because I might know that my +first friend was not so well qualified as the other to counsel me on +that particular subject: a natural bias on her mind, some prevailing +opinion, or some connection with persons concerned, might make her an +improper confidant with regard to one particular, though qualified to be +so on all other occasions. + +This confidence of friendship is indeed one of its sweetest pleasures +and greatest advantages. The human heart often stands in need of some +kind and faithful partner of its cares, in whom it may repose all its +weaknesses, and with whom it is sure of finding the tenderest sympathy. +Far be it from me to shut up the heart with cold distrust, and rigid +caution, or to adopt the odious maxim, that "we should live with a +friend, as if he were one day to become an enemy." But we must not +wholly abandon prudence in any sort of connection; since, when every +guard is laid aside, our unbounded openness may injure others as well as +ourselves. Secrets entrusted to us must be sacredly kept even from our +nearest friend: for we have no right to dispose of the secrets of +others. + +If there is danger in making an improper choice of friends, my dear +child, how much more fatal would it be to mistake in a stronger kind of +attachment--in that which leads to an irrevocable engagement for life! +yet so much more is the understanding blinded, when once the fancy is +captivated, that it seems a desperate undertaking to convince a girl in +love that she has mistaken the character of the man she prefers. + +If the passions would wait for the decision of judgment, and if a young +woman could have the same opportunities of examining into the real +character of her lover, as into that of a female candidate for her +friendship, the same rules might direct you in the choice of both: for +marriage being the highest state of friendship, the qualities requisite +in a friend are still more important in a husband. But young women know +so little of the world, especially of the other sex, and such pains are +usually taken to deceive them, that they are every way unqualified to +choose for themselves, upon their own judgment. Many a heart-ache shall +I feel for you, my sweet girl, if I live a few years longer! Since, not +only all your happiness in this world, but your advancement in religion +and virtue, or your apostacy from every good principle you have been +taught, will probably depend on the companion you fix to for life. Happy +will it be for you, if you are wise and modest enough to withdraw from +temptation, and preserve your heart free and open to receive the just +recommendation of your parents: further than a recommendation, I dare +say they will never go, in an affair which, though it should be begun by +them, ought never to be proceeded in without your free concurrence. + +Whatever romantic notions you may hear or read of, depend upon it, those +matches are the happiest which are made on rational grounds--on +suitableness of character, degree, and fortune--on mutual esteem, and the +prospect of a real and permanent friendship. Far be it from me to advise +you to marry where you do not love;--a mercenary marriage is a detestable +prostitution. But, on the other hand, an union formed upon mere personal +liking, without the requisite foundation of esteem, without the sanction +of parental approbation, and, consequently, without the blessing of God, +can be productive of nothing but misery and shame. The passion, to which +every consideration of duty and prudence is sacrificed, instead of +supplying the loss of all other advantages, will soon itself be changed +into mutual distrust--repentance--reproaches--and, finally, perhaps into +hatred. The distresses it brings will be void of every consolation; you +will have disgusted the friends who should be your support--debased +yourself in the eyes of the world--and, what is much worse, in your own +eyes, and even in those of your husband: above all, you will have +offended that God, who alone can shield you from calamity. + +From an act like this, I trust, your duty and gratitude to your kind +parents--the first of dudes next to that we owe to God, and inseparably +connected with it--will effectually preserve you. But most young people +think they have fulfilled their duty, if they refrain from actually +marrying against prohibition: they suffer their affections, and even +perhaps their word of honour, to be engaged, without consulting their +parents; yet satisfy themselves with resolving not to marry without +their consent: not considering, that, besides the wretched, useless, +uncomfortable state they plunge _themselves_ into, when they contract an +hopeless engagement, they must likewise involve a _parent_ in the +miserable dilemma of either giving a forced consent against his +judgment, or of seeing his beloved child pine away her prime of life in +fruitless anxiety--seeing her accuse him of tyranny, because he +restrains her from certain ruin--seeing her affections alienated from +her family--and all her thoughts engrossed by one object, to the +destruction of her health and spirits, and of all improvements and +occupations. What a cruel alternative for parents, whose happiness is +bound up with that of their child! The time to consult them is before +you have given a lover the least encouragement; nor ought you to listen +a moment to the man who would wish you to keep his addresses secret; +since he thereby shows himself conscious that they are not fit to be +encouraged. + +But perhaps I have said enough on this subject at present; though, if +ever advice on such a topic can be of use, it must be before passion has +got possession of the heart, and silenced both reason and principle. Fix +therefore in your mind, as deeply as possible, those rules of duty and +prudence which now seem reasonable to you, that they may be at hand in +the hour of trial, and save you from the miseries, in which strong +affections, unguided by discretion, involve so many of our sex. + +If you love virtue sincerely, you will be incapable of loving an openly +vicious character. But, alas! your innocent heart may be easily ensnared +by an artful one--and from this danger nothing can secure you but the +experience of those, to whose guidance God has entrusted you: may you be +wise enough to make use of it!--So will you have the fairest chance of +attaining the best blessings this world can afford, in a faithful and +virtuous union with a worthy man, who may direct your steps in safety +and honour through this life, and partake with you the rewards of virtue +in that which is to come. But, if this happy lot should be denied you, +do not be afraid of a single life. A worthy woman is never destitute of +valuable friends, who in a great measure supply to her the want of +nearer connections. She can never be slighted or disesteemed, while her +good temper and benevolence render her a blessing to her companions. +Nay, she must be honoured by all persons of sense and virtue, for +preferring the single state to an union unworthy of her. The calamities +of an unhappy marriage are so much greater than can befall a single +person, that the unmarried woman may find abundant argument to be +contented with her condition, when pointed out to her by Providence. +Whether married or single, if your first care is to please God, you will +undoubtedly be a blessed creature;--"For that which he delights in _must +be happy_." How earnestly I wish you this happiness, you can never know, +unless you could read the heart of + + Your truly affectionate. + +FOOTNOTES: + +[21] Ecclus v. + +[22] Ibid. vi. + +[23] Ecclus. xxii. 20. + +[24] Ecclus. xxvii. 16. + + + + +LETTER VI. + +ON THE GOVERNMENT OF THE TEMPER. + + +THE next great point of importance to your future happiness, my dear, is +what your parents have, doubtless, been continually attentive to from +your infancy, as it is impossible to undertake it too early--I mean the +due Regulation of your Temper. Though you are in great measure indebted +to their forming hands for whatever is good in it, you are sensible, no +doubt, as every human creature is, of propensities to some infirmity of +temper, which it must now be _your own_ care to correct and to subdue: +otherwise the pains that have hitherto been taken with you may all +become fruitless; and, when you are your own mistress, you may relapse +into those faults, which were originally in your nature, and which will +require to be diligently watched and kept under, through the whole +course of your life. + +If you consider, that the constant tenor of the gospel precepts is to +promote love, peace, and good-will amongst men, you will not doubt that +the cultivation of an amiable disposition is a great part of your +religious duty: since nothing leads more directly to the breach of +charity, and to the injury and molestation of our fellow-creatures, than +the indulgence of an ill-temper. Do not therefore think lightly of the +offences you may commit, for want of a due command over it, or suppose +yourself responsible for them to your fellow-creatures only; but, be +assured, you must give a strict account of them all to the Supreme +Governor of the world, who has made this a great part of your appointed +trial upon earth. + +A woman, bred up in a religious manner, placed above the reach of want, +and out of the way of sordid or scandalous vices, can have but few +temptations to the flagrant breach of the Divine laws. It particularly +concerns her therefore to understand them in their full import, and to +consider how far she trespasses against them, by such actions as appear +trivial when compared with murder, adultery, and theft, but which become +of very great importance, by being frequently repeated, and occurring in +the daily transactions of life. + +The principal virtues or vices of a woman must be of a private and +domestic kind. Within the circle of her own family and dependents lies +her sphere of action--the scene of almost all those tasks and trials, +which must determine her character, and her fate, here and hereafter. +Reflect, for a moment, how much the happiness of her husband, children, +and servants, must depend on her temper, and you will see that the +greatest good, or evil, which she ever may have in her power to do, may +arise from her correcting or indulging its infirmities. + +Though I wish the principle of duty towards God to be your ruling motive +in the exercise of every virtue, yet, as human nature stands in need of +all possible helps, let us not forget how essential it is to present +happiness, and to the enjoyment of this life, to cultivate such a temper +as is likewise indispensably requisite to the attainment of higher +felicity in the life to come. The greatest outward blessings cannot +afford enjoyment to a mind ruffled and uneasy within itself. A fit of +ill-humour will spoil the finest entertainment, and is as real a torment +as the most painful disease. Another unavoidable consequence of +ill-temper is the dislike and aversion of all who are witnesses to it, +and, perhaps, the deep and lasting resentment of those who suffer from +its effects. We all, from social or self-love, earnestly desire the +esteem and affection of our fellow-creatures; and indeed our condition +makes them so necessary to us, that the wretch who has forfeited them, +must feel desolate and undone, deprived of all the best enjoyments and +comforts the world can afford, and given up to his inward misery, +unpitied and scorned. But this can never be the fate of a good-natured +person: whatever faults he may have, they will generally be treated with +lenity; he will find an advocate in every human heart; his errors will +be lamented rather than abhorred; and his virtues will be viewed in the +fairest point of light. His good humour, without the help of great +talents or acquirements, will make his company preferable to that of the +most brilliant genius, in whom this quality is wanting; in short, it is +almost impossible that you can be sincerely beloved by any body, without +this engaging property, whatever other excellencies you may possess; +but, with it, you will scarcely fail of finding some friends and +favourers, even though you should be destitute of almost every other +advantage. + +Perhaps you will say, all this is very true; "but our tempers are not in +our own power; we are made with different dispositions, and, if mine is +not amiable, it is rather my unhappiness than my fault." This, my dear, +is commonly said by those who will not take the trouble to correct +themselves. Yet, be assured, it is a delusion, and will not avail in our +justification before Him, "who knoweth whereof we are made," and of what +we are capable. It is true, we are not all equally happy in our +dispositions; but human virtue consists in cherishing and cultivating +every good inclination, and in checking and subduing every propensity to +evil. If you had been born with a bad temper, it might have been made a +good one, at least with regard to its outward effects, by education, +reason, and principle: and, though you are so happy as to have a good +one while young, do not suppose it will always continue so, if you +neglect to maintain a proper command over it. Power, sickness, +disappointments, or worldly cares, may corrupt and embitter the finest +disposition, if they are not counteracted by reason and religion. + +It is observed, that every temper is inclined, in some degree, either to +passion, peevishness, or obstinacy. Many are so unfortunate as to be +inclined to each of the three in turn: it is necessary therefore to +watch the bent of our nature, and to apply the remedies proper for the +infirmity to which we are most liable. With regard to the first, it is +so injurious to society, and so odious in itself, especially in the +female character, that one would think shame alone would be sufficient +to preserve a young woman from giving way to it: for it is as unbecoming +her character to be betrayed into ill-behaviour by _passion_, as by +_intoxication_, and she ought to be ashamed of the one as much as of the +other. Gentleness, meekness, and patience, are her peculiar +distinctions; and an enraged woman is one of the most disgusting sights +in nature. + +It is plain, from experience, that the most passionate people can +command themselves, when they have a motive sufficiently strong--such as +the presence of those they fear, or to whom they particularly desire to +recommend themselves; it is therefore no excuse to persons, whom you +have injured by unkind reproaches, and unjust aspersions, to tell them +you was in a passion; the allowing yourself to speak to them in a +passion is a proof of an insolent disrespect, which the meanest of your +fellow-creatures would have a right to resent. When once you find +yourself heated so far as to desire to say what you know would be +provoking and wounding to another, you should immediately resolve either +to be silent, or to quit the room, rather than give utterance to any +thing dictated by so bad an inclination. Be assured, you are then unfit +to reason or to reprove, or to hear reason from others. It is therefore +your part to retire from such an occasion of sin; and wait till you are +cool, before you presume to judge of what has passed. By accustoming +yourself thus to conquer and disappoint your anger, you will, by +degrees, find it grow weak and manageable, so as to leave your reason at +liberty. You will be able to restrain your tongue from evil, and your +looks and gestures from all expressions of violence and ill-will. Pride, +which produces so many evils in the human mind, is the great source of +passion. Whoever cultivates in himself a proper humility, a due sense of +his own faults and insufficiencies, and a due respect for others, will +find but small temptation to violent or unreasonable anger. + +In the case of real injuries, which justify and call for resentment, +there is a noble and generous kind of anger, a proper and necessary part +of our nature, which has nothing in it sinful or degrading. I would not +wish you insensible to this; for the person, who feels not an injury, +must be incapable of being properly affected by benefits. With those, +who treat you ill without provocation, you ought to maintain your own +dignity. But, in order to do this, whilst you show a sense of their +improper behaviour, you must preserve calmness, and even good-breeding; +and thereby convince them of the impotence as well as injustice of +their malice. You must also weigh every circumstance with candour and +charity, and consider whether your showing the resentment deserved may +not produce ill consequences to innocent persons--as is almost always +the case in family quarrels; and whether it may not occasion the breach +of some duty, or necessary connection, to which you ought to sacrifice +even your just resentments. Above all things, take care that a +particular offence to you does not make you unjust to the general +character of the offending person. Generous anger does not preclude +esteem for whatever is really estimable, nor does it destroy good-will +to the person of its object: it even inspires the desire of overcoming +him by benefits, and wishes to inflict no other punishment than the +regret of having injured one who deserved his kindness: it is always +placable, and ready to be reconciled, as soon as the offender is +convinced of his error; nor can any subsequent injury provoke it to +recur to past disobligations, which had been once forgiven. But it is +perhaps unnecessary to give rules for this case. The consciousness of +injured innocence naturally produces dignity, and usually prevents +excess of anger. Our passion is most unruly, when we are conscious of +blame, and when we apprehend that we have laid ourselves open to +contempt. Where we know we have been wrong, the least injustice in the +degree of blame imputed to us, excites our bitterest resentment; but, +where we know ourselves faultless, the sharpest accusation excites pity +or contempt, rather than rage. Whenever, therefore, you feel yourself +very angry, suspect yourself to be in the wrong, and resolve to stand +the decision of your own conscience before you cast upon another the +punishment, which is perhaps due to yourself. This self-examination will +at least give you time to cool, and, if you are just, will dispose you +to balance your own wrong with that of your antagonist, and to settle +the account with him on equal terms. + +Peevishness, though not so violent and fatal in its immediate effects, +is still more unamiable than passion, and, if possible, more destructive +of happiness, inasmuch as it operates more continually. Though the +fretful man injures us less, he disgusts us more than the passionate +one; because he betrays a low and little mind, intent on trifles, and +engrossed by a paltry self-love, which knows not how to bear the very +apprehension of any inconvenience. It is self-love then, which we must +combat, when we find ourselves assaulted by this infirmity; and, by +voluntarily induring inconveniences, we shall habituate ourselves to +bear them with ease and good-humour, when occasioned by others. Perhaps +this is the best kind of religious mortification; as the chief end of +denying ourselves any innocent indulgences, must be to acquire a habit +of command over our passions and inclinations, particularly such as are +likely to lead us into evil. Another method of conquering this enemy, is +to abstract our minds from that attention to trifling circumstances, +which usually creates this uneasiness. Those, who are engaged in high +and important pursuits, are very little affected by small +inconveniences. The man, whose head is full of studious thought, or +whose heart is full of care, will eat his dinner without knowing whether +it was well or ill dressed, or whether it was served punctually at the +hour or not: and though absence from the common things of life is far +from desirable--especially in a woman--yet too minute and anxious an +attention to them seldom fails to produce a teasing, mean, and fretful +disposition. I would therefore wish your mind to have always some object +in pursuit worthy of it, that it may not be engrossed by such as are in +themselves scarce worth a moment's anxiety. It is chiefly in the decline +of life, when amusements fail, and when the more importunate passions +subside, that this infirmity is observed to grow upon us; and perhaps it +will seldom fail to do so, unless carefully watched, and counteracted by +reason. We must then endeavour to substitute some pursuits in the place +of those, which can only engage us in the beginning of our course. The +pursuit of glory and happiness in another life, by every means of +improving and exalting our own minds, becomes more and more interesting +to us, the nearer we draw to the end of all sublunary enjoyments. +Reading, reflection, rational conversation, and, above all, conversing +with God, by prayer and meditation, may preserve us from taking that +anxious interest in the little comforts and conveniences of our +remaining days, which usually gives birth to so much fretfulness in old +people. But though the aged and infirm are most liable to this evil--and +they alone are to be pitied for it--yet we sometimes see the young, the +healthy, and those who enjoy most outward blessings, inexcusably guilty +of it. The smallest disappointment in pleasure, or difficulty in the +most trifling employment, will put wilful young people out of temper, +and their very amusements frequently become sources of vexation and +peevishness. How often have I seen a girl, preparing for a ball, or for +some other public appearance--unable to satisfy her own vanity--fret +over every ornament she put on, quarrel with her maid, with her clothes, +her hair; and growing still more unlovely as she grew more cross, be +ready to fight with her looking-glass for not making her as handsome as +she wished to be! She did not consider, that the traces of this +ill-humour on her countenance would be a greater disadvantage to her +appearance than any defect in her dress, or even than the plainest +features enlivened by joy and good-humour. There is a degree of +resignation necessary even to the enjoyment of pleasure: we must be +ready and willing to give up some part of what we could wish for, before +we can enjoy that which is indulged to us. I have no doubt that she, who +frets all the while she is dressing for an assembly, will suffer still +greater uneasiness when she is there. The same craving restless vanity +will there endure a thousand mortifications, which, in the midst of +seeming pleasure, will secretly corrode her heart; whilst the meek and +humble generally find more gratification than they expected, and return +home pleased and enlivened from every scene of amusement, though they +could have staid away from it with perfect ease and contentment. + +Sullenness, or obstinacy, is perhaps a worse fault of temper than either +of the former, and, if indulged, may end in the most fatal extremes of +stubborn melancholy, malice, and revenge. The resentment which, instead +of being expressed, is nursed in secret, and continually aggravated by +the imagination, will, in time, become the ruling passion; and then, how +horrible must be his case, whose kind and pleasurable affections are all +swallowed up by the tormenting as well as detestable sentiments of +hatred and revenge? "[25]Admonish thy friend, peradventure he hath not +done it: or, if he hath, that he do it no more.--Admonish thy friend, +peradventure he hath not said it: or, if he hath, that he speak it not +again." Brood not over a resentment which perhaps was at first +ill-grounded, and which is undoubtedly heightened by an heated +imagination. But when you have first subdued your own temper, so as to +be able to speak calmly, reasonably, and kindly, then expostulate with +the person you suppose to be in fault--hear what she has to say; and +either reconcile yourself to her, or quiet your mind under the injury by +the principle of Christian charity. But, if it should appear that you +yourself have been most to blame, or if you have been in an error, +acknowledge it fairly and handsomely; if you feel any reluctance to do +so, be certain that it arises from pride, to conquer which is an +absolute duty. "A soft answer turneth away wrath," and a generous +confession oftentimes more than atones for the fault which requires it. +Truth and justice demand, that we should acknowledge conviction, as soon +as we feel it, and not maintain an erroneous opinion, or justify a wrong +conduct, merely from the false shame of confessing our past ignorance. A +false shame it undoubtedly is, and as impolitic as unjust, since your +error is already seen by those who endeavour to set you right; but your +conviction, and the candour and generosity of owning it freely, may +still be an honour to you, and would greatly recommend you to the person +with whom you disputed. With a disposition strongly inclined to +sullenness or obstinacy, this must be a very painful exertion; and to +make a perfect conquest over yourself at once may perhaps appear +impracticable, whilst the zeal of self-justification, and the abhorrence +of blame, are strong upon you. But, if you are so unhappy as to yield to +your infirmity, at one time, do not let this discourage you from +renewing your efforts. Your mind will gain strength from the contest, +and your internal enemy will by degrees be forced to give ground. Be not +afraid to revive the subject, as soon as you find yourself able to +subdue your temper; and then frankly lay open the conflict you sustained +at the time: by this you will make all the amends in your power for your +fault, and will certainly change the disgust you have given into pity at +least, if not admiration. Nothing is more endearing than such a +confession; and you will find such a satisfaction in your own +consciousness, and in the renewed tenderness and esteem you will gain +from the person concerned, that your task for the future will be made +more easy, and your reluctance to be convinced will on every occasion +grow less and less. + +The love of truth, and a real desire of improvement, ought to be the +only motives of argumentation; and, where these are sincere, no +difficulty can be made of embracing the truth, as soon as it is +perceived. But, in fact, people oftener dispute from vanity and pride, +which makes it a grievous mortification to allow that we are the wiser +for what we have heard from another. To receive advice, reproof, and +instruction, properly, is the surest sign of a sincere and humble heart; +and shows a greatness of mind, which commands our respect and reverence, +while it appears so willingly to yield to us the superiority. + +Observe, notwithstanding, that I do not wish you to hear of your faults +without pain: Such an indifference would afford small hopes of +amendment. Shame and remorse are the first steps to true repentance; yet +we should be willing to bear this pain, and thankful to the kind hand +that inflicts it for our good. Nor must we, by sullen silence under it, +leave our kind physician in doubt, whether the operation has taken +effect or not, or whether it has not added another malady, instead of +curing the first. You must consider that those who tell you of your +faults, if they do it from motives of kindness, and not of malice, exert +their friendship in a painful office, which must have cost them as great +an effort as it can be to you to acknowledge the service; and, if you +refuse this encouragement, you cannot expect that any one, who is not +absolutely obliged to it by duty, will a second time undertake such an +ill-requited trouble. What a loss would this be to yourself!--How +difficult would be our progress to that degree of perfection, which is +necessary to our happiness, was it not for the assistance we receive +from each other!--This certainly is one of the means of grace held out +to us by our merciful Judge, and, if we reject it, we are answerable for +all the miscarriages we may fall into for want of it. + +I know not, whether that strange caprice, that inequality of taste and +behaviour, so commonly attributed to our sex, may be properly called a +fault of temper,--as it seems not to be connected with, or arising from, +our animal frame,--but to be rather the fruit of our own +self-indulgence, degenerating by degrees into such a wantonness of will +as knows not how to please itself. When, instead of regulating our +actions by reason and principle, we suffer ourselves to be guided by +every slight and momentary impulse of inclination, we shall, doubtless, +appear so variable and inconstant, that nobody can guess, by our +behaviour to day, what may be expected from us to-morrow; nor can we +ourselves tell, whether what we delighted in a week ago will now afford +us the least degree of pleasure. It is in vain for others to attempt to +please us--we cannot please ourselves, though all we could wish for +waits our choice: and thus does a capricious woman become "sick of +herself, through very selfishness:" And, when this is the case, it is +easy to judge how sick others must be of her, and how contemptible and +disgusting she must appear. This wretched state is the usual consequence +of power and flattery. May my dear child never meet with the temptation +of that excessive and ill-judged indulgence from a husband, which she +has happily escaped from her parents, and which seldom fails to reduce +women to the miserable condition of a humoured child, always unhappy +from having nobody's will to study but its own! The insolence of such +demands for yourself, and such disregard to the choice and inclinations +of others, can seldom fail to make you as many enemies as there are +persons obliged to bear with your humours; whilst a compliant, +reasonable, and contented disposition, would render you happy in +yourself, and beloved by all your companions; particularly by those, who +live constantly with you; and, of what consequence this is to your +happiness, a moment's reflection will convince you. Family friendships +are the friendships made for us, if I may so speak, by God himself. With +the kindest intentions, he has knit the bands of family love, by +indispensable duties; and wretched are they who have burst them asunder +by violence and ill-will, or worn them out by constant little +disobligations, and by the want of that attention to please, which the +presence of a stranger always inspires, but which is so often shamefully +neglected towards those, whom it is most our duty and interest to +please. May you, my dear, be wise enough to see that every faculty of +entertainment, every engaging qualification, which you possess, is +exerted to the best advantage for those, whose love is of most +importance to you--for those who live under the same roof, and with whom +you are connected for life, either by the ties of blood, or by the still +more sacred obligations of a voluntary engagement. + +To make you the delight and darling of your family, something more is +required than barely to be exempt from ill-temper and troublesome +humours. The sincere and genuine smiles of complacency and love must +adorn your countenance. That ready compliance, that alertness to assist +and oblige, which demonstrates true affection, must animate your +behaviour, and endear your most common action. Politeness must accompany +your greatest familiarities, and restrain you from every thing that is +really offensive, or which can give a moment's unnecessary pain. +Conversation, which is so apt to grow dull and insipid in families, nay, +in some to be almost wholly laid aside, must be cultivated with the +frankness and openness of friendship, and by the mutual communication of +whatever may conduce to the improvement or innocent entertainment of +each other. + +Reading, whether apart or in common, will furnish useful and pleasing +subjects; and the sprightliness of youth will naturally inspire harmless +mirth and native humour, if encouraged by a mutual desire of diverting +each other, and making the hours pass agreeably in your own house: every +amusement that offers will be heightened by the participation of these +dear companions, and by talking over every incident together and every +object of pleasure. If you have any acquired talent of entertainment, +such as music, painting, or the like, your own family are those before +whom you should most wish to excel, and for whom you should always be +ready to exert yourself; not suffering the accomplishments which you +have gained, perhaps by their means, and at their expense, to lie +dormant, till the arrival of a stranger gives you spirit in the +performance. Where this last is the case, you may be sure vanity is the +only motive of the exertion: a stranger will praise you more: but how +little sensibility has that heart which is not more gratified by the +silent pleasure painted on the countenance of a partial parent, or of an +affectionate brother, than by the empty compliment of a visitor, who is +perhaps inwardly more disposed to criticise and ridicule than to admire +you! + +I have been longer in this letter than I intended, yet it is with +difficulty I can quit the subject, because I think it is seldom +sufficiently insisted on, either in books or in sermons; and because +there are many persons weak enough to believe themselves in a safe and +innocent course of life, whilst they are daily harassing every body +about them by their vexatious humours. But you will, I hope, constantly +bear in mind, that you can never treat a fellow-creature unkindly, +without offending the kind Creator and Father of all; and that you can +no way render yourself so acceptable to him, as by studying to promote +the happiness of others, in every instance, small as well as great. The +favour of God, and the love of your companions, will surely be deemed +rewards sufficient to animate your most fervent endeavours; yet this is +not all: the disposition of mind, which I would recommend, is its own +reward, and is in itself essential to happiness. Cultivate it therefore, +my dear child, with your utmost diligence; and watch the symptoms of +ill-temper, as they rise, with a firm resolution to conquer them, before +they are even perceived by any other person. In every such inward +conflict, call upon our Maker, to assist the feeble nature he hath given +you, and sacrifice to _Him_ every feeling that would tempt you to +disobedience: so will you at length attain the true Christian meekness, +which is blessed in the sight of God and man; "which has the promise of +this life as well as of that which is to come." Then will you pity, in +others, those infirmities, which you have conquered in yourself; and +will think yourself as much bound to assist, by your patience and +gentleness, those who are so unhappy as to be under the dominion of evil +passions, as you are to impart a share of your riches to the poor and +miserable. + + Adieu, my dearest. + +FOOTNOTES: + +[25] Ecclus. xix. 13. + + + + +LETTER VII. + +ON ECONOMY. + + + _MY DEAREST NIECE_, + +ECONOMY is so important a part of a woman's character, so necessary to +her own happiness, and so essential to her performing properly the +duties of a wife and of a mother, that it ought to have the precedence +of all other accomplishments, and take its rank next to the first duties +of life. It is, moreover, an _art_ as well as a _virtue_; and many +well-meaning persons, from ignorance, or from inconsideration, are +strangely deficient in it. Indeed it is too often wholly neglected in a +young woman's education; and she is sent from her father's house to +govern a family, without the least degree of that knowledge which should +qualify her for it: this is the source of much inconvenience; for though +experience and attention may supply, by degrees, the want of +instruction, yet this requires time: the family in the meantime may get +into habits, which are very difficult to alter; and, what is worse, the +husband's opinion of his wife's incapacity may be fixed too strongly to +suffer him ever to think justly of her gradual improvements. I would +therefore earnestly advise you to make use of every opportunity you can +find, for the laying in some store of knowledge on this subject, before +you are called upon to the practice; by observing what passes before +you--by consulting prudent and experienced mistresses of families--and +by entering in a book a memorandum of every new piece of intelligence +you acquire; you may afterwards compare these with more mature +observations, and you can make additions and corrections, as you see +occasion. I hope it will not be long before your mother entrusts you +with some part, at least, of the management of your father's house. +Whilst you are under her eye, your ignorance cannot do much harm, though +the relief to her at first may not be near so considerable as the +benefit to yourself. + +Economy consists of so many branches, some of which descend to such +minutenesses, that it is impossible for me in writing to give you +particular directions. The rude outlines may be perhaps described, and I +shall be happy if I can furnish you with any hint that may hereafter be +usefully employed. + +The first and greatest point is, to lay out your general plan of living +in a just proportion to your fortune and rank: if these two will not +coincide, the last must certainly give way; for, if you have right +principles, you cannot fail of being wretched under the sense of the +injustice as well as danger of spending beyond your income, and your +distress will be continually increasing. No mortifications, which you +can suffer from retrenching in your appearance, can be comparable to +this unhappiness. If you would enjoy the real comforts of affluence, you +should lay your plan considerably within your income; not for the +pleasure of amassing wealth--though, where there is a growing family, it +is an absolute duty to lay by something every year--but to provide for +contingencies, and to have the power of indulging your choice in the +disposal of the overplus, either in innocent pleasures, or to increase +your funds for charity and generosity, which are in fact the true funds +of pleasure. In some circumstances indeed this would not be prudent: +there are professions in which a man's success greatly depends on his +making some figure, where the bare suspicion of poverty would bring on +the reality. If by marriage you should be placed in such a situation, it +will be your duty to exert all your skill in the management of your +income: yet, even in this case, I would not strain to the utmost for +appearance, but would choose my models among the most prudent and +moderate of my own class; and be contented with slower advancement, for +the sake of security and peace of mind. + +A contrary conduct is the ruin of many; and, in general, the wives of +men in such professions might live in a more retired and frugal manner +than they do, without any ill consequence, if they did not make the +scheme of advancing the success of their husbands an excuse to +themselves for the indulgence of their own vanity and ambition. + +Perhaps it may be said, that the settling the general scheme of expenses +is seldom the wife's province, and that many men do not choose even to +acquaint her with the real state of their affairs. Where this is the +case, a woman can be answerable for no more than is entrusted to her. +But I think it a very ill sign, for one or both of the parties where +there is such a want of openness, in what equally concerns them. As I +trust you will deserve the confidence of your husband, so I hope you +will be allowed free consultation with him on your mutual interest; and +I believe there are few men, who would not hearken to reason on their +own affairs, when they saw a wife ready and desirous to give up her +share of vanities and indulgences, and only earnest to promote the +common good of the family. + +In order to settle your plan, it will be necessary to make a pretty +exact calculation: and if, from this time, you accustom yourself to +calculations, in all the little expenses entrusted to you, you will grow +expert and ready at them, and be able to guess very nearly, where +certainty cannot be obtained. Many articles of expense are regular and +fixed: these may be valued exactly; and, by consulting with experienced +persons, you may calculate nearly the amount of others: any material +article of consumption, in a family of any given number and +circumstances, may be estimated pretty nearly. Your own expenses of +clothes and pocket-money should be settled and circumscribed, that you +may be sure not to exceed the just proportion. I think it an admirable +method to appropriate such a portion of your income, as you judge +proper to bestow in charity, to be sacredly kept for that purpose, and +no longer considered as your own. By which means you will avoid the +temptation of giving less than you ought, through selfishness, or more +than you ought, through good-nature or weakness. If your circumstances +allow of it, you might set apart another fund for acts of liberality or +friendship, which do not come under the head of charity. The having such +funds ready at hand, makes it easy and pleasant to give; and when acts +of bounty are performed without effort, they are generally done more +kindly and effectually. If you are obliged in conscience to lay up for a +family, the same method of an appropriated fund for saving will be of +excellent use, as it will prevent that continual and often ineffectual +anxiety, which a general desire of saving, without having fixed the +limits, is sure to create. + +Regularity of payments and accounts is essential to Economy:--your +house-keeping should be settled at least once a week, and all the bills +paid: all other tradesmen should be paid, at furthest, once a year. +Indeed I think it more advantageous to pay oftener: but, if you make +them trust you longer, they must either charge proportionally higher, or +be losers by your custom. Numbers of them fail, every year, from the +cruel cause of being obliged to give their customers so much longer +credit than the dealers, from whom they take their goods, will allow to +them. If people of fortune considered this, they would not defer their +payments, from mere negligence, as they often do, to the ruin of whole +families. + +You must endeavour to acquire skill in purchasing: in order to this, you +should begin now to attend to the prices of things, and take every +proper opportunity of learning the real value of every thing, as well as +the marks whereby you are to distinguish the good from the bad. + +In your table, as in your dress, and in all other things, I wish you to +aim at _propriety_ and _neatness_, or, if your state demands it, +_elegance_, rather than _superfluous figure_. To go beyond your sphere, +either in dress or in the appearance of your table, indicates a greater +fault in your character than to be too much within it. It is impossible +to enter into the _minutiæ_ of the table; good sense and observation on +the best models must form your taste, and a due regard to what you can +afford must restrain it. + +Ladies, who are fond of needle-work, generally choose to consider that +as a principal part of good housewifery: and though I cannot look upon +it as of equal importance with the due regulation of a family, yet, in a +middling rank, and with a moderate fortune, it is a necessary part of a +woman's duty, and a considerable article in expense is saved by it. Many +young ladies make almost _every thing_ they wear; by which means they +can make a genteel figure at a small expense. This, in your station, is +the most profitable and desirable kind of work; and, as much of it as +you can do, consistently with a due attention to your health, to the +improvement of your mind, and to the discharge of other duties, I should +think highly commendable. But, as I do not wish you to impose upon the +world by your appearance, I should be contented to see you worse +dressed, rather than see your whole time employed in preparations for +it, or any of those hours given to it, which are needful to make your +body strong and active by exercise, or your mind rational by reading. +Absolute idleness is inexcusable in a woman, because the needle is +always at hand for those intervals in which she cannot be otherwise +employed. If you are industrious, and if you keep good hours, you will +find time for all your proper employments. Early rising, and a good +disposition of time, is essential to Economy. The necessary orders, and +examinations into household affairs, should be dispatched as soon in the +day and as privately as possible, that they may not interrupt your +husband or guests, or break in upon conversation, or reading, in the +remainder of the day. If you defer any thing that is necessary, you may +be tempted by company, or by unforeseen avocations, to forget or to +neglect it: hurry and irregularity will ensue, with expensive expedients +to supply the defect. + +There is in many people, and particularly in youth, a strange aversion +to regularity--a desire to delay what ought to be done immediately, in +order to do something else, which might as well be done afterwards. Be +assured it is of more consequence to you than you can conceive, to get +the better of this idle procrastinating spirit, and to acquire habits of +constancy and steadiness, even in the most trifling matters: without +them there can be no regularity, or consistency of action or +character--no dependence on your best intentions, which a sudden humour +may tempt you to lay aside for a time, and which a thousand unforeseen +accidents will afterwards render it more and more difficult to execute: +no one can say what important consequences may follow a trivial neglect +of this kind. For example--I have known one of these _procrastinators_ +disoblige and gradually lose very valuable friends, by delaying to write +to them so long, that, having no good excuse to offer, she could not get +courage enough to write at all, and dropped their correspondence +entirely. + +The neatness and order of your house and furniture is a part of Economy, +which will greatly affect your appearance and character, and to which +you must yourself give attention, since it is not possible even for the +_rich_ and _great_ to rely wholly on the care of servants, in such +points, without their being often neglected. The more magnificently a +house is furnished, the more one is disgusted with that air of +confusion, which often prevails where attention is wanting in the owner. +But, on the other hand, there is a kind of neatness, which gives a lady +the air of a housemaid, and makes her excessively troublesome to every +body, and particularly to her husband: in this, as in all other branches +of Economy, I wish you to avoid all parade and bustle. Those ladies who +pique themselves on the particular excellence of neatness, are very apt +to forget that the decent order of the house should be designed to +promote the convenience and pleasure of those who are to be in it; and +that, if it is converted into a cause of trouble and constraint, their +husbands and guests would be happier without it. The love of fame, that +universal passion, will sometimes show itself on strangely insignificant +subjects; and a person who acts for praise only, will always go beyond +the mark in every thing. The best sign of a house being well governed +is, that nobody's attention is called to any of the little affairs of +it, but all goes on so well of course, that one is not led to make +remarks upon any thing, nor to observe any extraordinary effort that +produces the general result of ease and elegance, which prevails +throughout. + +Domestic Economy, and the credit and happiness of a family, depend so +much on the choice and proper regulation of servants, that it must be +considered as an essential part both of prudence and duty. Those who +keep a great number of them, have a heavy charge on their consciences, +and ought to think themselves in some measure responsible for the morals +and happiness of so many of their fellow-creatures, designed like +themselves for immortality. Indeed the cares of domestic management are +by no means lighter to persons of high rank and fortune, if they perform +their duty, than to those of a retired station. It is with a family, as +with a commonwealth, the more numerous and luxurious it becomes, the +more difficult it is to govern it properly. Though the great are placed +above the little attentions and employments, to which a private +gentlewoman must dedicate much of her time, they have a larger and more +important sphere of action, in which, if they are indolent and +neglectful, the whole government of their house and fortune must fall +into irregularity. Whatever number of deputies they may employ to +overlook their affairs, they must themselves overlook those deputies, +and be ultimately answerable for the conduct of the whole. The +characters of those servants, who are entrusted with power over the +rest, cannot be too nicely inquired into; and the mistress of the +family must be ever watchful over their conduct; at the same time that +she must carefully avoid every appearance of suspicion, which, whilst it +wounds and hinders a worthy servant, only excites the artifice and +cunning of an unjust one. + +None, who pretend to be friends of religion and virtue, should ever keep +a domestic, however expert in business, whom they know to be guilty of +immorality. How unbecoming a serious character is it, to say of such an +one, "He is a bad man, but a good servant!" What a preference does it +show of private convenience to the interests of society, which demand +that vice should be constantly discountenanced, especially in every +one's own household; and that the sober, honest, and industrious, should +be sure of finding encouragement and reward, in the houses of those who +maintain respectable characters! Such persons should be invariably +strict and peremptory with regard to the behaviour of their servants, in +every thing which concerns the general plan of domestic government; but +should by no means be severe on small faults, since nothing so much +weakens authority as frequent chiding. Whilst they require precise +obedience to their rules, they must prove by their general conduct, +that these rules are the effect, not of humour but of reason. It is +wonderful that those, who are careful to conceal their ill-temper from +strangers, should be indifferent how peevish and even contemptibly +capricious they appear before their servants, on whom their good name so +much depends, and from whom they can hope for no real respect, when +their weakness is so apparent. When once a servant can say, "I cannot do +any thing to please my mistress to-day," all authority is lost. + +Those, who continually change their servants, and complain of perpetual +ill usage, have good reason to believe that the fault is in themselves, +and that they do not know how to govern. Few indeed possess the skill to +unite authority with kindness, or are capable of that steady and +uniformly reasonable conduct, which alone can maintain true dignity, and +command a willing and attentive obedience. Let us not forget that human +nature is the same in all stations. If you can convince your servants, +that you have a generous and considerate regard to their health, their +interest, and their reasonable gratifications--that you impose no +commands but what are fit and right, nor ever reprove but with justice +and temper--why should you imagine that they will be insensible to the +good they receive, or whence suppose them incapable of esteeming and +prizing such a mistress? I could never, without indignation, hear it +said, that "servants have no gratitude;" as if the condition of +servitude excluded the virtues of humanity! The truth is, masters and +mistresses have seldom any real claim to gratitude. They think highly of +what they bestow, and little of the service they receive: they consider +only their own convenience, and seldom reflect on the kind of life their +servants pass with them: they do not ask themselves, whether it is such +an one as is consistent with the preservation of their health, their +morals, their leisure for religious duties, or with a proper share of +the enjoyments and comforts of life. The dissipated manners, which now +so generally prevail, perpetual absence from home, and attendance on +assemblies or at public places, is, in all these respects, pernicious to +the whole household, and to the _men-servants_ absolutely ruinous. Their +only resource, in the tedious hours of waiting, whilst their masters and +ladies are engaged in diversions, is to find out something of the same +kind for themselves. Thus they are led into gaming, drinking, +extravagance, and bad company; and thus, by a natural progression, they +become distressed and dishonest. That attachment and affiance, which +ought to subsist between the dependant and his protector, are destroyed. +The master looks on his attendants as thieves and traitors, whilst they +consider him as one whose money only gives him power over them, and who +uses that power without the least regard to their welfare. + +"[26]The fool saith, I have no friends--I have no thanks for all my good +deeds, and they that eat my bread speak evil of me." Thus foolishly do +those complain, who choose their servants, as well as their friends, +without discretion, or who treat them in a manner that no worthy person +will bear. + +I have been often shocked at the want of politeness, by which masters +and mistresses sometimes provoke impertinence from their servants: a +gentleman, who would resent to death an imputation of falsehood, from +his equal, will not scruple, without proof, to accuse his servant of it +in the grossest terms. I have heard the most insolent contempt of the +whole class expressed at a table, whilst five or six of them attended +behind the chairs, who the company seemed to think were without senses, +without understanding, or the natural feelings of resentment: these are +cruel injuries, and will be retorted in some way or other. + +If you, my dear, live to be at the head of a family, I hope you will not +only avoid all injurious treatment of your domestics, but behave to them +with that courtesy and good breeding, which will heighten their respect +as well as their affection. If, on any occasion, they do more than you +have a right to require, give them, at least, the reward of seeing that +they have obliged you. If, in your service, they have any hardship to +endure, let them see that you are concerned for the necessity of +imposing it. When they are sick, give them all the attention and every +comfort in your power, with a free heart and kind countenance; "[27]not +blemishing thy good deeds, not using uncomfortable words when thou +givest any thing. Is not a word better than a gift? but both are with a +gracious man. A fool will upbraid churlishly, and a gift of the envious +consumeth the eyes." + +Whilst you thus endear yourself to all your servants, you must ever +carefully avoid making a favourite of any; unjust distinctions, and weak +indulgences to one, will of course excite envy and hatred in the rest. +Your favourite may establish whatever abuses she pleases; none will dare +to complain against her, and you will be kept ignorant of her ill +practices, but will feel the effects of them, by finding all your other +servants uneasy in their places, and, perhaps, by being obliged +continually to change them. + +When they have spent a reasonable time in your service, and have behaved +commendably, you ought to prefer them, if it is in your power, or to +recommend them to a better provision. The hope of this keeps alive +attention and gratitude, and is the proper support of industry. Like a +parent, you should keep in view their establishment in some way, that +may preserve their old age from indigence; and to this end, you should +endeavour to inspire them with care to lay up part of their gains, and +constantly discourage in them all vanity in dress, and extravagance in +idle expenses. That you are bound to promote their eternal as well as +temporal welfare, you cannot doubt, since, next to your children, they +are your nearest dependants. You ought therefore to instruct them as far +as you are able, furnish them with good books suited to their capacity, +and see that they attend the public worship of God: and you must take +care so to pass the sabbath-day as to allow them time, on that day, at +least, for reading and reflection at home, as well as for attendance at +church. Though this is part of your religious duty, I mention it here, +because it is also a part of family management: for the same reason I +shall here take occasion earnestly to recommend family prayers, which +are useful to all, but more particularly to servants, who, being +constantly employed, are led to the neglect of private prayer, and whose +ignorance makes it very difficult for them to frame devotions for +themselves, or to choose proper helps, amidst the numerous books of +superstitious or enthusiastic nonsense, which are printed for that +purpose. Even, in a political light, this practice is eligible, since +the idea which it will give them of your regularity and decency, if not +counteracted by other parts of your conduct, will probably increase +their respect for you, and will be some restraint at least on their +outward behaviour, though it should fail of that inward influence, which +in general may be hoped from it. + +The prudent distribution of your charitable gifts may not improperly be +considered as a branch of Economy, since the great duty of almsgiving +cannot be truly fulfilled without a diligent attention so to manage the +sums you can spare as to produce the most real good to your +fellow-creatures. Many are willing to give money, who will not bestow +their time and consideration, and who therefore often hurt the +community, when they mean to do good to individuals. The larger are your +funds, the stronger is the call upon you to exert your industry and care +in disposing of them properly. It seems impossible to give rules for +this, as every case is attended with a variety of circumstances, which +must all be considered. In general, charity is most useful, when it is +appropriated to animate the industry of the young, to procure some ease +and comforts to old age, and to support in sickness those, whose daily +labour is their only maintenance in health. They, who are fallen into +indigence, from circumstances of ease and plenty, and in whom education +and habit have added a thousand wants to those of nature, must be +considered with the tenderest sympathy by every feeling heart. It is +needless to say, that to such the bare support of existence is scarcely +a benefit, and that the delicacy and liberality of the manner, in which +relief is here offered, can alone make it a real act of kindness. In +great families, the waste of provisions, sufficient for the support of +many poor ones, is a shocking abuse of the gifts of Providence: nor +should any lady think it beneath her to study the best means of +preventing it, and of employing the refuse of luxury in the relief of +the poor. Even the smallest families may give some assistance in this +way, if care is taken that nothing be wasted. + +I am sensible, my dear child, that very little more can be gathered from +what I have said on Economy, than the general importance of it, which +cannot be too much impressed on your mind, since the natural turn of +young people is to neglect and even to despise it; not distinguishing +it from parsimony and narrowness of spirit. But, be assured, my dear, +there can be no true generosity without it; and that the most enlarged +and liberal mind will find itself not debased but ennobled by it. +Nothing is more common than to see the same person, whose want of +Economy is ruining his family, consumed with regret and vexation at the +effect of his profusion; and, by endeavouring to save, in such trifles +as will not amount to twenty pounds in a year, that which he wastes by +hundreds, incur the character and suffer the anxieties of a miser, +together with the misfortunes of a prodigal. A rational plan of expense +will save you from all these corroding cares, and will give you the full +and liberal enjoyment of what you spend. An air of ease, of hospitality, +and frankness, will reign in your house, which will make it pleasant to +your friends and to yourself. "Better is a morsel of bread," where this +is found, than the most elaborate entertainment, with that air of +constraint and anxiety, which often betrays the grudging heart through +all the disguises of civility. + +That you, my dear, may unite in yourself the admirable virtues of +Generosity and Economy, which will be the grace and crown of all your +attainments, is the earnest wish of + + Your ever affectionate. + +FOOTNOTES: + +[26] Ecclus. xx. 16. + +[27] Ecclus. xviii. + + + + +LETTER VIII. + +ON POLITENESS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS. + + +WHILST you labour to enrich your mind with the essential virtues of +Christianity--with piety, benevolence, meekness, humility, integrity, +and purity--and to make yourself useful in domestic management, I would +not have my dear child neglect to pursue those graces and acquirements, +which may set her virtue in the most advantageous light, adorn her +manners, and enlarge her understanding: and this, not in the spirit of +vanity, but in the innocent and laudable view of rendering herself more +useful and pleasing to her fellow-creatures, and consequently more +acceptable to God. Politeness of behaviour, and the attainment of such +branches of knowledge and such arts and accomplishments as are proper to +your sex, capacity, and station, will prove so valuable to yourself +through life, and will make you so desirable a companion, that the +neglect of them may reasonably be deemed a neglect of duty; since it is +undoubtedly our duty to cultivate the powers entrusted to us, and to +render ourselves as perfect as we can. + +You must have often observed, that nothing is so strong a recommendation +on a slight acquaintance as _politeness_; nor does it lose its value by +time or intimacy, when preserved, as it ought to be, in the nearest +connections and strictest friendships. This delightful qualification--so +universally admired and respected, but so rarely possessed in any +eminent degree--cannot but be a considerable object of my wishes for +you: nor should either of us be discouraged by the apprehension, that +neither I am capable of teaching, nor you of learning it, in +_perfection_; since whatever degree you attain will amply reward our +pains. + +To be perfectly polite, one must have great _presence of mind_, with a +delicate and quick _sense of propriety_; or, in other words, one should +be able to form an instantaneous judgment of what is fittest to be said +or done, on every occasion as it offers. I have known one or two +persons, who seemed to owe this advantage to nature only, and to have +the peculiar happiness of being born, as it were, with another sense, by +which they had an immediate perception of what was proper and improper, +in cases absolutely new to them: but this is the lot of very few; in +general, propriety of behaviour must be the fruit of instruction, of +observation, and reasoning; and is to be cultivated and improved like +any other branch of knowledge or virtue. A good temper is a necessary +groundwork of it; and, if to this is added a good understanding, applied +industriously to this purpose, I think it can hardly fail of attaining +all that is essential in it. Particular modes and ceremonies of +behaviour vary in different countries, and even in different parts of +the same town. These can only be learned by observation on the manners +of those who are best skilled in them, and by keeping what is called +good company. But the principles of politeness are the same in all +places. Wherever there are human beings, it must be impolite to hurt the +temper or to shock the passions of those you converse with. It must +every where be good-breeding, to set your companions in the most +advantageous point of light, by giving each the opportunity of +displaying their most agreeable talents, and by carefully avoiding all +occasions of exposing their defects;--to exert your own endeavours to +please, and to amuse, but not to outshine them;--to give each their due +share of attention and notice--not engrossing the talk, when others are +desirous to speak, nor suffering the conversation to flag, for want of +introducing something to continue or renew a subject;--not to push your +advantages in argument so far that your antagonist cannot retreat with +honour:--In short, it is an universal duty in society to consider others +more than yourself--"in honour preferring one another." Christianity, in +this rule, gives the best lesson of politeness; yet judgment must be +used in the application of it: our humility must not be strained so far +as to distress those we mean to honour; we must not quit our proper +rank, nor force others to treat us improperly; or to accept, what we +mean as an advantage, against their wills. We should be perfectly easy, +and make others so, if we can. But this happy ease belongs perhaps to +the last stage of perfection in politeness, and can hardly be attained +till we are conscious that we know the rules of behaviour, and are not +likely to offend against propriety. In a very young person, who has +seen little or nothing of the world, this cannot be expected; but a real +desire of obliging, and a respectful attention, will in a great measure +supply the want of knowledge, and will make every one ready to overlook +those deficiencies, which are owing only to the want of opportunities to +observe the manners of polite company. You ought not therefore to be too +much depressed by the consciousness of such deficiencies, but endeavour +to get above the shame of wanting what you have not had the means of +acquiring. Nothing heightens this false shame, and the awkwardness it +occasions, so much as vanity. The humble mind, contented to be known for +what it is, and unembarrassed by the dread of betraying its ignorance, +is present to itself, and can command the use of understanding, which +will generally preserve you from any great indecorum, and will secure +you from that ridicule, which is the punishment of affectation rather +than of ignorance. People of sense will never despise you, whilst you +act naturally; but, the moment you attempt to step out of your own +character, you make yourself an object of just ridicule. + +Many are of opinion, that a very young woman can hardly be too silent +and reserved in company; and, certainly, nothing is so disgusting in +youth as pertness and self-conceit. But modesty should be distinguished +from an awkward bashfulness, and silence should be only enjoined, when +it would be forward and impertinent to talk. There are many proper +opportunities for a girl, young even as you are, to speak in company, +with advantage to herself; and, if she does it without conceit or +affectation, she will always be more pleasing than those, who sit like +statues, without sense or motion. When you are silent, your looks should +show your attention and presence to the company: a respectful and +earnest attention is the most delicate kind of praise, and never fails +to gratify and please. You must appear to be interested in what is said, +and endeavour to improve yourself by it: if you understand the subject +well enough to ask now and then a pertinent question, or if you can +mention any circumstances relating to it that have not before been taken +notice of, this will be an agreeable way of showing your willingness to +make a part of the company; and will probably draw a particular +application to you, from some one or other. Then, when called upon, you +must not draw back as unwilling to answer, nor confine yourself merely +to _yes_, or _no_, as is the custom of many young persons, who become +intolerable burdens to the mistress of the house, whilst she strives in +vain to draw them into notice, and to give them some share in the +conversation. + +In your father's house it is certainly proper for you to pay civility to +the guests, and to talk to them in your turn--with modesty and +respect--if they encourage you to it. Young ladies of near your own age, +who visit there, fall of course to your share to entertain. But, whilst +you exert yourself to make their visit agreeable to them, you must not +forget what is due to the elder part of the company, nor, by whispering +and laughing apart, give them cause to suspect, what is too often true, +that they themselves are the subjects of your mirth. It is so shocking +an outrage against society, to talk of, or laugh at, any person in his +own presence, that one would only think it could be committed by the +vulgar. I am sorry however to say, that I have too often observed it +amongst young ladies, who little deserved that title whilst they +indulged their overflowing spirits in defiance of decency and +good-nature. The desire of laughing will make such inconsiderate young +persons find a subject of ridicule, even in the most respectable +character. Old age, which--if not disgraced by vice or affectation--has +the justest title to reverence, will be mimicked and insulted; and even +personal defects and infirmities will too often excite contempt and +abuse, instead of compassion. If you have ever been led into such an +action, my dear girl, call it seriously to mind, when you are confessing +your faults to Almighty God; and be fully persuaded, that it is not one +of the least which you have to repent of. You will be immediately +convinced of this, by comparing it with the great rule of justice, that +of doing to all as you would they should do unto you. No person living +is insensible to the injury of contempt, nor is there any talent so +invidious, or so certain to create ill-will, as that of ridicule. The +natural effects of years, which all hope to attain, and the infirmities +of the body, which none can prevent, are surely of all others the most +improper objects of mirth. There are subjects enough that are innocent, +and on which you may freely indulge the vivacity of your spirits; for I +would not condemn you to perpetual seriousness; on the contrary, I +delight in a joyous temper, at all ages, and particularly at your's. +Delicate and good-natured raillery amongst equal friends, if pointed +only against such trifling errors as the owner can hardly join to laugh +at, or such qualities as they do not pique themselves upon, is both +agreeable and useful; but then it must be offered in perfect kindness +and sincere good-humour; if tinctured with the least degree of malice, +its sting becomes venomous and detestable. The person rallied should +have liberty and ability to return the jest, which must be dropped upon +the first appearance of its affecting the temper. + +You will wonder, perhaps, when I tell you, that there are some +characters in the world, which I would freely allow you to laugh +at--though not in their presence. Extravagant vanity and affectation are +the natural subjects of ridicule, which is their proper punishment. When +you see old people, instead of maintaining the dignity of their years, +struggling against nature to conceal them, affecting the graces, and +imitating the follies of youth--or a young person assuming the +importance and solemnity of old age--I do not wish you to be insensible +to the ridicule of such absurd deviations from truth and nature. You +are welcome to laugh, when you leave the company, provided you lay up a +lesson for yourself at the same time; and remember that, unless you +improve your mind whilst you are young, you also will be an +insignificant fool in old age; and that, if you are presuming and +arrogant in youth, you are as ridiculous as an old woman with a +head-dress of flowers. + +In a young lady's behaviour towards gentlemen, great delicacy is +certainly required: yet, I believe, women oftener err from too great a +consciousness of the supposed views of men, than from inattention to +those views, or want of caution against them. You are at present rather +too young to want rules on this subject; but I could wish that you +should behave almost in the same manner three years hence as now; and +retain the simplicity and innocence of childhood, with the sense and +dignity of riper years. Men of loose morals or impertinent behaviour +must always be avoided: or, if at any time you are obliged to be in +their company, you must keep them at a distance by cold civility. But, +with regard to those gentlemen whom your parents think it proper for you +to converse with, and who give no offence by their own manners, to them +I wish you to behave with the same frankness and simplicity as if they +were of your own sex. If you have natural modesty, you will never +transgress its bounds, whilst you converse with a man, as one rational +creature with another, without any view to the possibility of a lover or +admirer, where nothing of that kind is professed; where it is, I hope +you will ever be equally a stranger to coquetry and prudery; and that +you will be able to distinguish the effects of real esteem and love from +idle gallantry and unmeaning fine speeches: the slighter notice you take +of these last, the better; and that, rather with good-humoured contempt +than with affected gravity: but the first must be treated with +seriousness and well-bred sincerity; not giving the least encouragement, +which you do not mean, nor assuming airs of contempt, where it is not +deserved. But this belongs to a subject, which I have touched upon in a +former letter. I have already told you, that you will be unsafe in every +step which leads to a serious attachment, unless you consult your +parents, from the first moment you apprehend any thing of that sort to +be intended: let them be your first confidants, and let every part of +your conduct, in such a case, be particularly directed by them. + +With regard to accomplishments, the chief of these is a competent share +of reading, well chosen and properly regulated; and of this I shall +speak more largely hereafter. Dancing and the knowledge of the French +tongue are now so universal, that they cannot be dispensed with in the +education of a gentlewoman; and indeed they both are useful as well as +ornamental; the first, by forming and strengthening the body, and +improving the carriage; the second, by opening a large field of +entertainment and improvement for the mind. I believe there are more +agreeable books of female literature in French than in any other +language; and, as they are not less commonly talked of than English +books, you must often feel mortified in company, if you are too ignorant +to read them. Italian would be easily learnt after French, and, if you +have leisure and opportunity, may be worth your gaining, though in your +station of life it is by no means necessary. + +To write a free and legible hand, and to understand common arithmetic, +are indispensable requisites. + +As to music and drawing, I would only wish you to follow as Genius +leads: you have some turn for the first, and I should be sorry to see +you neglect a talent, which will at least afford you an innocent +amusement, though it should not enable you to give much pleasure to your +friends. I think the use of both these arts is more for yourself than +for others: it is but seldom that a private person has leisure or +application enough to gain any high degree of excellence in them; and +your own partial family are perhaps the only persons who would not much +rather be entertained by the performance of a professor than by your's: +but, with regard to yourself, it is of great consequence to have the +power of filling up agreeably those intervals of time, which too often +hang heavily on the hands of a woman, if her lot be cast in a retired +situation. Besides this, it is certain that even a small share of +knowledge in these arts will heighten your pleasure in the performances +of others: the taste must be improved before it can be susceptible of an +exquisite relish for any of the imitative arts: an unskilful ear is +seldom capable of comprehending _harmony_, or of distinguishing the most +_delicate_ charms of _melody_. The pleasure of seeing fine paintings, or +even of contemplating the beauties of Nature, must be greatly heightened +by our being conversant with the rules of drawing, and by the habit of +considering the most picturesque objects. As I look upon taste to be an +inestimable fund of innocent delight, I wish you to lose no opportunity +of improving it, and of cultivating in yourself the relish of such +pleasures as will not interfere with a rational scheme of life, nor lead +you into dissipation, with all its attendant evils of vanity and luxury. + +As to the learned languages, though I respect the abilities and +application of those ladies who have attained them, and who make a +modest and proper use of them, yet I would by no means advise you--or +any other woman who is not strongly impelled by a particular genius--to +engage in such studies. The labour and time which they require are +generally incompatible with our natures and proper employments: the real +knowledge which they supply is not essential, since the English, French, +or Italian tongues afford tolerable translations of all the most +valuable productions of antiquity, besides the multitude of original +authors which they furnish: and these are much more than sufficient to +store your mind with as many ideas as you will know how to manage. The +danger of pedantry and presumption in a woman--of her exciting envy in +one sex and jealousy in the other--of her exchanging the graces of +imagination for the severity and preciseness of a scholar, would be, I +own, sufficient to frighten me from the ambition of seeing my girl +remarkable for learning. Such objections are perhaps still stronger with +regard to the abstruse sciences. + +Whatever tends to embellish your fancy, to enlighten your understanding, +and furnish you with ideas to reflect upon when alone, or to converse +upon in company, is certainly well worth your acquisition. The wretched +expedient, to which ignorance so often drives our sex, of calling in +slander to enliven the tedious insipidity of conversation, would alone +be a strong reason for enriching your mind with innocent subjects of +entertainment, which may render you a fit companion for persons of sense +and knowledge, from whom you may reap the most desirable improvements; +for, though I think reading indispensably necessary to the due +cultivation of your mind, I prefer the conversation of such persons to +every other method of instruction: but this you cannot hope to enjoy, +unless you qualify yourself to bear a part in such society, by, at +least, a moderate share of reading. + +Though _religion_ is the most important of all your pursuits, there are +not many _books_ on that subject which I should recommend to you at +present. Controversy is wholly improper at your age, and it is also too +soon for you to enquire into the evidence of the truth of revelation, or +to study the difficult parts of scripture: when these shall come before +you, there are many excellent books, from which you may receive great +assistance. At present, practical divinity--clear of superstition and +enthusiasm, but addressed to the heart, and written with a warmth and +spirit capable of exciting in it pure and rational piety--is what I wish +you to meet with. + +The principal study, I would recommend, is _history_. I know of nothing +equally proper to entertain and improve at the same time, or that is so +likely to form and strengthen your judgment, and, by giving you a +liberal and comprehensive view of human nature, in some measure to +supply the defect of that experience, which is usually attained too late +to be of much service to us. Let me add, that more materials for +conversation are supplied by this kind of knowledge, than by almost any +other; but I have more to say to you on this subject in a future letter. + +The faculty, in which women usually most excel, is that of imagination; +and, when properly cultivated, it becomes the source of all that is most +charming in society. Nothing you can read will so much contribute to the +improvement of this faculty as _poetry_; which, if applied to its true +ends, adds a thousand charms to those sentiments of religion, virtue, +generosity, and delicate tenderness, by which the human soul is exalted +and refined. I hope you are not deficient in natural taste for this +enchanting art, but that you will find it one of your greatest pleasures +to be conversant with the best poets, whom our language can bring you +acquainted with, particularly those immortal ornaments of our nation, +_Shakspeare_ and _Milton_. The first is not only incomparably the +noblest genius in dramatic poetry, but the greatest master of nature, +and the most perfect characterizer of men and manners: in this last +point of view, I think him inestimable; and I am persuaded that, in the +course of your life, you will seldom find occasion to correct those +observations on human nature, and those principles of morality, which +you may extract from his capital pieces. You will at first find his +language difficult; but, if you take the assistance of a friend, who +understands it well, you will by degrees enter into his manner of +phraseology, and perceive a thousand beauties, which at first lay buried +in obsolete words and uncouth constructions. The admirable _Essay on +Shakespeare_, which has lately appeared, so much to the honour of our +sex, will open your mind to the peculiar excellences of this author, and +enlighten your judgment on dramatic poetry in general, with such force +of reason and brilliancy of wit, as cannot fail to delight as well as +instruct you. + +Our great English poet, Milton, is as far above my praise as his +_Paradise Lost_ is above any thing which I am able to read, except the +sacred writers. The sublimity of his subject sometimes leads him into +abstruseness; but many parts of his great poem are easy to all +comprehensions, and must find their way directly to every heart by the +tenderness and delicacy of his sentiments, in which he is not less +strikingly excellent than in the richness and sublimity of his +imagination. Addison's criticism in the Spectators, written with that +beauty, elegance, and judgment, which distinguish all his writings, will +assist you to understand and to relish this poem. + +It is needless to recommend to you the translations of Homer and Virgil, +which every body reads that reads at all. You must have heard that Homer +is esteemed the father of poetry, the original from whence all the +moderns--not excepting Milton himself--borrow some of their greatest +beauties, and from whom they extract those rules for composition, which +are found most agreeable to nature and true taste. Virgil, you know, is +the next in rank among the classics: you will read his Eneid with +extreme pleasure, if ever you are able to read Italian, in Annibal +Caro's translation; the idiom of the Latin and Italian languages being +more alike, it is, I believe, much closer, yet preserves more of the +spirit of the original than the English translations. + +For the rest, fame will point out to you the most considerable of our +poets; and I would not exclude any of name among those whose morality is +unexceptionable: but of poets, as of all other authors, I wish you to +read only such as are properly recommended to you--since there are many +who debase their divine art by abusing it to the purposes of vice and +impiety. If you could read poetry with a judicious friend, who could +lead your judgment to a true discernment of its beauties and defects, it +would inexpressibly heighten both your pleasure and improvement. But, +before you enter upon this, some acquaintance with the _Heathen +Mythology_ is necessary. I think that you must before now have met with +some book under the title of _The Pantheon_[28]: and, if once you know +as much of the gods and goddesses as the most common books on the +subject will tell you, the rest may be learned by reading Homer: but +then you must particularly attend to him in this view. I do not expect +you to penetrate those numerous mysteries--those amazing depths of +morality, religion, and metaphysics--which some pretend to have +discovered in his mythology, but to know the names and principal offices +of the gods and goddesses, with some idea of their moral meaning, seems +requisite to the understanding almost any poetical composition. As an +instance of the _moral meaning_ I speak of, I will mention an +observation of Bossuet. That Homer's poetry was particularly recommended +to the Greeks by the superiority which he ascribes to them over the +Asiatics: this superiority is shown in the Iliad, not only in the +conquest of Asia by the Greeks, and in the actual destruction of its +capital, but in the division and arrangement of the gods, who took part +with the contending nations. On the side of Asia was _Venus_--that is, +sensual passion--pleasure--and effeminacy. On the side of Greece was +_Juno_--that is, matronly gravity and conjugal love; together with +_Mercury_--invention and eloquence--and _Jupiter_--or political wisdom. +On the side of Asia was _Mars_, who represents brutal valour and blind +fury. On that of Greece was _Pallas_--that is, military discipline, and +bravery, guarded by judgment. + +This, and many other instances that might be produced, will show you how +much of the beauty of the poet's art must be lost to you, without some +notion of these allegorical personages. Boys, in their school learning, +have this kind of knowledge impressed on their minds by a variety of +books: but women, who do not go through the same course of instruction, +are very apt to forget what little they read or hear on the subject: I +advise you, therefore, never to lose an opportunity of enquiring into +the meaning of any thing you meet with in poetry, or in painting, +alluding to the history of any of the heathen deities, and of obtaining +from some friend an explanation of its connection with true history, or +of its allegorical reference to morality or to physics. + +Natural Philosophy, in the largest sense of the expression, is too wide +a field for you to undertake; but the study of nature, as far as may +suit your powers and opportunities, you will find a most sublime +entertainment: the objects of this study are all the stupendous works of +the Almighty Hand, that lie within the reach of our observation. In the +works of man perfection is aimed at, but it can only be found in those +of the Creator. The contemplation of perfection must produce delight, +and every natural object around you would offer this delight, if it +could attract your attention. If you survey the earth, every leaf that +trembles in the breeze, every blade of grass beneath your feet, is a +wonder as absolutely beyond the reach of human art to imitate as the +construction of the universe. Endless pleasures, to those who have a +taste for them, might be derived from the endless variety to be found in +the composition of this globe and its inhabitants. The fossil--the +vegetable--and the animal world--gradually rising in the scale of +excellence--the innumerable species of each, still preserving their +specific differences from age to age, yet of which no two individuals +are ever perfectly alike--afford such a range for observation and +enquiry, as might engross the whole term of our short life, if followed +minutely. Besides all the animal creation obvious to our unassisted +senses, the eye, aided by philosophical inventions, sees myriads of +creatures, which by the ignorant are not known to have existence: it +sees all nature teem with life; every fluid--each part of every +vegetable and animal--swarm with its peculiar inhabitants--invisible to +the naked eye, but as perfect in all their parts, and enjoying life as +indisputably, as the elephant or the whale. + +But if from the earth, and from these minute wonders, the philosophic +eye is raised towards the heavens, what a stupendous scene there opens +to its view!--those brilliant lights that sparkle to the eye of +ignorance as gems adorning the sky, or as lamps to guide the traveller +by night, assume an importance that amazes the understanding!--they +appear to be _worlds_, formed like ours for a variety of inhabitants--or +_suns_, enlightening numberless other worlds too distant for our +discovery! I shall ever remember the astonishment and rapture with which +my mind received this idea, when I was about your age: it was then +perfectly new to me, and it is impossible to describe the sensations I +felt from the glorious boundless prospect of infinite beneficence +bursting at once upon my imagination! Who can contemplate such a scene +unmoved? If our curiosity is excited to enter upon this noble enquiry, a +few books on the subject, and those of the easiest sort, with some of +the common experiments, may be sufficient for your purpose--which is to +enlarge your mind, and to excite in it the most ardent gratitude and +profound adoration towards that great and good Being, who exerts his +boundless power in communicating various portions of happiness through +all the immense regions of creation. + +_Moral_ philosophy, as it relates to human actions, is of still higher +importance than the study of nature. The works of the ancients on this +subject are universally said to be entertaining as well as instructive, +by those who can read them in their original languages; and such of them +as are well translated will undoubtedly, some years hence, afford you +great pleasure and improvement. You will also find many agreeable and +useful books, written originally in French, and in English, on morals +and manners: for the present, there are works, which, without assuming +the solemn air of philosophy, will enlighten your mind on these +subjects, and introduce instruction in an easier dress: of this sort are +many of the moral essays, that have appeared in periodical papers, +which, when excellent in their kind--as are the _Spectators_, +_Guardians_, _Ramblers_, and _Adventurers_--are particularly useful to +young people, as they comprehend a great variety of subjects--introduce +many ideas and observations that are new to them--and lead to a habit of +reflecting on the characters and events that come before them in real +life, which I consider as the best exercise of the understanding. + +Books on taste and criticism will hereafter be more proper for you than +at present: whatever can improve your discernment, and render your taste +elegant and just, must be of great consequence to your enjoyments as +well as to the embellishment of your understanding. + +I would by no means exclude the kind of reading, which young people are +naturally most fond of: though I think the greatest care should be taken +in the choice of those _fictitious stories_ that so enchant the mind; +most of which tend to inflame the passions of youth, whilst the chief +purpose of education should be to moderate and restrain them. Add to +this, that both the writing and sentiments of most novels and romances +are such as are only proper to vitiate your style, and to mislead your +heart and understanding. The expectation of extraordinary +adventures--which seldom ever happen to the sober and prudent part of +mankind--and the admiration of extravagant passions and absurd conduct, +are some of the usual fruits of this kind of reading; which, when a +young woman makes it her chief amusement, generally render her +ridiculous in conversation, and miserably wrong-headed in her pursuits +and behaviour. There are however works of this class in which excellent +morality is joined with the most lively pictures of the human mind, and +with all that can entertain the imagination and interest the heart. But +I must repeatedly exhort you, never to read any thing of the sentimental +kind without taking the judgment of your best friends in the choice; +for, I am persuaded that, the indiscriminate reading of such kind of +books corrupts more female hearts than any other cause whatsoever. + +Before I close this correspondence, I shall point out the course of +history I wish you to pursue, and give you my thoughts of geography and +chronology, some knowledge of both being, in my opinion, necessary to +the reading of history with any advantage. + + I am, my dearest Niece, + + Your ever affectionate. + +FOOTNOTE: + +[28] There has been lately published a work particularly adapted to the +use of young ladies, entitled, "_A Dictionary of Polite Literature, or +Fabulous History of Heathen Gods and Illustrious Heroes._ Two Vols. with +Plates." + + _Editor._ + + + + +LETTER IX. + +ON GEOGRAPHY AND CHRONOLOGY. + + + _MY DEAREST NIECE_, + +I HAVE told you, that you will not be able to read history, with much +pleasure or advantage, without some little knowledge of _Geography_ and +_Chronology_. They are both very easily attained--I mean in the degree +that will be necessary for you. You must be sensible that you can know +but little of a country, whose situation with respect to the rest of the +world you are entirely ignorant of; and, that it is to little purpose +that you are able to mention a fact, if you cannot nearly ascertain the +_time_ in which it happened, which alone, in many cases, gives +importance to the fact itself. + +In Geography--the easiest of all sciences, and the best adapted to the +capacity of children--I suppose you to have made some beginning; to know +at least the figure of the earth--the supposed lines--the degrees--how +to measure distances--and a few of the common terms: If you do not +already know these, two or three lessons will be sufficient to attain +them; the rest is the work of memory, and is easily gained by reading +with maps; for I do not wish your knowledge to be exact and masterly; +but such only as is necessary for the purpose of understanding history, +and, without which, even a newspaper would be unintelligible. It may be +sufficient for this end, if, with respect to _ancient_ Geography, you +have a general idea of the situation of all the great states, without +being able precisely to ascertain their limits. But, in the _modern_, +you ought to know the bounds and extent of every state in Europe, and +its situation with respect to the rest. The other parts of the world +will require less accurate knowledge, except with regard to the European +settlements. + +It may be an useful and agreeable method, when you learn the situation +of any important country, to join with that knowledge some one or two +leading facts or circumstances concerning it, so that its particular +property may always put you in mind of the situation, and the situation, +in like manner, recal the particular property. When, for instance, you +learn in what part of the globe to find Ethiopia, to be told at the same +time, that, in that vast unknown tract of country, the Christian +religion was once the religion of the state, would be of service; +because the geographical and historical knowledge would assist each +other. Thus, to join with Egypt, _the nurse and parent of arts and of +superstition_--with Persia, _shocking despotism and perpetual +revolutions_--with ancient Greece, _freedom and genius_--with Scythia, +_hardiness and conquest_, are hints which you may make use of as you +please. Perhaps annexing to any country the idea of some familiar form +which it most resembles may at first assist you to retain a general +notion of it; thus Italy has been called a _boot_, and Europe compared +to a _woman sitting_. + +The difference of the ancient and modern names of places is somewhat +perplexing; the most important should be known by both names at the same +time, and you must endeavour to fix a few of those which are of most +consequence so strongly in your mind, by thinking of them, and being +often told of them, that the ancient name should always call up the +modern one to your memory, and the modern the ancient: Such as the Ægean +Sea, now _The Archipelago_--The Peloponnesus, now _The Morea_--Crete, +_Candia_--Gaul, _France_--Babylon, _Bagdat_--Byzantium--to which the +Romans transplanted their seat of empire--_Constantinople_, &c. + +There have been so many ingenious contrivances to make Geography easy +and amusing, that I cannot hope to add any thing of much service; I +would only prevail with you not to neglect acquiring, by whatever method +pleases you best, that share of knowledge in it which you will find +necessary, and which is so easily attained; and I entreat that you would +learn it in such a manner as to fix it in your mind, so that it may not +be lost and forgotten among other childish acquisitions, but that it may +remain ready for use through the rest of your life. + +Chronology indeed has more of difficulty; but if you do not bewilder +yourself by attempting to learn too much and too minutely at first, you +need not despair of gaining enough for the purpose of reading history +with pleasure and utility. + +Chronology may be naturally divided into three parts, _the +Ancient_--_the Middle_--and _the Modern_. With respect to all these, the +best direction that can be given is to fix on some periods or epochas, +which, by being often mentioned and thought of, explained and referred +to, will at last be so deeply engraven on the memory, that they will be +ready to present themselves whenever you call for them: these indeed +should be few, and ought to be well chosen for their importance, since +they are to serve as elevated stations to the mind, from which it may +look backwards and forwards upon a great variety of facts. + +Till your more learned friends shall supply you with better, I will take +the liberty to recommend the following, which I have found of service to +myself. + +In the ancient chronology, you will find there were four thousand years +from the creation to the redemption of man; and that Noah and his family +were miraculously preserved in the ark 1650 years after Adam's creation. + +As there is no history, except that in the Bible, of any thing before +the flood, we may set out from that great event, which happened, as I +have said above, in the year of the world 1650. + +The 2350 years, which passed from the deluge to our Saviour's birth, may +be thus divided.--There have been four successive _Empires_, called +_Universal_, because they extended over a great part of the then known +world: these are usually distinguished by the name of _The Four great +Monarchies_: the three first of them are included in ancient Chronology, +and began and ended in the following manner. + +1st, The ASSYRIAN EMPIRE, founded by Nimrod in the year of the world +1800, ended under Sardanapalus in 3250, endured 1450 years. + + The Median--though not accounted one of the four great + monarchies, being conquests of rebels on the Assyrian + empire--comes in here for about 200 years. + +2d, THE PERSIAN EMPIRE, which began under Cyrus, in the year of the +world 3450, ended in Darius in 3670, before Christ 330, lasted a little +more than 200 years. + +3d, THE GRECIAN EMPIRE, began under Alexander the Great in 3670, was +soon after his death dismembered by his successors; but the different +parcels into which they divided it were possessed by their respective +families, till the famous Cleopatra, the last of the race of Ptolemy, +one of Alexander's captains who reigned in Egypt, was conquered by +Julius Cæsar, about half a century before our Lord's birth, which is a +term of about 300 years. + +Thus you see that, from the deluge to the establishment of the first +great monarchy--the + + Years + Assyrian--is 150 + The Assyrian empire continued 1450 + The Median 200 + The Persian 200 + The Grecian 300 + From Julius Cæsar, with whom began + the fourth great monarchy,--_viz._ + the Roman--to Christ 50 + ---- + In all 2350 + +years; the term from the deluge to Christ. + +I do not give you these dates and periods as correctly true, for I have +taken only round numbers, as more easily retained by the memory; so +that, when you come to consult chronological books or tables, you will +find variances of some years between them and the above accounts; but +precise exactness is not material to a beginner. + +I offer this short table as a little specimen of what you may easily do +for yourself; but even this sketch, slight as it is, will give you a +general notion of the ancient history of the world, from the deluge to +the birth of Christ. + +Within this period flourished the Grecian and Roman republics, with the +history and chronology of which it will be expected you should be +tolerably well acquainted; and indeed you will find nothing in the +records of mankind so entertaining. Greece was divided into many petty +states, whose various revolutions and annals you can never hope +distinctly to remember; you are therefore to consider them as forming +together one great kingdom--like the Germanic body, or the United +Provinces--composed separately of different governments, but sometimes +acting with united force for their common interest. The _Lacedemonian_ +government, formed by Lycurgus in the year of the world 3100--and the +_Athenian_, regulated by Solon about the year 3440--will chiefly engage +your attention. + +In pursuing the _Grecian_ chronology, you need only perhaps make one +stand or epocha, at the time _Socrates_, that wisest of philosophers, +whom you must have heard of, who lived about 3570 years from the +creation, and about 430 before Christ: for within the term of 150 years +_before_ Socrates, and 200 _after_ him, will fall in most of the great +events and illustrious characters of the Grecian history. + +I must inform you that the Grecian method of dating time was by +_Olympiads_; that is, four complete years; so called from the +celebration, every fifty years, of the Olympic Games, which were +contests in all the manly exercises, such as wrestling, boxing, running, +chariot-racing, &c. They were instituted in honour of Jupiter and took +their name from Olympia, a city of Elis, near which they were performed: +they were attended by all ranks of people, from every state in Greece; +the noblest youths were eager to obtain the prize of victory, which was +no other than an olive crown, but esteemed the most distinguishing +ornament. These games continued all the time that Greece retained any +spark of liberty; and with them begins the authentic history of that +country--all before being considered as fabulous. You must therefore +endeavour to remember, that they began in the year of the world 3228; +after the flood 1570 years; after the destruction of Troy 400; before +the building of Rome 23; before Cyrus about 200; and 770 before Christ. +If you cannot retain _all_ these dates, at least you must not fail to +remember the near coincidence of the first _Olympiad_ with the _building +of Rome_, which is of great consequence, because, as the Grecians +reckoned time by Olympiads, the Romans dated from the building of their +city; and as these two eras are within 23 years of each other, you may, +for the ease of memory, suppose them to begin together, in the year of +the world 3228. + +In reading the history of the _Roman Republic_, which continued in that +form of government to the time of Julius Cæsar's dictatorship, about the +year of the world 3960, and about 48 years before Christ, you will make +as many epochas as you shall find convenient: I will mention only two; +the sacking of Rome by the Gauls, which happened in the year of the +world 3620, in the 365th year of the city, in the 97th Olympiad, before +Christ 385, and about 30 years before the birth of Alexander. The +second epocha may be the 608th year of the city, when, after three +obstinate wars, Carthage was destroyed, and Rome was left without a +rival. + +Perhaps the following bad verses, which were given me when I was young, +may help to fix in your mind the important eras of the Roman and Grecian +dates: You must not laugh at them, for chronologers do not pique +themselves on their poetry, but they make use of numbers and rhymes +merely as assistants to memory, being so easily learned by heart. + + "Rome and Olympiads bear the same date, + Three thousand two hundred and twenty-eight. + In three hundred and sixty[29] was Rome sack'd and torn, + Thirty summers before Alexander was born." + +You will allow that what I have said in these few pages is very easily +learned; yet, little as it is, I will venture to say that, was you as +perfectly mistress of it as of your alphabet, you might answer several +questions relating to ancient chronology more readily than many who +pretend to know something of this science. One is not so much required +to tell the precise year, in which a great man lived, as to know, with +whom he was contemporary in other parts of the world. I would know then, +from the slight sketch above given, about what year of the Roman +republic Alexander the Great lived. You would quickly run over in your +mind, "Alexander lived in the 3670th year of the world, 330 before +Christ; consequently he must have flourished about the 400th _of Rome_, +which had endured 750 years when Christ was born." Or, suppose it was +asked, what was the condition of Greece, at the time of the sacking of +Rome by the Gauls; had any particular state, or the united body, chosen +then to take advantage of the misfortunes of the Romans? You consider +that the 365th year of the city--the date of that event---is 385 before +Christ; consequently this must have happened about the time of Philip of +Macedon, father of Alexander, when the Grecians under such a leader +might have extirpated the Roman nation from the earth, had they ever +heard of them, or thought the conquest of them an object worthy their +ambition. + +Numberless questions might be answered in like manner, even on this very +narrow circumscribed plan, if it was completely mastered. I might +require that other periods or epochas should be learned with the same +exactness; but these may serve to explain my meaning, and to show you +how practicable and easy it is. One thing, however, I must +observe--though perhaps it is sufficiently obvious--which is, that you +can make no use of this sketch of ancient Chronology, nor even hope to +retain it, till you have read the ancient _history_. When you have gone +through Rollin's Histoire Ancienne _once_, then will be the time to fix +the ancient Chronology deep in your mind, which will very much enhance +the pleasure and use of reading it a _second_ time; for you must +remember, that nobody reads a history to much purpose, who does not go +over it more than once. + +When you have got through your course of ancient history, and are come +to the more modern, you must then have recourse to the second of the +three divisions; viz. _middle Chronology_: containing about 800 years, +from the birth of our Lord, and from within 50 years of the rise of the +Roman empire, to Charlemagne, who died in 814. + +This period, except in the earliest part of it, is too much involved in +obscurity to require a very minute knowledge of its history: it may be +sufficient to fix two or three of the most singular circumstances by +their proper dates. + +The first epocha to be observed is the year of our Lord 330, when +Constantine, the first Christian emperor, who restored peace to the +oppressed and persecuted church, removed the seat of empire from Rome to +Byzantium, called afterwards from him Constantinople. After his time, +about the year 400, began those irruptions of the Goths and Vandals, and +other northern nations, who settled themselves all over the western +parts of the Roman empire, and laid the foundation of the several states +which now subsist in Europe. + +The next epocha is the year 622--for the ease of memory say 600--when +Mahomet, by his successful imposture, became the founder of the Saracen +empire, which his followers extended over a great part of Asia and +Africa, and over some provinces of Europe. At the same time, St. +Gregory, bishop of Rome, began to assume a spiritual power, which grew +by degrees into that absolute and enormous dominion, so long maintained +by the popes over the greatest part of Christendom. St. Augustine--a +missionary from St. Gregory--about this time, began the conversion of +Great Britain to Christianity. + +The third and concluding epocha in this division, is the year 800; when +Charlemagne, king of France--after having subdued the Saxons, repressed +the Saracens, and established the temporal dominion of the pope by a +grant of considerable territories--was elected emperor of the west, and +protector of the church. The date of this event corresponds with that +remarkable period of our English history--the union of the Heptarchy, or +seven kingdoms, under Egbert. + +As to the _third_ part of Chronology, namely, the _Modern_, I shall +spare you and myself all trouble about at present; for if you follow the +course of reading which I shall recommend, it will be some years before +you reach modern history; and, when you do, you will easily make periods +for yourself, if you do but remember carefully to examine the dates as +you read, and to impress on your memory those of very remarkable reigns +or events. + +I fear you are by this time tired of Chronology; but my sole intention, +in what I have said, is to convince you that it is a science not out of +your reach, in the moderate degree that is requisite for you; _the last +volume of the Ancient Universal History_ is the best English +Chronological Work I know; if that does not come in your way, there is +an excellent French one, called Tablettes Chronologiques de l'Histoire +Universelle, Du Fresnoy, 3 tomes, Paris; there is also a _chart_ of +universal history, including Chronology, and a _Biographical_ chart, +both by Priestley, which you may find of service to you. + +Indeed, my dear, a woman makes a poor figure who affects, as I have +heard some ladies do, to disclaim all knowledge of times and dates: the +strange confusion they make of events, which happened in different +periods, and the stare of ignorance when such are referred to as are +commonly known, are sufficiently pitiable: but the highest mark of folly +is to be proud of such ignorance--a resource, in which some of our sex +find great consolation. + +Adieu, my dear child! I am, with the tenderest affection, + + Ever your's. + +FOOTNOTE: + +[29] That is, in the 365th year of the city. + + + + +LETTER X. + +ON READING HISTORY. + + + _MY DEAREST NIECE_, + +WHEN I recommend to you to gain some insight into the general history of +the world, perhaps you will think I propose a formidable task; but your +apprehensions will vanish, when you consider that of near half the globe +we have no histories at all; that of other parts of it, a few facts only +are known to us; and that, even of those nations which make the greatest +figure in history, the early ages are involved in obscurity and fable: +it is not indeed allowable to be totally ignorant even of those fables, +because they are the frequent subjects of poetry and painting, and are +often referred to in more authentic histories. + +The first recorders of actions are generally poets: in the historical +songs of the bards are found the only accounts of the first ages of +every state; but in these we must naturally expect to find truth mixed +with fiction, and often disguised in allegory. In such early times, +before science has enlightened the minds of men, the people are ready to +believe every thing; and the historian, having no restraints from the +fear of contradiction or criticism, delivers the most improbable and +absurd tales as an account of the lives and actions of their +forefathers; thus the first heroes of every nation are gods, or the sons +of gods; and every great event is accompanied with some supernatural +agency. Homer, whom I have already mentioned, as a poet, you will find +the most agreeable historian of the early ages of Greece; and Virgil +will show you the supposed origin of the Carthaginians and Romans. + +It will be necessary for you to observe some regular plan in your +historical studies, which can never be pursued with advantage otherwise +than in a continued series. I do not mean to confine you solely to that +kind of reading; on the contrary, I wish you frequently to relax with +poetry or some other amusement, whilst you are pursuing your course of +history; I only mean to warn you against mixing _ancient_ history with +_modern_, or _general_ histories of one place with _particular reigns_ +in another; by which desultory manner of reading, many people distract +and confound their memories, and retain nothing to any purpose from such +a confused mass of materials. + +The most ancient of all histories, you will read in your Bible: from +thence you will proceed to l'Histoire Ancienne of Rollin, who very +ingeniously points out the connection of profane with sacred history, +and enlivens his narrative with many agreeable and improving +reflections, and many very pleasing detached stories and anecdotes, +which may serve you as resting places in your journey. It would be an +useful exercise of your memory and judgment, to recount these +interesting passages to a friend, either by letter or in conversation; +not in the words of the author, but in your own natural style--by +memory, and not by book; and to add whatever remarks may occur to you. I +need not say that you will please me much, whenever you are disposed to +make this use of _me_. + +The want of memory is a great discouragement in historical pursuits, and +is what every body complains of. Many artificial helps have been +invented, of which those who have tried them can best tell you the +effects; but the most natural and pleasant expedient is that of +conversation with a friend, who is acquainted with the history which you +are reading. By such conversations, you will find out how much is +usually retained of what is read, and you will learn to select those +characters and facts which are best worth preserving: for it is by +trying to remember every thing, without distinction, that young people +are so apt to lose every trace of what they read. By repeating to your +friend what you can recollect, you will fix it in your memory: and if +you should omit any striking particular, which ought to be retained, +that friend will remind you of it, and will direct your attention to it +on a second perusal. It is a good rule to cast your eye each day over +what you read the day before, and to look over the contents of every +book when you have finished it. + +Rollin's work takes in a large compass: but, of all the ancient nations +it treats of, perhaps there are only the Grecians and Romans, whose +stories ought to be read with any anxious desire of retaining them +perfectly: for the rest, such as the Assyrians, Egyptians, &c., I +believe you would find, on examination, that most of those who are +supposed tolerably well read in history, remember no more than a few of +the most remarkable facts and characters. I tell you this, to prevent +your being discouraged on finding so little remain in your mind after +reading these less interesting parts of ancient history. + +But, when you come to the Grecian and Roman[30] stories, I expect to +find you deeply interested and highly entertained; and, of consequence, +eager to treasure up in your memory those heroic actions and exalted +characters by which a young mind is naturally so much animated and +impressed. As Greece and Rome were distinguished as much for genius as +valour, and were the theatres, not only of the greatest military +actions, the noblest efforts of liberty and patriotism, but of the +highest perfection of arts and sciences, their immortal fame is a +subject of wonder and emulation, even to these distant ages; and it is +thought a shameful degree of ignorance, even in our sex, to be +unacquainted with the nature and revolutions of their governments, and +with the characters and stories of their most illustrious heroes. +Perhaps, when you are told that the government and the national +character of your own countrymen have been compared with those of the +Romans, it may not be an useless amusement, in reading the Roman +history, to carry this observation in your mind, and to examine how far +the parallel holds good. The French have been thought to resemble the +Athenians in their genius, though not in their love of liberty. These +little hints sometimes serve to awaken reflection and attention in young +readers--I leave you to make what use of them you please. + +When you have got through Rollin, if you add _Vertot's Revolutions +Romaines_--a short and very entertaining work--you may be said to have +read as much as is _absolutely necessary_ of ancient history. Plutarch's +lives of famous Greeks and Romans--a book deservedly of the highest +reputation--can never be read to so much advantage as immediately after +the histories of Greece and Rome: I should even prefer reading each life +in Plutarch, immediately after the history of each particular hero, as +you meet with them in Rollin or in Vertot. + +If hereafter you should choose to enlarge your plan, and should wish to +know more of any particular people or period than you find in Rollin, +the sources from which he drew may be open to you; for there are, I +believe, French or English translations of all the original historians, +from whom he extracted his materials. + +Crevier's continuation of Rollin, I believe, gives the best account of +the Roman emperors down to Constantine. What shocking instances will you +there meet with, of the terrible effects of lawless power on the human +mind! How will you be amazed to see the most promising characters +changed by flattery and self-indulgence into monsters that disgrace +humanity! To read a series of such lives as those of Tiberius, Nero, or +Domitian, would be intolerable, were we not consoled by the view of +those excellent emperors, who remained uncorrupted through all +temptations. When the mind--disgusted, depressed, and terrified--turns +from the contemplation of those depths of vice, to which human nature +may be sunk, a Titus, the delight of mankind--a Trajan--an +Antoninus--restore it to an exulting sense of the dignity, to which +that nature may be exalted by virtue. Nothing is more awful than this +consideration: a human creature given up to vice is infinitely below the +most abject brute; the same creature, trained by virtue to the utmost +perfection of his nature, 'is but a little lower than the angels, and is +crowned with glory and immortality.' + +Before you enter upon the modern history of any particular kingdom, it +will be proper to gain some idea of that interval between ancient and +modern times, which is justly called the dark and barbarous ages, and +which lasted from Constantine to Charlemagne--perhaps one might say to +some centuries after. On the irruption of the northern Barbarians, who +broke the Roman empire, and dissipated all the treasures of knowledge, +as well as of riches, which had been so long accumulating in that +enormous state, the European world may be said to have returned to a +second infancy; and the Monkish legends, which are the only records +preserved of the times in which they were written, are not less fabulous +than the tales of the demi-gods. I must profess myself ignorant how to +direct you to any distinct or amusing knowledge of the History of Europe +during this period[31]: some collect it from _Puffendorf's +Introduction_; some from _The Universal History_; and now, perhaps, with +more advantage and delight, from the first volume of _Robertson's +Charles the Fifth_, in which he traces the progress of civilization, +government, and arts, from the first settlements of the Barbarians; and +shows the foundation of the several states into which Europe is now +divided, and of those laws, customs, and politics, which prevail in this +quarter of the world. + +In those dark ages, you will find no single character so interesting as +that of Mahomet; that bold impostor, who extended his usurped dominion +equally over the minds and properties of men, and propagated a new +religion, whilst he founded a new empire, over a large portion of the +globe. His life has been written by various hands. + +When you come to the particular histories of the European states, your +own country seems to demand the precedence; and there is no part more +commodious to set out from, since you cannot learn the history of Great +Britain, without becoming in some degree acquainted with almost every +neighbouring nation, and without finding your curiosity excited to know +more of those with whom we are most connected. + +By the amazing progress of navigation and commerce, within the last two +or three centuries, all parts of the world are now connected: the most +distant people are become well acquainted, who, for thousands of years, +never heard of one another's existence: we are still every day exploring +new regions; and every day see greater reason to expect that immense +countries may yet be discovered, and America no longer retain the name +of the _New World_. You may pass to every quarter of the earth, and find +yourself still in the British dominion: this island, in which we live, +is the least portion of it; and, if we were to adopt the style of +ancient conquerors, we might call it the throne, from which we rule the +world. To this boast we are better entitled than some of those who +formerly called themselves _Masters of the Globe_, as we possess an +empire of greater extent, and from the superior advantages of our +commerce, much greater power and riches: but we have now too many +rivals in dominion, to take upon us such haughty titles. + +You cannot be said to know the history of that empire, of which you are +a subject, without knowing something of the East and West Indies, where +so great a part of it is situated: and you will find the accounts of the +discovery and conquest of America very entertaining, though you will be +shocked at the injustice and cruelty of its conquerors. But, with which +of the glorious conquerors of mankind must not humanity be shocked! +Ambition, the most remorseless of all passions, pursues its object by +all sorts of means: justice, mercy, truth, and every thing most sacred, +in vain oppose its progress! Alas, my dear, shall I venture to tell you, +that the history of the world is little else than a shocking account of +the wickedness and folly of the ambitious! The world has ever been, and, +I suppose, ever must be, governed and insulted by these aspiring +spirits: it has always, in greater or less degree, groaned under their +unjust usurpation. + +But let not the horror of such a scene put a stop to your curiosity: it +is proper you should know mankind as they are: you must be acquainted +with the heroes of the earth, and perhaps you may be too well reconciled +to them: mankind have in general a strong bias in their favour; we see +them surrounded with pomp and splendour--every thing that relates to +them has an air of grandeur--and, whilst we admire their natural powers, +we are too apt to pardon the detestable abuse of them, to the injury and +ruin of the human race. We are dazzled with false glory, and willingly +give into the delusion; for mighty conquests, like great conflagrations, +have something of the sublime that pleases the imagination, though we +know, if we reflect at all, that the consequences of them are +devastation and misery. + +The Western and Eastern world will present to you very different +prospects. In _America_, the first European conquerors found nature in +great simplicity; society still in its infancy; and consequently the +arts and sciences yet unknown: so that the facility with which they +overpowered these poor innocent people, was entirely owing to their +superior knowledge in the arts of destroying. They found the inhabitants +brave enthusiastic patriots, but without either the military or +political arts necessary for their defence. The two great kingdoms of +Mexico and Peru had alone made some progress in civilization; they were +both formed into regular states, and had gained some order and +discipline: from these therefore the Spaniards met with something like +an opposition. At first indeed the invaders appeared supernatural +beings, who came upon them flying over the ocean, on the wings of the +wind, and who, mounted on fiery animals, unknown in that country, +attacked them with thunder and lightning in their hands; for such the +fire-arms of the Spaniards appeared to this astonished people. But from +being worshipped as gods, they soon came to be feared as evil spirits; +and in time being discovered to be men--different from the Americans +only in their outrageous injustice, and in the cruel arts of +destroying--they were abhorred and boldly opposed. The resistance +however of a million of these poor naked people, desperately crowding on +each other to destruction, served only to make their ruin more complete. +The Europeans have destroyed, with the most shocking barbarity, many +millions of the original inhabitants of these countries, and have ever +since been depopulating Europe and Africa to supply their places. + +Though our own countrymen have no reason to boast of the justice and +humanity of their proceedings in America, yet, in comparison with those +of the Spaniards, our possessions there were innocently acquired. Some +of them gained by conquest, or cession, from Spain and from other +European powers; some by contract with the natives, or by settlements on +uninhabited lands[32]. We are now possessed of a series of colonies, +extending above two thousand miles along the whole Eastern coast of +North-America, besides many islands of immense value. These countries, +instead of being thinly peopled by a few hordes of ignorant savages, are +now adorned with many great cities, and innumerable rich plantations, +which have made ample returns to their mother-country, for the dangers +and expenses which attended their first establishment. Blessed with more +natural advantages than almost any country in the world, they are making +a swift progress in wealth and grandeur, and seem likely, in some future +period, to be as much the seat of empire and of science as Europe is at +present. Whether their attainments in virtue and happiness will keep +pace with their advancement in knowledge, wealth, and power, is much to +be questioned; for you will observe in your historical view of the +several great empires of the world, that as each grew up towards the +highest pitch of greatness, the seeds of destruction grew up with it; +luxury and vice, by debasing the minds, and enervating the bodies of the +people, left them all, in their turns, an easy prey to poorer and more +valiant nations. + +In the East, the Europeans introduced themselves in a milder way; +admitted first as traders--and, for the more commodious carrying on +their commerce, indulged by the powers of the country in establishing a +few small factories--they, by gentle degrees, extended and strengthened +their settlements there, till their force became considerable enough to +be thought an useful auxiliary to contending princes; and, as it has +often happened to those who have called in foreign powers to interfere +in their domestic contentions, by availing themselves of the +disturbances of a dismembered monarchy, they at length raised a power +almost independent of their employers. Soon, the several European +nations, who had thus got footing in the Indies, jealous of each other's +growing greatness, made the feuds of the native princes subservient to +their mutual contests; till within a few years, the English, by a happy +concurrence of circumstances, obtained the mastery, and expelled their +rivals from all their considerable settlements. + +The rapidity of our conquests here has been perhaps equal to that of the +first invaders of America--but from different causes. Here we found an +old-established empire advanced to its crisis; the magnificence and +luxury of the great carried to the highest excess, and the people in a +proportionable degree of oppression and debasement. Thus ripe for +destruction, the rivalship of the viceroys, from the weakness of the +government, become independent sovereigns; and the dastardly spirit of +the meaner people, indifferent to the cause for which they were +compelled to fight, encouraged these ambitious merchants to push their +advantages further than they could at first have supposed possible: with +astonishment they saw the intrepid leaders of a few hundreds of brave +free Britons, boldly oppose and repeatedly put to flight millions of +these effeminate Indian slaves; and, in a short time, raised for them an +empire much larger than their mother-country. + +From these remote quarters of the world, let us now return to Great +Britain, with the history of which you ought certainly to acquaint +yourself, before you enter upon that of any other European kingdom. If +you have courage and industry enough to begin so high as the invasion of +Julius Cæsar--before which nothing is known of the inhabitants of this +island--you may set out with Rapin, and proceed with him to William the +Conqueror. From this era there are other histories of England more +entertaining than his, though I believe none esteemed more authentic. +Party so strongly influences both historians and their readers, that it +is a difficult and invidious task to point out the _best_ amongst the +number of English histories that offer themselves: but, as _you_ will +not read with a critical view, nor enter deeply into politics, I think +you may be allowed to choose that which is most entertaining; and, in +this view, I believe the general voice will direct you to Hume, though +he goes no further than the Revolution. Among other _historians_, do not +forget my darling _Shakspeare_--a faithful as well as a most agreeable +one--whose historical plays, if read in a series, will fix in your +memory the reigns he has chosen, more durable than any other history. +You need not fear his leading you into any material mistakes, for he +keeps surprisingly close to the truth, as well in the characters as in +the events. One cannot but wish he had given us a play on the reign of +every English king; as it would have been the pleasantest, and perhaps +the most useful, way of becoming acquainted with it. + +For the other portion of Great Britain, Robertson's History of Scotland +is a delightful work, and of a moderate size. + +Next to your own country, _France_ will be the most interesting object +of your inquiries; our ancient possessions in that country, and the +frequent contests we have been engaged in with its inhabitants, connect +their history with our own. The extent of their dominion and +influence--their supposed superiority in elegance and politeness--their +eminence in the Arts and Sciences--and that intercourse of thought, if +so I may call it, which subsists between us, by the mutual communication +of literary productions--make them peculiarly interesting to us; and we +cannot but find our curiosity excited to know their story, and to be +intimately acquainted with the character, genius, and sentiments of this +nation. + +I do not know of any general history of France, that will answer your +purpose, except that of _Mezerai_, which even in the abridgment is a +pretty large work: there is a very modern one by _Velly and others_, +which perhaps may be more lively, but is still more voluminous, and not +yet completed. From Mezerai you may proceed with Voltaire to the end of +the reign of Louis the Fourteenth. + +In considering the rest of Europe, your curiosity may be confined within +narrower limits. Modern history is, from the nature of it, much more +minute and laborious than the ancient; and to pursue that of so many +various kingdoms and governments, would be a task unequal to your +leisure and abilities, at least for several years to come; at the same +time, it must be owned, that the present system of politics and commerce +has formed such a relation between the different powers of Europe, that +they are in a manner members of one great body, and a total ignorance of +any considerable state would throw an obscurity even upon the affairs +of your own country[33]; an acquaintance however with the most +remarkable circumstances that distinguish the principal governments, +will sufficiently enlighten you, and will enable you to comprehend +whatever relates to them, in the histories with which you are more +familiar. Instead of referring you for this purpose to dull and +uninteresting abridgments, I choose rather to point out to you a few +small Tracts, which exhibit striking and lively pictures, not easily +effaced from the memory, of the constitutions and the most remarkable +transactions of several of these nations. Such are + + Sir William Temple's Essay on the United Provinces. + + His Essay on Heroic Virtue, which contains some account of + the Saracen Empire. + + Vertot's Revolutions de Suede. + + Vertot's Revolutions de Portugal. + + Voltaire's Charles XII. de Suede. + + Voltaire's Pierre le Grand. + + Puffendorf's Account of the Popes, in his Introduction to + Modern History. + +Some part of the History of Germany and Spain, you will see more in +detail in Robertson's History of Charles the Vth, which I have already +recommended to you in another view. + +After all this, you may still be at a loss for the transactions of +Europe, in the last fifty years: for the purpose of giving you, in a +very small compass, some idea of the state of affairs during that +period, I will venture to recommend one book more--_Campbell's State of +Europe_[34]. + +Thus much may suffice for that moderate scheme, which I think is best +suited to your sex and age. There are several excellent histories, and +memoirs of particular reigns and periods, which I have taken no notice +of in this circumscribed plan; but with which, if you should happen to +have a taste for the study, you will hereafter choose to be acquainted: +these will be read with most advantage after you have gained some +general view of history; and they will then serve to refresh your +memory, and settle your ideas distinctly; as well as enable you to +compare different accounts of the persons and facts which they treat of, +and to form your opinions of them on just grounds. + +As I cannot, with certainty, foresee what degree of application or +genius for such pursuits you will be mistress of, I shall leave +deficiencies of this collection to be supplied by the suggestions of +your more informed friends; who, if you explain to them how far you wish +to extend your knowledge, will direct you to the proper books. + +But if, instead of an eager desire for this kind of knowledge, you +should happen to feel that distaste for it, which is too common in young +ladies who have been indulged in reading only works of mere amusement, +you will perhaps rather think that I want mercy in offering you so large +a plan, than that there needs an apology for the deficiencies of it: +but, comfort yourself with the assurance, that a taste for history will +grow and improve by reading; that, as you get acquainted with one period +or nation, your curiosity cannot fail to be awakened for what concerns +those immediately connected with it: and thus you will insensibly be led +on from one degree of knowledge to another. + +If you waste in trivial amusement the next three or four years of your +life, which are the prime season of improvement, believe me you will +hereafter bitterly regret their loss: when you come to feel yourself +inferior in knowledge to almost every one you converse with--and, above +all, if you should ever be a mother, when you feel your own inability to +direct and assist the pursuits of your children--you will then find +ignorance a severe mortification and a real evil. Let this, my dear, +animate your industry; and let not a modest opinion of your own capacity +be a discouragement to your endeavours after knowledge: a moderate +understanding, with diligent and well-directed application, will go much +further than a more lively genius, if attended with that impatience and +inattention, which too often accompanies quick parts. It is not from +want of capacity that so many women are such trifling insipid +companions, so ill qualified for the friendship and conversation of a +sensible man, or for the task of governing and instructing a family: it +is much oftener from the neglect of exercising the talents which they +really have, and from omitting to cultivate a taste for intellectual +improvement: by this neglect, they lose the sincerest of pleasures; a +pleasure which would remain when almost every other forsakes them; which +neither fortune nor age can deprive them of, and which would be a +comfort and resource in almost every possible situation of life. + +If I can but inspire you, my dear child, with the desire of making the +most of your time and abilities, my end is answered; the means of +knowledge will easily be found by those who diligently seek them, and +they will find their labours abundantly rewarded. + + * * * * * + +And now, my dear, I think it is time to finish this long correspondence, +which, though in some parts it may have been tedious to you, will not, I +hope, be found entirely useless in any. I have laid before you all that +my maturest reflections could enable me to suggest, for the direction of +your conduct through life. My love for you, my dearest child, extends +its views beyond this frail and transitory existence; it considers you +as a candidate for immortality--as entering the lists for the prize of +your high calling--as contending for a crown of unfading glory. It sees, +with anxious solicitude, the dangers that surround you, and the +everlasting shame that must follow, if you do not exert all your +strength in the conflict. Religion therefore has been the basis of my +plan--the principle to which every other pursuit is ultimately referred. +Here then I have endeavoured to guide your researches; and to assist you +in forming just notions on a subject of such infinite importance, I have +shown you the necessity of regulating your heart and temper, according +to the genuine spirit of that religion which I have so earnestly +recommended as the great rule of your life. To the same principle I +would refer your attention to domestic duties; and, even that refinement +and elegance of manners, and all those graces and accomplishments, which +will set your virtues in the fairest light, and will engage the +affection and respect of all who converse with you. Endeared to society +by these amiable qualities, your influence in it will be more extensive, +and your capacity of being useful proportionably enlarged. The studies, +which I have recommended to you, must be likewise subservient to the +same views; the pursuit of knowledge, when it is guided and controlled +by the principles I have established, will conduce to many valuable +ends: the habit of industry it will give you, the nobler kind of +friendships for which it will qualify you, and its tendency to promote a +candid and liberal way of thinking, are obvious advantages. I might add, +that a mind well informed in the various pursuits which interest +mankind, and the influence of such pursuits on their happiness, will +embrace with a clearer choice, and will more steadily adhere to, those +principles of Virtue and Religion, which the judgment must ever approve, +in proportion as it becomes enlightened. + +May those delightful hopes be answered which have animated my heart, +while with diligent attention I have endeavoured to apply to your +advantage all that my own experience and best observation could furnish. +With what joy should I see my dearest girl shine forth a bright example +of every thing that is amiable and praiseworthy;--and how sweet would be +the reflection that I had, in any degree, contributed to make her +so!--My heart expands with the affecting thought, and pours forth in +this adieu the most ardent wishes for your perfection! If the tender +solicitude expressed for your welfare by this 'labour of love' can +engage your gratitude, you will always remember how deeply your conduct +interests the happiness of + + Your most affectionate + + AUNT. + +FOOTNOTES: + +[30] _Dr. Goldsmith's Histories of Greece and Rome_ are generally +considered as most useful to young persons. + + _Editor._ + +[31] _Russel's History of Ancient Europe_ will give all the information +requisite. + + _Editor._ + +[32] This work was first printed in 1773. + +[33] _The History of Modern Europe_ may be read with particular +advantage. + + _Editor._ + +[34] This work has not been published for some years; _Guthrie's +Geographical and Historical Grammar_ is the best work of the kind, at +present. + + _Editor._ + + + FINIS. + +Printed by Weed and Rider, Little Britain, London. + + + * * * * * + +Transcriber's Notes: + +Obvious misspellings and punctuation errors repaired. Otherwise, +unusual spellings retained when used consistently in original. + +Hyphenated/nonhyphenated retained when occurring evenly. + +Thought break on P.209 added, corresponds to "Conclusion" in Contents. + +P.205, list: Second occurrences of "Vertot's Revolutions" and +"Voltaire's" added in place of "repeat" dashes. + +"Ecclus" = Sirach, or Ecclesiasticus + +P.xxxii, "whole tenour of the Gospel" to "whole tenor of the Gospel" + +P.26 "himself was govenor" to "himself was governor" + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Letters on the Improvement of the Mind, by +Hester Chapone + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LETTERS ON THE IMPROVEMENT *** + +***** This file should be named 35890-8.txt or 35890-8.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/5/8/9/35890/ + +Produced by Jonathan Ingram, JoAnn Greenwood and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This +file was produced from images generously made available +by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.) + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Letters on the Improvement of the Mind + Addressed to a Lady + +Author: Hester Chapone + +Release Date: April 17, 2011 [EBook #35890] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LETTERS ON THE IMPROVEMENT *** + + + + +Produced by Jonathan Ingram, JoAnn Greenwood and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This +file was produced from images generously made available +by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.) + + + + + + +</pre> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_i" id="Page_i">[i]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h1>LETTERS</h1> + +<h2>ON THE</h2> + +<h1>IMPROVEMENT OF THE MIND.</h1> + +<h2>ADDRESSED TO A LADY.</h2> +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> +<h2><span class="smcap">By Mrs. CHAPONE.</span></h2> +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> +<h3>WITH</h3> + +<h2><i>THE LIFE OF THE AUTHOR.</i></h2> + + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<blockquote><p>I consider an human Soul, without Education, like marble in the +Quarry, which shows none of its inherent Beauties till the Skill of +the Polisher fetches out the colours, makes the surface shine, and +discovers every ornamental Cloud, Spot, and Vein, that runs through +the Body of it. Education, after the same manner, when it works +upon a noble Mind, draws out to view every latent Virtue and Perfection, +which, without such Helps, are never able to make their +Appearance.</p> + +<div class="signature">ADDISON.</div> +</blockquote> +<p><br /></p> +<h3>A New Edition</h3> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + + + +<h4><i>LONDON</i>:</h4> + +<h5>Printed by Weed and Rider, Little Britain,</h5> + +<blockquote><p>FOR SCATCHERD AND LETTERMAN, AVE-MARIA LANE; LONGMAN, +HURST, REES, ORME, AND BROWN; CADELL AND DAVIES; +F. C. AND J. RIVINGTON; SHERWOOD, NEELY, AND JONES; +G. AND W. B. WHITTAKER; BALDWIN, CRADOCK, AND JOY; +J. MAWMAN; J. HARRIS AND SONS; HARVEY AND DARTON; +AND C. TAYLOR.</p></blockquote> + +<h4>1820.</h4> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_ii" id="Page_ii">[ii]</a></span><br /></p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_iii" id="Page_iii">[iii]</a></span></p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<h3><i>CONTENTS.</i></h3> + + + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="Contents"> +<tr><td align="right">Letter</td><td align="left"> </td><td align="right">Page</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right"> </td><td align="left"><a href="#dedication"><span class="smcap">Dedication</span></a></td><td align="right">v</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right"> </td><td align="left"><a href="#life">Life of Hester Chapone</a></td><td align="right">vii</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">I.</td><td align="left"><a href="#religion">On the first Principles of Religion</a></td><td align="right">1</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">II.</td><td align="left"><a href="#scriptures">On the Study of the Holy Scriptures</a></td><td align="right">15</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">III.</td><td align="left"><a href="#continued">The same Subject continued</a></td><td align="right">34</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">IV.</td><td align="left"><a href="#heart">On the Regulation of the Heart and Affections</a></td><td align="right">51</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">V.</td><td align="left"><a href="#affections">The same Subject continued</a></td><td align="right">66</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">VI.</td><td align="left"><a href="#temper">On the Government of the Temper</a></td><td align="right">98</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">VII.</td><td align="left"><a href="#economy">On Economy</a></td><td align="right">121</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">VIII.</td><td align="left"><a href="#politeness">On Politeness and Accomplishments</a></td><td align="right">143</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">IX.</td><td align="left"><a href="#geography">On Geography and Chronology</a></td><td align="right">170</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">X.</td><td align="left"><a href="#history">On the Manner and Course of reading History</a></td><td align="right">186</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right"> </td><td align="left"><a href="#conclusion">Conclusion</a></td><td align="right">209</td></tr> +</table></div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_iv" id="Page_iv">[iv]</a></span><br /></p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_v" id="Page_v">[v]</a></span></p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="dedication" id="dedication"></a>TO<br /> + +<i>MRS. MONTAGU</i>.</h2> + + +<p> +MADAM, +</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">I believe</span> you are persuaded that I never +entertained a thought of appearing in public, +when the desire of being useful to one dear +child, in whom I take the tenderest interest, induced +me to write the following Letters:—perhaps +it was the partiality of friendship, which +so far biassed your judgment as to make you +think them capable of being more extensively +useful, and warmly to recommend the publication +of them. Though this partiality could +alone prevent your judgment from being considered +as decisive in favour of the work, it is +more flattering to the writer than any literary +fame; if, however, you will allow me to add, +that some strokes of your elegant pen have corrected +these Letters, I may hope, they will be +received with an attention, which will insure a +candid judgment from the reader, and perhaps<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_vi" id="Page_vi">[vi]</a></span> +will enable them to make some useful impressions +on those, to whom they are now particularly +offered.</p> + +<p>They only, who know how your hours are +employed, and of what important value they +are to the good and happiness of individuals, +as well as to the delight and improvement of +the public, can justly estimate my obligation to +you for the time and consideration you have +bestowed on this little work. As <i>you</i> have +drawn it forth, I may claim a sort of right to +the ornament and protection of your name, +and to the privilege of publicly professing myself, +with the highest esteem,</p> + +<div class="center"> +MADAM,<br /><br /></div> + +<div class="signature"> +Your much obliged friend,<br /> +and most obedient<br /> +humble servant,<br /> +<br /> +HESTER CHAPONE.<br /></div> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_vii" id="Page_vii">[vii]</a></span></p> + + +<h2><a name="life" id="life"></a>LIFE<br /> +OF<br /> +<i>HESTER CHAPONE</i>.<br /> +</h2> + + +<p>Among the illustrious women whose literary +productions adorned and improved the age in +which they appeared, and are likely to be transmitted +with reputation to posterity, Mrs. Chapone +is entitled to distinguished consideration. +However, incited by the persuasions and encouraged +by the applauses of Richardson, she +had many prejudices to encounter, many impediments +to overcome. Female writers, always +severely scrutinized, and often condemned, had +not then obtained the estimation they have since +commanded.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>Hester Mulso, better known as Chapone, was +the daughter of Thomas Mulso, Esq. of Twywell, +in Northamptonshire; who, in the year +1719, married the posthumous daughter of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_viii" id="Page_viii">[viii]</a></span> +Colonel Thomas, of the Guards. She lived +long enough to see the last props of an ancient +and towering family fall to the dust.</p> + +<p>Of the immediate connections of Mr. Mulso, +his elder sister, Anne, was married to the Rev. +Dr. Donne, formerly Prebendary of Canterbury; +and the younger, Susanna, to the brother +of his own wife, the Rev. Dr. John Thomas, +who was preceptor to his Majesty King George +III., and who successively held the bishoprics +of Peterborough, Salisbury, and Winchester. +Mr. Mulso had himself several children; but of +these only five lived to grow up, and even of +the five, Charles, his third son, who was an +officer in the navy, died, in the Mediterranean, +at the age of twenty-one.</p> + +<p>Thomas, the eldest of Mr. Mulso's sons, was +bred to the law; and, for some years, he went the +Oxford circuit. He declined legal practice on +coming to the possession of his paternal inheritance; +but was afterwards made Registrar of +Peterborough, and a Commissioner of Bankrupts. +He published, in 1768, 'Calistus, or the Man of +Fashion;' and 'Sophronius, or the Country Gentleman.' +Thomas was the elect brother of Mrs. +Chapone. He died early in February, 1799; +and, as his death was not thought near, she lost, +in him, the tie that bound her to life.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_ix" id="Page_ix">[ix]</a></span></p> + +<p>John, the second of Mr. Mulso's sons, became +Prebendary of the cathedrals of Winchester and +Salisbury, and held two valuable benefices in +Hampshire. It was at the houses of this brother +that Mrs. Chapone spent much of her time; +and to one of his children, her beloved niece, +the world owes her best work. He died at +the prebendal residence at Winchester, in 1791, +having survived his wife one year.</p> + +<p>Edward, the youngest son, was in the Excise +Office. He was skilled in music, and for many +years President of the Anacreonic Society. Of +this brother, the life of her youth, Mrs. Chapone +was also fond; and, as his death was sudden +and quick, his loss seriously affected her. +He died during the April of 1782.</p> + +<p>Hester Mulso, the main subject of this sketch, +was born on the 27th of October, 1727; and +was the only daughter whom her father had the +pleasure of seeing arrive to mature years. How +soon Miss Mulso accustomed herself to investigate +what she read, and how well, may be +inferred from a passage in her published 'Miscellanies;' +where, she says, that when fifteen +years old, being charmed with many of the doctrines +of the mystics, she then began to canvass +them deeply; and that, as reason grew, she +was able to detect and to reject the fanciful<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_x" id="Page_x">[x]</a></span> +theology with which they were fraught. Even +at nine years of age she was an author. Accustomed +to read the old romance, which suited +her then childish taste, she wrote 'The Loves +of Amorat and Melissa,' which, however defective, +gave promise of the genius that distinguished +her maturer compositions. Her mind +could not, however, long dwell on such works. +'I make no scruple,' declares Miss Mulso, +writing to Miss Carter, from Peterborough, +July, 1750, 'to call romances the worst of all +the species of writing: unnatural representations +of the passions, false sentiments, false precepts, +false wit, false honour, and false modesty, +with a strange heap of improbable unnatural +incidents, mixed up with true history, and fastened +upon some of the great names of antiquity, +make up the composition of a romance—at +least of such as I have read, which have been +mostly French ones. Then the prolixity and +poverty of the style is unsupportable. I have +(and yet I am still alive) drudged through Le +Grand Cyrus in twelve large volumes, Cleopatra +in eight or ten, Polexander, Ibrahim, Clelie, and +some others, whose names, as well as all the +rest of them, I have forgotten; but this was in +the days when I did not choose my own books, +for there was no part of my life in which I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xi" id="Page_xi">[xi]</a></span> +loved romances.' This censure of romances, +ancient or modern, is not more severe than it +is just. With scarcely an exception, the business +of romances is to make good bad, and bad +good; to misplace and misstate events, falsify +characters, and mislead readers. They are full +of grave lies, well told, to an ill end. These +are the Will o' Wisps of the mind.</p> + +<p>Something of importance is stated, where +Miss Mulso says, that she read romances, volume +upon volume, in the days when she did not +choose her own books; and when, therefore, +she could not avoid this infantile course of +reading. She was not then permitted to go in +her own way. Superadded to the disadvantages +then attending female education, she struggled +under domestic discouragements. Maternal +vanity set itself against her advances in literature; +and it was not till the death of her mother +took place, that Miss Mulso, liberated from all +impediments, felt herself free to pursue the cultivation +of her own understanding. 'I believe,' +she writes, referring to her new situation, early +in 1750, 'there are few people who are better +pleased and contented with their lot than I; for +I am qualified to feel my present happiness; by +having early experienced very different sensations.'<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xii" id="Page_xii">[xii]</a></span></p> + +<p>Here then is one marked era in the life of +Miss Mulso. Being now mistress of herself, as +to the disposal of her time, she rapidly compassed +the circle of intellectual improvement. +Notwithstanding that she was self-instructed, +she soon became mistress of the French and +Italian languages, and made some proficiency +even in the Latin. Attached thus to literature, +she was also careful to select her acquaintance +from among persons who were likely to +improve her own taste. It was in this way that +she cultivated an intimacy with the celebrated +Richardson; and that, in 1750, when she was +twenty-three years of age, she ventured to controvert +his opinions on 'Filial Obedience.'<a name="FNanchor_1_1" id="FNanchor_1_1"></a><a href="#Footnote_1_1" class="fnanchor">[1]</a></p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xiii" id="Page_xiii">[xiii]</a></span></p> +<p>Richardson delighted to stimulate female talents +to honourable and persevering exertions. +Perhaps his partiality for epistolary intercourse, +in which he successively engaged his fair friends, +eventually decided Mrs. Chapone as to the +mode of communicating her instructions to a +beloved niece.</p> + +<p>About this time, 1749 to 1752, she wrote +some poems. Her 'Ode to Peace,' and that to +Miss Carter, prefixed to Epictetus, were the +first fruits of her muse. Her verse comes up +to what she thought of verse, and this seems as +much as can with truth be said of it. 'As fond +as I am of the works of fancy,' says she, 'of +the bold imagery of a Shakspeare, or a Milton, +and the delicate landscapes of Thomson, I receive +much greater and more solid pleasure from +their poetry, as it is the dress and ornament of +wisdom and morality, than all the flowers of +fancy, and the charms of harmonious numbers, +can give</p> + +<div class="center"> +'When gay description holds the place of sense.' +</div> + +<p>Pursuing the satisfactions of literature, Miss +Mulso now produced the 'Story of Fidelia.' +Although this tale was written for the 'Adventurer,' +she is represented as hesitating to give it +to the world; and as publishing it only in compliance<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xiv" id="Page_xiv">[xiv]</a></span> +with the wishes of friendship. Little is +to be said in praise of this story. Designed, as +it was, to expose the miseries of freethinking in +women, its reasoning tends rather to stagger the +unlettered moralist than to confute intellectual +scepticism. It is affected as to its style, and +problematical as to its end.</p> + +<p>While Miss Mulso was hesitating as to what +should be Fidelia's fate, 'to print or not to print,' +Miss Carter, to whom she was now known, decided +her for the press. Miss Mulso idolized +Miss Carter. Astonished at her acquirements, +humbled by her talents, she approaches to her +as to one of superior existence<a name="FNanchor_2_2" id="FNanchor_2_2"></a><a href="#Footnote_2_2" class="fnanchor">[2]</a>. Miss Carter +accepts the homage of Miss Mulso; and seems, +throughout her deportment, to view it as due to +herself. Such friends as they were, for their +friendship was not mutual in kind, so they +lasted for more than fifty years. Letters were +the chief cement of their long friendship.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xv" id="Page_xv">[xv]</a></span></p> +<p>Nearly at the same time that Miss Mulso commenced +acquaintance with Miss Carter, it was +her lot to meet with Mr. Chapone, to whom she +was at last married. This gentleman, who was +practising the law, was introduced to Richardson's +friends, at North-End, near Hammersmith, +and fully admitted among them in the +year 1750. 'Most heartily do I thank good Mrs. +Dewes,' writes Richardson, August 20, 1750, +'for her recommendation of Mr. Chapone to my +acquaintance and friendship. I am greatly taken +with him. A sensible, and ingenious, a modest +young gentleman.' Miss Mulso's friends own, +that, from 'their first introduction, she entertained +a distinguished esteem for Mr. Chapone. +It was, with her, love at first sight; but, according +to her relations, as their intimacy improved, +and her attachment became rooted, she had the +gratification to perceive that it was mutual.' +She was certainly in love. 'Your opinion of the +lordly sex,' she says, writing to Miss Carter, +in 1754, 'I know is not a very high one, but +yet I will one day or other make you confess +that a man may be capable of all the delicacy, +purity, and tenderness, which distinguish our +sex, joined with all the best qualities that dignify +his own.' Whatever were her father's original +objections to her marriage, these were for some<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xvi" id="Page_xvi">[xvi]</a></span> +time found to be insuperable; for, having been +made acquainted with her passion, he, instead +of immediately countenancing her wishes, made +her promise that she would not contract any +matrimonial engagement without his previous +permission. Prudence forbad him to approve, +we are told, what kindness would not suffer him +to prohibit.</p> + +<p>Visiting the coterie of Richardson, during the +summer of 1753, Miss Mulso was gratified +by an interview with Dr. Johnson, with whom +she before had no personal acquaintance. Her +whole account of this interview may be fitly told +here. 'Mr. Johnson' (Miss Mulso is writing to +Miss Carter) 'was very communicative and entertaining, +and did me the honour to address +most of his discourse to me. I had the assurance +to dispute with him on the subject of human +malignity<a name="FNanchor_3_3" id="FNanchor_3_3"></a><a href="#Footnote_3_3" class="fnanchor">[3]</a>; and wondered to hear a man, who +by his actions shows so much benevolence, maintain +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xvii" id="Page_xvii">[xvii]</a></span> +that the human heart is naturally malevolent, +and that all the benevolence we see, in +the few who are good, is acquired by reason and +religion. You may believe I entirely disagreed +with him, being, as you know, fully persuaded +that benevolence, or the love of our fellow-creatures, +is as much a part of our nature as self-love; +and that it cannot be suppressed, or extinguished, +without great violence from the force +of other passions. I told him I suspected him +of these bad notions from some of his Ramblers, +and had accused him to you; but that you persuaded +me I had mistaken his sense. To which +he answered, that if he had betrayed such sentiments +in his Ramblers, it was not with design; +for that he believed <i>the doctrine of human malevolence, +though a true one, is not an useful +one</i>, and ought not to be published to the world. +Is there any truth,' subjoins Miss Mulso, 'that +would not be useful, or that should not be +known?'</p> + +<p>The misfortune is, that, on such topics as +this, which must implicate the character of man, +generally as well as personally, each one writes +as each sees things, and not as things might or +ought to be seen. Establishing our individual +experience as the criterion of universal opinion, +we are too apt to speak of the world as we find<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xviii" id="Page_xviii">[xviii]</a></span> +it; and to conclude, that what happens to us +must of necessity happen to others, and that +uniformity of experience will terminate in similarity +of decision. Perhaps truth is still clear of +extremes. Man is not so bad as some state him +to be; nor is man so good as some think him +to be.</p> + +<p>Miss Mulso is now to be known as Mrs. Chapone. +Perceiving that her inclination to matrimony +was decisive, Mr. Mulso, though he still +objected to the match, consented to such arrangements, +towards the close of 1760, as to +admit of the union, in one day, of his eldest son, +Thomas, with Miss Prescott, and of his only +daughter, Hester, with Mr. Chapone. Living +with her father, who was indulgently attached +to her, Miss Mulso had previously been permitted +to enjoy, fairly and fully, the society of +Mr. Chapone.<a name="FNanchor_4_4" id="FNanchor_4_4"></a><a href="#Footnote_4_4" class="fnanchor">[4]</a></p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xix" id="Page_xix">[xix]</a></span></p> +<p>'Give me your congratulations,' writes the +now Mrs. Chapone, to Miss Carter, from town, +December the 9th, 1760, 'my dear friend; but, +as much for my brother and friend (Mr. Thomas +Mulso and Miss Prescott) as for myself; +for, in truth, I could not have enjoyed my own +happiness in an union with the man of my choice, +had I been forced to leave them in the same uncomfortable +state of tedious and almost hopeless +expectation in which they have suffered so long. +I shall rejoice to hear that you are coming to +town, and shall hope for many a comfortable +tête-à-tête with you in my lodgings in Carey +Street; for there I must reside till Mr. Chapone +can get a house that suits him, which is no easy +matter, as he is so confined in point of situation,' +&c. &c. Pleasing as might be the prospect +of her marriage pleasures, it will soon be seen +that, as Mrs. Barbauld wrote, 'her married +life was short, and,' short as it was, 'not very +happy!'</p> + +<p>Scarcely is Mrs. Chapone first settled, when +<i>she seems to complain of being in lodgings</i>; +and, when her husband has taken a house, +<i>still she regrets living</i> in Arundel Street, as +this is '<i>very wide from</i> Clarges Street, where' +she supposes that her friend <i>Miss Carter's</i> '<i>residence</i> +is fixed.' Even now, dissatisfied with 'a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xx" id="Page_xx">[xx]</a></span> +life of hurry and engagement,' she puts 'the +drudgery of answering all the congratulatory +letters,' heaped on them as newly married, +'upon Mr. Chapone; who, <i>poor man</i>,' says his +wife, 'was <i>forced to humour</i> me <i>a little at +first</i>.' Here is not the worst. '<i>I have more +hours to myself</i>,' she adds, '<i>than I wish for</i>; +for business usually allows me <i>very little of my +husband's company</i>, except at meals.' Instead +of 'many a comfortable tête-à-tête with' Miss +Carter, whom she assures of her 'most perfect +dissent' from the maxim of Johnson's school, +'that a married woman can have no friendship +but with her husband,' Chapone himself, pleased +with Miss Carter's old friendship, is represented +as wondering why she never visits his wife. +'Surely, my dear,' he would say to her, 'if +Miss Carter loved you, she would sometimes +have spent a day with you; and then I should +have known her better. <i>If ever she loved you, +I fancy she left it off on your being married.</i>' +Mrs. Chapone's letters may explain the absence +of Miss Carter. What friend would be in haste +to run to her, who tells that she 'lived in dirt,' +and in 'puddling lodgings;' and who adds, 'at +last,' that she reckons herself to be but 'tolerably +settled?'</p> + +<p>Lengthened courtships too seldom conclude<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xxi" id="Page_xxi">[xxi]</a></span> +with happy marriages. Six years of the lives of +one pair, 1754 to 1760, was by far too long to +make love. Our choice may prove to be our +lot, just when our lot is no more our choice.</p> + +<p>Miss Mulso was also more than old enough +for Mrs. Chapone. When women are of disputatious +dispositions<a name="FNanchor_5_5" id="FNanchor_5_5"></a><a href="#Footnote_5_5" class="fnanchor">[5]</a>, fixed in their notions, +and do not like learned husbands<a name="FNanchor_6_6" id="FNanchor_6_6"></a><a href="#Footnote_6_6" class="fnanchor">[6]</a>, because +they may hope to rule simple ones, they should +marry before the age of thirty-three.</p> + +<p>Poverty is inimical to felicity; but marriage +penury, worst of woes, is inevitably calamitous. +Pecuniary difficulties long protracted the union +of Miss Mulso with Mr. Chapone, who at last +died in embarrassing circumstances. Much may +be borne; but to court long, wait for wealth, +wed late, and fare ill, seem more than the griefs +to which flesh is heir.</p> + +<p>In her advice to a beloved niece, and in the +letter to a new-married lady, there are passages +perhaps referable to the fate of Mrs. Chapone. +'Young women,' she observes, '<i>know so little</i> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xxii" id="Page_xxii">[xxii]</a></span> +of the world, especially <i>of the other sex</i>, and +<i>such pains are usually taken to deceive them</i>, +that they are every way unqualified to choose +for themselves, &c. Many a heart-ache shall <i>I</i> +feel for <i>you</i>, my sweet girl, if I live a few years +longer<a name="FNanchor_7_7" id="FNanchor_7_7"></a><a href="#Footnote_7_7" class="fnanchor">[7]</a>!' Equally impressive is her delineation +of matrimonial bickerings. 'Whatever may be +said of the <i>quarrels of lovers</i>, (believe <i>me</i>!) +<i>those of married people have always dreadful +consequences</i>, especially if they are not very +short and very slight. If <i>they</i> are suffered to +<i>produce bitter or contemptuous expressions</i>, +or betray <i>habitual dislike</i> in one party <i>of any +thing in the person or mind</i> of the other, <i>such +wounds can scarcely ever be thoroughly healed</i>: +and though regard to principle and character +lays the married couple under a necessity to +make up the breach as well as they can, yet is +their affiance in each other's affection so rudely +shaken in such conflicts, that it can hardly ever +be perfectly fixed again. <i>The painful recollection +of what is passed, will often intrude +upon the tenderest hours</i>; and every trifle will +awaken and renew it. You must, <i>even now</i>, +(it is to a lady <i>newly married</i> that Mrs. C. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xxiii" id="Page_xxiii">[xxiii]</a></span> +is addressing herself) be particularly on your +guard against <i>this</i> source of misery.'</p> + +<p>Within the short space of ten months after +marriage, Mr. Chapone, whose health could +not have been good, was seized by a fever, +which, in about a week, terminated his mortal +career. Though his illness was short, and +thought fatal at first, Mrs. Chapone was not +with him for five days before <i>his death</i>, 'as her +presence was judged to be very hurtful to him!' +She then heard of his death 'with <i>her accustomed +meekness</i>;' and, continues Miss Burrows, +writing to Miss Carter, September the 22d, +1761, 'you would hardly believe me were I +to describe to you <i>her calmness and composure</i>,' +&c., or, 'half <i>the noble things she says and +does</i>,' &c. '<i>She suffered herself</i>,' again writes +Miss Burrows, October 5, 1761, '<i>to be the most +consoled</i>, by the kindness of her friends, <i>I ever +saw any body in her situation</i>.' Mrs. Chapone +was yet for some time ill, on the death of +Mr. Chapone; and she found some other difficulties<a name="FNanchor_8_8" id="FNanchor_8_8"></a><a href="#Footnote_8_8" class="fnanchor">[8]</a> +against which to bear up. Circumstances +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xxiv" id="Page_xxiv">[xxiv]</a></span> +shortly after induced her to retire into +lodgings upon a small but decent income, where, +cultivating her connections, she contrived to preserve +her independence and respectability. Her +small property was soon augmented by the +death of her father, who did not survive her +husband quite two years.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Chapone now spent much of her time +with friends. Dr. John Thomas, her maternal +uncle, being then Bishop of Winchester, she was +always welcome either at Farnham Castle, or at +Winchester House. Of her various letters from +Farnham Castle, the following one, relating to +royalty, is sufficiently interesting to find its place +here. It must be remembered, that the Bishop +had been preceptor to our late and venerable +King.—'Mr. Buller went to Windsor on Saturday,' +writes Mrs. Chapone to Mr. Burrows, August +20, 1778, 'saw the King, who enquired much +about the Bishop; and hearing that he would be +eighty-two next Monday, "Then," said he, "I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xxv" id="Page_xxv">[xxv]</a></span> +will go and wish him joy." "And I," said the +Queen, "will go too." Mr. B. then dropped a +hint of the additional pleasure it would give the +Bishop if he could see the Princes. "<i>That</i>," said +the King, "requires contrivance; but, if I can +manage it, we will <i>all</i> go".' ... Monday morning, +a little after eleven o'clock, 'came the King +and Queen in their phaeton, three coaches and +six, and one coach and four, with a large retinue +of servants. They were all conducted into the +great drawing-room, by Mr. and Mrs. Buller, +where, after paying their compliments to the Bishop +and Mrs. Thomas, those of the first column +remained there to breakfast; those of the second +column left the room, and were led by Mrs. T. to +the dressing-room, where Mrs. T. and I were, +and where I made tea for them. After our breakfast +was over, as well as that of the upper house, +the royal guests<a name="FNanchor_9_9" id="FNanchor_9_9"></a><a href="#Footnote_9_9" class="fnanchor">[9]</a> came to visit me in the dressing-room. +The King sent the Princes in to pay +their compliments to <i>Mrs. Chapone</i>: himself, +he said, was an old acquaintance. Whilst the +Princes were speaking to me, Mr. Arnold, sub-preceptor, +said, "These gentlemen are well acquainted +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xxvi" id="Page_xxvi">[xxvi]</a></span> +with a certain Ode<a name="FNanchor_10_10" id="FNanchor_10_10"></a><a href="#Footnote_10_10" class="fnanchor">[10]</a> prefixed to Mrs. +Carter's Epictetus, if you know any thing of it." +Afterwards the King came and spoke to us; and +the Queen led the Princess Royal to me, saying, +"This is a young lady, who, I hope, has profited +much by your instructions<a name="FNanchor_11_11" id="FNanchor_11_11"></a><a href="#Footnote_11_11" class="fnanchor">[11]</a>. She has read them +more than once, and will read them oftener;" +and the Princess assented to the praise which +followed, with a very modest air. She has a +sweet countenance, and simple unaffected manners. +I was pleased with all the Princes, but +particularly with Prince William, who is little of +his age, but so sensible and engaging, that he +won the Bishop's heart; to whom he particularly +attached himself, and would stay with him +while all the rest ran about the house. His +conversation was surprisingly manly and clever +for his age: yet with the young Bullers he +was quite the boy; and said to John Buller, by +way of encouraging him to talk, "Come, we +are both boys, you know." All of them showed +affectionate respect to the Bishop; the Prince +of Wales pressed his hand so hard that he hurt +it. Mrs. B——'s two girls were here, and the +eldest son, and great notice was taken of them +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xxvii" id="Page_xxvii">[xxvii]</a></span> +all. The youngest girl, a comical natural little +creature between eight and nine, says she thinks +it hard that Princes may not marry whom they +please; and seems not without hopes, that, if it +were not for this restriction, the Prince of Wales +might prove a lover of hers.'</p> + +<p>Dr. Thomas, to whom these royal honours +were thus paid, died in May 1781, at the age of +eighty-six years.</p> + +<p>Several months of the year 1766 were passed +by Mrs. Chapone at the parsonage of her second +brother, John, at Thornhill, near Wakefield, +in Yorkshire. It was then she conceived +that partiality for her niece, his eldest daughter, +to which society is indebted for her 'Letters on +the Improvement of the Mind.'</p> + +<p>Having become acquainted with Mrs. Montagu +some time in 1762, she about eight years +after joined her in her tour into Scotland; a +tour from which she derived both information +and amusement, and which her pen has described +with fidelity and interest. 'I am grown as +bold as a lion with Mrs. Montagu,' asserts Mrs. +Chapone, two years before their tour, to Mrs. +Carter, 'and fly in her face whenever I have a +mind: in short, I enjoy her society with the +most perfect <i>goût</i>; and find my love for her +takes off my fear and awe, though my respect<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xxviii" id="Page_xxviii">[xxviii]</a></span> +for her character continually increases.' Mrs. +Montagu's great friendship was found eminently +conducive to the welfare of Mrs. Chapone. It +added to her sources of intellectual gratification, +extended the old circle of her acquaintance, and +emboldened and encouraged her to submit her +writings to the world.</p> + +<p>We are now to consider Mrs. Chapone's literary +performances; which, following the order +of publication, consist of</p> + +<div class="poem"> +<span class="i0">Letters on the Improvement of the Mind; +1773.</span> + +<span class="i0">Miscellanies, in Prose and Verse; 1775.</span> + +<span class="i0">Posthumous Works; two volumes, 1804.</span></div> + +<p>These latter volumes contain Mrs. Chapone's +Correspondence with Mr. Richardson, on Filial +Obedience; a Matrimonial Creed, sent by her +to him; Letters to her friends; some Fugitive +Poetry; and 'An Account of her <i>Life and Character</i>, +drawn up <i>by her own Family</i>.' Dismissing +the consideration of its partiality, this +account, justly so called, has no claim to the +character of biography.</p> + +<p>Her 'Letters on the Improvement of the +Mind' owed much of their early success to the +talents and kindness of Mrs. Montagu. 'The +bookseller,' writes their Author, July the 20th, +1773, 'is preparing the second edition with all<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xxix" id="Page_xxix">[xxix]</a></span> +haste, the whole of the first being gone out of +his hands; which, considering that he printed +off fifteen hundred at first, is an extraordinary +quick sale. <i>I attribute this success principally +to Mrs. Montagu's name, and patronage</i>,' &c. +More of this is told in the Dedication of the +work to her. 'I believe you (Mrs. Montagu) +are persuaded that I (Mrs. Chapone) never entertained +a thought of appearing in public, when +the desire of being useful to one dear child, in +whom I take the tenderest interest<a name="FNanchor_12_12" id="FNanchor_12_12"></a><a href="#Footnote_12_12" class="fnanchor">[12]</a>, induced +me to write the following letters: perhaps it +was the partiality of friendship which so far biassed +your judgment as to make you think them +capable of being more extensively useful, and +warmly to recommend the publication of them.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xxx" id="Page_xxx">[xxx]</a></span></p> +<p>If,' proceeds the author, 'you will allow me to +add that <i>some strokes of your elegant pen</i> have +corrected these Letters, I may hope <i>they will +be received with an attention</i> which will insure +a candid judgment from the reader; and, perhaps, +will enable them to <i>make some useful impressions</i> +on those to whom they are now particularly +offered.'</p> + +<p>Notwithstanding their intrinsic excellence, +various circumstances co-operated to give to her +Letters immediate popularity. Besides the beginning +preference for books on education, epistolary +composition, the style of her work, was +then in very general estimation. It was the +style to which the volumes of Richardson, the +correspondence of Pope, the letters of Chesterfield +and of Orrery, had familiarized the public +mind. Nor could expectation have been indifferent +to any production from the pen of one +who was the friendly pupil of Samuel Richardson; +in favour of whom the discerning part of +readers were already prepossessed, by the commendation +he had bestowed on her talents, and +the assiduity with which he had cultivated her +correspondence. What might not be hoped +from a lady, who, when not much above twenty +years of age, was considered qualified to controvert +with him the subject of paternal authority<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xxxi" id="Page_xxxi">[xxxi]</a></span> +and filial obedience? But, if admiration had +been excited, it was only in order to be gratified. +Mrs. Chapone did not disappoint the expectations +entertained concerning Miss Mulso.</p> + +<p>It is the imperishable honour of Mrs. Chapone, +that the foundation of <i>her</i> temple of education +is on the rock, and not in the sands; that +the superstructure is therefore not only beautiful, +but lasting. On the being of a God, she fixes +the tottering hopes of mere mortality: and by +his Revealed Will would direct its steps, to certainty, +happiness, and glory. Nor has she been +unsuccessful in displaying the benevolent attributes +of Deity, and in exciting the gratitude of +the heart towards him. Without impeaching +his justice, she has exalted his mercy; without +diminishing the awe, she has increased the fervency +of pious adoration; without depreciating +prayer, she has insisted on a spirit of thanksgiving. +Devotion, in her view, becomes attractive +as well as important. We love, while we obey; +while we tremble, we rejoice. Resting the +ground-work of all morality on religion, <i>assent</i> +is insisted upon prior to <i>investigation</i>; not that +the latter is excluded. Since, however, we are +compelled to <i>act</i> before we become qualified +to <i>think</i>, it is of the utmost importance that +some standard be established in the mind, for<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xxxii" id="Page_xxxii">[xxxii]</a></span> +the regulation of the conduct. Religion supplies +this deficiency. Its penalties and rewards +are offered, at a time when we are principally +governed by our hopes or fears; and are, indeed, +incapable of being acted upon by abstracted +considerations of right and wrong.</p> + +<p>Of the early <i>historical</i> parts of the Old Testament, +Mrs. Chapone speaks with the commendation +they will always obtain from discriminating +minds. Nothing in profane history is equal +to their beautiful simplicity, their affecting minuteness. +They are not sufficiently studied.</p> + +<p>On the scope of the Gospel, as delivered in +the New Testament, it is justly affirmed—'The +whole <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'tenour'">tenor</ins> +of the Gospel is to offer us every +help, direction, and motive, that can enable us +to attain that degree of perfection, on which +depends our eternal good.' Exception must +nevertheless be taken to a few epithets, by which +she endeavours to picture a future state of blessedness; +as, 'the richest imagination can paint:' +for, what imagination shall paint that which 'it +hath not entered into the heart of man to conceive?'</p> + +<p>Letters the Fourth and Fifth, <i>On the Regulation +of the Heart and Affections</i>, display +considerable knowledge of human nature, exhibit +high reasoning powers on the part of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xxxiii" id="Page_xxxiii">[xxxiii]</a></span> +writer, and are fraught with excellent moral distinctions. +The fifth, however, owing to the subjects +it embraces, is particularly valuable to the +sex to whom it is addressed. This encomium +will apply to her sentiments <i>On Household +Economy</i>, and <i>On Deportment towards Servants</i>. +The course of <i>Studies</i> and <i>Accomplishments</i> +recommended by her, perhaps, still includes +all that is essential.</p> + +<p>Unornamental, but not ungraceful, Mrs. Chapone's +style, though plain, is deserving of commendation. +If there be one main fault in it, one +reigning vice, it is that it abounds with parentheses, +which tend to obscure it.</p> + +<p>The success of her Letters is stated by herself +to have been the source of much good to her: +she who, only ten years before, declared that +'this world had nothing for her but a few +friends,' who owns that 'a certain weariness of +life, and a sense of insignificance and insipidity,' +did then 'deject' her, now feels that the success +of her writings appeased 'that uneasy sense of +helplessness and insignificancy which often depressed +and afflicted her.' Her work gave her +some tie to the world. Her intellectual existence, +her new life, succeeded to her sympathetic +state.</p> + +<p>Of her next work, the 'Miscellanies,' not<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xxxiv" id="Page_xxxiv">[xxxiv]</a></span> +much need be said. Unqualified in her admiration +of the author's abilities, Mrs. Barbauld +seems to labour to explain the unpopularity of +this publication. The toil was not worth the +pains. Excepting the <i>Letter to a New-married +Lady</i>, and <i>Three Essays</i>, the contents of this +volume did not authorize the distinction to +which friendship conceived it to be entitled.</p> + +<p>Her long epistolary controversy with Richardson, +respecting 'Filial Obedience' generally, +evidences great superiority of thought. It extends +to three letters; of which the first is dated +October 12, and the second November 10, 1750; +and the third, which is her last, bears date the +3d of January, 1750-51. Perhaps Miss Carter +was not far from the fact, when, as now appears +from one of Mrs. Chapone's Letters to her, she +called this controversy 'an unmerciful prolixity +upon a plain simple subject.' Still it is, in such +hands, of much worth. Differing from Richardson +in some essential particulars, Mrs. Chapone, +young as she then was, magnanimously promulgated, +and resolutely defended, her own sentiments. +Authority seems to have been here considered +by Richardson as synonymous with what +most men think tyranny. Parents were to be +despots, and children to live as their bond-slaves. +Obligation is reciprocal. Subjection necessarily<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xxxv" id="Page_xxxv">[xxxv]</a></span> +supposes protection; and paternal authority has +the best claim to filial obedience, where benevolence +endears dependance, and where conduct +demands respect. Goldsmith told no more than +truth, when, as his Essays will show, he declared +that there were parents who got children for +the gratification of tyrannising over them.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Chapone had the gift of letter-writing. +When she writes to her few friends, it is with +ease, with sense, and with life. She does not +then write for the press. She read much, thought +more, and wrote as she thought. Many of her +judgments, both of men and books, deserve to +be weighed.</p> + +<p>The last years of life, it is painful to add, +were not her best years. Surviving those by +whom life was to her rendered estimable, unshaken +as was her religion, her mind, it is acknowledged +by friends, yielded to its afflictions; +'her memory became visibly and materially +impaired; and her body was so much affected +by the sufferings of her mind, that she soon +sank into a state of alarming debility.' She +who bore with 'calmness and composure' the +death of a husband, of him whom she calls 'the +man of her choice,' felt that she lost on the death +of a brother, 'her strongest tie to this world,'<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xxxvi" id="Page_xxxvi">[xxxvi]</a></span> +and 'sank into a state of alarming debility!' +Where the treasure is, there also will the heart +still be found. Sublunary happiness is at the +best uncertain as unstable; and those whose +plans of good are made for this earth, will see, +sooner or later, that they have built on the +sands instead of the rock.</p> + +<p>Contracted in circumstances, and limited in +the number of her friends, Mrs. Chapone, with +her youngest niece, retired to Hadley, in the autumn +of 1800; where her living near to Miss +Amy Burrows<a name="FNanchor_13_13" id="FNanchor_13_13"></a><a href="#Footnote_13_13" class="fnanchor">[13]</a>, who had been there for some +years, opened new prospects of comfort for her +rapidly declining age.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xxxvii" id="Page_xxxvii">[xxxvii]</a></span></p> +<p>It was now that Mrs. Chapone needed all +that the most affectionate assiduity could do for +her. 'Mrs. and Miss Burrows,' continues the +short account by her family, 'were her constant +visitors; and while they surveyed, with compassion +and humiliation, the awful lesson to nature +which the wreck of so bright an ornament to it +presented, they omitted no opportunity to administer +every soothing means of relief she was +then capable of experiencing.' Mr. Cottrell, also, +successor to the Rev. Mr. Burrows, at Hadley, +and his family, with their friends, sometimes enlivened +the solitary seclusion to which she was +doomed; but her infirmities augmented so much, +at this time, that she was not able to go down +stairs more than three or four times.</p> + +<p>Her life was near its close. October 1801, +she completed her 74th year; and on the Christmas-day +following, without any direct illness, +having described herself as unusually well the +day before, and after experiencing less distemper +during the last than any of the years of her +life, she fell into a doze, from which nothing +could rouse her; and at the eighth hour of the +night, she drew her last breath, tranquilly and +imperceptibly, in the arms of her niece. Mrs. +Burrows was also with her.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Chapone is not represented as one who<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xxxviii" id="Page_xxxviii">[xxxviii]</a></span> +had pretensions to what men term beauty. If, +however, any credit is due to the opinion of +Richardson, who knew her in her best days, +and who could judge of the sex, there was in +her something of physiognomical fascination, +that bright emanation of soul, illuminating the +countenance, which, candid and benign, gave +to the face its best charm.</p> + +<p>Music was one of her delights. Naturally +possessing a voice both mellifluous and powerful, +with much true taste, and great accuracy of +ear, she, without the aid of science, would often +surpass the efforts of professional excellence. +Aided by her brother<a name="FNanchor_14_14" id="FNanchor_14_14"></a><a href="#Footnote_14_14" class="fnanchor">[14]</a> on the violin, her singing +frequently astonished those who were the +highest judges of that talent.<a name="FNanchor_15_15" id="FNanchor_15_15"></a><a href="#Footnote_15_15" class="fnanchor">[15]</a></p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xxxix" id="Page_xxxix">[xxxix]</a></span></p><p>Accomplished in deportment, intelligent in +conversation, uniformly agreeable to society +generally, her company was coveted by all who +knew her, and sought for by numbers of persons +with whom she never associated.</p> + +<p>Physical infirmities were to her the source of +habitual misery. Cold and wet seem to have +been too much for her frame; and, by the medium +of that, for her mind.</p> + +<p>With all her faults, for some there were in +her, she was still great. Her life may teach +much that it will be well to learn; nor can too +much be said in praise of her best work.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Chapone holds out one bright proof of +what intelligence and perseverance may in due +time hope to accomplish. She cast her own +lot. Herself made herself; and to the honours +of her name, great as they are, those who tread +in her steps may yet aspire.</p> + +<p>Considering the high importance of her literary +exertions, no task would have been more +pleasing than that of bestowing unqualified approbation +on her character. Her writings, already +productive of good the most extensively +beneficial, will stand the imperishable monument +of her worth. While the sentiments +which they inculcate are valued, and the language<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xl" id="Page_xl">[xl]</a></span> +in which they are conveyed is known, +while virtue is loved, or piety revered among +us, the 'Letters on the Improvement of the +Mind' will suffer no diminution of that reputation +in which they have been so long held by +the world.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[1]</a></span></p> +<h2>LETTERS<br /> +ON THE +IMPROVEMENT OF THE MIND.</h2> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<h2><a name="religion" id="religion"></a>LETTER I.</h2> + +<h3>ON THE FIRST PRINCIPLES OF RELIGION.</h3> + + +<p> +<i>MY DEAREST NIECE</i>,<br /> +</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Though</span> you are so happy as to have parents, +who are both capable and desirous of +giving you all proper instruction, yet I, who +love you so tenderly, cannot help fondly wishing +to contribute something, if possible, to +your improvement and welfare: and, as I am +so far separated from you, that it is only by pen +and ink I can offer you my sentiments, I will +hope that your attention may be engaged, by +seeing on paper, from the hand of one of your +warmest friends, Truths of the highest importance, +which, though you may not find new, can +never be too deeply engraven on your mind.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[2]</a></span> +Some of them perhaps may make no great impression +at present, and yet may so far gain +a place in your memory as readily to return +to your thoughts when occasion recalls them. +And, if you pay me the compliment of preserving +my letters, you may possibly re-peruse +them at some future period, when concurring +circumstances may give them additional +weight:—and thus they may prove more effectual +than the same things spoken in conversation. +But, however this may prove, I cannot +resist the desire of trying in some degree to be +useful to you on your setting out in a life of +trial and difficulty; your success in which must +determine your fate for ever.</p> + +<p>Hitherto you have "thought as a child, and +understood as a child; but it is time to put +away childish things." You are now in your +fifteenth year, and must soon act for yourself; +therefore it is high time to store your mind with +those principles, which must direct your conduct, +and fix your character. If you desire to +live in peace and honour, in favour with God +and man, and to die in the glorious hope of +rising from the grave to a life of endless happiness—if +these things appear worthy your ambition, +you must set out in earnest in the pursuit<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[3]</a></span> +of them. Virtue and happiness are not attained +by chance, nor by a cold and languid approbation: +they must be sought with ardour, +attended to with diligence, and every assistance +must be eagerly embraced that may enable you +to obtain them. Consider, that good and evil +are now before you; that, if you do not heartily +choose and love the one, you must undoubtedly +be the wretched victim of the other. Your +trial is now begun; you must either become one +of the glorious <i>children</i> of <i>God</i>, who are to rejoice +in his love for ever, or a <i>child</i> of <i>destruction</i>—miserable +in this life, and punished with +eternal death hereafter. Surely, you will be +impressed by so awful a situation! you will earnestly +pray to be directed into that road of life, +which leads to excellence and happiness; and +you will be thankful to every kind hand that is +held out, to set you forward in your journey.</p> + +<p>The first step must be to awaken your mind +to a sense of the importance of the task before +you, which is no less than to bring your frail +nature to that degree of Christian perfection, +which is to qualify it for immortality, and without +which, it is necessarily incapable of happiness; +for it is a truth never to be forgotten, that +God has annexed happiness to virtue, and misery<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[4]</a></span> +to vice, by the unchangeable nature of +things; and that a wicked being (while he continues +such) is in a natural incapacity of enjoying +happiness, even with the concurrence of all +those outward circumstances, which in a virtuous +mind would produce it.</p> + +<p>As there are degrees of virtue and vice, so +are there of reward and punishment, both here +and hereafter: But, let not my dearest Niece +aim only at escaping the dreadful doom of the +wicked—let your desires take a nobler flight, +and aspire after those transcendent honours, +and that brighter crown of glory, which await +those who have excelled in virtue; and, let the +animating thought, that every secret effort to +gain his favour is noted by your all-seeing +Judge, who will, with infinite goodness, proportion +your reward to your labours, excite every +faculty of your soul to please and serve him. +To this end you must <i>inform your understanding</i> +what you ought to <i>believe</i> and to <i>do</i>.—You must +<i>correct</i> and <i>purify</i> your <i>heart</i>; cherish and improve +all its good affections, and continually +mortify and subdue those that are evil.—You +must <i>form</i> and <i>govern</i> your <i>temper</i> and <i>manners</i>, +according to the laws of benevolence and justice; +and qualify yourself, by all means in your<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[5]</a></span> +power, for an <i>useful</i> and <i>agreeable</i> member of +society. All this you see is no light business, +nor can it be performed without a sincere and +earnest application of the mind, as to its great +and constant object. When once you consider +life, and the duties of life, in this manner, you +will listen eagerly to the voice of instruction +and admonition, and seize every opportunity of +improvement; every useful hint will be laid up +in your heart, and your chief delight will be in +those persons, and those books, from which +you can learn true wisdom.</p> + +<p>The only sure foundation of human virtue is +Religion, and the foundation and first principle +of religion is in the belief of the one only God, +and a just sense of his attributes. This you +will think you have learned long since, and +possess in common with almost every human +creature in this enlightened age and nation; +but, believe me, it is less common than you +imagine, to believe in the true God—that is, to +form such a notion of the Deity as is agreeable +to truth, and consistent with those infinite perfections, +which all profess to ascribe to him. +To form worthy notions of the Supreme Being, +as far as we are capable, is essential to true religion +and morality; for as it is our duty to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[6]</a></span> +imitate those qualities of the Divinity, which are +imitable by us, so is it necessary we should know +what they are, and fatal to mistake them. Can +those who think of God with servile dread and +terror, as of a gloomy tyrant, armed with almighty +power to torment and destroy them, be +said to believe in the true God?—in that God, +who, the scriptures say, is love?—the kindest +and best of Beings, who made all creatures in +bountiful goodness, that he might communicate +to them some portion of his own unalterable +happiness!—who condescends to style himself +our Father; and who pitieth us, as a father pitieth +his own children! Can those, who expect +to please God by cruelty to themselves or to +their fellow-creatures—by horrid punishments +of their own bodies for the sin of their souls—or, +by more horrid persecution of others for +difference of opinion, be called true believers? +Have they not set up another God in their own +minds, who rather resembles the worst of +beings than the best? Nor do those act on +surer principles who think to gain the favour of +God by senseless enthusiasm and frantic raptures, +more like the wild excesses of the most +depraved human love, than that reasonable adoration, +that holy reverential love, which is due +to the pure and holy Father of the universe.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[7]</a></span> +Those likewise, who murmur against his providence, +and repine under the restraint of his +commands, cannot firmly believe him infinitely +wise and good. If we are not disposed to trust +him for future events, to banish fruitless anxiety, +and to believe that all things work together +for good to those that love him, surely we do not +really believe in the God of mercy and truth. +If we wish to avoid all remembrance of him, +all communion with him, as much as we dare, +surely we do not believe him to be the source of +joy and comfort, the dispenser of all good.</p> + +<p>How lamentable it is, that so few hearts +should feel the pleasures of real piety; that +prayer and thanksgiving should be performed, +as they too often are, not with joy, and love, +and gratitude; but, with cold indifference, melancholy +dejection, or secret horror! It is true, +we are all such frail and sinful creatures, that we +justly fear to have offended our gracious Father: +but let us remember the condition of his forgiveness: +If you have sinned, "sin no more." He +is ready to receive you whenever you sincerely +turn to him—and he is ready to assist you, when +you do but desire to obey him. Let your devotion +then be the language of filial love and gratitude; +confide to this kindest of fathers every<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[8]</a></span> +want and every wish of your heart; but submit +them all to his will, and freely offer him the +disposal of yourself, and of all your affairs. +Thank him for his benefits, and even for his punishments—convinced +that these also are benefits, +and mercifully designed for your good. Implore +his direction in all difficulties; his assistance +in all trials; his comfort and support in +sickness or affliction; his restraining grace in +time of prosperity and joy. Do not persist in +desiring what his providence denies you; but be +assured it is not good for you. Refuse not any +thing he allots you, but embrace it as the best +and properest for you. Can you do less to your +heavenly Father than what your duty to an +earthly one requires? If you were to ask permission +of your father to do or to have any +thing you desire, and he should refuse it to you, +would you obstinately persist in setting your +heart upon it notwithstanding his prohibition? +Would you not rather say, My father is wiser +than I am; he loves me, and would not deny my +request, if it was fit to be granted; I will therefore +banish the thought, and cheerfully acquiesce +in his will? How much rather should this be +said of our heavenly Father, whose wisdom cannot +be mistaken, and whose bountiful kindness +is infinite! Love him, therefore, in the same<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[9]</a></span> +manner you love your earthly parents, but in a +much higher degree—in the highest your nature +is capable of. Forget not to dedicate yourself +to his service every day; to implore his forgiveness +of your faults, and his protection from evil, +every night: and this not merely in formal +words, unaccompanied by any act of the mind, +but "in spirit and in truth;" in grateful love and +humble adoration. Nor let these stated periods +of worship be your only communication with +him; accustom yourself to think often of him, in +all your waking hours,—to contemplate his wisdom +and power, in the works of his hands,—to +acknowledge his goodness in every object of use +or of pleasure,—to delight in giving him praise +in your inmost heart in the midst of every innocent +gratification—in the liveliest hour of social +enjoyment. You cannot conceive, if you have +not experienced, how much such silent acts of +gratitude and love will enhance every pleasure; +nor what sweet serenity and cheerfulness such +reflections will diffuse over your mind. On the +other hand, when you are suffering pain or sorrow, +when you are confined to an unpleasant +situation, or engaged in a painful duty, how will +it support and animate you, to refer yourself to +your Almighty Father!—to be assured that he +knows your state and your intentions; that no<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[10]</a></span> +effort of virtue is lost in his sight, nor the least +of your actions or sufferings disregarded or forgotten!—that +his hand is ever over you, to ward +off every real evil, which is not the effect of your +own ill-conduct, and to relieve every suffering +that is not useful to your future well-being.</p> + +<p>You see, my dear, that true devotion is not a +melancholy sentiment, that depresses the spirits, +and excludes the ideas of pleasure, which youth +is fond of: on the contrary, there is nothing so +friendly to joy, so productive of true pleasure, so +peculiarly suited to the warmth and innocence +of a youthful heart. Do not therefore think it +too soon to turn your mind to God; but offer +him the first fruits of your understanding and +affections: and be assured, that the more you increase +in love to him, and delight in his laws, +the more you will increase in happiness, in excellence, +and honour:—that in proportion as +you improve in true piety, you will become dear +and amiable to your fellow-creatures; contented +and peaceful in yourself; and qualified to enjoy +the best blessings of this life, as well as to inherit +the glorious promise of immortality.</p> + +<p>Thus far I have spoken of the first principles +of all religion; namely, belief in God, worthy<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[11]</a></span> +notions of his attributes, and suitable affections +towards him—which will naturally excite a sincere +desire of obedience. But before you can +obey his will, you must know what that will is; +you must enquire in what manner he has declared +it, and where you may find those laws +which must be the rule of your actions.</p> + +<p>The great laws of morality are indeed written +in our hearts, and may be discovered by reason: +but our reason is of slow growth, very unequally +dispensed to different persons, liable to error, +and confined within very narrow limits in all. +If, therefore, God vouchsafed to grant a particular +revelation of his will—if he has been so unspeakably +gracious, as to send his Son into the +world to reclaim mankind from error and wickedness—to +die for our sins—and to teach us the +way to eternal life—surely it becomes us to receive +his precepts with the deepest reverence; +to love and prize them above all things; and to +study them constantly, with an earnest desire to +conform our thoughts, our words, and actions +to them.</p> + +<p>As you advance in years and understanding, +I hope you will be able to examine for yourself +the evidences of the Christian religion, and be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[12]</a></span> +convinced, on rational grounds, of its divine authority. +At present, such inquiries would demand +more study, and greater powers of reasoning, +than your age admits of. It is your +part, therefore, till you are capable of understanding +the proofs, to believe your parents and +teachers, that the holy scriptures are writings +inspired by God, containing a true history of +facts, in which we are deeply concerned—a true +recital of the laws given by God to Moses, and +of the precepts of our blessed Lord and Saviour, +delivered from his own mouth to his disciples, +and repeated and enlarged upon in the edifying +epistles of his apostles—who were men chosen +from amongst those who had the advantage of +conversing with our Lord, to bear witness of his +miracles and resurrection—and who, after his +ascension, were assisted and inspired by the +Holy Ghost. This sacred volume must be the +rule of your life. In it you will find all truths +necessary to be believed; and plain and easy +directions for the practice of every duty. Your +Bible then must be your chief study and delight: +but as it contains many various kinds of writing—some +parts obscure and difficult of interpretation, +others plain and intelligible to the +meanest capacity—I would chiefly recommend +to your frequent perusal such parts of the sacred<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[13]</a></span> +writings as are most adapted to your understanding, +and most necessary for your instruction. +Our Saviour's precepts were spoken to the common +people amongst the Jews; and were therefore +given in a manner easy to be understood, +and equally striking and instructive to the learned +and unlearned; for the most ignorant may +comprehend them, whilst the wisest must be +charmed and awed, by the beautiful and majestic +simplicity with which they are expressed. Of +the same kind are the Ten Commandments, delivered +by God to Moses; which, as they were +designed for universal laws, are worded in the +most concise and simple manner, yet with a majesty +which commands our utmost reverence.</p> + +<p>I think you will receive great pleasure, as well +as improvement, from the Historical Books of +the Old Testament—provided you read them as +an history, in a regular course, and keep the +thread of it in your mind, as you go on. I +know of none, true or fictitious, that is equally +wonderful, interesting, and affecting; or that is +told in so short and simple a manner as this, +which is, of all histories, the most authentic.</p> + +<p>In my next letter, I will give you some brief +directions, concerning the method and course I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[14]</a></span> +wish you to pursue, in reading the Holy Scriptures. +May you be enabled to make the best +use of this most precious gift of God—this sacred +treasury of knowledge! May you read the +Bible, not as a task, nor as the dull employment +of that day only in which you are forbidden +more lively entertainments—but with a sincere +and ardent desire of instruction; with that love +and delight in God's word which the holy psalmist +so pathetically felt, and described, and which +is the natural consequence of loving God and +virtue! Though I speak this of the Bible in general, +I would not be understood to mean that +every part of the volume is equally interesting. +I have already said, that it consists of various +matter, and various kinds of books, which must +be read with different views and sentiments. +The having some general notion of what you are +to expect from each book may possibly help you +to understand them, and heighten your relish of +them. I shall treat you as if you were perfectly +new to the whole; for so I wish you to consider +yourself; because the time and manner, in +which children usually read the Bible, are very +ill-calculated to make them really acquainted +with it; and too many people who have read it +thus, without understanding it in their youth, +satisfy themselves that they know enough of it,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[15]</a></span> +and never afterwards study it with attention, +when they come to a maturer age.</p> + +<p>Adieu, my beloved Niece! If the feelings of +your heart, whilst you read my letters, correspond +with those of mine, whilst I write them, +I shall not be without the advantage of your partial +affection, to give weight to my advice; for, +believe me, my own dear girl, my heart and eyes +overflow with tenderness while I tell you, with +how warm and earnest prayers for your happiness +here, and hereafter, I subscribe myself</p> + +<div class="center"> +Your faithful friend<br /> +<br /></div> +<div class="signature"> +and most affectionate <span class="smcap">Aunt</span>.<br /> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="scriptures" id="scriptures"></a>LETTER II.</h2> + +<h3>ON THE STUDY OF THE HOLY SCRIPTURES.</h3> + + +<p><span class="smcap">I now</span> proceed to give my dear Niece some +short sketches of the matter contained in the +different books of the Bible, and of the course +in which they ought to be read.</p> + +<p>The first Book, <span class="smcap">Genesis</span>, contains the most +grand, and, to us, the most interesting, events +that ever happened in the universe: The creation<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[16]</a></span> +of the world, and of man:—The deplorable +fall of man, from his first state of excellence and +bliss, to the distressed condition in which we see +all his descendants continue:—The sentence of +death pronounced on Adam, and on all his race, +with the reviving promise of that deliverance +which has since been wrought for us by our +blessed Saviour:—The account of the early +state of the world:—Of the universal deluge:—The +division of mankind into different nations +and languages:—The story of Abraham, the +founder of the Jewish people, whose unshaken +faith and obedience, under the severest trial human +nature could sustain, obtained such favour +in the sight of God, that he vouchsafed to style +him his friend, and promised to make his posterity +a great nation; and that in his seed—that is, +in one of his descendants—all the kingdoms of +the earth should be blessed: this, you will easily +see, refers to the Messiah, who was to be the +blessing and deliverance of all nations. It is +amazing that the Jews, possessing this prophecy +among many others, should have been so blinded +by prejudice, as to have expected from this +great personage only a temporal deliverance of +their own nation from the subjection to which +they were reduced under the Romans: it is +equally amazing, that some Christians should,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[17]</a></span> +even now, confine the blessed effects of his appearance +upon earth to this or that particular +sect or profession, when he is so clearly and +emphatically described as the Saviour of the +whole world! The story of Abraham's proceeding +to sacrifice his only son at the command +of God, is affecting in the highest degree, +and sets forth a pattern of unlimited resignation, +that every one ought to imitate, in those +trials of obedience under temptation, or of acquiescence +under afflicting dispensations, which +fall to their lot: of this we may be assured, +that our trials will be always proportioned to +the powers afforded us: if we have not Abraham's +strength of mind, neither shall we be +called upon to lift the bloody knife against the +bosom of an only child: but, if the almighty +arm should be lifted up against him, we must +be ready to resign him, and all we hold dear, +to the Divine will. This action of Abraham +has been censured by some, who do not attend +to the distinction between obedience to a +special command, and the detestably cruel sacrifices +of the heathens, who sometimes voluntarily, +and without any Divine injunctions, offered +up their own children, under the notion of appeasing +the anger of their gods. An absolute +command from God himself—as in the case of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[18]</a></span> +Abraham—entirely alters the moral nature of +the action; since he, and he only, has a perfect +right over the lives of his creatures, and may +appoint whom he will, either angel or man, to +be his instrument of destruction. That it was +really the voice of God which pronounced the +command, and not a delusion, might be made +certain to Abraham's mind, by means we do not +comprehend, but which we know to be within +the power of <i>him</i> who made our souls as well +as bodies, and who can control and direct +every faculty of the human mind: and we may +be assured, that, if he was pleased to reveal +himself so miraculously, he would not leave a +possibility of doubting whether it was a real or +an imaginary revelation: thus the sacrifice of +Abraham appears to be clear of all superstition, +and remains the noblest instance of religious +faith and submission that was ever given by a +mere man: we cannot wonder that the blessings +bestowed on him for it should have been +extended to his posterity. This book proceeds +with the history of Isaac, which becomes very +interesting to us, from the touching scene I +have mentioned; and still more so, if we consider +him as the type of our Saviour: it recounts +his marriage with Rebecca—the birth and history +of his two sons, Jacob, the father of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[19]</a></span> +twelve tribes, and Esau, the father of the Edomites +or Idumeans—the exquisitely affecting +story of Joseph and his brethren—and of his +transplanting the Israelites into Egypt, who +there multiplied to a great nation.</p> + +<p>In <span class="smcap">Exodus</span> you read of a series of wonders +wrought by the Almighty, to rescue the oppressed +Israelites from the cruel tyranny of the +Egyptians, who, having first received them as +guests, by degrees reduced them to a state of slavery. +By the most peculiar mercies and exertions +in their favour, God prepared his chosen +people to receive, with reverent and obedient +hearts, the solemn restitution of those primitive +laws, which probably he had revealed to +Adam and his immediate descendants, or which, +at least, he had made known by the dictates of +conscience, but which, time, and the degeneracy +of mankind, had much obscured. This +important revelation was made to them in the +wilderness of Sinah: there, assembled before +the burning mountain, surrounded "with blackness, +and darkness, and tempest," they heard +the awful voice of God pronounce the eternal +law, impressing it on their hearts with circumstances +of terror, but without those encouragements +and those excellent promises, which<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[20]</a></span> +were afterwards offered to mankind by Jesus +Christ. Thus were the great laws of morality +restored to the Jews, and through them transmitted +to other nations; and by that means a +great restraint was opposed to the torrent of +vice and impiety, which began to prevail over +the world.</p> + +<p>To those moral precepts, which are of perpetual +and universal obligation, were superadded, +by the ministration of Moses, many peculiar +institutions, wisely adapted to different ends—either +to fix the memory of those past deliverances, +which were figurative of a future and +far greater salvation—to place inviolable barriers +between the Jews and the idolatrous nations, +by whom they were surrounded—or, to +be the civil law, by which the community was +to be governed.</p> + +<p>To conduct this series of events, and to establish +these laws with his people, God raised +up that great prophet Moses, whose faith and +piety enabled him to undertake and execute +the most arduous enterprises, and to pursue, +with unabated zeal, the welfare of his countrymen: +even in the hour of death, this generous +ardour still prevailed: his last moments were<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[21]</a></span> +employed in fervent prayers for their prosperity, +and in rapturous gratitude for the glimpse +vouchsafed him of a Saviour, far greater than +himself, whom God would one day raise up to +his people.</p> + +<p>Thus did Moses, by the excellency of his +faith, obtain a glorious pre-eminence among +the saints and prophets in heaven; while, on +earth, he will be ever revered, as the first of +those benefactors to mankind, whose labours +for the public good have endeared their memory +to all ages.</p> + +<p>The next book is <span class="smcap">Leviticus</span>, which contains +little besides the laws for the peculiar +ritual observance of the Jews, and therefore +affords no great instruction to us now: you +may pass it over entirely; and, for the same +reason, you may omit the first eight chapters +of <span class="smcap">Numbers</span>. The rest of Numbers is chiefly +a continuation of the history, with some ritual +laws.</p> + +<p>In <span class="smcap">Deuteronomy</span>, Moses makes a recapitulation +of the foregoing history, with zealous +exhortations to the people, faithfully to worship<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[22]</a></span> +and obey that God, who had worked such +amazing wonders for them: he promises them +the noblest temporal blessings, if they prove +obedient, and adds the most awful and striking +denunciations against them, if they rebel or forsake +the true God. I have before observed, that +the sanctions of the Mosaic law were <i>temporal</i> +rewards and punishments, those of the New +Testament are <i>eternal</i>: these last, as they are +so infinitely more forcible than the first, were +reserved for the last, best gift to mankind—and +were revealed by the Messiah, in the fullest and +clearest manner. Moses, in this book, directs +the method in which the Israelites were to deal +with the seven nations, whom they were appointed +to punish for their profligacy and idolatry! +and whose land they were to possess, when +they had driven out the old inhabitants. He +gives them excellent laws, civil as well as religious, +which were ever after the standing municipal +laws of that people. This book concludes +with Moses' song and death.</p> + +<p>The book of <span class="smcap">Joshua</span> contains the conquests +of the Israelites over the seven nations, and +their establishment in the promised land. +Their treatment of these conquered nations +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[23]</a></span> +must appear to you very cruel and unjust, if +you consider it as their own act, unauthorized +by a positive command: but they had the most +absolute injunctions, not to spare these corrupt +people—"to make no covenant with them, nor +shew mercy to them, but utterly to destroy +them." And the reason is given—"lest they +should turn away the Israelites from following +the Lord, that they might serve other +gods<a name="FNanchor_16_16" id="FNanchor_16_16"></a><a href="#Footnote_16_16" class="fnanchor">[16]</a>." The children of Israel are to be +considered as instruments in the hand of the +Lord, to punish those whose idolatry and wickedness +had deservedly brought destruction on +them: this example, therefore, cannot be pleaded +in behalf of cruelty, or bring any imputation +on the character of the Jews. With regard +to other cities, which did not belong to +these seven nations, they were directed to deal +with them, according to the common law of +arms at that time. If the city submitted, it became +tributary, and the people were spared; if +it resisted, the men were to be slain, but the +women and children saved<a name="FNanchor_17_17" id="FNanchor_17_17"></a><a href="#Footnote_17_17" class="fnanchor">[17]</a>. Yet, though the +crime of cruelty cannot be justly laid to their +charge on this occasion, you will observe in the +course of their history many things recorded +of them very different from what you would +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[24]</a></span> +expect from the chosen people of God, if you +supposed them selected on account of their +own merit: their national character was by no +means amiable; and we are repeatedly told, +that they were not chosen for their superior +righteousness—"for they were a stiff-necked +people, and provoked the Lord with their +rebellions from the day they left Egypt."—"You +have been rebellious against the Lord," +says Moses, "from the day that I knew you<a name="FNanchor_18_18" id="FNanchor_18_18"></a><a href="#Footnote_18_18" class="fnanchor">[18]</a>." +And he vehemently exhorts them, not to flatter +themselves that their success was, in any +degree, owing to their own merits. They were +appointed to be the scourge of other nations, +whose crimes rendered them fit objects of Divine +chastisement. For the sake of righteous +Abraham, their founder, and perhaps for many +other wise reasons, undiscovered to us, they +were selected from a world over-run with idolatry, +to preserve upon earth the pure worship +of the one only God, and to be honoured with +the birth of the Messiah amongst them. For +this end, they were precluded, by Divine command, +from mixing with any other people, and +defended by a great number of peculiar rites +and observances from falling into the corrupt +worship practised by their neighbours.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[25]</a></span></p> +<p>The book of <span class="smcap">Judges</span>, in which you will find +the affecting stories of Samson and of Jephtha, +carries on the history from the death of Joshua, +about two hundred and fifty years; but the +facts are not told in the times in which they +happened, which makes some confusion; and +it will be necessary to consult the marginal dates +and notes, as well as the index, in order to get +any clear idea of the succession of events during +that period.</p> + +<p>The history then proceeds regularly through +the two books of <span class="smcap">Samuel</span>, and those of <span class="smcap">Kings</span>: +nothing can be more interesting and entertaining +than the reigns of Saul, David, and Solomon: +but, after the death of Solomon, when +the ten tribes revolted from his son Rehoboam, +and became a separate kingdom, you will find +some difficulty in understanding distinctly the +histories of the two kingdoms of Israel and +Judah, which are blended together, and, by the +likeness of the names, and other particulars, +will be apt to confound your mind, without +great attention to the different threads thus +carried on together: the Index here will be of +great use to you. The Second Book of Kings +concludes with the Babylonish captivity, 588 +years before Christ; till which time, the kingdom<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[26]</a></span> +of Judea had descended uninterruptedly in +the line of David.</p> + +<p>The first book of <span class="smcap">Chronicles</span> begins with +a genealogy from Adam, through all the tribes +of Israel and Judah; and the remainder is the +same history which is contained in the books of +Kings, with little or no variation, till the separation +of the ten tribes: from that period, it proceeds +with the history of the kingdom of Judah +alone, and gives therefore a more regular and +clear account of the affairs of Judah than the +book of Kings. You may pass over the first +book of Chronicles, and the nine first chapters +of the second book: but, by all means, read the +remaining chapters, as they will give you more +clear and distinct ideas of the history of Judah, +than that you read in the second book of Kings. +The second of Chronicles ends, like the second +of Kings, with the Babylonish captivity.</p> + +<p>You must pursue the history in the book of +<span class="smcap">Ezra</span>, which gives an account of the return of +some of the Jews, on the edict of Cyrus, and of +the rebuilding the Lord's temple.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Nehemiah</span> carries on the history for about +twelve years, when he himself was <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original +reads 'govenor'">governor</ins> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[27]</a></span> +of Jerusalem, with authority to rebuild the +walls, &c.</p> + +<p>The story of <span class="smcap">Esther</span> is prior in time to that +of Ezra and Nehemiah; as you will see by the +marginal dates: however, as it happened during +the seventy years captivity, and is a kind of episode, +it may be read in its own place.</p> + +<p>This is the last of the canonical books that is +properly historical; and I would therefore advise, +that you pass over what follows, till you +have continued the history through the apocryphal +books.</p> + +<p>The history of <span class="smcap">Job</span> is probably very ancient, +though that is a point upon which learned men +have differed: It is dated, however, 1520 years +before Christ: I believe it is uncertain by +whom it was written: many parts of it are +obscure, but it is well worth studying, for the +extreme beauty of the poetry, and for the +noble and sublime devotion it contains. The +subject of the dispute, between Job and his +pretended friends, seems to be, whether the +providence of God distributes the rewards and +punishments of this life in exact proportion to +the merit or demerit of each individual. His<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[28]</a></span> +antagonists suppose that it does: and therefore +infer, from <span class="smcap">Job's</span> uncommon calamities, that, +notwithstanding his apparent righteousness, he +was in reality a grievous sinner: they aggravate +his supposed guilt, by the imputation of +hypocrisy, and call upon him to confess it, and +to acknowledge the justice of his punishment. +Job asserts his own innocence and virtue in the +most pathetic manner, yet does not presume to +accuse the Supreme Being of injustice. Elihu +attempts to arbitrate the matter, by alleging +the impossibility that so frail and ignorant a +creature as man should comprehend the ways +of the Almighty, and, therefore, condemns the +unjust and cruel inference the three friends +had drawn from the sufferings of Job. He +also blames Job for the presumption of acquitting +himself of all iniquity, since the best of +men are not pure in the sight of God—but all +have something to repent of; and he advises +him to make this use of his affliction. At last, +by a bold figure of poetry, the Supreme Being +himself is introduced, speaking from the whirlwind, +and silencing them all by the most sublime +display of his own power, magnificence, +and wisdom, and of the comparative littleness +and ignorance of man. This indeed is the only +conclusion of the argument which could be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[29]</a></span> +drawn, at a time when life and immortality +were not yet brought to light. A future retribution +is the only satisfactory solution of the +difficulty arising from the sufferings of good +people in this life.</p> + +<p>Next follow <span class="smcap">the Psalms</span>, with which you +cannot be too conversant. If you have any +taste, either for poetry or devotion, they will +be your delight, and will afford you a continual +feast. The Bible translation is far better than +that used in the Common Prayer Book: and +will often give you the sense, when the other +is obscure. In this, as well as in all other parts +of the scripture, you must be careful always to +consult the margin, which gives you the corrections +made since the last translation, and is +generally preferable to the words of the text. +I would wish you to select some of the Psalms +that please you best, and get them by heart; +or, at least, make yourself mistress of the sentiments +contained in them: Dr. Delany's Life of +David will show you the occasions on which +several of them were composed, which add +much to their beauty and propriety; and, by +comparing them with the events of David's +life, you will greatly enhance your pleasure in +them. Never did the spirit of true piety<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[30]</a></span> +breathe more strongly than in these divine +songs; which, being added to a rich vein of +poetry, makes them more captivating to my +heart and imagination than any thing I ever +read. You will consider how great disadvantages +any poems must sustain from being rendered +literally into prose, and then imagine how +beautiful these must be in the original. May +you be enabled, by reading them frequently, to +transfuse into your own breast that holy flame +which inspired the writer!—to delight in the +Lord, and in his laws, like the Psalmist—to rejoice +in him always, and to think "one day in +his courts better than a thousand!" But +may you escape the heart-piercing sorrow of +such repentance as that of David, by avoiding +sin, which humbled this unhappy king to the +dust, and which cost him such bitter anguish, +as it is impossible to read of without being +moved. Not all the pleasures of the most +prosperous sinner could counterbalance the hundredth +part of those sensations described in +his Penitential Psalms; and which must be +the portion of every man, who has fallen from +a religious state into such crimes, when once he +recovers a sense of religion and virtue, and is +brought to a real hatred of sin: however available +such repentance may be to the safety and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[31]</a></span> +happiness of the soul after death, it is a state of +such exquisite suffering here, that one cannot +be enough surprised at the folly of those, who +indulge in sin, with the hope of living to make +their peace with God by repentance. Happy +are they who preserve their innocence unsullied +by any great or wilful crimes, and who +have only the common failings of humanity to +repent of: these are sufficiently mortifying to +a heart deeply smitten with the love of virtue, +and with the desire of perfection. There are +many very striking prophecies of the Messiah +in these divine songs; particularly in Psalm +xxii: such may be found scattered up and down +almost throughout the Old Testament. To +bear testimony to <i>him</i> is the great and ultimate +end, for which the spirit of prophecy was bestowed +on the sacred writers:—but this will +appear more plainly to you, when you enter on +the study of prophecy, which you are now much +too young to undertake.</p> + +<p>The <span class="smcap">Proverbs</span> and <span class="smcap">Ecclesiastes</span> are +rich stores of wisdom; from which I wish you +to adopt such maxims as may be of infinite use, +both to your temporal and eternal interest. +But detached sentences are a kind of reading +not proper to be continued long at a time: a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[32]</a></span> +few of them well chosen and digested will do +you much more service than to read half a +dozen chapters together: in this respect they +are directly opposite to the historical books, +which, if not read in continuation, can hardly +be understood, or retained to any purpose.</p> + +<p>The <span class="smcap">Song</span> of <span class="smcap">Solomon</span> is a fine poem; but +its mystical reference to religion lies too deep +for a common understanding: if you read it, +therefore, it will be rather as matter of curiosity +than of edification.</p> + +<p>Next follow the <span class="smcap">Prophecies</span>, which, though +highly deserving the greatest attention and +study, I think you had better omit for some +years, and then read them with a good exposition; +as they are much too difficult for you to +understand without assistance. Dr. Newton +on the Prophecies will help you much, whenever +you undertake this study; which you +should by all means do, when your understanding +is ripe enough; because one of the main +proofs of our religion rests on the testimony of +the prophecies; and they are very frequently +quoted and referred to in the New Testament: +besides the sublimity of the language and sentiments, +through all the disadvantages of antiquity<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[33]</a></span> +and translation, must, in very many passages, +strike every person of taste; and the excellent +moral and religious precepts found in +them must be useful to all.</p> + +<p>Though I have spoken of these books in the +order in which they stand, I repeat, that they +are not to be read in that order; but that the +thread of the history is to be pursued, from +Nehemiah, to the first book of <span class="smcap">Maccabees</span>, +in the Apocrypha; taking care to observe the +Chronology regularly, by referring to the Index, +which supplies the deficiencies of this history, +from <i>Josephus's Antiquities of the Jews</i>. The +first of Maccabees carries on the story till +within 195 years of our Lord's circumcision: the +second book is the same narrative, written by a +different hand, and does not bring the history +so forward as the first; so that it may be entirely +omitted, unless you have the curiosity to +read some particulars of the heroic constancy +of the Jews, under the tortures inflicted by their +heathen conquerors; with a few other things +not mentioned in the first book.</p> + +<p>You must then connect the history by the +help of the Index, which will give you brief +heads of the changes that happened in the state<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[34]</a></span> +of the Jews, from this time, till the birth of the +Messiah.</p> + +<p>The other books of the Apocrypha, though +not admitted as of sacred authority, have many +things well worth your attention; particularly +the admirable book called <span class="smcap">Ecclesiasticus</span>, +and the <span class="smcap">Book of Wisdom</span>. But, in the course +of reading which I advise, these must be omitted +till after you have gone through the Gospels +and Acts, that you may not lose the historical +thread. I must reserve, however, what I +have to say to you concerning the New Testament +to another letter.</p> + +<div class="signature"> +Adieu, my dear!<br /> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="continued" id="continued"></a>LETTER III.</h2> + + +<p> +<i>MY DEAREST NIECE</i>,<br /> +</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">We</span> come now to that part of scripture, +which is the most important of all; and which +you must make your constant study, not only +till you are thoroughly acquainted with it, +but all your life long; because how often soever +repeated, it is impossible to read the life +and death of our blessed Saviour, without renewing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[35]</a></span> +and increasing in our hearts that love, +and reverence, and gratitude, towards him, +which is so justly due for all he did and suffered +for us! Every word that fell from his +lips is more precious than all the treasures of +the earth; for his "are the words of eternal +life!" They must therefore be laid up in your +heart, and constantly referred to on all occasions, +as the rule and direction of all your actions; +particularly those very comprehensive +moral precepts he has graciously left with us, +which can never fail to direct us aright, if fairly +and honestly applied: such as, <i>whatsoever ye +would that men should do unto you, even so do +unto them</i>. There is no occasion, great or +small, on which you may not safely apply this +rule, for the direction of your conduct: and, +whilst your heart honestly adheres to it, you +can never be guilty of any sort of injustice or +unkindness. The two great commandments, +which contain the summary of our duty to God +and man, are no less easily retained, and made +a standard by which to judge our own hearts.—<i>To +love the Lord our God with all our hearts, +with all our minds, with all our strength; and +our neighbour</i> (or fellow-creature) <i>as ourselves</i>. +"Love worketh no ill to his neighbour;" +therefore, if you have true benevolence,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[36]</a></span> +you will never do any thing injurious to +individuals, or to society. Now, all crimes +whatever are (in their remoter consequences +at least, if not immediately and apparently) +injurious to the society in which we live. It +is impossible <i>to love God</i> without desiring to +please him; and, as far as we are able, to resemble +him; therefore, the love of God must +lead to every virtue in the highest degree; and, +we may be sure, we do not truly love him, +if we content ourselves with avoiding flagrant +sins, and do not strive in good earnest, to +reach the greatest degree of perfection we are +capable of. Thus do those few words direct +us to the highest Christian virtue. Indeed, the +whole tenor of the gospel is to offer us every +help, direction, and motive, that can enable us +to attain that degree of perfection, on which +depends our eternal good.</p> + +<p>What an example is set before us in our +blessed Master! How is his whole life, from +earliest youth, dedicated to the pursuit of true +wisdom, and to the practice of the most exalted +virtue! When you see him, at <i>twelve years +of age</i>, in the temple amongst the doctors, hearing +them, and asking them questions on the +subject of religion, and astonishing them all<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[37]</a></span> +with his understanding and answers, you will +say, perhaps, "Well might the Son of God, +even at those years, be far wiser than the +aged; but, can a mortal child emulate such +heavenly wisdom? Can such a pattern be +proposed to <i>my</i> imitation?" Yes, my dear; +remember that he has bequeathed to you his +heavenly wisdom, as far as concerns your own +good. He has left you such declarations of +his will, and of the consequences of your actions, +as you are, even now, fully able to understand, +if you will but attend to them. If +then you will imitate his zeal for knowledge, +if you will delight in gaining information and +improvement, you may, even now, become +<i>wise unto salvation</i>. Unmoved by the praise +he acquired amongst those learned men, you +see him meekly return to the subjection of a +child, under those who appeared to be his parents, +though he was in reality their Lord: +you see him return to live with them, to work +for them, and to be the joy and solace of their +lives; till the time came, when he was to enter +on that scene of public action, for which his +heavenly Father had sent him from his own +right hand, to take upon him the form of a poor +carpenter's son. What a lesson of humility is +this, and of obedience to parents. When, having<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[38]</a></span> +received the glorious testimony from heaven, +of his being the beloved Son of the Most +High, he enters on his public ministry, what +an example does he give us, of the most extensive +and constant benevolence!—how are all +his hours spent in doing good to the souls and +bodies of men!—not the meanest sinner is below +his notice: to reclaim and save them, he +condescends to converse familiarly with the +most corrupt as well as the most abject. All +his miracles are wrought to benefit mankind; +not one to punish and afflict them. Instead of +using the almighty power, which accompanied +him, to the purpose of exalting himself and +treading down his enemies, he makes no other +use of it than to heal and to save.</p> + +<p>When you come to read of his sufferings and +death, the ignominy and reproach, the sorrow +of mind, and torment of body, which he submitted +to—when you consider, that it was for +all our sakes—"that by his stripes we are +healed"—and by his death we are raised from +destruction to everlasting life—what can I say +that can add any thing to the sensations you +must then feel? No power of language can +make the scene more touching than it appears +in the plain and simple narrations of the evangelists.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[39]</a></span> +The heart that is unmoved by it can +be scarcely human. But, my dear, the emotions +of tenderness and compunction, which +almost every one feels in reading this account, +will be of no avail, unless applied to the true +end—unless it inspires you with a sincere and +warm affection towards your blessed Lord—with +a firm resolution to obey his commands:—to +be his faithful disciple—and ever to renounce +and abhor those sins, which brought +mankind under Divine condemnation, and from +which we have been redeemed at so dear a +rate. Remember, that the title of Christian, +or follower of Christ, implies a more than ordinary +degree of holiness and goodness. As +our motives to virtue are stronger than those +which are afforded to the rest of mankind, our +guilt will be proportionably greater if we depart +from it.</p> + +<p>Our Saviour appears to have had three great +purposes, in descending from his glory and +dwelling amongst men. The first, to teach +them true virtue, both by his example and precepts: +the second, to give them the most forcible +motives to the practice of it, "by bringing +life and immortality to light," by showing +them the certainty of a resurrection and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[40]</a></span> +judgment, and the absolute necessity of obedience +to God's laws: the third, to sacrifice +himself for us, to obtain by his death the remission +of our sins upon our repentance and +reformation, and the power of bestowing on his +sincere followers the inestimable gift of immortal +happiness.</p> + +<p>What a tremendous scene of the <i>last day</i> does +the gospel place before our eyes?—of <i>that day</i> +when you, and every one of us, shall awake +from the grave, and behold the Son of God, on +his glorious tribunal, attended by millions of +celestial beings, of whose superior excellence +we can now form no adequate idea:—When, +in presence of all mankind, of those holy angels, +and of the great Judge himself, you must +give an account of your past life, and hear your +final doom, from which there can be no appeal, +and which must determine your fate to all eternity. +Then think—if for a moment you can +bear the thought—what will be the desolation, +shame, and anguish of those wretched souls, +who shall hear these dreadful words:—<i>Depart +from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared +for the devil and his angels</i>. Oh! +my beloved child! I cannot support even the +idea of your becoming one of those undone,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[41]</a></span> +lost creatures. I trust in God's mercy, that +you will make a better use of that knowledge +of his will, which he has vouchsafed you, and +of those amiable dispositions he has given you. +Let us therefore turn from this horrid, this insupportable +view, and rather endeavour to imagine, +as far as is possible, what will be the sensation +of your soul, if you shall hear our heavenly +Judge address you in these transporting words—<i>Come, +thou blessed of my Father, inherit +the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation +of the world</i>. Think, what it must be, +to become an object of the esteem and applause, +not only of all mankind assembled together, +but of all the host of heaven, of our +blessed Lord himself, nay, of his and our Almighty +Father: to find your frail flesh changed +in a moment into a glorious celestial body, endowed +with perfect beauty, health, and agility—to +find your soul cleansed from all its faults +and infirmities; exalted to the purest and noblest +affections, overflowing with divine love +and rapturous gratitude;—to have your understanding +enlightened and refined, your heart +enlarged and purified, and every power and +disposition of mind and body adapted to the +highest relish of virtue and happiness! Thus +accomplished, to be admitted into the society<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[42]</a></span> +of amiable and happy beings, all united in the +most perfect peace and friendship, all breathing +nothing but love to God, and to each other;—with +them to dwell in scenes more delightful +than the richest imagination can paint—free +from every pain and care, and from all possibility +of change or satiety:—but, above all, to +enjoy the more immediate presence of God +himself—to be able to comprehend and admire +his adorable perfections in a high degree, +though still far short of their infinity—to be +conscious of his love and favour, and to rejoice +in the light of his countenance!—but here all +imagination fails:—We can form no idea of +that bliss which may be communicated to us by +such a near approach to the source of all beauty +and all good:—We must content ourselves with +believing, that it is what <i>mortal eye hath not +seen, nor ear heard, neither hath it entered +into the heart of man to conceive</i>. The crown +of all our joys will be to know that we are secure +of possessing them <i>for ever</i>—What a transporting +idea!</p> + +<p>My dearest child! can you reflect on all +these things, and not feel the most earnest longings +after immortality? Do not all other views +and desires seem mean and trifling when compared<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[43]</a></span> +with this? And does not your inmost +heart resolve that this shall be the chief and +constant object of its wishes and pursuit, +through the whole course of your life? If you +are not insensible to that desire of happiness, +which seems woven into our nature, you cannot +surely be unmoved by the prospect of such +a transcendent degree of it; and that, continued +to all eternity—perhaps continually increasing. +You cannot but dread the forfeiture +of such an inheritance as the most insupportable +evil! Remember then—remember the +conditions on which alone it can be obtained. +God will not give to vice, to carelessness, or +sloth, the prize he has proposed to virtue. You +have every help that can animate your endeavours:—You +have written laws to direct you—the +example of Christ and his disciples to encourage +you—the most awakening motives to +engage you—and you have, besides, the comfortable +promise of constant assistance from +the Holy Spirit, if you diligently and sincerely +pray for it. O, my dear child! let not all this +mercy be lost upon you; but give your attention +to this your only important concern, and +accept, with profound gratitude, the inestimable +advantages that are thus affectionately offered +you.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[44]</a></span></p> + +<p>Though the four gospels are each of them a +narration of the life, sayings, and death of +Christ; yet, as they are not exactly alike, but +some circumstances and sayings, omitted in one, +are recorded in another, you must make yourself +perfectly mistress of them all.</p> + +<p>The <span class="smcap">Acts</span> of the holy Apostles, endowed with +the Holy Ghost, and authorized by their divine +Master, come next in order to be read. Nothing +can be more interesting and edifying, than +the history of their actions—of the piety, zeal, +and courage, with which they preached the glad +tidings of salvation—and of the various exertions +of the wonderful powers conferred on +them by the Holy Spirit, for the confirmation +of their mission.</p> + +<p>The character of St. Paul, and his miraculous +conversion, demand your particular attention: +most of the apostles were men of low birth and +education; but St. Paul was a Roman citizen; +that is, he possessed the privileges annexed to +the freedom of the city of Rome, which was +considered as an high distinction in those countries +that had been conquered by the Romans. +He was educated amongst the most learned +sect of the Jews, and by one of their principal<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[45]</a></span> +doctors. He was a man of extraordinary eloquence, +as appears not only in his writings, +but in several speeches in his own defence, +pronounced before governors and courts of +justice, when he was called to account for the +doctrines he taught. He seems to have been +of an uncommon warm temper, and zealous in +whatever religion he professed: this zeal, before +his conversion, showed itself in the most +unjustifiable actions, by furiously persecuting +the innocent Christians: but though his actions +were bad, we may be sure his intentions +were good; otherwise we should not have +seen a miracle employed to convince him of +his mistake, and to bring him into the right +way. This example may assure us of the +mercy of God towards mistaken consciences, +and ought to inspire us with the most enlarged +charity and good-will towards those whose +erroneous principles mislead their conduct: +instead of resentment and hatred against their +persons, we ought only to feel an active wish +of assisting them to find the truth; since we +know not whether, if convinced, they might +not prove, like St. Paul, chosen vessels to promote +the honour of God, and of true religion. +It is not my intention now to enter with you +into any of the arguments for the truth of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[46]</a></span> +Christianity, otherwise it would be impossible +wholly to pass over that which arises from this +remarkable conversion, and which has been so +admirably illustrated by a noble writer,<a name="FNanchor_19_19" id="FNanchor_19_19"></a><a href="#Footnote_19_19" class="fnanchor">[19]</a> whose +tract on this subject is in every body's hand.</p> + +<p>Next follow the <span class="smcap">Epistles</span>, which make a +very important part of the New Testament: +and you cannot be too much employed in reading +them. They contain the most excellent +precepts and admonitions, and are of particular +use in explaining more at large several doctrines +of Christianity, which we could not so +fully comprehend without them. There are +indeed in the Epistles of St. Paul many passages +hard to be understood; such, in particular, +are the first eleven chapters to the Romans; +the greater part of his Epistles to the +Corinthians and Galatians; and several chapters +of that to the Hebrews. Instead of perplexing +yourself with these more obscure passages +of Scripture, I would wish you to employ +your attention chiefly on those that are plain; +and to judge of the doctrines taught in the +other parts, by comparing them with what you +find in these. It is through the neglect of this +rule, that many have been led to draw the most +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[47]</a></span> +absurd doctrines from the Holy Scriptures. +Let me particularly recommend to your careful +perusal the 12th, 13th, 14th, and 15th chapters +of the Epistle to the Romans. In the 14th +chapter, St. Paul has in view the difference between +the Jewish and Gentile (or Heathen) converts +at that time; the former were disposed +to look with horror on the latter, for their impiety +in not paying the same regard to the +distinctions of days and meats, that they did; +and the latter, on the contrary, were inclined +to look with contempt on the former, for their +weakness and superstition. Excellent is the +advice which the apostle gives to both parties: +he exhorts the Jewish converts not to judge, and +the Gentiles not to despise; remembering that +the kingdom of heaven is not meat and drink, +but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the +Holy Ghost. Endeavour to conform yourself +to this advice; to acquire a temper of universal +candour and benevolence: and learn neither to +despise nor condemn any persons on account of +their particular modes of faith and worship; +remembering always, that goodness is confined +to no party; that there are wise and worthy +men among all the sects of Christians; and +that, to his own master, every one must stand +or fall.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[48]</a></span></p> + +<p>I will enter no further into the several points +discussed by St. Paul in his various epistles—most +of them too intricate for your understanding +at present, and many of them beyond my +abilities to state clearly. I will only again recommend +to you, to read those passages frequently, +which, with so much fervour and +energy, excite you to the practice of the most +exalted piety and benevolence. If the effusions +of a heart, warmed with the tenderest affection +for the whole human race—if precept, warning, +encouragement, example, urged by an eloquence +which such affection only could inspire, +are capable of influencing your mind, you cannot +fail to find, in such parts of his epistles as +are adapted to your understanding, the strongest +persuasives to every virtue that can adorn and +improve your nature.</p> + +<p>The Epistle of St. James is entirely practical, +and exceedingly fine; you cannot study it too +much. It seems particularly designed to guard +Christians against misunderstanding some things +in St. Paul's writings, which have been fatally +perverted to the encouragement of a dependance +on faith alone, without good works. But +the more rational commentators will tell you, +that by the works of the law, which the apostle<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[49]</a></span> +asserts to be incapable of justifying us, he +means not the works of moral righteousness, +but the ceremonial works of the Mosaic law; +on which the Jews laid the greatest stress, as +necessary to salvation. But St. James tells us, +that, "If any man among us seem to be religious, +and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth +his own heart, that man's religion is +vain." And that pure religion, and undefiled +before God the Father, is this: "to visit +the fatherless and widow in their affliction, +and to keep himself unspotted from the +world." Faith in Christ, if it produce not +these effects, he declares is dead, or of no +power.</p> + +<p>The Epistles of St. Peter are also full of the +best instructions and admonitions, concerning +the relative duties of life; amongst which are +set forth the duties of women in general, and +of wives in particular. Some part of the second +Epistle is prophetical; warning the church +of false teachers, and false doctrines, which +would undermine morality, and disgrace the +cause of Christianity.</p> + +<p>The first of St. <span class="smcap">John</span> is written in a highly +figurative style, which makes it in some parts<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[50]</a></span> +hard to be understood: but the spirit of divine +love, which it so fervently expresses, renders it +highly edifying and delightful.—That love of +God and of man, which this beloved apostle +so pathetically recommends, is in truth the essence +of religion, as our Saviour himself informs +us.</p> + +<p>The book of <span class="smcap">Revelations</span> contains a prophetical +account of most of the great events +relating to the Christian church, which were to +happen from the time of the writer, St. John, +to the end of the world. Many learned men +have taken a great deal of pains to explain it; +and they have done this in many instances +very successfully: but, I think, it is yet too +soon for you to study this part of scripture; +some years hence perhaps there may be no objection +to your attempting it, and taking into +your hands the best expositions to assist you in +reading such of the most difficult parts of the +New Testament as you cannot now be supposed +to understand. May Heaven direct you +in studying this sacred volume, and render it +the means of making you wise unto salvation! +May you love and reverence, as it deserves, +this blessed and invaluable book, which contains +the best rule of life, the clearest declaration<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[51]</a></span> +of the will and laws of the Deity, the reviving +assurance of favour to true penitents, +and the unspeakably joyful tidings of eternal +life and happiness to all the truly virtuous, +through Jesus Christ, the Saviour and Deliverer +of the world!</p> + +<div class="signature"> +Adieu.<br /> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="heart" id="heart"></a>LETTER IV.</h2> + +<h3>ON THE REGULATION OF THE HEART AND +AFFECTIONS.</h3> + + +<p><span class="smcap">You</span> will have read the New Testament to +very little purpose, my dearest Niece, if you +do not perceive the great end and intention +of all its precepts to be the improvement +and regulation of the heart: not the outward +actions alone, but the inward affections, which +give birth to them, are the subjects of those +precepts; as appears in our Saviour's explanation<a name="FNanchor_20_20" id="FNanchor_20_20"></a><a href="#Footnote_20_20" class="fnanchor">[20]</a> +of the commandments delivered to Moses; +and in a thousand other passages of the +gospels, which it is needless to recite. There +are no virtues more insisted on, as necessary to +our future happiness, than humility, and sincerity, +or uprightness, of heart; yet none more +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[52]</a></span> +difficult and rare. Pride and vanity, the vices +opposite to humility, are the sources of almost +all the worst faults, both of men and women. +The latter are particularly accused—and not +without reason—of <i>vanity</i>, the vice of <i>little</i> +minds, chiefly conversant with trifling subjects. +Pride and vanity have been supposed to differ +so essentially, as hardly ever to be found in the +same person. "Too proud to be vain," is no +uncommon expression; by which I suppose is +meant, too proud to be over anxious for the +admiration of others: but this seems to be +founded on mistake. Pride is, I think, an high +opinion of one's self, and an affected contempt +of others: I say <i>affected</i>, for that it is not a <i>real</i> +contempt is evident from this, that the lowest +object of it is important enough to torture the +proud man's heart, only by refusing him the homage +and admiration he requires. Thus Haman +could relish none of the advantages in +which he valued himself, whilst that Mordecai, +whom he pretended to despise, sat still in the +king's gate, and would not bow to him as he +passed. But as the proud man's contempt of +others is only assumed with a view to awe them +into reverence by his pretended superiority, so +it does not preclude an extreme inward anxiety +about their opinions, and a slavish dependance<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[53]</a></span> +on them for all his gratifications. Pride, though +a distinct passion, is seldom unaccompanied by +vanity, which is an extravagant desire of admiration. +Indeed, I never saw an insolent person, +in whom a discerning eye might not discover +a very large share of vanity, and of envy, its +usual companion. One may nevertheless see +many <i>vain</i> persons who are not <i>proud</i>; though +they desire to be admired, they do not always +admire themselves: but as timid minds are apt +to despair of those things they earnestly wish +for, so you will often see the woman who is +most anxious to be thought handsome, most inclined +to be dissatisfied with her looks, and to +think all the assistance of art too little to attain +the end desired. To this cause, I believe, +we may generally attribute affectation; which +seems to imply a mean opinion of one's own +real form, or character, while we strive against +nature to alter ourselves by ridiculous contortions +of body, or by feigned sentiments and unnatural +manners. There is no art so mean, +which this mean passion will not descend to for +its gratification—no creature so insignificant, +whose incense it will not gladly receive. Far +from despising others, the vain man will court +them with the most assiduous adulation; in +hopes, by feeding their vanity, to induce them<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[54]</a></span> +to supply the craving wants of his own. He +will put on the guise of benevolence, tenderness, +and friendship, where he feels not the +least degree of kindness, in order to prevail on +good-nature and gratitude to like and to commend +him; but if, in any particular case, he +fancies the airs of insolence and contempt may +succeed better, he makes no scruple to assume +them; though so awkwardly, that he still appears +to depend on the breath of the person he +would be thought to despise. Weak and timid +natures seldom venture to try this last +method; and, when they do, it is without the +assurance necessary to carry it on with success: +but a bold and confident mind will oftener +endeavour to command and extort admiration +than to court it. As women are more fearful +than men, perhaps this may be one reason why +they are more vain than proud; whilst the +other sex are oftener proud than vain. It +is, I suppose, from some opinion of a certain +greatness of mind accompanying the one vice +rather than the other, that many will readily +confess their pride, nay, and even be proud of +their pride, whilst every creature is ashamed of +being convicted of vanity. You see, however, +that the end of both is the same, though pursued +by different means; or, if it differs, it is<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[55]</a></span> +in the importance of the subject. Whilst men +are proud of power, of wealth, dignity, learning, +or abilities, young women are usually ambitious +of nothing more than to be admired for +their persons, their dress, or their most trivial +accomplishments. The homage of men is +their grand object; but they only desire them +to be in love with their persons, careless how +despicable their minds appear, even to these +their pretended adorers. I have known a woman +so vain as to boast of the most disgraceful +addresses; being contented to be thought +meanly of, in points the most interesting to her +honour, for the sake of having it known, that +her person was attractive enough to make a +man transgress the bounds of respect due to her +character, which was not a vicious one, if you +except this intemperate vanity. But this passion +too often leads to the most ruinous actions, +always corrupts the heart, and, when indulged, +renders it, perhaps, as displeasing in the sight +of the Almighty, as those faults which find +least mercy from the world; yet, alas! it is a +passion so prevailing, I had almost said universal, +in our sex, that it requires all the efforts +of reason, and all the assistance of grace, totally +to subdue it. Religion is indeed the only +effectual remedy for this evil. If our hearts<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[56]</a></span> +are not dedicated to God, they will in some +way or other be dedicated to the world, both +in youth and age. If our actions are not constantly +referred to him, if his approbation and +favour is not our principal object, we shall +certainly take up with the applause of men, +and make that the ruling motive of our conduct. +How melancholy is it to see this phantom +so eagerly followed through life! whilst +all that is truly valuable to us is looked upon +with indifference; or, at best, made subordinate +to this darling pursuit!</p> + +<p>Equally vain and absurd is every scheme of +life that is not subservient to, and does not +terminate in, that great end of our being—the +attainment of real excellence, and of the favour +of God. Whenever this becomes sincerely +our object, then will pride and vanity, +envy, ambition, covetousness, and every evil +passion, lose their power over us; and we +shall, in the language of scripture, "walk humbly +with our God." We shall then cease to +repine under our natural or accidental disadvantages, +and feel dissatisfied only with our +moral defects;—we shall love and respect all +our fellow-creatures, as the children of the +same dear parent, and particularly those who<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[57]</a></span> +seek to do his will: All our delight will be +"in the saints that are in the earth, and in +such as excel in virtue." We shall wish to +cultivate good-will, and to promote innocent +enjoyment wherever we are:—we shall strive +to please, not from vanity, but from benevolence. +Instead of contemplating our own fancied +perfections, or even real superiority with +self-complacence, religion will teach us to +"look into ourselves, and fear:" the best of +us, God knows, have enough to fear, if we +honestly search into all the dark recesses of the +heart, and bring out every thought and intention +fairly to the light, to be tried by the precepts +of our pure and holy religion.</p> + +<p>It is with the rules of the gospel we must +compare ourselves, and not with the world +around us; for we know, "that the many are +wicked: and that we must not be conformed +to the world."</p> + +<p>How necessary it is frequently thus to enter +into ourselves, and search out our spirit, will +appear, if we consider, how much the human +heart is prone to insincerity, and how often, +from being first led by vanity into attempts to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[58]</a></span> +impose upon others, we come at last to impose +on ourselves.</p> + +<p>There is nothing more common than to see +people fall into the most ridiculous mistakes, +with regard to their own characters; but I +can by no means allow such mistakes to be unavoidable, +and therefore innocent: they arose +from voluntary insincerity, and are continued +for want of that strict honesty towards ourselves +and others, which the Scripture calls +"<i>singleness of heart</i>;" and which in modern +language is termed <i>simplicity</i>,—the most enchanting +of all qualities, esteemed and beloved +in proportion to its rareness.</p> + +<p>He, who "requires truth in the inward +parts," will not excuse our self-deception; +for he has commanded us to examine ourselves +diligently, and has given us such rules as can +never mislead us, if we desire the truth, and +are willing to see our faults, in order to correct +them. But this is the point in which we are +defective; we are desirous to gain our own +approbation, as well as that of others, at a +cheaper rate than that of being really what we +ought to be; and we take pains to persuade<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[59]</a></span> +ourselves that we are that which we indolently +admire and approve.</p> + +<p>There is nothing in which this self-deception +is more notorious than in what regards +sentiment and feeling. Let a vain young woman +be told that tenderness and softness is +the peculiar charm of the sex, that even their +weakness is lovely, and their fears becoming, +and you will presently observe her grow so +tender as to be ready to weep for a fly; so +fearful, that she starts at a feather; and so +weak-hearted, that the smallest accident quite +overpowers her. Her fondness and affection +become fulsome and ridiculous; her compassion +grows contemptible weakness; and her +apprehensiveness the most abject cowardice: +for, when once she quits the direction of Nature, +she knows not where to stop, and continually +exposes herself by the most absurd extremes.</p> + +<p>Nothing so effectually defeats its own ends +as this kind of affectation: for though warm +affections and tender feelings are beyond measure +amiable and charming, when perfectly +natural, and kept under the due control of +reason and principle, yet nothing is so truly<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[60]</a></span> +disgusting as the affectation of them, or even +the unbridled indulgence of such as are real.</p> + +<p>Remember, my dear, that our feelings were +not given us for our ornament, but to spur us +on to right actions. Compassion, for instance, +was not impressed upon the human heart, only +to adorn the fair face with tears, and to give an +agreeable languor to the eyes; it was designed +to excite our utmost endeavours to relieve the +sufferer. Yet, how often have I heard that +selfish weakness, which flies from the sight of +distress, dignified with the name of tenderness!—"My +friend is, I hear, in the deepest affliction +and misery;—I have not seen her—for +indeed I cannot bear such scenes—they affect +me too much!—those who have less +sensibility are fitter for this world;—but, for +my part, I own, I am not able to support +such things.—I shall not attempt to visit her, +till I hear she has recovered her spirits." +This have I heard said, with an air of complacence; +and the poor selfish creature has persuaded +herself that she had finer feelings than +those generous friends, who are sitting patiently +in the house of mourning, watching, in silence, +the proper moment to pour in the balm of +comfort;—who suppressed their own sensations,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[61]</a></span> +and only attended to those of the afflicted +person; and whose tears flowed in secret, +whilst their eyes and voice were taught to enliven +the sinking heart with the appearance of +cheerfulness.</p> + +<p>That sort of tenderness which makes us useless, +may indeed be pitied and excused, if owing +to natural imbecility; but, if it pretends to +loveliness and excellence, it becomes truly contemptible.</p> + +<p>The same degree of active courage is not to +be expected in woman as in man; and, not +belonging to her nature, it is not agreeable in +her: but passive courage—patience, and fortitude +under sufferings—presence of mind, +and calm resignation in danger—are surely desirable +in every rational creature; especially +in one professing to believe in an over-ruling +Providence, in which we may at all times +quietly confide, and which we may safely trust +with every event that does not depend upon +our own will. Whenever you find yourself deficient +in these virtues, let it be a subject of +shame and humiliation—not of vanity and self-complacence: +do not fancy yourself the more +amiable for that which really makes you despicable;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[62]</a></span> +but content yourself with the faults and +weaknesses that belong to you, without putting +on more by way of ornament. With regard to +tenderness, remember that compassion is best +shown by an ardour to relieve; and affection, +by assiduity to promote the good and happiness +of the persons you love; that tears are +unamiable, instead of being ornamental, when +voluntarily indulged; and can never be attractive +but when they flow irresistibly, and avoid +observation as much as possible: the same +may be said of every other mark of passion. It +attracts our sympathy, if involuntary, and not +designed for our notice—It offends, if we see +that it is purposely indulged and obtruded on +our observation.</p> + +<p>Another point, on which the heart is apt to +deceive itself, is generosity: we cannot bear +to suspect ourselves of base and ungenerous +feelings, therefore we let them work without +attending to them, or we endeavour to find out +some better motive for those actions, which +really flow from envy and malignity. Before +you flatter yourself that you are a generous benevolent +person, take care to examine whether +you are really glad of every advantage and excellence, +which your friends and companions<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[63]</a></span> +possess, though they are such as you are yourself +deficient in. If your sister or friend makes +a greater proficiency than yourself in any accomplishment, +which you are in pursuit of, do +you never wish to stop her progress, instead of +trying to hasten your own?</p> + +<p>The boundaries between virtuous emulation +and vicious envy are very nice, and may be +easily mistaken. The first will awaken your +attention to your own defects, and excite your +endeavours to improve; the last will make you +repine at the improvements of others, and wish +to rob them of the praise they have deserved. +Do you sincerely rejoice when your sister is +enjoying pleasure or commendation, though +you are at the same time in disagreeable or +mortifying circumstances? Do you delight to +see her approved and beloved, even by those +who do not pay you equal attention? Are you +afflicted and humbled, when she is found to be +in fault, though you yourself are remarkably +clear from the same offence? If your heart +assures you of the affirmative to these questions, +then may you think yourself a kind sister and +a generous friend: for you must observe, my +dear, that scarcely any creature is so depraved +as not to be capable of kind affections in some +circumstances. We are all naturally benevolent,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[64]</a></span> +when no selfish interest interferes, and +where no advantage is to be given up: we can +all pity distress, when it lies complaining at our +feet, and confesses our superiority and happier +situation: but I have seen the sufferer himself +become the object of envy and ill-will, as soon +as his fortitude and greatness of mind had +begun to attract admiration, and to make the +envious person feel the superiority of virtue +above good fortune.</p> + +<p>To take sincere pleasure in the blessings +and excellencies of others, is a much surer +mark of benevolence than to pity their calamities: +and you must always acknowledge yourself +ungenerous and selfish, whenever you are +less ready to "rejoice with them that do rejoice," +than to "weep with them that +weep." If ever your commendations of +others are forced from you, by the fear of +betraying your envy—or if ever you feel a +secret desire to mention something that may +abate the admiration given them, do not try +to conceal the base disposition from yourself, +since that is not the way to cure it.</p> + +<p>Human nature is ever liable to corruption, +and has in it the seeds of every vice, as well +as of every virtue; and the first will be continually<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[65]</a></span> +shooting forth and growing up, if not +carefully watched and rooted out as fast as +they appear. It is the business of religion to +purify and exalt us, from a state of imperfection +and infirmity, to that which is necessary +and essential to happiness. Envy would make +us miserable in heaven itself, could it be admitted +there; for we must there see beings far +more excellent, and consequently more happy +than ourselves; and till we can rejoice in seeing +virtue rewarded in proportion to its degree, we +can never hope to be among the number of the +blessed.</p> + +<p>Watch then, my dear child, and observe every +evil propensity of your heart, that you may +in time correct it, with the assistance of that +grace which alone can conquer the evils of our +nature, and which you must constantly and +earnestly implore.</p> + +<p>I must add, that even those vices which you +would most blush to own, and which most +effectually defile and vilify the female heart, +may by degrees be introduced into yours—to +the ruin of that virtue, without which, misery +and shame must be your portion—unless the +avenues of the heart are guarded by a sincere<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[66]</a></span> +abhorrence of every thing that approaches towards +evil. Would you be of the number of +those blessed, "who are pure in heart," you +must hate and avoid every thing, both in books +and in conversation, that conveys impure ideas, +however neatly clothed in decent language, or +recommended to your taste by pretended refinements, +and tender sentiments—by elegance of +style, or force of wit and genius.</p> + +<p>I must not now begin to give you my thoughts +on the regulation of the affections, as that is a +subject of too much consequence to be soon +dismissed. I shall dedicate to it my next letter: +in the mean time, believe me,</p> + +<div class="signature"> +Your ever affectionate.<br /> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<h2><a name="affections" id="affections"></a>LETTER V.</h2> +<h3>ON THE REGULATION OF THE AFFECTIONS.</h3> + + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> attachments of the heart, on which +almost all the happiness or misery of life depends, +are most interesting objects of our consideration. +I shall give my dear niece the observations +which experience has enabled me to +draw from real life, and not from what others<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[67]</a></span> +have said or written, however great their authority.</p> + +<p>The first attachment of young hearts is +<i>friendship</i>—the noblest and happiest of affections, +when real, and built on a solid foundation; +but, oftener pernicious than useful to very +young people, because the connection itself is +ill understood, and the subject of it frequently +ill chosen. Their first error is that of supposing +equality of age, and exact similarity of disposition, +indispensably requisite in friends; whereas +these are circumstances which in great measure +disqualify them for assisting each other in +moral improvements, or supplying each other's +defects; they expose them to the same dangers, +and incline them to encourage rather than correct +each other's failings.</p> + +<p>The grand cement of this kind of friendship +is telling secrets, which they call confidence: +and I verily believe that the desire of having +secrets to tell, has often helped to draw silly +girls into very unhappy adventures. If they +have no lover or amour to talk of, the too frequent +subject of their confidence is betraying +the secrets of their families; or conjuring up +fancied hardships to complain of against their<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[68]</a></span> +parents or relations: this odious cabal, they +call friendship; and fancy themselves dignified +by the profession; but nothing is more different +from the reality, as is seen by observing +how generally those early friendships drop off, +as the parties advance in years and understanding.</p> + +<p>Do not you, my dear, be too ready to profess +a friendship with any of your young companions. +Love them, and be always ready to +serve and oblige them, and to promote all their +innocent gratifications: but, be very careful +how you enter into confidence with girls of +your own age. Rather choose some person of +riper years and judgment, whose good-nature +and worthy principles may assure you of her +readiness to do you a service, and of her candour +and condescension towards you.</p> + +<p>I do not expect that youth should delight to +associate with age, or should lay open its feelings +and inclinations to such as have almost +forgot what they were, or how to make proper +allowance for them; but if you are fortunate +enough to meet with a young woman eight or +ten years older than yourself, of good sense and +good principles, to whom you can make yourself<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[69]</a></span> +agreeable, it may be one of the happiest +circumstances of your life. She will be able +to advise and to improve you—and your desire +of this assistance will recommend you to her +taste, as much as her superior abilities will recommend +her to you. Such a connection will +afford you more pleasure, as well as more profit, +than you can expect from a girl like yourself, +equally unprovided with knowledge, prudence, +or any of those qualifications which are necessary +to make society delightful.</p> + +<p>With a friend, such as I have described, of +twenty-three or twenty-four years of age, you +can hardly pass an hour without finding yourself +brought forward in some useful knowledge; +without learning something of the world or of +your own nature, some rule of behaviour, or +some necessary caution in the conduct of life: +for even in the gayest conversations, such useful +hints may often be gathered from those +whose knowledge and experience are much +beyond our own. Whenever you find yourself +in real want of advice, or seek the relief +of unburdening your heart, such a friend will +be able to judge of the feelings you describe, +or of the circumstances you are in—perhaps +from her own experience—or, at least, from the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[70]</a></span> +knowledge she will have gained of human nature! +she will be able to point out your dangers, +and to guide you into the right path; or, +if she finds herself incapable, she will have the +prudence to direct you to some abler adviser. +The age I have mentioned will not prevent her +joining in your pleasures, nor will it make her +a dull or grave companion; on the contrary, +she will have more materials for entertaining +conversation, and her liveliness will shew itself +more agreeably than in one of your own +age. Your's therefore will be the advantage +in such a connection; yet do not despair of +being admitted into it, if you have an amiable +and docile disposition. Ingenuous youth has +many charms for a benevolent mind; and, as +nothing is more endearing than the exercise of +benevolence, the hope of being useful and beneficial +to you will make her fond of your +company.</p> + +<p>I have known some of the sweetest and +most delightful connections between persons of +different ages, in which the elder has received +the highest gratification from the affection and +docility of the younger; whilst the latter has +gained the noblest advantages from the conversation +and counsels of her wiser friend. Nor<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[71]</a></span> +has the attachment been without use as well +as pleasure to the elder party. She has found +that there is no better way of improving one's +own attainments, than by imparting them to +another; and the desire of doing this in the +most acceptable way has added a sweetness +and gentleness to her manner, and taught her +the arts of insinuating instruction, and of winning +the heart, whilst she convinces the understanding.</p> + +<p>I hope, my dear, you in your turn will be +this useful and engaging friend to your younger +companions, particularly to your sisters and +brothers, who ought ever—unless they should +prove unworthy—to be your nearest and +dearest friends, whose interest and welfare +you are bound to desire as much as your own. +If you are wanting here, do not fancy yourself +qualified for friendship with others, but, be +assured, your heart is too narrow and selfish +for so generous an affection.</p> + +<p>Remember, that the end of true friendship +is the good of its object, and the cultivation of +virtue, in two hearts emulous of each other, +and desirous to perpetuate their society beyond +the grave. Nothing can be more contrary<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[72]</a></span> +to this end than that mutual intercourse +of flattery, which some call friendship. A real +friend will venture to displease me, rather than +indulge my faulty inclinations, or increase my +natural frailties; she will endeavour to make +me acquainted with myself, and will put me +upon guarding the weak parts of my character.</p> + +<p>Friendship, in the highest sense of the word, +can only subsist between persons of strict integrity +and true generosity. Before you fancy +yourself possessed of such a treasure, you +should examine the value of your own heart, +and see how well it is qualified for so sacred a +connection; and then a harder task remains—to +find out whether the object of your affection +is also endued with the same virtuous disposition. +Youth and inexperience are ill able to +penetrate into characters: the least appearance +of good attracts their admiration, and they +immediately suppose they have found the object +they pursued.</p> + +<p>It is a melancholy consideration, that the +judgement can only be formed by experience, +which generally comes too late for our own +use, and is seldom accepted for that of others.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[73]</a></span> +I fear it is in vain for me to tell you what dangerous +mistakes I made in the early choice of +friends—how incapable I then was of finding +out such as were fit for me, and how little I +was acquainted with the true nature of friendship, +when I thought myself most fervently +engaged in it! I am sensible all this will +hardly persuade you to choose by the eyes of +others, or even to suspect that your own may +be deceived. Yet, if you should give any weight +to my observations, it may not be quite useless +to mention to you some of the essential requisites +in a friend; and to exhort you never to +choose one in whom they are wanting.</p> + +<p>The first of these is a deep and sincere regard +for religion. If your friend draws her +principles from the same source with yourself, +if the gospel precepts are the rule of her life, as +well as your's, you will always know what to +expect from her, and have one common standard +of right and wrong to refer to, by which to +regulate all material points of conduct. The +woman who thinks lightly of sacred things, or +who is ever heard to speak of them with levity +or indifference, cannot reasonably be expected +to pay a more serious regard to the laws of +friendship, or to be uniformly punctual in the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[74]</a></span> +performance of any of the duties of society; +take no such person to your bosom, however +recommended by good-humour, wit, or any +other qualification; nor let gaiety or thoughtlessness +be deemed an excuse for offending in +this important point: a person habituated to +the love and reverence of religion and virtue, +no more wants the guard of serious consideration +to restrain her from speaking disrespectfully +of them, than to prevent her speaking ill +of her dearest friend. In the liveliest hour of +mirth, the innocent heart can dictate nothing +but what is innocent; it will immediately take +alarm at the apprehension of doing wrong, and +stop at once in the full career of youthful +sprightliness, if reminded of the neglect or +transgression of any duty. Watch for these +symptoms of innocence and goodness, and admit +no one to your entire affection, who would +ever persuade you to make light of any sort of +offence, or who can treat with levity or contempt +any person or thing that bears a relation +to religion.</p> + +<p>A due regard to reputation is the next indispensable +qualification.—"Have regard to thy +name," saith the wise son of Sirach, "for +that will continue with thee above a thousand<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[75]</a></span> +great treasures of gold." The young +person, who is careless of blame, and indifferent +to the esteem of the wise and prudent part +of the world, is not only a most dangerous companion, +but gives a certain proof of the want +of rectitude in her own mind. Discretion is +the guardian of all the virtues; and, when she +forsakes them, they cannot long resist the attacks +of an enemy. There is a profligacy of +spirit in defying the rules of decorum, and despising +censure, which seldom ends otherwise +than in extreme corruption and utter ruin. +Modesty and prudence are qualities that early +display themselves, and are easily discerned: +where these do not appear, you should avoid, +not only friendship, but every step towards +intimacy, lest your own character should suffer +with that of your companion; but, where they +shine forth in any eminent degree, you may +safely cultivate an acquaintance, in the reasonable +hope of finding the solid fruits of +virtue beneath such sweet and promising +blossoms: should you be disappointed, you +will at least have run no risk in the search +after them, and may cherish as a creditable +acquaintance the person so adorned, though +she may not deserve a place in your inmost +heart.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[76]</a></span></p> + +<p>The understanding must next be examined: +and this is a point which requires so much +understanding to judge of in another, that I +must earnestly recommend to you, not to rely +entirely on your own, but to take the opinion +of your older friends. I do not wish you to +seek for bright and uncommon talents, though +these are sources of inexhaustible delight and +improvement, when found in company with +solid judgment and sound principles. Good +sense (by which I mean a capacity for reasoning +justly and discerning truly) applied to the +uses of life, and exercised in distinguishing +characters and directing conduct, is alone <i>necessary</i> +to an intimate connection; but, without +this, the best intentions, though certain of reward +hereafter, may fail of producing their +effects in this life; nor can they singly constitute +the character of an useful and valuable +friend. On the other hand, the most dazzling +genius, or the most engaging wit and humour, +can but ill answer the purposes of friendship, +without plain common sense and a faculty of +just reasoning.</p> + +<p>What can one do with those who will not be +answered with reason, and who, when you +are endeavouring to convince or persuade them<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[77]</a></span> +by serious arguments, will parry the blow with +a witty repartee or a stroke of poignant raillery? +I know not whether such a reply is less +provoking than that of an obstinate fool, who +answers your strongest reasons with—"What +you say may be very true, but this is my way +of thinking." A small acquaintance with the +world will show you instances of the most absurd +and foolish conduct in persons of brilliant +parts and entertaining faculties. But how trifling +is the talent of diverting an idle hour, +compared with true wisdom and prudence, +which are perpetually wanted to direct us safely +and happily through life, and to make us useful +and valuable to others!</p> + +<p>Fancy, I know, will have her share in friendship, +as well as in love:—you must please as +well as serve me, before I can love you as the +friend of my heart. But the faculties that +please for an evening may not please for life. +The humourous man soon runs through his +stock of odd stories, mimickry, and jest; and +the wit, by constant repeated flashes, confounds +and tires one's intellect, instead of enlivening +it with agreeable surprise: but good sense can +neither tire nor wear out; it improves by exercise, +and increases in value, the more it is<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[78]</a></span> +known: the pleasure it gives in conversation +is lasting and satisfactory, because it is accompanied +with improvement; its worth is proportioned +to the occasion that calls for it, and +rises highest on the most interesting topics; +the heart, as well as the understanding, finds its +account in it; and our noblest interests are +promoted by the entertainment we receive from +such a companion.</p> + +<p>A good temper is the next qualification; the +value of which in a friend, you will want no +arguments to prove, when you are truly convinced +of the necessity of it in yourself, which +I shall endeavour to show you in a following +letter. But, as this is a quality in which you +may be deceived, without a long and intimate +acquaintance, you must not be hasty in forming +connections, before you have had sufficient opportunity +for making observations on this head. +A young person, when pleased and enlivened +by the presence of her youthful companions, +seldom shows ill temper; which must be extreme +indeed, if it is not at least controllable +in such situations. But, you must watch her +behaviour to her own family, and the degree +of estimation she stands in with them. Observe +her manner to servants and inferiors—to +children—and even to animals. See in what<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[79]</a></span> +manner she bears disappointments, contradiction, +and restraint; and what degree of vexation +she expresses on any accident of loss or trouble. +If in such little trials she shows a meek, +resigned, and cheerful temper, she will probably +preserve it on greater occasions; but if she is +impatient and discontented under these, how +will she support the far greater evils which +may await her in her progress through life? +If you should have an opportunity of seeing +her in sickness, observe whether her complaints +are of a mild and gentle kind, forced from her +by pain, and restrained as much as possible; +or whether they are expressions of a turbulent +rebellious mind, that hardly submits to the Divine +hand. See whether she is tractable, considerate, +kind, and grateful, to those about her: +or whether she takes the opportunity, which +their compassion gives her, to tyrannize over +and torment them. Women are in general +very liable to ill health, which must necessarily +make them in some measure troublesome and +disagreeable to those they live with. They +should therefore, take the more pains to lighten +the burden as much as possible, by patience +and good humour; and be careful not to let +their infirmities break in on the health, freedom, +or enjoyments of others, more than is<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[80]</a></span> +needful and just. Some ladies seem to think +it very improper for any person within their +reach to enjoy a moment's comfort while they +are in pain; and make no scruple of sacrificing +to their own least convenience, whenever they +are indisposed, the proper rest, meals, or refreshments +of their servants, and even sometimes +of their husbands and children. But +their selfishness defeats its own purpose, as it +weakens that affection and tender pity which +excites the most assiduous services, and affords +the most healing balm to the heart of the sufferer.</p> + +<p>I have already expressed my wishes that your +chosen friend may be some years older than +yourself; but this is an advantage not always +to be obtained. Whatever be her age, <i>religion</i>, +<i>discretion</i>, <i>good sense</i>, and <i>good temper</i>, +must on no account be dispensed with; and +till you can find one so qualified, you had better +make no closer connection than that of a mutual +intercourse of civilities and good offices. +But if it is always your aim to mix with the best +company, and to be worthy of such society, you +will probably meet with some one among them +deserving your affection, to whom you may be +equally agreeable.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[81]</a></span></p> + +<p>When I speak of the best company, I do not +mean, in the common acceptation of the word, +persons of high rank and fortune—but rather +the most worthy and sensible. It is however +very important to a young woman to be introduced +into life on a respectable footing, and to +converse with those whose manners and style +of life may polish her behaviour, refine her sentiments, +and give her consequence in the eye +of the world. Your equals in rank are most +proper for intimacy, but to be sometimes +amongst your superiors is every way desirable +and advantageous, unless it should inspire you +with pride, or with the foolish desire of emulating +their grandeur and expense.</p> + +<p>Above all things avoid intimacy with those +of low birth and education! nor think it a +mark of humility to delight in such society; for +it much oftener proceeds from the meanest kind +of pride,—that of being the head of the company, +and seeing your companions subservient +to you. The servile flattery and submission, +which usually recommend such people, and +make amends for their ignorance and want of +conversation, will infallibly corrupt your heart, +and make all company insipid from whom you +cannot expect the same homage. Your manners<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[82]</a></span> +and faculties, instead of improving, must +be continually lowered, to suit you to your +companions; and, believe me, you will find +it no easy matter to raise them again to a +level with those of polite and well-informed +people.</p> + +<p>The greatest kindness and civility to inferiors +is perfectly consistent with proper caution +on this head. Treat them always with affability, +and talk to them of their own affairs with +an affectionate interest; but never make them +familiar, nor admit them as associates in your +diversions: but, above all, never trust them +with your secrets, which is putting yourself +entirely in their power, and subjecting yourself +to the most shameful slavery. The only +reason for making choice of such confidants, +must be the certainty that they will not venture +to blame or contradict inclinations, which you +are conscious no true friend would encourage. +But this is a meanness into which I trust you +are in no danger of falling. I rather hope you +will have the laudable ambition of spending +your time chiefly with those, whose superior +talents, education, and politeness, may continually +improve you, and whose society will do +you honour. However, let no advantage of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[83]</a></span> +this kind weigh against the want of principle. +I have long ago resolved with David, that, as +far as lies in my power, "I will not know a +wicked person." Nothing can compensate +for the contagion of bad example, and for the +danger of wearing off by use that abhorrence +of evil actions and sentiments, which every innocent +mind sets out with, but which an indiscriminate +acquaintance in the world soon abates, +and at length destroys.</p> + +<p>If you are good, and seek friendship only +among the good, I trust you will be happy +enough to find it. The wise son of Sirach +pronounces that you will. "<a name="FNanchor_21_21" id="FNanchor_21_21"></a><a href="#Footnote_21_21" class="fnanchor">[21]</a>A faithful +friend," saith he, "is the medicine of life; +and he that feareth the Lord shall find him. +Whoso feareth the Lord shall direct his +friendship aright; for, as he is, so shall his +neighbour be also." In the same admirable +book, you will find directions how to choose +and preserve a friend. Indeed there is hardly +a circumstance in life concerning which you +may not there meet with the best advice imaginable. +Caution in making friendships is +particularly recommended. "<a name="FNanchor_22_22" id="FNanchor_22_22"></a><a href="#Footnote_22_22" class="fnanchor">[22]</a>Be in peace +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[84]</a></span> +with many, nevertheless have but one counsellor +of a thousand. If thou wouldst get +a friend, prove him first, and be not hasty to +credit him; for some man is a friend for his +own occasion, and will not abide in the day +of trouble. And there is a friend, who, +being turned to enmity and strife, will discover +thy reproach." Again, "Some friend +is a companion at the table, and will not +continue in the day of thy affliction; but in +thy prosperity he will be as thyself, and will +be bold over thy servants: if thou be brought +low, he will be against thee, and will hide +himself from thy face." Chap. ix. 10. "Forsake +not an old friend; for the new is not +comparable to him—A new friend is as new +wine; when it is old, thou shalt drink it with +pleasure."</p> + +<p>When you have discreetly chosen, the next +point is how to preserve your friend. Numbers +complain of the fickleness and ingratitude +of those on whom they bestowed their affection; +but few examine, whether what they +complain of is not owing to themselves. Affection +is not like a portion of freehold land, +which once settled upon you is a possession +for ever, without further trouble on your part.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[85]</a></span> +If you grow less deserving, or less attentive to +please, you must expect to see the effects of +your remissness, in the gradual decline of your +friend's esteem and attachment. Resentment +and reproaches will not recal what you have lost; +but, on the contrary, will hasten the dissolution +of every remaining tie. The best remedy is, +to renew your care and assiduity to deserve +and cultivate affection, without seeming to +have perceived its abatement. Jealousy and +distrust are the bane of friendship, whose essence +is esteem and affiance. But if jealousy +is expressed by unkind upbraidings, or, what is +worse, by cold haughty looks and insolent contempt, +it can hardly fail, if often repeated, to +realize the misfortune, which at first perhaps +was imaginary. Nothing can be more an antidote +to affection than such behaviour, or than +the cause of it, which, in reality, is nothing but +pride; though the jealous person would fain +attribute it to uncommon tenderness and delicacy: +but tenderness is never so expressed: it +is indeed deeply sensible of unkindness, but it +cannot be unkind;—it may subsist with anger, +but not with contempt;—it may be weakened, +or even killed, by ingratitude; but it cannot +be changed into hatred. Remember always, +that if you would be <i>loved</i>, you must be <i>amiable</i>.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[86]</a></span> +Habit may, indeed, for a time, supply the deficiency +of merit; what we have long loved we +do not easily cease to love; but habit will at +length be conquered by frequent disgusts.—"<a name="FNanchor_23_23" id="FNanchor_23_23"></a><a href="#Footnote_23_23" class="fnanchor">[23]</a>Whoso +casteth a stone at the birds, frayeth +them away; and he that upbraideth his +friend, breaketh friendship. Though thou +drewest a sword at thy friend, yet despair +not, for there may be a returning to favour. +If thou hast opened thy mouth against thy +friend, fear not, for there may be a reconciliation; +excepting for <i>upbraiding</i>, or <i>pride</i>, +or <i>disclosing of secrets</i>, or a <i>treacherous +wound</i>,—for, for these things every friend will +depart."</p> + +<p>I have hitherto spoken of a friend in the +singular number, rather in compliance with the +notions of most writers, who have treated of +friendship, and who generally suppose it can +have but one object, than from my own ideas. +The highest kind of friendship is indeed confined +to one;—I mean the conjugal, which, in +its perfection, is so entire and absolute an union +of interest, will, and affection, as no other connection +can stand in competition with. But +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[87]</a></span> +there are various degrees of friendship, which +can admit of several objects, esteemed, and +delighted in, for different qualities, and whose +separate rights are perfectly compatible. Perhaps +it is not possible to love two persons exactly +in the same degree; yet, the difference +may be so small, that none of the parties can +be certain on which side the scale preponderates.</p> + +<p>It is narrowness of mind to wish to confine +your friend's affection solely to yourself; since +you are conscious that, however perfect your +attachment may be, you cannot possibly supply +to her all the blessings she may derive from +several friends, who may each love her as well +as you do, and may each contribute largely to +her happiness. If she depends on you alone +for all the comforts and advantages of friendship, +your absence or death may leave her desolate +and forlorn. If therefore you prefer her +good to your own selfish gratification, you +should rather strive to multiply her friends, +and be ready to embrace in your affections all +who love, and deserve her love: this generosity +will bring its own reward, by multiplying +the sources of your pleasures and supports; +and your first friend will love you the more for<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[88]</a></span> +such an endearing proof of the extent of your +affection, which can stretch to receive all who +are dear to her. But if, on the contrary, +every mark of esteem shewn to another excites +uneasiness or resentment in you, the person +you love must soon feel her connection with +you a burden and restraint. She can own no +obligation to so selfish an attachment; nor can +her tenderness be increased by that which lessens +her esteem. If she is really fickle and ungrateful, +she is not worth your reproaches: If +not, she must be reasonably offended by such +injurious imputations.</p> + +<p>You do not want to be told, that the strictest +fidelity is required in friendship: and though +possibly instances might be brought, in which +even the secret of a friend must be sacrificed +to the calls of justice and duty, yet these are +rare and doubtful cases; and we may venture +to pronounce that, "<a name="FNanchor_24_24" id="FNanchor_24_24"></a><a href="#Footnote_24_24" class="fnanchor">[24]</a>Whoso discovereth secrets, +loseth his credit, and shall never find +a friend to his mind."—"Love thy friend, +and be faithful unto him: but if thou betrayest +his secrets, follow no more after +him. For as a man that hath destroyed his +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[89]</a></span> +enemy, so hast thou destroyed the love of thy +friend. As one that letteth a bird go out of +his hand, so hast thou let thy neighbour go. +Follow no more after him, for he is too far +off; he is as a roe escaped out of the snare. +As for a wound, it may be bound up; and +after revilings there may be reconcilement; +but he that betrayeth secrets is without +hope."</p> + +<p>But in order to reconcile this inviolable fidelity +with the duty you owe to yourself or +others, you must carefully guard against being +made the repository of such secrets as are not +fit to be kept. If your friend should engage +in any unlawful pursuit—if, for instance, she +should intend to carry on an affair of love, unknown +to her parents—you must first use your +utmost endeavours to dissuade her from it; +and if she persists, positively and solemnly declare +against being a confidant in such a case. +Suffer her not to speak to you on the subject, +and warn her to forbear acquainting you with +any step she may propose to take towards a +marriage unsanctified by parental approbation. +Tell her, you would think it your duty to apprize +her parents of the danger into which she +was throwing herself. However unkindly she<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[90]</a></span> +may take this at the time, she will certainly +esteem and love you the more for it, whenever +she recovers a sense of her duty, or experiences +the sad effects of swerving from it.</p> + +<p>There is another case, which I should not +choose to suppose possible, in addressing myself +to so young a person, was it not that too +many instances of it have of late been exposed +to public animadversion: I mean the case of a +married woman, who encourages or tolerates +the addresses of a lover. May no such person +be ever called a friend of your's! but if ever +one, whom, when innocent, you had loved, +should fall into so fatal an error, I can only +say that, after proper remonstrances, you must +immediately withdraw from all intimacy and +confidence with her. Nor let the absurd pretence +of <i>innocent intentions</i>, in such circumstances, +prevail with you to lend your countenance +a moment to disgraceful conduct. There +cannot be innocence, in any degree of indulgence +to unlawful passion. The sacred obligations +of marriage are very ill understood by +the wife, who can think herself innocent, while +she parleys with a lover, or with love, and +who does not shut her heart and ears against +the most distant approaches of either. A virtuous<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[91]</a></span> +wife—though she should be so unhappy +as not to be secured, by having her strongest +affections fixed on her husband—will never +admit an idea of any other man, in the light of +a lover; but if such an idea should unawares +intrude into her mind, she would instantly +stifle it, before it grew strong enough to give +her much uneasiness. Not to the most intimate +friend—hardly to her own soul—would +she venture to confess a weakness, she would +so sincerely abhor. Whenever therefore such +infidelity of heart is made a subject of confidence, +depend upon it the corruption has +spread far, and has been faultily indulged. Enter +not into her counsels: show her the danger +she is in, and then withdraw yourself +from it, whilst you are yet unsullied by contagion.</p> + +<p>It has been supposed a duty of friendship to +lay open every thought and every feeling of the +heart to our friend. But I have just mentioned +a case, in which this is not only unnecessary, +but wrong. A disgraceful inclination, which +we resolve to conquer, should be concealed +from every body; and is more easily subdued +when denied the indulgence of talking of its +object; and, I think, there may be other instances,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[92]</a></span> +in which it would be most prudent to +keep our thoughts concealed even from our +dearest friend. Some things I would communicate +to one friend, and not to another, whom +perhaps I loved better, because I might know +that my first friend was not so well qualified as +the other to counsel me on that particular subject: +a natural bias on her mind, some prevailing +opinion, or some connection with persons +concerned, might make her an improper +confidant with regard to one particular, though +qualified to be so on all other occasions.</p> + +<p>This confidence of friendship is indeed one +of its sweetest pleasures and greatest advantages. +The human heart often stands in need +of some kind and faithful partner of its cares, +in whom it may repose all its weaknesses, and +with whom it is sure of finding the tenderest +sympathy. Far be it from me to shut up the +heart with cold distrust, and rigid caution, or +to adopt the odious maxim, that "we should +live with a friend, as if he were one day to +become an enemy." But we must not wholly +abandon prudence in any sort of connection; +since, when every guard is laid aside, our unbounded +openness may injure others as well as +ourselves. Secrets entrusted to us must be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[93]</a></span> +sacredly kept even from our nearest friend: +for we have no right to dispose of the secrets of +others.</p> + +<p>If there is danger in making an improper +choice of friends, my dear child, how much +more fatal would it be to mistake in a stronger +kind of attachment—in that which leads to an +irrevocable engagement for life! yet so much +more is the understanding blinded, when once +the fancy is captivated, that it seems a desperate +undertaking to convince a girl in love that +she has mistaken the character of the man she +prefers.</p> + +<p>If the passions would wait for the decision of +judgment, and if a young woman could have +the same opportunities of examining into the +real character of her lover, as into that of a +female candidate for her friendship, the same +rules might direct you in the choice of both: +for marriage being the highest state of friendship, +the qualities requisite in a friend are still +more important in a husband. But young women +know so little of the world, especially of +the other sex, and such pains are usually taken +to deceive them, that they are every way unqualified +to choose for themselves, upon their<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[94]</a></span> +own judgment. Many a heart-ache shall I feel +for you, my sweet girl, if I live a few years +longer! Since, not only all your happiness in +this world, but your advancement in religion +and virtue, or your apostacy from every good +principle you have been taught, will probably +depend on the companion you fix to for life. +Happy will it be for you, if you are wise and +modest enough to withdraw from temptation, +and preserve your heart free and open to receive +the just recommendation of your parents: +further than a recommendation, I dare say they +will never go, in an affair which, though it +should be begun by them, ought never to be +proceeded in without your free concurrence.</p> + +<p>Whatever romantic notions you may hear +or read of, depend upon it, those matches are +the happiest which are made on rational +grounds—on suitableness of character, degree, +and fortune—on mutual esteem, and the prospect +of a real and permanent friendship. Far +be it from me to advise you to marry where +you do not love;—a mercenary marriage is a +detestable prostitution. But, on the other +hand, an union formed upon mere personal +liking, without the requisite foundation of +esteem, without the sanction of parental approbation,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[95]</a></span> +and, consequently, without the blessing +of God, can be productive of nothing but +misery and shame. The passion, to which +every consideration of duty and prudence is +sacrificed, instead of supplying the loss of all +other advantages, will soon itself be changed +into mutual distrust—repentance—reproaches—and, +finally, perhaps into hatred. The distresses +it brings will be void of every consolation; +you will have disgusted the friends who should +be your support—debased yourself in the eyes +of the world—and, what is much worse, in +your own eyes, and even in those of your +husband: above all, you will have offended +that God, who alone can shield you from calamity.</p> + +<p>From an act like this, I trust, your duty and +gratitude to your kind parents—the first of +dudes next to that we owe to God, and inseparably +connected with it—will effectually preserve +you. But most young people think they +have fulfilled their duty, if they refrain from +actually marrying against prohibition: they +suffer their affections, and even perhaps their +word of honour, to be engaged, without consulting +their parents; yet satisfy themselves with +resolving not to marry without their consent:<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[96]</a></span> +not considering, that, besides the wretched, +useless, uncomfortable state they plunge <i>themselves</i> +into, when they contract an hopeless engagement, +they must likewise involve a <i>parent</i> +in the miserable dilemma of either giving a +forced consent against his judgment, or of seeing +his beloved child pine away her prime of +life in fruitless anxiety—seeing her accuse him +of tyranny, because he restrains her from certain +ruin—seeing her affections alienated from +her family—and all her thoughts engrossed by +one object, to the destruction of her health and +spirits, and of all improvements and occupations. +What a cruel alternative for parents, +whose happiness is bound up with that of their +child! The time to consult them is before you +have given a lover the least encouragement; +nor ought you to listen a moment to the man +who would wish you to keep his addresses secret; +since he thereby shows himself conscious +that they are not fit to be encouraged.</p> + +<p>But perhaps I have said enough on this subject +at present; though, if ever advice on such +a topic can be of use, it must be before passion +has got possession of the heart, and silenced +both reason and principle. Fix therefore in +your mind, as deeply as possible, those rules of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[97]</a></span> +duty and prudence which now seem reasonable +to you, that they may be at hand in the hour of +trial, and save you from the miseries, in which +strong affections, unguided by discretion, involve +so many of our sex.</p> + +<p>If you love virtue sincerely, you will be incapable +of loving an openly vicious character. +But, alas! your innocent heart may be easily +ensnared by an artful one—and from this danger +nothing can secure you but the experience +of those, to whose guidance God has entrusted +you: may you be wise enough to make use of +it!—So will you have the fairest chance of attaining +the best blessings this world can afford, +in a faithful and virtuous union with a worthy +man, who may direct your steps in safety and +honour through this life, and partake with you +the rewards of virtue in that which is to come. +But, if this happy lot should be denied you, +do not be afraid of a single life. A worthy +woman is never destitute of valuable friends, +who in a great measure supply to her the want +of nearer connections. She can never be +slighted or disesteemed, while her good temper +and benevolence render her a blessing to +her companions. Nay, she must be honoured +by all persons of sense and virtue, for preferring<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[98]</a></span> +the single state to an union unworthy of her. +The calamities of an unhappy marriage are so +much greater than can befall a single person, +that the unmarried woman may find abundant +argument to be contented with her condition, +when pointed out to her by Providence. Whether +married or single, if your first care is to +please God, you will undoubtedly be a blessed +creature;—"For that which he delights in +<i>must be happy</i>." How earnestly I wish you +this happiness, you can never know, unless you +could read the heart of</p> + +<div class="signature"> +Your truly affectionate.<br /> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="temper" id="temper"></a>LETTER VI.</h2> + +<h3>ON THE GOVERNMENT OF THE TEMPER.</h3> + + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> next great point of importance to your +future happiness, my dear, is what your parents +have, doubtless, been continually attentive +to from your infancy, as it is impossible to undertake +it too early—I mean the due Regulation +of your Temper. Though you are in great +measure indebted to their forming hands for<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[99]</a></span> +whatever is good in it, you are sensible, no +doubt, as every human creature is, of propensities +to some infirmity of temper, which it must +now be <i>your own</i> care to correct and to subdue: +otherwise the pains that have hitherto been +taken with you may all become fruitless; and, +when you are your own mistress, you may relapse +into those faults, which were originally in +your nature, and which will require to be diligently +watched and kept under, through the +whole course of your life.</p> + +<p>If you consider, that the constant tenor of +the gospel precepts is to promote love, peace, +and good-will amongst men, you will not +doubt that the cultivation of an amiable disposition +is a great part of your religious duty: +since nothing leads more directly to the breach +of charity, and to the injury and molestation of +our fellow-creatures, than the indulgence of an +ill-temper. Do not therefore think lightly of +the offences you may commit, for want of a +due command over it, or suppose yourself responsible +for them to your fellow-creatures +only; but, be assured, you must give a strict +account of them all to the Supreme Governor +of the world, who has made this a great part of +your appointed trial upon earth.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[100]</a></span></p> + +<p>A woman, bred up in a religious manner, +placed above the reach of want, and out of the +way of sordid or scandalous vices, can have but +few temptations to the flagrant breach of the +Divine laws. It particularly concerns her therefore +to understand them in their full import, +and to consider how far she trespasses against +them, by such actions as appear trivial when +compared with murder, adultery, and theft, but +which become of very great importance, by +being frequently repeated, and occurring in the +daily transactions of life.</p> + +<p>The principal virtues or vices of a woman +must be of a private and domestic kind. Within +the circle of her own family and dependents +lies her sphere of action—the scene of almost +all those tasks and trials, which must determine +her character, and her fate, here and hereafter. +Reflect, for a moment, how much the happiness +of her husband, children, and servants, must +depend on her temper, and you will see that +the greatest good, or evil, which she ever may +have in her power to do, may arise from her +correcting or indulging its infirmities.</p> + +<p>Though I wish the principle of duty towards +God to be your ruling motive in the exercise<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[101]</a></span> +of every virtue, yet, as human nature stands +in need of all possible helps, let us not forget +how essential it is to present happiness, and to +the enjoyment of this life, to cultivate such a +temper as is likewise indispensably requisite to +the attainment of higher felicity in the life to +come. The greatest outward blessings cannot +afford enjoyment to a mind ruffled and uneasy +within itself. A fit of ill-humour will spoil +the finest entertainment, and is as real a torment +as the most painful disease. Another +unavoidable consequence of ill-temper is the +dislike and aversion of all who are witnesses to +it, and, perhaps, the deep and lasting resentment +of those who suffer from its effects. We +all, from social or self-love, earnestly desire the +esteem and affection of our fellow-creatures; +and indeed our condition makes them so necessary +to us, that the wretch who has forfeited +them, must feel desolate and undone, deprived +of all the best enjoyments and comforts the +world can afford, and given up to his inward +misery, unpitied and scorned. But this can +never be the fate of a good-natured person: +whatever faults he may have, they will generally +be treated with lenity; he will find an advocate +in every human heart; his errors will be +lamented rather than abhorred; and his virtues<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[102]</a></span> +will be viewed in the fairest point of light. His +good humour, without the help of great talents +or acquirements, will make his company preferable +to that of the most brilliant genius, in +whom this quality is wanting; in short, it is +almost impossible that you can be sincerely beloved +by any body, without this engaging property, +whatever other excellencies you may +possess; but, with it, you will scarcely fail of +finding some friends and favourers, even though +you should be destitute of almost every other +advantage.</p> + +<p>Perhaps you will say, all this is very true; +"but our tempers are not in our own power; +we are made with different dispositions, and, +if mine is not amiable, it is rather my unhappiness +than my fault." This, my dear, is +commonly said by those who will not take the +trouble to correct themselves. Yet, be assured, +it is a delusion, and will not avail in our justification +before Him, "who knoweth whereof +we are made," and of what we are capable. +It is true, we are not all equally happy in our +dispositions; but human virtue consists in cherishing +and cultivating every good inclination, +and in checking and subduing every propensity +to evil. If you had been born with a bad temper,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[103]</a></span> +it might have been made a good one, at +least with regard to its outward effects, by education, +reason, and principle: and, though you +are so happy as to have a good one while +young, do not suppose it will always continue +so, if you neglect to maintain a proper command +over it. Power, sickness, disappointments, +or worldly cares, may corrupt and embitter +the finest disposition, if they are not +counteracted by reason and religion.</p> + +<p>It is observed, that every temper is inclined, +in some degree, either to passion, peevishness, +or obstinacy. Many are so unfortunate as to +be inclined to each of the three in turn: it is +necessary therefore to watch the bent of our +nature, and to apply the remedies proper for +the infirmity to which we are most liable. +With regard to the first, it is so injurious to +society, and so odious in itself, especially in the +female character, that one would think shame +alone would be sufficient to preserve a young +woman from giving way to it: for it is as unbecoming +her character to be betrayed into ill-behaviour +by <i>passion</i>, as by <i>intoxication</i>, and +she ought to be ashamed of the one as much as +of the other. Gentleness, meekness, and patience,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[104]</a></span> +are her peculiar distinctions; and an enraged +woman is one of the most disgusting +sights in nature.</p> + +<p>It is plain, from experience, that the +most passionate people can command themselves, +when they have a motive sufficiently +strong—such as the presence of those they +fear, or to whom they particularly desire to +recommend themselves; it is therefore no excuse +to persons, whom you have injured by +unkind reproaches, and unjust aspersions, to +tell them you was in a passion; the allowing +yourself to speak to them in a passion is a +proof of an insolent disrespect, which the +meanest of your fellow-creatures would have a +right to resent. When once you find yourself +heated so far as to desire to say what you know +would be provoking and wounding to another, +you should immediately resolve either to be +silent, or to quit the room, rather than give utterance +to any thing dictated by so bad an +inclination. Be assured, you are then unfit to +reason or to reprove, or to hear reason from +others. It is therefore your part to retire from +such an occasion of sin; and wait till you are +cool, before you presume to judge of what has<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[105]</a></span> +passed. By accustoming yourself thus to conquer +and disappoint your anger, you will, by +degrees, find it grow weak and manageable, so +as to leave your reason at liberty. You will be +able to restrain your tongue from evil, and your +looks and gestures from all expressions of violence +and ill-will. Pride, which produces so +many evils in the human mind, is the great +source of passion. Whoever cultivates in himself +a proper humility, a due sense of his own +faults and insufficiencies, and a due respect for +others, will find but small temptation to violent +or unreasonable anger.</p> + +<p>In the case of real injuries, which justify and +call for resentment, there is a noble and generous +kind of anger, a proper and necessary +part of our nature, which has nothing in it sinful +or degrading. I would not wish you insensible +to this; for the person, who feels not an +injury, must be incapable of being properly +affected by benefits. With those, who treat +you ill without provocation, you ought to +maintain your own dignity. But, in order to +do this, whilst you show a sense of their improper +behaviour, you must preserve calmness, +and even good-breeding; and thereby convince +them of the impotence as well as injustice<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[106]</a></span> +of their malice. You must also weigh every +circumstance with candour and charity, and +consider whether your showing the resentment +deserved may not produce ill consequences to +innocent persons—as is almost always the case +in family quarrels; and whether it may not +occasion the breach of some duty, or necessary +connection, to which you ought to sacrifice +even your just resentments. Above all things, +take care that a particular offence to you does +not make you unjust to the general character +of the offending person. Generous anger does +not preclude esteem for whatever is really +estimable, nor does it destroy good-will to the +person of its object: it even inspires the desire +of overcoming him by benefits, and wishes +to inflict no other punishment than the regret +of having injured one who deserved his kindness: +it is always placable, and ready to be reconciled, +as soon as the offender is convinced of +his error; nor can any subsequent injury provoke +it to recur to past disobligations, which +had been once forgiven. But it is perhaps +unnecessary to give rules for this case. The +consciousness of injured innocence naturally +produces dignity, and usually prevents excess +of anger. Our passion is most unruly, when +we are conscious of blame, and when we apprehend<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[107]</a></span> +that we have laid ourselves open to +contempt. Where we know we have been +wrong, the least injustice in the degree of +blame imputed to us, excites our bitterest +resentment; but, where we know ourselves +faultless, the sharpest accusation excites pity +or contempt, rather than rage. Whenever, +therefore, you feel yourself very angry, suspect +yourself to be in the wrong, and resolve +to stand the decision of your own conscience +before you cast upon another the punishment, +which is perhaps due to yourself. +This self-examination will at least give you +time to cool, and, if you are just, will dispose +you to balance your own wrong with that of +your antagonist, and to settle the account with +him on equal terms.</p> + +<p>Peevishness, though not so violent and fatal +in its immediate effects, is still more unamiable +than passion, and, if possible, more destructive +of happiness, inasmuch as it operates more continually. +Though the fretful man injures us +less, he disgusts us more than the passionate +one; because he betrays a low and little mind, +intent on trifles, and engrossed by a paltry +self-love, which knows not how to bear the +very apprehension of any inconvenience. It<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[108]</a></span> +is self-love then, which we must combat, when +we find ourselves assaulted by this infirmity; +and, by voluntarily induring inconveniences, +we shall habituate ourselves to bear them with +ease and good-humour, when occasioned by +others. Perhaps this is the best kind of religious +mortification; as the chief end of denying +ourselves any innocent indulgences, must +be to acquire a habit of command over our +passions and inclinations, particularly such as +are likely to lead us into evil. Another method +of conquering this enemy, is to abstract +our minds from that attention to trifling circumstances, +which usually creates this uneasiness. +Those, who are engaged in high and +important pursuits, are very little affected by +small inconveniences. The man, whose head +is full of studious thought, or whose heart is +full of care, will eat his dinner without knowing +whether it was well or ill dressed, or whether it +was served punctually at the hour or not: and +though absence from the common things of life +is far from desirable—especially in a woman—yet +too minute and anxious an attention to +them seldom fails to produce a teasing, mean, +and fretful disposition. I would therefore wish +your mind to have always some object in pursuit +worthy of it, that it may not be engrossed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[109]</a></span> +by such as are in themselves scarce worth a +moment's anxiety. It is chiefly in the decline +of life, when amusements fail, and when the +more importunate passions subside, that this +infirmity is observed to grow upon us; and +perhaps it will seldom fail to do so, unless carefully +watched, and counteracted by reason. +We must then endeavour to substitute some +pursuits in the place of those, which can only +engage us in the beginning of our course. The +pursuit of glory and happiness in another life, +by every means of improving and exalting our +own minds, becomes more and more interesting +to us, the nearer we draw to the end of all +sublunary enjoyments. Reading, reflection, +rational conversation, and, above all, conversing +with God, by prayer and meditation, may +preserve us from taking that anxious interest +in the little comforts and conveniences of our +remaining days, which usually gives birth to +so much fretfulness in old people. But though +the aged and infirm are most liable to this evil—and +they alone are to be pitied for it—yet +we sometimes see the young, the healthy, and +those who enjoy most outward blessings, inexcusably +guilty of it. The smallest disappointment +in pleasure, or difficulty in the most +trifling employment, will put wilful young<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[110]</a></span> +people out of temper, and their very amusements +frequently become sources of vexation +and peevishness. How often have I seen a +girl, preparing for a ball, or for some other +public appearance—unable to satisfy her own +vanity—fret over every ornament she put on, +quarrel with her maid, with her clothes, her +hair; and growing still more unlovely as she +grew more cross, be ready to fight with her +looking-glass for not making her as handsome as +she wished to be! She did not consider, that +the traces of this ill-humour on her countenance +would be a greater disadvantage to her appearance +than any defect in her dress, or even +than the plainest features enlivened by joy and +good-humour. There is a degree of resignation +necessary even to the enjoyment of pleasure: +we must be ready and willing to give up some +part of what we could wish for, before we can +enjoy that which is indulged to us. I have no +doubt that she, who frets all the while she is +dressing for an assembly, will suffer still greater +uneasiness when she is there. The same craving +restless vanity will there endure a thousand +mortifications, which, in the midst of seeming +pleasure, will secretly corrode her heart; whilst +the meek and humble generally find more gratification +than they expected, and return home<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[111]</a></span> +pleased and enlivened from every scene of +amusement, though they could have staid +away from it with perfect ease and contentment.</p> + +<p>Sullenness, or obstinacy, is perhaps a worse +fault of temper than either of the former, and, +if indulged, may end in the most fatal extremes +of stubborn melancholy, malice, and revenge. +The resentment which, instead of being expressed, +is nursed in secret, and continually +aggravated by the imagination, will, in time, +become the ruling passion; and then, how +horrible must be his case, whose kind and pleasurable +affections are all swallowed up by the +tormenting as well as detestable sentiments of +hatred and revenge? "<a name="FNanchor_25_25" id="FNanchor_25_25"></a><a href="#Footnote_25_25" class="fnanchor">[25]</a>Admonish thy friend, +peradventure he hath not done it: or, if he +hath, that he do it no more.—Admonish +thy friend, peradventure he hath not said it: +or, if he hath, that he speak it not again." +Brood not over a resentment which perhaps +was at first ill-grounded, and which is undoubtedly +heightened by an heated imagination. +But when you have first subdued your +own temper, so as to be able to speak calmly, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[112]</a></span> +reasonably, and kindly, then expostulate with +the person you suppose to be in fault—hear +what she has to say; and either reconcile yourself +to her, or quiet your mind under the injury +by the principle of Christian charity. But, if +it should appear that you yourself have been +most to blame, or if you have been in an error, +acknowledge it fairly and handsomely; if +you feel any reluctance to do so, be certain +that it arises from pride, to conquer which is an +absolute duty. "A soft answer turneth away +wrath," and a generous confession oftentimes +more than atones for the fault which requires +it. Truth and justice demand, that we should +acknowledge conviction, as soon as we feel it, +and not maintain an erroneous opinion, or +justify a wrong conduct, merely from the false +shame of confessing our past ignorance. A +false shame it undoubtedly is, and as impolitic +as unjust, since your error is already seen by +those who endeavour to set you right; but your +conviction, and the candour and generosity of +owning it freely, may still be an honour to +you, and would greatly recommend you to the +person with whom you disputed. With a disposition +strongly inclined to sullenness or obstinacy, +this must be a very painful exertion; +and to make a perfect conquest over yourself<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[113]</a></span> +at once may perhaps appear impracticable, +whilst the zeal of self-justification, and the +abhorrence of blame, are strong upon you. +But, if you are so unhappy as to yield to your +infirmity, at one time, do not let this discourage +you from renewing your efforts. Your +mind will gain strength from the contest, and +your internal enemy will by degrees be forced +to give ground. Be not afraid to revive the subject, +as soon as you find yourself able to subdue +your temper; and then frankly lay open +the conflict you sustained at the time: by this +you will make all the amends in your power +for your fault, and will certainly change the +disgust you have given into pity at least, if not +admiration. Nothing is more endearing than +such a confession; and you will find such a +satisfaction in your own consciousness, and in +the renewed tenderness and esteem you will +gain from the person concerned, that your task +for the future will be made more easy, and your +reluctance to be convinced will on every occasion +grow less and less.</p> + +<p>The love of truth, and a real desire of improvement, +ought to be the only motives of +argumentation; and, where these are sincere, +no difficulty can be made of embracing the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[114]</a></span> +truth, as soon as it is perceived. But, in fact, +people oftener dispute from vanity and pride, +which makes it a grievous mortification to allow +that we are the wiser for what we have heard +from another. To receive advice, reproof, and +instruction, properly, is the surest sign of a +sincere and humble heart; and shows a greatness +of mind, which commands our respect and +reverence, while it appears so willingly to yield +to us the superiority.</p> + +<p>Observe, notwithstanding, that I do not +wish you to hear of your faults without pain: +Such an indifference would afford small hopes +of amendment. Shame and remorse are the +first steps to true repentance; yet we should +be willing to bear this pain, and thankful to the +kind hand that inflicts it for our good. Nor +must we, by sullen silence under it, leave our +kind physician in doubt, whether the operation +has taken effect or not, or whether it has not +added another malady, instead of curing the +first. You must consider that those who tell you +of your faults, if they do it from motives of kindness, +and not of malice, exert their friendship +in a painful office, which must have cost them +as great an effort as it can be to you to acknowledge +the service; and, if you refuse this encouragement,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[115]</a></span> +you cannot expect that any one, +who is not absolutely obliged to it by duty, +will a second time undertake such an ill-requited +trouble. What a loss would this be to yourself!—How +difficult would be our progress to +that degree of perfection, which is necessary to +our happiness, was it not for the assistance we +receive from each other!—This certainly is one +of the means of grace held out to us by our +merciful Judge, and, if we reject it, we are +answerable for all the miscarriages we may fall +into for want of it.</p> + +<p>I know not, whether that strange caprice, +that inequality of taste and behaviour, so commonly +attributed to our sex, may be properly +called a fault of temper,—as it seems not to be +connected with, or arising from, our animal +frame,—but to be rather the fruit of our own +self-indulgence, degenerating by degrees into +such a wantonness of will as knows not how to +please itself. When, instead of regulating our +actions by reason and principle, we suffer ourselves +to be guided by every slight and momentary +impulse of inclination, we shall, doubtless, +appear so variable and inconstant, that nobody +can guess, by our behaviour to day, what may +be expected from us to-morrow; nor can we<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[116]</a></span> +ourselves tell, whether what we delighted in a +week ago will now afford us the least degree +of pleasure. It is in vain for others to attempt +to please us—we cannot please ourselves, +though all we could wish for waits our choice: +and thus does a capricious woman become +"sick of herself, through very selfishness:" +And, when this is the case, it is easy to judge +how sick others must be of her, and how contemptible +and disgusting she must appear. +This wretched state is the usual consequence +of power and flattery. May my dear child +never meet with the temptation of that excessive +and ill-judged indulgence from a husband, +which she has happily escaped from her parents, +and which seldom fails to reduce women +to the miserable condition of a humoured child, +always unhappy from having nobody's will to +study but its own! The insolence of such demands +for yourself, and such disregard to the +choice and inclinations of others, can seldom +fail to make you as many enemies as there are +persons obliged to bear with your humours; +whilst a compliant, reasonable, and contented +disposition, would render you happy in yourself, +and beloved by all your companions; particularly +by those, who live constantly with +you; and, of what consequence this is to your<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[117]</a></span> +happiness, a moment's reflection will convince +you. Family friendships are the friendships +made for us, if I may so speak, by God himself. +With the kindest intentions, he has knit the +bands of family love, by indispensable duties; +and wretched are they who have burst them +asunder by violence and ill-will, or worn them +out by constant little disobligations, and by the +want of that attention to please, which the +presence of a stranger always inspires, but +which is so often shamefully neglected towards +those, whom it is most our duty and interest +to please. May you, my dear, be wise enough +to see that every faculty of entertainment, every +engaging qualification, which you possess, is +exerted to the best advantage for those, whose +love is of most importance to you—for those +who live under the same roof, and with whom +you are connected for life, either by the ties of +blood, or by the still more sacred obligations of +a voluntary engagement.</p> + +<p>To make you the delight and darling of your +family, something more is required than barely +to be exempt from ill-temper and troublesome +humours. The sincere and genuine smiles of +complacency and love must adorn your countenance. +That ready compliance, that alertness<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[118]</a></span> +to assist and oblige, which demonstrates +true affection, must animate your behaviour, +and endear your most common action. Politeness +must accompany your greatest familiarities, +and restrain you from every thing that is +really offensive, or which can give a moment's +unnecessary pain. Conversation, which is so +apt to grow dull and insipid in families, nay, +in some to be almost wholly laid aside, must be +cultivated with the frankness and openness of +friendship, and by the mutual communication +of whatever may conduce to the improvement +or innocent entertainment of each other.</p> + +<p>Reading, whether apart or in common, will +furnish useful and pleasing subjects; and the +sprightliness of youth will naturally inspire +harmless mirth and native humour, if encouraged +by a mutual desire of diverting each +other, and making the hours pass agreeably in +your own house: every amusement that offers +will be heightened by the participation of these +dear companions, and by talking over every incident +together and every object of pleasure. If +you have any acquired talent of entertainment, +such as music, painting, or the like, your own +family are those before whom you should most +wish to excel, and for whom you should always<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[119]</a></span> +be ready to exert yourself; not suffering the +accomplishments which you have gained, perhaps +by their means, and at their expense, to +lie dormant, till the arrival of a stranger gives +you spirit in the performance. Where this last +is the case, you may be sure vanity is the only +motive of the exertion: a stranger will praise +you more: but how little sensibility has that +heart which is not more gratified by the silent +pleasure painted on the countenance of a partial +parent, or of an affectionate brother, than +by the empty compliment of a visitor, who is +perhaps inwardly more disposed to criticise and +ridicule than to admire you!</p> + +<p>I have been longer in this letter than I intended, +yet it is with difficulty I can quit the +subject, because I think it is seldom sufficiently +insisted on, either in books or in sermons; +and because there are many persons weak +enough to believe themselves in a safe and innocent +course of life, whilst they are daily harassing +every body about them by their vexatious +humours. But you will, I hope, constantly +bear in mind, that you can never treat +a fellow-creature unkindly, without offending +the kind Creator and Father of all; and that +you can no way render yourself so acceptable<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[120]</a></span> +to him, as by studying to promote the happiness +of others, in every instance, small as well +as great. The favour of God, and the love of +your companions, will surely be deemed rewards +sufficient to animate your most fervent +endeavours; yet this is not all: the disposition +of mind, which I would recommend, is its own +reward, and is in itself essential to happiness. +Cultivate it therefore, my dear child, with your +utmost diligence; and watch the symptoms of +ill-temper, as they rise, with a firm resolution +to conquer them, before they are even perceived +by any other person. In every such +inward conflict, call upon our Maker, to assist +the feeble nature he hath given you, and +sacrifice to <i>Him</i> every feeling that would tempt +you to disobedience: so will you at length attain +the true Christian meekness, which is blessed +in the sight of God and man; "which has the +promise of this life as well as of that which +is to come." Then will you pity, in others, +those infirmities, which you have conquered in +yourself; and will think yourself as much bound +to assist, by your patience and gentleness, those +who are so unhappy as to be under the dominion +of evil passions, as you are to impart a +share of your riches to the poor and miserable.</p> + +<div class="signature"> +Adieu, my dearest.</div> + + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[121]</a></span></p> + +<h2><a name="economy" id="economy"></a>LETTER VII.</h2> + +<h3>ON ECONOMY.</h3> + + +<p> +<i>MY DEAREST NIECE</i>,<br /> +</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Economy</span> is so important a part of a woman's +character, so necessary to her own +happiness, and so essential to her performing +properly the duties of a wife and of a mother, +that it ought to have the precedence of +all other accomplishments, and take its rank +next to the first duties of life. It is, moreover, +an <i>art</i> as well as a <i>virtue</i>; and many well-meaning +persons, from ignorance, or from inconsideration, +are strangely deficient in it. Indeed +it is too often wholly neglected in a +young woman's education; and she is sent +from her father's house to govern a family, +without the least degree of that knowledge +which should qualify her for it: this is the +source of much inconvenience; for though experience +and attention may supply, by degrees, +the want of instruction, yet this requires time: +the family in the meantime may get into habits, +which are very difficult to alter; and, what is<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[122]</a></span> +worse, the husband's opinion of his wife's incapacity +may be fixed too strongly to suffer him +ever to think justly of her gradual improvements. +I would therefore earnestly advise +you to make use of every opportunity you can +find, for the laying in some store of knowledge +on this subject, before you are called upon to +the practice; by observing what passes before +you—by consulting prudent and experienced +mistresses of families—and by entering in a +book a memorandum of every new piece of +intelligence you acquire; you may afterwards +compare these with more mature observations, +and you can make additions and corrections, as +you see occasion. I hope it will not be long +before your mother entrusts you with some +part, at least, of the management of your father's +house. Whilst you are under her eye, +your ignorance cannot do much harm, though +the relief to her at first may not be near so considerable +as the benefit to yourself.</p> + +<p>Economy consists of so many branches, some +of which descend to such minutenesses, that it +is impossible for me in writing to give you +particular directions. The rude outlines may +be perhaps described, and I shall be happy if<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[123]</a></span> +I can furnish you with any hint that may hereafter +be usefully employed.</p> + +<p>The first and greatest point is, to lay out +your general plan of living in a just proportion +to your fortune and rank: if these two will not +coincide, the last must certainly give way; +for, if you have right principles, you cannot +fail of being wretched under the sense of the +injustice as well as danger of spending beyond +your income, and your distress will be continually +increasing. No mortifications, which +you can suffer from retrenching in your appearance, +can be comparable to this unhappiness. +If you would enjoy the real comforts of affluence, +you should lay your plan considerably +within your income; not for the pleasure of +amassing wealth—though, where there is a +growing family, it is an absolute duty to lay by +something every year—but to provide for contingencies, +and to have the power of indulging +your choice in the disposal of the overplus, +either in innocent pleasures, or to increase your +funds for charity and generosity, which are in +fact the true funds of pleasure. In some circumstances +indeed this would not be prudent: +there are professions in which a man's success +greatly depends on his making some figure,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[124]</a></span> +where the bare suspicion of poverty would bring +on the reality. If by marriage you should be +placed in such a situation, it will be your duty +to exert all your skill in the management of your +income: yet, even in this case, I would not strain +to the utmost for appearance, but would choose +my models among the most prudent and moderate +of my own class; and be contented with +slower advancement, for the sake of security +and peace of mind.</p> + +<p>A contrary conduct is the ruin of many; +and, in general, the wives of men in such professions +might live in a more retired and frugal +manner than they do, without any ill consequence, +if they did not make the scheme of advancing +the success of their husbands an excuse +to themselves for the indulgence of their own +vanity and ambition.</p> + +<p>Perhaps it may be said, that the settling the +general scheme of expenses is seldom the wife's +province, and that many men do not choose +even to acquaint her with the real state of +their affairs. Where this is the case, a woman +can be answerable for no more than is entrusted +to her. But I think it a very ill sign, +for one or both of the parties where there is<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[125]</a></span> +such a want of openness, in what equally concerns +them. As I trust you will deserve the +confidence of your husband, so I hope you will +be allowed free consultation with him on your +mutual interest; and I believe there are few +men, who would not hearken to reason on their +own affairs, when they saw a wife ready and +desirous to give up her share of vanities and +indulgences, and only earnest to promote the +common good of the family.</p> + +<p>In order to settle your plan, it will be necessary +to make a pretty exact calculation: and if, +from this time, you accustom yourself to calculations, +in all the little expenses entrusted to +you, you will grow expert and ready at them, +and be able to guess very nearly, where certainty +cannot be obtained. Many articles of expense +are regular and fixed: these may be valued +exactly; and, by consulting with experienced +persons, you may calculate nearly the amount +of others: any material article of consumption, +in a family of any given number and circumstances, +may be estimated pretty nearly. Your +own expenses of clothes and pocket-money +should be settled and circumscribed, that you +may be sure not to exceed the just proportion. +I think it an admirable method to appropriate<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[126]</a></span> +such a portion of your income, as you judge +proper to bestow in charity, to be sacredly kept +for that purpose, and no longer considered as +your own. By which means you will avoid +the temptation of giving less than you ought, +through selfishness, or more than you ought, +through good-nature or weakness. If your +circumstances allow of it, you might set apart +another fund for acts of liberality or friendship, +which do not come under the head of charity. +The having such funds ready at hand, makes it +easy and pleasant to give; and when acts of +bounty are performed without effort, they are +generally done more kindly and effectually. If +you are obliged in conscience to lay up for a +family, the same method of an appropriated +fund for saving will be of excellent use, as it +will prevent that continual and often ineffectual +anxiety, which a general desire of saving, +without having fixed the limits, is sure to +create.</p> + +<p>Regularity of payments and accounts is essential +to Economy:—your house-keeping +should be settled at least once a week, and all +the bills paid: all other tradesmen should be +paid, at furthest, once a year. Indeed I think +it more advantageous to pay oftener: but, if<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[127]</a></span> +you make them trust you longer, they must either +charge proportionally higher, or be losers +by your custom. Numbers of them fail, every +year, from the cruel cause of being obliged to +give their customers so much longer credit +than the dealers, from whom they take their +goods, will allow to them. If people of fortune +considered this, they would not defer their +payments, from mere negligence, as they often +do, to the ruin of whole families.</p> + +<p>You must endeavour to acquire skill in purchasing: +in order to this, you should begin +now to attend to the prices of things, and take +every proper opportunity of learning the real +value of every thing, as well as the marks +whereby you are to distinguish the good from +the bad.</p> + +<p>In your table, as in your dress, and in all +other things, I wish you to aim at <i>propriety</i> +and <i>neatness</i>, or, if your state demands it, <i>elegance</i>, +rather than <i>superfluous figure</i>. To go +beyond your sphere, either in dress or in the +appearance of your table, indicates a greater +fault in your character than to be too much +within it. It is impossible to enter into the +<i>minutiæ</i> of the table; good sense and observation<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[128]</a></span> +on the best models must form your taste, +and a due regard to what you can afford must +restrain it.</p> + +<p>Ladies, who are fond of needle-work, generally +choose to consider that as a principal part +of good housewifery: and though I cannot +look upon it as of equal importance with the +due regulation of a family, yet, in a middling +rank, and with a moderate fortune, it is a necessary +part of a woman's duty, and a considerable +article in expense is saved by it. Many +young ladies make almost <i>every thing</i> they +wear; by which means they can make a genteel +figure at a small expense. This, in your +station, is the most profitable and desirable +kind of work; and, as much of it as you can +do, consistently with a due attention to your +health, to the improvement of your mind, and +to the discharge of other duties, I should think +highly commendable. But, as I do not wish +you to impose upon the world by your appearance, +I should be contented to see you worse +dressed, rather than see your whole time employed +in preparations for it, or any of those +hours given to it, which are needful to make +your body strong and active by exercise, or +your mind rational by reading. Absolute idleness<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[129]</a></span> +is inexcusable in a woman, because the +needle is always at hand for those intervals in +which she cannot be otherwise employed. If +you are industrious, and if you keep good +hours, you will find time for all your proper +employments. Early rising, and a good disposition +of time, is essential to Economy. The +necessary orders, and examinations into household +affairs, should be dispatched as soon in +the day and as privately as possible, that they +may not interrupt your husband or guests, or +break in upon conversation, or reading, in the +remainder of the day. If you defer any thing +that is necessary, you may be tempted by company, +or by unforeseen avocations, to forget +or to neglect it: hurry and irregularity will +ensue, with expensive expedients to supply the +defect.</p> + +<p>There is in many people, and particularly in +youth, a strange aversion to regularity—a desire +to delay what ought to be done immediately, +in order to do something else, which +might as well be done afterwards. Be assured +it is of more consequence to you than you can +conceive, to get the better of this idle procrastinating +spirit, and to acquire habits of constancy +and steadiness, even in the most trifling<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[130]</a></span> +matters: without them there can be no regularity, +or consistency of action or character—no +dependence on your best intentions, which +a sudden humour may tempt you to lay aside +for a time, and which a thousand unforeseen +accidents will afterwards render it more and +more difficult to execute: no one can say what +important consequences may follow a trivial +neglect of this kind. For example—I have +known one of these <i>procrastinators</i> disoblige +and gradually lose very valuable friends, by +delaying to write to them so long, that, having +no good excuse to offer, she could not get +courage enough to write at all, and dropped +their correspondence entirely.</p> + +<p>The neatness and order of your house and +furniture is a part of Economy, which will +greatly affect your appearance and character, +and to which you must yourself give attention, +since it is not possible even for the <i>rich</i> and +<i>great</i> to rely wholly on the care of servants, in +such points, without their being often neglected. +The more magnificently a house is furnished, +the more one is disgusted with that air of +confusion, which often prevails where attention +is wanting in the owner. But, on the +other hand, there is a kind of neatness, which<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[131]</a></span> +gives a lady the air of a housemaid, and makes +her excessively troublesome to every body, and +particularly to her husband: in this, as in all +other branches of Economy, I wish you to +avoid all parade and bustle. Those ladies who +pique themselves on the particular excellence +of neatness, are very apt to forget that the decent +order of the house should be designed to +promote the convenience and pleasure of those +who are to be in it; and that, if it is converted +into a cause of trouble and constraint, their +husbands and guests would be happier without +it. The love of fame, that universal passion, +will sometimes show itself on strangely insignificant +subjects; and a person who acts for +praise only, will always go beyond the mark in +every thing. The best sign of a house being +well governed is, that nobody's attention is +called to any of the little affairs of it, but all +goes on so well of course, that one is not led to +make remarks upon any thing, nor to observe +any extraordinary effort that produces the general +result of ease and elegance, which prevails +throughout.</p> + +<p>Domestic Economy, and the credit and happiness +of a family, depend so much on the +choice and proper regulation of servants, that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[132]</a></span> +it must be considered as an essential part both +of prudence and duty. Those who keep a +great number of them, have a heavy charge on +their consciences, and ought to think themselves +in some measure responsible for the morals +and happiness of so many of their fellow-creatures, +designed like themselves for immortality. +Indeed the cares of domestic management +are by no means lighter to persons of high +rank and fortune, if they perform their duty, +than to those of a retired station. It is with a +family, as with a commonwealth, the more numerous +and luxurious it becomes, the more +difficult it is to govern it properly. Though +the great are placed above the little attentions +and employments, to which a private gentlewoman +must dedicate much of her time, they have +a larger and more important sphere of action, +in which, if they are indolent and neglectful, +the whole government of their house and fortune +must fall into irregularity. Whatever +number of deputies they may employ to overlook +their affairs, they must themselves overlook +those deputies, and be ultimately answerable +for the conduct of the whole. The characters +of those servants, who are entrusted +with power over the rest, cannot be too nicely +inquired into; and the mistress of the family<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[133]</a></span> +must be ever watchful over their conduct; at +the same time that she must carefully avoid +every appearance of suspicion, which, whilst it +wounds and hinders a worthy servant, only excites +the artifice and cunning of an unjust one.</p> + +<p>None, who pretend to be friends of religion +and virtue, should ever keep a domestic, however +expert in business, whom they know to +be guilty of immorality. How unbecoming a +serious character is it, to say of such an one, +"He is a bad man, but a good servant!" +What a preference does it show of private +convenience to the interests of society, which +demand that vice should be constantly discountenanced, +especially in every one's own household; +and that the sober, honest, and industrious, +should be sure of finding encouragement +and reward, in the houses of those who maintain +respectable characters! Such persons +should be invariably strict and peremptory with +regard to the behaviour of their servants, in +every thing which concerns the general plan +of domestic government; but should by no +means be severe on small faults, since nothing +so much weakens authority as frequent chiding. +Whilst they require precise obedience to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[134]</a></span> +their rules, they must prove by their general +conduct, that these rules are the effect, not of +humour but of reason. It is wonderful that +those, who are careful to conceal their ill-temper +from strangers, should be indifferent +how peevish and even contemptibly capricious +they appear before their servants, on whom +their good name so much depends, and from +whom they can hope for no real respect, when +their weakness is so apparent. When once a +servant can say, "I cannot do any thing to +please my mistress to-day," all authority is +lost.</p> + +<p>Those, who continually change their servants, +and complain of perpetual ill usage, have +good reason to believe that the fault is in themselves, +and that they do not know how to govern. +Few indeed possess the skill to unite +authority with kindness, or are capable of that +steady and uniformly reasonable conduct, which +alone can maintain true dignity, and command +a willing and attentive obedience. Let us not +forget that human nature is the same in all stations. +If you can convince your servants, that +you have a generous and considerate regard to +their health, their interest, and their reasonable<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[135]</a></span> +gratifications—that you impose no commands +but what are fit and right, nor ever reprove +but with justice and temper—why should you +imagine that they will be insensible to the good +they receive, or whence suppose them incapable +of esteeming and prizing such a mistress? I +could never, without indignation, hear it said, +that "servants have no gratitude;" as if the +condition of servitude excluded the virtues of +humanity! The truth is, masters and mistresses +have seldom any real claim to gratitude. +They think highly of what they bestow, and +little of the service they receive: they consider +only their own convenience, and seldom +reflect on the kind of life their servants pass +with them: they do not ask themselves, whether +it is such an one as is consistent with the +preservation of their health, their morals, their +leisure for religious duties, or with a proper +share of the enjoyments and comforts of life. +The dissipated manners, which now so generally +prevail, perpetual absence from home, +and attendance on assemblies or at public +places, is, in all these respects, pernicious to +the whole household, and to the <i>men-servants</i> +absolutely ruinous. Their only resource, in +the tedious hours of waiting, whilst their masters +and ladies are engaged in diversions, is to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[136]</a></span> +find out something of the same kind for themselves. +Thus they are led into gaming, drinking, +extravagance, and bad company; and thus, +by a natural progression, they become distressed +and dishonest. That attachment and affiance, +which ought to subsist between the dependant +and his protector, are destroyed. The master +looks on his attendants as thieves and traitors, +whilst they consider him as one whose money +only gives him power over them, and who +uses that power without the least regard to +their welfare.</p> + +<p>"<a name="FNanchor_26_26" id="FNanchor_26_26"></a><a href="#Footnote_26_26" class="fnanchor">[26]</a>The +fool saith, I have no friends—I +have no thanks for all my good deeds, and +they that eat my bread speak evil of me." +Thus foolishly do those complain, who choose +their servants, as well as their friends, without +discretion, or who treat them in a manner that +no worthy person will bear.</p> + +<p>I have been often shocked at the want of +politeness, by which masters and mistresses +sometimes provoke impertinence from their +servants: a gentleman, who would resent to +death an imputation of falsehood, from his +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[137]</a></span> +equal, will not scruple, without proof, to accuse +his servant of it in the grossest terms. I +have heard the most insolent contempt of the +whole class expressed at a table, whilst five or +six of them attended behind the chairs, who +the company seemed to think were without +senses, without understanding, or the natural +feelings of resentment: these are cruel injuries, +and will be retorted in some way or +other.</p> + +<p>If you, my dear, live to be at the head of a +family, I hope you will not only avoid all injurious +treatment of your domestics, but behave +to them with that courtesy and good breeding, +which will heighten their respect as well as +their affection. If, on any occasion, they do +more than you have a right to require, give +them, at least, the reward of seeing that they +have obliged you. If, in your service, they +have any hardship to endure, let them see that +you are concerned for the necessity of imposing +it. When they are sick, give them all the +attention and every comfort in your power, +with a free heart and kind countenance; +"<a name="FNanchor_27_27" id="FNanchor_27_27"></a><a href="#Footnote_27_27" class="fnanchor">[27]</a>not +blemishing thy good deeds, not using +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[138]</a></span> +uncomfortable words when thou givest any +thing. Is not a word better than a gift? +but both are with a gracious man. A fool +will upbraid churlishly, and a gift of the envious +consumeth the eyes."</p> + +<p>Whilst you thus endear yourself to all your +servants, you must ever carefully avoid making +a favourite of any; unjust distinctions, and +weak indulgences to one, will of course excite +envy and hatred in the rest. Your favourite +may establish whatever abuses she +pleases; none will dare to complain against +her, and you will be kept ignorant of her ill +practices, but will feel the effects of them, by +finding all your other servants uneasy in their +places, and, perhaps, by being obliged continually +to change them.</p> + +<p>When they have spent a reasonable time in +your service, and have behaved commendably, +you ought to prefer them, if it is in your +power, or to recommend them to a better provision. +The hope of this keeps alive attention +and gratitude, and is the proper support of +industry. Like a parent, you should keep in +view their establishment in some way, that +may preserve their old age from indigence;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[139]</a></span> +and to this end, you should endeavour to inspire +them with care to lay up part of their +gains, and constantly discourage in them all +vanity in dress, and extravagance in idle expenses. +That you are bound to promote their +eternal as well as temporal welfare, you cannot +doubt, since, next to your children, they are +your nearest dependants. You ought therefore +to instruct them as far as you are able, furnish +them with good books suited to their capacity, +and see that they attend the public worship +of God: and you must take care so to +pass the sabbath-day as to allow them time, on +that day, at least, for reading and reflection at +home, as well as for attendance at church. +Though this is part of your religious duty, I +mention it here, because it is also a part of family +management: for the same reason I shall +here take occasion earnestly to recommend +family prayers, which are useful to all, but +more particularly to servants, who, being constantly +employed, are led to the neglect of private +prayer, and whose ignorance makes it +very difficult for them to frame devotions for +themselves, or to choose proper helps, amidst +the numerous books of superstitious or enthusiastic +nonsense, which are printed for that purpose. +Even, in a political light, this practice<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[140]</a></span> +is eligible, since the idea which it will give +them of your regularity and decency, if not +counteracted by other parts of your conduct, +will probably increase their respect for you, +and will be some restraint at least on their outward +behaviour, though it should fail of that +inward influence, which in general may be +hoped from it.</p> + +<p>The prudent distribution of your charitable +gifts may not improperly be considered as a +branch of Economy, since the great duty of +almsgiving cannot be truly fulfilled without a +diligent attention so to manage the sums you +can spare as to produce the most real good to +your fellow-creatures. Many are willing to +give money, who will not bestow their time and +consideration, and who therefore often hurt +the community, when they mean to do good to +individuals. The larger are your funds, the +stronger is the call upon you to exert your industry +and care in disposing of them properly. +It seems impossible to give rules for this, as +every case is attended with a variety of circumstances, +which must all be considered. In general, +charity is most useful, when it is appropriated +to animate the industry of the young, +to procure some ease and comforts to old age,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[141]</a></span> +and to support in sickness those, whose daily +labour is their only maintenance in health. +They, who are fallen into indigence, from circumstances +of ease and plenty, and in whom +education and habit have added a thousand +wants to those of nature, must be considered +with the tenderest sympathy by every feeling +heart. It is needless to say, that to such the +bare support of existence is scarcely a benefit, +and that the delicacy and liberality of the manner, +in which relief is here offered, can alone +make it a real act of kindness. In great families, +the waste of provisions, sufficient for the +support of many poor ones, is a shocking abuse +of the gifts of Providence: nor should any lady +think it beneath her to study the best means +of preventing it, and of employing the refuse +of luxury in the relief of the poor. Even the +smallest families may give some assistance in +this way, if care is taken that nothing be +wasted.</p> + +<p>I am sensible, my dear child, that very little +more can be gathered from what I have said +on Economy, than the general importance of +it, which cannot be too much impressed on +your mind, since the natural turn of young +people is to neglect and even to despise it; not<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[142]</a></span> +distinguishing it from parsimony and narrowness +of spirit. But, be assured, my dear, there +can be no true generosity without it; and that +the most enlarged and liberal mind will find +itself not debased but ennobled by it. Nothing +is more common than to see the same person, +whose want of Economy is ruining his family, +consumed with regret and vexation at the effect +of his profusion; and, by endeavouring to +save, in such trifles as will not amount to +twenty pounds in a year, that which he wastes +by hundreds, incur the character and suffer the +anxieties of a miser, together with the misfortunes +of a prodigal. A rational plan of expense +will save you from all these corroding +cares, and will give you the full and liberal enjoyment +of what you spend. An air of ease, +of hospitality, and frankness, will reign in your +house, which will make it pleasant to your +friends and to yourself. "Better is a morsel +of bread," where this is found, than the most +elaborate entertainment, with that air of constraint +and anxiety, which often betrays the +grudging heart through all the disguises of civility.</p> + +<p>That you, my dear, may unite in yourself +the admirable virtues of Generosity and Economy,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[143]</a></span> +which will be the grace and crown +of all your attainments, is the earnest wish +of</p> + +<div class="signature"> +Your ever affectionate. +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="politeness" id="politeness"></a>LETTER VIII.</h2> + +<h3>ON POLITENESS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS.</h3> + + +<p><span class="smcap">Whilst</span> you labour to enrich your mind +with the essential virtues of Christianity—with +piety, benevolence, meekness, humility, +integrity, and purity—and to make yourself +useful in domestic management, I would not +have my dear child neglect to pursue those +graces and acquirements, which may set her +virtue in the most advantageous light, adorn +her manners, and enlarge her understanding: +and this, not in the spirit of vanity, +but in the innocent and laudable view of rendering +herself more useful and pleasing to her +fellow-creatures, and consequently more acceptable +to God. Politeness of behaviour, +and the attainment of such branches of knowledge +and such arts and accomplishments as +are proper to your sex, capacity, and station,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[144]</a></span> +will prove so valuable to yourself through life, +and will make you so desirable a companion, +that the neglect of them may reasonably be +deemed a neglect of duty; since it is undoubtedly +our duty to cultivate the powers entrusted +to us, and to render ourselves as perfect as we +can.</p> + +<p>You must have often observed, that nothing +is so strong a recommendation on a slight acquaintance +as <i>politeness</i>; nor does it lose its +value by time or intimacy, when preserved, as +it ought to be, in the nearest connections and +strictest friendships. This delightful qualification—so +universally admired and respected, +but so rarely possessed in any eminent degree—cannot +but be a considerable object of my +wishes for you: nor should either of us be discouraged +by the apprehension, that neither I +am capable of teaching, nor you of learning it, +in <i>perfection</i>; since whatever degree you attain +will amply reward our pains.</p> + +<p>To be perfectly polite, one must have great +<i>presence of mind</i>, with a delicate and quick +<i>sense of propriety</i>; or, in other words, one +should be able to form an instantaneous judgment +of what is fittest to be said or done, on<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[145]</a></span> +every occasion as it offers. I have known one +or two persons, who seemed to owe this advantage +to nature only, and to have the peculiar +happiness of being born, as it were, with +another sense, by which they had an immediate +perception of what was proper and improper, +in cases absolutely new to them: but +this is the lot of very few; in general, propriety +of behaviour must be the fruit of instruction, +of observation, and reasoning; and +is to be cultivated and improved like any other +branch of knowledge or virtue. A good temper +is a necessary groundwork of it; and, if to this +is added a good understanding, applied industriously +to this purpose, I think it can hardly +fail of attaining all that is essential in it. Particular +modes and ceremonies of behaviour +vary in different countries, and even in different +parts of the same town. These can only +be learned by observation on the manners of +those who are best skilled in them, and by +keeping what is called good company. But +the principles of politeness are the same in all +places. Wherever there are human beings, it +must be impolite to hurt the temper or to shock +the passions of those you converse with. It +must every where be good-breeding, to set +your companions in the most advantageous<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[146]</a></span> +point of light, by giving each the opportunity +of displaying their most agreeable talents, and +by carefully avoiding all occasions of exposing +their defects;—to exert your own endeavours +to please, and to amuse, but not to outshine +them;—to give each their due share of attention +and notice—not engrossing the talk, when +others are desirous to speak, nor suffering the +conversation to flag, for want of introducing +something to continue or renew a subject;—not +to push your advantages in argument so +far that your antagonist cannot retreat with +honour:—In short, it is an universal duty in +society to consider others more than yourself—"in +honour preferring one another." Christianity, +in this rule, gives the best lesson of politeness; +yet judgment must be used in the application +of it: our humility must not be strained +so far as to distress those we mean to honour; +we must not quit our proper rank, nor force +others to treat us improperly; or to accept, +what we mean as an advantage, against their +wills. We should be perfectly easy, and make +others so, if we can. But this happy ease belongs +perhaps to the last stage of perfection in +politeness, and can hardly be attained till we +are conscious that we know the rules of behaviour, +and are not likely to offend against propriety.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[147]</a></span> +In a very young person, who has seen +little or nothing of the world, this cannot be +expected; but a real desire of obliging, and a +respectful attention, will in a great measure +supply the want of knowledge, and will make +every one ready to overlook those deficiencies, +which are owing only to the want of opportunities +to observe the manners of polite company. +You ought not therefore to be too +much depressed by the consciousness of such +deficiencies, but endeavour to get above the +shame of wanting what you have not had the +means of acquiring. Nothing heightens this +false shame, and the awkwardness it occasions, +so much as vanity. The humble mind, contented +to be known for what it is, and unembarrassed +by the dread of betraying its ignorance, +is present to itself, and can command the +use of understanding, which will generally preserve +you from any great indecorum, and will +secure you from that ridicule, which is the punishment +of affectation rather than of ignorance. +People of sense will never despise +you, whilst you act naturally; but, the moment +you attempt to step out of your own character, +you make yourself an object of just +ridicule.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[148]</a></span></p> + +<p>Many are of opinion, that a very young woman +can hardly be too silent and reserved in +company; and, certainly, nothing is so disgusting +in youth as pertness and self-conceit. But +modesty should be distinguished from an awkward +bashfulness, and silence should be only +enjoined, when it would be forward and impertinent +to talk. There are many proper opportunities +for a girl, young even as you are, +to speak in company, with advantage to herself; +and, if she does it without conceit or +affectation, she will always be more pleasing +than those, who sit like statues, without sense +or motion. When you are silent, your looks +should show your attention and presence to +the company: a respectful and earnest attention +is the most delicate kind of praise, and +never fails to gratify and please. You must +appear to be interested in what is said, and +endeavour to improve yourself by it: if you +understand the subject well enough to ask now +and then a pertinent question, or if you can +mention any circumstances relating to it that +have not before been taken notice of, this will +be an agreeable way of showing your willingness +to make a part of the company; and will +probably draw a particular application to you,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[149]</a></span> +from some one or other. Then, when called +upon, you must not draw back as unwilling to +answer, nor confine yourself merely to <i>yes</i>, or +<i>no</i>, as is the custom of many young persons, +who become intolerable burdens to the mistress +of the house, whilst she strives in vain to +draw them into notice, and to give them some +share in the conversation.</p> + +<p>In your father's house it is certainly proper +for you to pay civility to the guests, and to +talk to them in your turn—with modesty and +respect—if they encourage you to it. Young +ladies of near your own age, who visit there, fall +of course to your share to entertain. But, whilst +you exert yourself to make their visit agreeable +to them, you must not forget what is due to the +elder part of the company, nor, by whispering +and laughing apart, give them cause to suspect, +what is too often true, that they themselves are +the subjects of your mirth. It is so shocking +an outrage against society, to talk of, or laugh +at, any person in his own presence, that one +would only think it could be committed by the +vulgar. I am sorry however to say, that I have +too often observed it amongst young ladies, +who little deserved that title whilst they indulged +their overflowing spirits in defiance of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[150]</a></span> +decency and good-nature. The desire of +laughing will make such inconsiderate young +persons find a subject of ridicule, even in the +most respectable character. Old age, which—if +not disgraced by vice or affectation—has the +justest title to reverence, will be mimicked +and insulted; and even personal defects and +infirmities will too often excite contempt and +abuse, instead of compassion. If you have +ever been led into such an action, my dear +girl, call it seriously to mind, when you are +confessing your faults to Almighty God; and +be fully persuaded, that it is not one of the +least which you have to repent of. You will +be immediately convinced of this, by comparing +it with the great rule of justice, that of +doing to all as you would they should do unto +you. No person living is insensible to the injury +of contempt, nor is there any talent so +invidious, or so certain to create ill-will, as that +of ridicule. The natural effects of years, which +all hope to attain, and the infirmities of the +body, which none can prevent, are surely of +all others the most improper objects of mirth. +There are subjects enough that are innocent, +and on which you may freely indulge the vivacity +of your spirits; for I would not condemn +you to perpetual seriousness; on the contrary,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[151]</a></span> +I delight in a joyous temper, at all ages, and +particularly at your's. Delicate and good-natured +raillery amongst equal friends, if pointed +only against such trifling errors as the owner +can hardly join to laugh at, or such qualities +as they do not pique themselves upon, is both +agreeable and useful; but then it must be offered +in perfect kindness and sincere good-humour; +if tinctured with the least degree of +malice, its sting becomes venomous and detestable. +The person rallied should have liberty +and ability to return the jest, which must be +dropped upon the first appearance of its affecting +the temper.</p> + +<p>You will wonder, perhaps, when I tell you, +that there are some characters in the world, +which I would freely allow you to laugh at—though +not in their presence. Extravagant vanity +and affectation are the natural subjects +of ridicule, which is their proper punishment. +When you see old people, instead of maintaining +the dignity of their years, struggling +against nature to conceal them, affecting the +graces, and imitating the follies of youth—or a +young person assuming the importance and +solemnity of old age—I do not wish you to be +insensible to the ridicule of such absurd deviations<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[152]</a></span> +from truth and nature. You are welcome +to laugh, when you leave the company, provided +you lay up a lesson for yourself at the +same time; and remember that, unless you improve +your mind whilst you are young, you +also will be an insignificant fool in old age; +and that, if you are presuming and arrogant in +youth, you are as ridiculous as an old woman +with a head-dress of flowers.</p> + +<p>In a young lady's behaviour towards gentlemen, +great delicacy is certainly required: yet, +I believe, women oftener err from too great a +consciousness of the supposed views of men, +than from inattention to those views, or want +of caution against them. You are at present +rather too young to want rules on this subject; +but I could wish that you should behave almost +in the same manner three years hence as now; +and retain the simplicity and innocence of childhood, +with the sense and dignity of riper years. +Men of loose morals or impertinent behaviour +must always be avoided: or, if at any time you +are obliged to be in their company, you must +keep them at a distance by cold civility. But, +with regard to those gentlemen whom your +parents think it proper for you to converse +with, and who give no offence by their own<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[153]</a></span> +manners, to them I wish you to behave with +the same frankness and simplicity as if they +were of your own sex. If you have natural +modesty, you will never transgress its bounds, +whilst you converse with a man, as one rational +creature with another, without any view +to the possibility of a lover or admirer, where +nothing of that kind is professed; where it is, +I hope you will ever be equally a stranger to +coquetry and prudery; and that you will be +able to distinguish the effects of real esteem +and love from idle gallantry and unmeaning +fine speeches: the slighter notice you take of +these last, the better; and that, rather with +good-humoured contempt than with affected +gravity: but the first must be treated with +seriousness and well-bred sincerity; not giving +the least encouragement, which you do +not mean, nor assuming airs of contempt, where +it is not deserved. But this belongs to a subject, +which I have touched upon in a former +letter. I have already told you, that you will +be unsafe in every step which leads to a serious +attachment, unless you consult your parents, +from the first moment you apprehend any thing +of that sort to be intended: let them be your first +confidants, and let every part of your conduct, +in such a case, be particularly directed by them.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[154]</a></span></p> + +<p>With regard to accomplishments, the chief +of these is a competent share of reading, well +chosen and properly regulated; and of this I +shall speak more largely hereafter. Dancing +and the knowledge of the French tongue are +now so universal, that they cannot be dispensed +with in the education of a gentlewoman; and +indeed they both are useful as well as ornamental; +the first, by forming and strengthening +the body, and improving the carriage; the +second, by opening a large field of entertainment +and improvement for the mind. I believe +there are more agreeable books of female literature +in French than in any other language; +and, as they are not less commonly talked of +than English books, you must often feel mortified +in company, if you are too ignorant to +read them. Italian would be easily learnt after +French, and, if you have leisure and opportunity, +may be worth your gaining, though in your +station of life it is by no means necessary.</p> + +<p>To write a free and legible hand, and to +understand common arithmetic, are indispensable +requisites.</p> + +<p>As to music and drawing, I would only wish +you to follow as Genius leads: you have some<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[155]</a></span> +turn for the first, and I should be sorry to see +you neglect a talent, which will at least afford +you an innocent amusement, though it should +not enable you to give much pleasure to your +friends. I think the use of both these arts is +more for yourself than for others: it is but seldom +that a private person has leisure or application +enough to gain any high degree of excellence +in them; and your own partial family +are perhaps the only persons who would not +much rather be entertained by the performance +of a professor than by your's: but, with regard +to yourself, it is of great consequence to have +the power of filling up agreeably those intervals +of time, which too often hang heavily on +the hands of a woman, if her lot be cast in a +retired situation. Besides this, it is certain +that even a small share of knowledge in these +arts will heighten your pleasure in the performances +of others: the taste must be improved +before it can be susceptible of an exquisite +relish for any of the imitative arts: an +unskilful ear is seldom capable of comprehending +<i>harmony</i>, or of distinguishing the most +<i>delicate</i> charms of <i>melody</i>. The pleasure of +seeing fine paintings, or even of contemplating +the beauties of Nature, must be greatly +heightened by our being conversant with the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[156]</a></span> +rules of drawing, and by the habit of considering +the most picturesque objects. As I look +upon taste to be an inestimable fund of innocent +delight, I wish you to lose no opportunity +of improving it, and of cultivating in yourself +the relish of such pleasures as will not interfere +with a rational scheme of life, nor lead you +into dissipation, with all its attendant evils of +vanity and luxury.</p> + +<p>As to the learned languages, though I respect +the abilities and application of those +ladies who have attained them, and who make +a modest and proper use of them, yet I would +by no means advise you—or any other woman +who is not strongly impelled by a particular +genius—to engage in such studies. The labour +and time which they require are generally +incompatible with our natures and proper employments: +the real knowledge which they +supply is not essential, since the English, +French, or Italian tongues afford tolerable +translations of all the most valuable productions +of antiquity, besides the multitude of +original authors which they furnish: and these +are much more than sufficient to store your +mind with as many ideas as you will know how +to manage. The danger of pedantry and presumption<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[157]</a></span> +in a woman—of her exciting envy in +one sex and jealousy in the other—of her exchanging +the graces of imagination for the +severity and preciseness of a scholar, would be, +I own, sufficient to frighten me from the ambition +of seeing my girl remarkable for learning. +Such objections are perhaps still stronger with +regard to the abstruse sciences.</p> + +<p>Whatever tends to embellish your fancy, to +enlighten your understanding, and furnish you +with ideas to reflect upon when alone, or to +converse upon in company, is certainly well +worth your acquisition. The wretched expedient, +to which ignorance so often drives our +sex, of calling in slander to enliven the tedious +insipidity of conversation, would alone be a +strong reason for enriching your mind with innocent +subjects of entertainment, which may +render you a fit companion for persons of sense +and knowledge, from whom you may reap the +most desirable improvements; for, though I +think reading indispensably necessary to the due +cultivation of your mind, I prefer the conversation +of such persons to every other method of +instruction: but this you cannot hope to enjoy, +unless you qualify yourself to bear a part in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[158]</a></span> +such society, by, at least, a moderate share of +reading.</p> + +<p>Though <i>religion</i> is the most important of all +your pursuits, there are not many <i>books</i> on that +subject which I should recommend to you at +present. Controversy is wholly improper at +your age, and it is also too soon for you to enquire +into the evidence of the truth of revelation, +or to study the difficult parts of scripture: +when these shall come before you, there are +many excellent books, from which you may +receive great assistance. At present, practical +divinity—clear of superstition and enthusiasm, +but addressed to the heart, and written with +a warmth and spirit capable of exciting in it +pure and rational piety—is what I wish you to +meet with.</p> + +<p>The principal study, I would recommend, is +<i>history</i>. I know of nothing equally proper to +entertain and improve at the same time, or that +is so likely to form and strengthen your judgment, +and, by giving you a liberal and comprehensive +view of human nature, in some measure +to supply the defect of that experience, +which is usually attained too late to be of much<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[159]</a></span> +service to us. Let me add, that more materials +for conversation are supplied by this kind +of knowledge, than by almost any other; but I +have more to say to you on this subject in a +future letter.</p> + +<p>The faculty, in which women usually most +excel, is that of imagination; and, when properly +cultivated, it becomes the source of all +that is most charming in society. Nothing +you can read will so much contribute to the +improvement of this faculty as <i>poetry</i>; which, +if applied to its true ends, adds a thousand +charms to those sentiments of religion, virtue, +generosity, and delicate tenderness, by which +the human soul is exalted and refined. I hope +you are not deficient in natural taste for this +enchanting art, but that you will find it one of +your greatest pleasures to be conversant with +the best poets, whom our language can bring +you acquainted with, particularly those immortal +ornaments of our nation, <i>Shakspeare</i> +and <i>Milton</i>. The first is not only incomparably +the noblest genius in dramatic poetry, but the +greatest master of nature, and the most perfect +characterizer of men and manners: in this last +point of view, I think him inestimable; and I +am persuaded that, in the course of your life,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[160]</a></span> +you will seldom find occasion to correct those +observations on human nature, and those principles +of morality, which you may extract from +his capital pieces. You will at first find his +language difficult; but, if you take the assistance +of a friend, who understands it well, you +will by degrees enter into his manner of phraseology, +and perceive a thousand beauties, +which at first lay buried in obsolete words and +uncouth constructions. The admirable <i>Essay +on Shakspeare</i>, which has lately appeared, so +much to the honour of our sex, will open your +mind to the peculiar excellences of this author, +and enlighten your judgment on dramatic poetry +in general, with such force of reason and +brilliancy of wit, as cannot fail to delight as well +as instruct you.</p> + +<p>Our great English poet, Milton, is as far +above my praise as his <i>Paradise Lost</i> is above +any thing which I am able to read, except the +sacred writers. The sublimity of his subject +sometimes leads him into abstruseness; but +many parts of his great poem are easy to all +comprehensions, and must find their way directly +to every heart by the tenderness and +delicacy of his sentiments, in which he is not +less strikingly excellent than in the richness<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[161]</a></span> +and sublimity of his imagination. Addison's +criticism in the Spectators, written with that +beauty, elegance, and judgment, which distinguish +all his writings, will assist you to understand +and to relish this poem.</p> + +<p>It is needless to recommend to you the translations +of Homer and Virgil, which every body +reads that reads at all. You must have heard +that Homer is esteemed the father of poetry, +the original from whence all the moderns—not +excepting Milton himself—borrow some of +their greatest beauties, and from whom they +extract those rules for composition, which are +found most agreeable to nature and true taste. +Virgil, you know, is the next in rank among +the classics: you will read his Eneid with extreme +pleasure, if ever you are able to read +Italian, in Annibal Caro's translation; the idiom +of the Latin and Italian languages being more +alike, it is, I believe, much closer, yet preserves +more of the spirit of the original than the English +translations.</p> + +<p>For the rest, fame will point out to you the +most considerable of our poets; and I would +not exclude any of name among those whose +morality is unexceptionable: but of poets, as<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[162]</a></span> +of all other authors, I wish you to read only +such as are properly recommended to you—since +there are many who debase their divine +art by abusing it to the purposes of vice and +impiety. If you could read poetry with a judicious +friend, who could lead your judgment +to a true discernment of its beauties and defects, +it would inexpressibly heighten both your +pleasure and improvement. But, before you +enter upon this, some acquaintance with the +<i>Heathen Mythology</i> is necessary. I think that +you must before now have met with some +book under the title of <i>The Pantheon</i><a name="FNanchor_28_28" id="FNanchor_28_28"></a><a href="#Footnote_28_28" class="fnanchor">[28]</a>: and, if +once you know as much of the gods and goddesses +as the most common books on the subject +will tell you, the rest may be learned by +reading Homer: but then you must particularly +attend to him in this view. I do not expect +you to penetrate those numerous mysteries—those +amazing depths of morality, religion, +and metaphysics—which some pretend +to have discovered in his mythology, but to +know the names and principal offices of the +gods and goddesses, with some idea of their +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[163]</a></span> +moral meaning, seems requisite to the understanding +almost any poetical composition. As +an instance of the <i>moral meaning</i> I speak of, I +will mention an observation of Bossuet. That +Homer's poetry was particularly recommended +to the Greeks by the superiority which he +ascribes to them over the Asiatics: this superiority +is shown in the Iliad, not only in the +conquest of Asia by the Greeks, and in the +actual destruction of its capital, but in the division +and arrangement of the gods, who took +part with the contending nations. On the side +of Asia was <i>Venus</i>—that is, sensual passion—pleasure—and +effeminacy. On the side of +Greece was <i>Juno</i>—that is, matronly gravity +and conjugal love; together with <i>Mercury</i>—invention +and eloquence—and <i>Jupiter</i>—or political +wisdom. On the side of Asia was <i>Mars</i>, +who represents brutal valour and blind fury. +On that of Greece was <i>Pallas</i>—that is, military +discipline, and bravery, guarded by judgment.</p> + +<p>This, and many other instances that might +be produced, will show you how much of the +beauty of the poet's art must be lost to you, +without some notion of these allegorical personages.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[164]</a></span> +Boys, in their school learning, have +this kind of knowledge impressed on their +minds by a variety of books: but women, who +do not go through the same course of instruction, +are very apt to forget what little they +read or hear on the subject: I advise you, +therefore, never to lose an opportunity of enquiring +into the meaning of any thing you +meet with in poetry, or in painting, alluding to +the history of any of the heathen deities, and +of obtaining from some friend an explanation +of its connection with true history, or of its +allegorical reference to morality or to physics.</p> + +<p>Natural Philosophy, in the largest sense of +the expression, is too wide a field for you to +undertake; but the study of nature, as far as +may suit your powers and opportunities, you +will find a most sublime entertainment: the +objects of this study are all the stupendous +works of the Almighty Hand, that lie within +the reach of our observation. In the works of +man perfection is aimed at, but it can only be +found in those of the Creator. The contemplation +of perfection must produce delight, +and every natural object around you would<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[165]</a></span> +offer this delight, if it could attract your attention. +If you survey the earth, every leaf that +trembles in the breeze, every blade of grass +beneath your feet, is a wonder as absolutely +beyond the reach of human art to imitate as +the construction of the universe. Endless pleasures, +to those who have a taste for them, might +be derived from the endless variety to be +found in the composition of this globe and its +inhabitants. The fossil—the vegetable—and +the animal world—gradually rising in the scale +of excellence—the innumerable species of +each, still preserving their specific differences +from age to age, yet of which no two individuals +are ever perfectly alike—afford such a +range for observation and enquiry, as might +engross the whole term of our short life, if followed +minutely. Besides all the animal creation +obvious to our unassisted senses, the eye, +aided by philosophical inventions, sees myriads +of creatures, which by the ignorant are not +known to have existence: it sees all nature +teem with life; every fluid—each part of every +vegetable and animal—swarm with its peculiar +inhabitants—invisible to the naked eye, but as +perfect in all their parts, and enjoying life as +indisputably, as the elephant or the whale.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[166]</a></span></p> + +<p>But if from the earth, and from these minute +wonders, the philosophic eye is raised towards +the heavens, what a stupendous scene there +opens to its view!—those brilliant lights that +sparkle to the eye of ignorance as gems adorning +the sky, or as lamps to guide the traveller +by night, assume an importance that amazes +the understanding!—they appear to be <i>worlds</i>, +formed like ours for a variety of inhabitants—or +<i>suns</i>, enlightening numberless other worlds +too distant for our discovery! I shall ever +remember the astonishment and rapture with +which my mind received this idea, when I was +about your age: it was then perfectly new to +me, and it is impossible to describe the sensations +I felt from the glorious boundless prospect +of infinite beneficence bursting at once upon +my imagination! Who can contemplate such +a scene unmoved? If our curiosity is excited +to enter upon this noble enquiry, a few books +on the subject, and those of the easiest sort, +with some of the common experiments, may +be sufficient for your purpose—which is to enlarge +your mind, and to excite in it the most +ardent gratitude and profound adoration towards +that great and good Being, who exerts +his boundless power in communicating various<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[167]</a></span> +portions of happiness through all the immense +regions of creation.</p> + +<p><i>Moral</i> philosophy, as it relates to human +actions, is of still higher importance than the +study of nature. The works of the ancients on +this subject are universally said to be entertaining +as well as instructive, by those who +can read them in their original languages; and +such of them as are well translated will undoubtedly, +some years hence, afford you great +pleasure and improvement. You will also find +many agreeable and useful books, written originally +in French, and in English, on morals +and manners: for the present, there are works, +which, without assuming the solemn air of philosophy, +will enlighten your mind on these subjects, +and introduce instruction in an easier +dress: of this sort are many of the moral essays, +that have appeared in periodical papers, +which, when excellent in their kind—as are +the <i>Spectators</i>, <i>Guardians</i>, <i>Ramblers</i>, and <i>Adventurers</i>—are +particularly useful to young +people, as they comprehend a great variety of +subjects—introduce many ideas and observations +that are new to them—and lead to a +habit of reflecting on the characters and events +that come before them in real life, which I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[168]</a></span> +consider as the best exercise of the understanding.</p> + +<p>Books on taste and criticism will hereafter be +more proper for you than at present: whatever +can improve your discernment, and render your +taste elegant and just, must be of great consequence +to your enjoyments as well as to the embellishment +of your understanding.</p> + +<p>I would by no means exclude the kind of +reading, which young people are naturally +most fond of: though I think the greatest +care should be taken in the choice of those +<i>fictitious stories</i> that so enchant the mind; +most of which tend to inflame the passions +of youth, whilst the chief purpose of education +should be to moderate and restrain them. Add +to this, that both the writing and sentiments of +most novels and romances are such as are only +proper to vitiate your style, and to mislead +your heart and understanding. The expectation +of extraordinary adventures—which seldom +ever happen to the sober and prudent +part of mankind—and the admiration of extravagant +passions and absurd conduct, are some +of the usual fruits of this kind of reading; +which, when a young woman makes it her<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[169]</a></span> +chief amusement, generally render her ridiculous +in conversation, and miserably wrong-headed +in her pursuits and behaviour. There +are however works of this class in which excellent +morality is joined with the most lively +pictures of the human mind, and with all that +can entertain the imagination and interest the +heart. But I must repeatedly exhort you, never +to read any thing of the sentimental kind +without taking the judgment of your best +friends in the choice; for, I am persuaded that, +the indiscriminate reading of such kind of books +corrupts more female hearts than any other +cause whatsoever.</p> + +<p>Before I close this correspondence, I shall +point out the course of history I wish you to +pursue, and give you my thoughts of geography +and chronology, some knowledge of both being, +in my opinion, necessary to the reading of history +with any advantage.</p> + +<div class="signature"> +I am, my dearest Niece,<br /><br /> + +Your ever affectionate.</div> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[170]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="geography" id="geography"></a>LETTER IX.</h2> + +<h3>ON GEOGRAPHY AND CHRONOLOGY.</h3> + + +<p><i>MY DEAREST NIECE</i>,</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">I have</span> told you, that you will not be able to +read history, with much pleasure or advantage, +without some little knowledge of <i>Geography</i> +and <i>Chronology</i>. They are both very easily +attained—I mean in the degree that will be +necessary for you. You must be sensible that +you can know but little of a country, whose +situation with respect to the rest of the world +you are entirely ignorant of; and, that it is to +little purpose that you are able to mention a +fact, if you cannot nearly ascertain the <i>time</i> in +which it happened, which alone, in many cases, +gives importance to the fact itself.</p> + +<p>In Geography—the easiest of all sciences, +and the best adapted to the capacity of children—I +suppose you to have made some beginning; +to know at least the figure of the +earth—the supposed lines—the degrees—how +to measure distances—and a few of the common +terms: If you do not already know these,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[171]</a></span> +two or three lessons will be sufficient to attain +them; the rest is the work of memory, and is +easily gained by reading with maps; for I do +not wish your knowledge to be exact and masterly; +but such only as is necessary for the +purpose of understanding history, and, without +which, even a newspaper would be unintelligible. +It may be sufficient for this end, if, +with respect to <i>ancient</i> Geography, you have +a general idea of the situation of all the great +states, without being able precisely to ascertain +their limits. But, in the <i>modern</i>, you +ought to know the bounds and extent of every +state in Europe, and its situation with respect +to the rest. The other parts of the world will +require less accurate knowledge, except with +regard to the European settlements.</p> + +<p>It may be an useful and agreeable method, +when you learn the situation of any important +country, to join with that knowledge some one +or two leading facts or circumstances concerning +it, so that its particular property may always +put you in mind of the situation, and the +situation, in like manner, recal the particular +property. When, for instance, you learn in +what part of the globe to find Ethiopia, to be +told at the same time, that, in that vast unknown<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[172]</a></span> +tract of country, the Christian religion was +once the religion of the state, would be of service; +because the geographical and historical +knowledge would assist each other. Thus, to +join with Egypt, <i>the nurse and parent of arts +and of superstition</i>—with Persia, <i>shocking despotism +and perpetual revolutions</i>—with ancient +Greece, <i>freedom and genius</i>—with Scythia, +<i>hardiness and conquest</i>, are hints which +you may make use of as you please. Perhaps +annexing to any country the idea of some familiar +form which it most resembles may at first +assist you to retain a general notion of it; thus +Italy has been called a <i>boot</i>, and Europe compared +to a <i>woman sitting</i>.</p> + +<p>The difference of the ancient and modern +names of places is somewhat perplexing; the +most important should be known by both +names at the same time, and you must endeavour +to fix a few of those which are of most +consequence so strongly in your mind, by thinking +of them, and being often told of them, that +the ancient name should always call up the +modern one to your memory, and the modern +the ancient: Such as the Ægean Sea, now <i>The +Archipelago</i>—The Peloponnesus, now <i>The Morea</i>—Crete, +<i>Candia</i>—Gaul, <i>France</i>—Babylon,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[173]</a></span> +<i>Bagdat</i>—Byzantium—to which the Romans +transplanted their seat of empire—<i>Constantinople</i>, +&c.</p> + +<p>There have been so many ingenious contrivances +to make Geography easy and amusing, +that I cannot hope to add any thing of much +service; I would only prevail with you not to +neglect acquiring, by whatever method pleases +you best, that share of knowledge in it which +you will find necessary, and which is so easily +attained; and I entreat that you would learn +it in such a manner as to fix it in your mind, +so that it may not be lost and forgotten among +other childish acquisitions, but that it may remain +ready for use through the rest of your +life.</p> + +<p>Chronology indeed has more of difficulty; +but if you do not bewilder yourself by attempting +to learn too much and too minutely at first, +you need not despair of gaining enough for +the purpose of reading history with pleasure +and utility.</p> + +<p>Chronology may be naturally divided into +three parts, <i>the Ancient</i>—<i>the Middle</i>—and <i>the +Modern</i>. With respect to all these, the best<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[174]</a></span> +direction that can be given is to fix on some +periods or epochas, which, by being often mentioned +and thought of, explained and referred +to, will at last be so deeply engraven on the memory, +that they will be ready to present themselves +whenever you call for them: these indeed +should be few, and ought to be well chosen +for their importance, since they are to serve +as elevated stations to the mind, from which it +may look backwards and forwards upon a great +variety of facts.</p> + +<p>Till your more learned friends shall supply +you with better, I will take the liberty to recommend +the following, which I have found of +service to myself.</p> + +<p>In the ancient chronology, you will find there +were four thousand years from the creation to +the redemption of man; and that Noah and +his family were miraculously preserved in the +ark 1650 years after Adam's creation.</p> + +<p>As there is no history, except that in the +Bible, of any thing before the flood, we may +set out from that great event, which happened, +as I have said above, in the year of the world +1650.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[175]</a></span></p> + +<p>The 2350 years, which passed from the deluge +to our Saviour's birth, may be thus divided.—There +have been four successive <i>Empires</i>, +called <i>Universal</i>, because they extended +over a great part of the then known world: +these are usually distinguished by the name +of <i>The Four great Monarchies</i>: the three +first of them are included in ancient Chronology, +and began and ended in the following +manner.</p> + +<p>1st, The <span class="smcap">Assyrian Empire</span>, founded by +Nimrod in the year of the world 1800, ended +under Sardanapalus in 3250, endured 1450 +years.</p> + +<blockquote><p>The Median—though not accounted one of +the four great monarchies, being conquests +of rebels on the Assyrian empire—comes +in here for about 200 years.</p></blockquote> + +<p>2d, <span class="smcap">The Persian Empire</span>, which began +under Cyrus, in the year of the world 3450, +ended in Darius in 3670, before Christ 330, +lasted a little more than 200 years.</p> + +<p>3d, <span class="smcap">The Grecian Empire</span>, began under +Alexander the Great in 3670, was soon after<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[176]</a></span> +his death dismembered by his successors; but +the different parcels into which they divided +it were possessed by their respective families, +till the famous Cleopatra, the last of the race +of Ptolemy, one of Alexander's captains who +reigned in Egypt, was conquered by Julius +Cæsar, about half a century before our Lord's +birth, which is a term of about 300 years.</p> + +<p> +Thus you see that, from the deluge to the +establishment of the first great monarchy—the</p> + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" summary="bible timeline"> +<tr><td align="right"> </td><td align="right">Years</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Assyrian—is</td><td align="right">150</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">The Assyrian empire continued</td><td align="right">1450</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">The Median</td><td align="right">200</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">The Persian</td><td align="right">200</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">The Grecian</td><td align="right">300</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">From Julius Cæsar, with whom began the fourth +great monarchy,—<i>viz.</i> the Roman—to Christ</td> +<td align="right">50</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">In all</td><td align="right"><span class="bt">2350</span></td></tr> +</table></div> + +<p>years; the term from the deluge to Christ.</p> + +<p>I do not give you these dates and periods as +correctly true, for I have taken only round +numbers, as more easily retained by the memory; +so that, when you come to consult chronological +books or tables, you will find variances<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[177]</a></span> +of some years between them and the above +accounts; but precise exactness is not material +to a beginner.</p> + +<p>I offer this short table as a little specimen +of what you may easily do for yourself; but +even this sketch, slight as it is, will give you a +general notion of the ancient history of the +world, from the deluge to the birth of Christ.</p> + +<p>Within this period flourished the Grecian +and Roman republics, with the history and +chronology of which it will be expected you +should be tolerably well acquainted; and indeed +you will find nothing in the records of +mankind so entertaining. Greece was divided +into many petty states, whose various revolutions +and annals you can never hope distinctly +to remember; you are therefore to consider +them as forming together one great kingdom—like +the Germanic body, or the United Provinces—composed +separately of different governments, +but sometimes acting with united +force for their common interest. The <i>Lacedemonian</i> +government, formed by Lycurgus in +the year of the world 3100—and the <i>Athenian</i>, +regulated by Solon about the year 3440—will +chiefly engage your attention.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[178]</a></span></p> + +<p>In pursuing the <i>Grecian</i> chronology, you +need only perhaps make one stand or epocha, +at the time <i>Socrates</i>, that wisest of philosophers, +whom you must have heard of, who +lived about 3570 years from the creation, and +about 430 before Christ: for within the term +of 150 years <i>before</i> Socrates, and 200 <i>after</i> +him, will fall in most of the great events and +illustrious characters of the Grecian history.</p> + +<p>I must inform you that the Grecian method +of dating time was by <i>Olympiads</i>; that is, four +complete years; so called from the celebration, +every fifty years, of the Olympic Games, which +were contests in all the manly exercises, such +as wrestling, boxing, running, chariot-racing, +&c. They were instituted in honour of Jupiter +and took their name from Olympia, a city of +Elis, near which they were performed: they +were attended by all ranks of people, from +every state in Greece; the noblest youths were +eager to obtain the prize of victory, which was +no other than an olive crown, but esteemed +the most distinguishing ornament. These games +continued all the time that Greece retained any +spark of liberty; and with them begins the authentic +history of that country—all before being +considered as fabulous. You must therefore<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[179]</a></span> +endeavour to remember, that they began in the +year of the world 3228; after the flood 1570 +years; after the destruction of Troy 400; +before the building of Rome 23; before Cyrus +about 200; and 770 before Christ. If +you cannot retain <i>all</i> these dates, at least +you must not fail to remember the near coincidence +of the first <i>Olympiad</i> with the <i>building +of Rome</i>, which is of great consequence, +because, as the Grecians reckoned time by +Olympiads, the Romans dated from the +building of their city; and as these two eras +are within 23 years of each other, you +may, for the ease of memory, suppose them +to begin together, in the year of the world +3228.</p> + +<p>In reading the history of the <i>Roman Republic</i>, +which continued in that form of government +to the time of Julius Cæsar's dictatorship, about +the year of the world 3960, and about 48 +years before Christ, you will make as many +epochas as you shall find convenient: I will +mention only two; the sacking of Rome by +the Gauls, which happened in the year of the +world 3620, in the 365th year of the city, in +the 97th Olympiad, before Christ 385, and +about 30 years before the birth of Alexander.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[180]</a></span> +The second epocha may be the 608th year of +the city, when, after three obstinate wars, +Carthage was destroyed, and Rome was left +without a rival.</p> + +<p>Perhaps the following bad verses, which +were given me when I was young, may help +to fix in your mind the important eras of the +Roman and Grecian dates: You must not +laugh at them, for chronologers do not pique +themselves on their poetry, but they make use +of numbers and rhymes merely as assistants to +memory, being so easily learned by heart.</p> + +<div class="poem"> +<span class="i0">"Rome and Olympiads bear the same date,</span> +<span class="i0">Three thousand two hundred and twenty-eight.</span> +<span class="i0">In three hundred and sixty<a name="FNanchor_29_29" id="FNanchor_29_29"></a> +<a href="#Footnote_29_29" class="fnanchor">[29]</a> was Rome sack'd and torn,</span> +<span class="i0">Thirty summers before Alexander was born."</span> +</div> + +<p>You will allow that what I have said in these +few pages is very easily learned; yet, little as +it is, I will venture to say that, was you as perfectly +mistress of it as of your alphabet, you +might answer several questions relating to ancient +chronology more readily than many who +pretend to know something of this science. +One is not so much required to tell the precise +year, in which a great man lived, as to know, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[181]</a></span> +with whom he was contemporary in other parts +of the world. I would know then, from the +slight sketch above given, about what year of +the Roman republic Alexander the Great +lived. You would quickly run over in your +mind, "Alexander lived in the 3670th year +of the world, 330 before Christ; consequently +he must have flourished about the +400th <i>of Rome</i>, which had endured 750 years +when Christ was born." Or, suppose it was +asked, what was the condition of Greece, at +the time of the sacking of Rome by the Gauls; +had any particular state, or the united body, +chosen then to take advantage of the misfortunes +of the Romans? You consider that the +365th year of the city—the date of that event—-is +385 before Christ; consequently this must +have happened about the time of Philip of +Macedon, father of Alexander, when the Grecians +under such a leader might have extirpated +the Roman nation from the earth, had they +ever heard of them, or thought the conquest +of them an object worthy their ambition.</p> + +<p>Numberless questions might be answered in +like manner, even on this very narrow circumscribed +plan, if it was completely mastered. +I might require that other periods or epochas<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[182]</a></span> +should be learned with the same exactness; +but these may serve to explain my meaning, +and to show you how practicable and easy it +is. One thing, however, I must observe—though +perhaps it is sufficiently obvious—which +is, that you can make no use of this +sketch of ancient Chronology, nor even hope +to retain it, till you have read the ancient <i>history</i>. +When you have gone through Rollin's +Histoire Ancienne <i>once</i>, then will be the time +to fix the ancient Chronology deep in your +mind, which will very much enhance the pleasure +and use of reading it a <i>second</i> time; for +you must remember, that nobody reads a history +to much purpose, who does not go over it +more than once.</p> + +<p>When you have got through your course of +ancient history, and are come to the more modern, +you must then have recourse to the second +of the three divisions; viz. <i>middle Chronology</i>: +containing about 800 years, from the +birth of our Lord, and from within 50 years of +the rise of the Roman empire, to Charlemagne, +who died in 814.</p> + +<p>This period, except in the earliest part of it, +is too much involved in obscurity to require a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[183]</a></span> +very minute knowledge of its history: it may +be sufficient to fix two or three of the most singular +circumstances by their proper dates.</p> + +<p>The first epocha to be observed is the year +of our Lord 330, when Constantine, the first +Christian emperor, who restored peace to the +oppressed and persecuted church, removed the +seat of empire from Rome to Byzantium, called +afterwards from him Constantinople. After his +time, about the year 400, began those irruptions +of the Goths and Vandals, and other northern +nations, who settled themselves all over +the western parts of the Roman empire, and +laid the foundation of the several states which +now subsist in Europe.</p> + +<p>The next epocha is the year 622—for the +ease of memory say 600—when Mahomet, by +his successful imposture, became the founder +of the Saracen empire, which his followers extended +over a great part of Asia and Africa, +and over some provinces of Europe. At the +same time, St. Gregory, bishop of Rome, began +to assume a spiritual power, which grew by +degrees into that absolute and enormous dominion, +so long maintained by the popes over +the greatest part of Christendom. St. Augustine—a +missionary from St. Gregory—about<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[184]</a></span> +this time, began the conversion of Great Britain +to Christianity.</p> + +<p>The third and concluding epocha in this division, +is the year 800; when Charlemagne, +king of France—after having subdued the +Saxons, repressed the Saracens, and established +the temporal dominion of the pope by a grant +of considerable territories—was elected emperor +of the west, and protector of the church. +The date of this event corresponds with that +remarkable period of our English history—the +union of the Heptarchy, or seven kingdoms, +under Egbert.</p> + +<p>As to the <i>third</i> part of Chronology, namely, +the <i>Modern</i>, I shall spare you and myself all +trouble about at present; for if you follow the +course of reading which I shall recommend, it +will be some years before you reach modern +history; and, when you do, you will easily +make periods for yourself, if you do but remember +carefully to examine the dates as you read, +and to impress on your memory those of very +remarkable reigns or events.</p> + +<p>I fear you are by this time tired of Chronology; +but my sole intention, in what I have +said, is to convince you that it is a science not<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[185]</a></span> +out of your reach, in the moderate degree that +is requisite for you; <i>the last volume of the +Ancient Universal History</i> is the best English +Chronological Work I know; if that does not +come in your way, there is an excellent French +one, called Tablettes Chronologiques de l'Histoire +Universelle, Du Fresnoy, 3 tomes, Paris; +there is also a <i>chart</i> of universal history, including +Chronology, and a <i>Biographical</i> chart, +both by Priestley, which you may find of +service to you.</p> + +<p>Indeed, my dear, a woman makes a poor +figure who affects, as I have heard some ladies +do, to disclaim all knowledge of times and +dates: the strange confusion they make of +events, which happened in different periods, +and the stare of ignorance when such are referred +to as are commonly known, are sufficiently +pitiable: but the highest mark of folly +is to be proud of such ignorance—a resource, +in which some of our sex find great consolation.</p> + +<p>Adieu, my dear child! I am, with the tenderest +affection,</p> + +<div class="signature"> +Ever your's.</div> + + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[186]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="history" id="history"></a>LETTER X.</h2> + +<h3>ON READING HISTORY.</h3> + + +<p> +<i>MY DEAREST NIECE</i>,<br /> +</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">When</span> I recommend to you to gain some insight +into the general history of the world, perhaps +you will think I propose a formidable task; +but your apprehensions will vanish, when you +consider that of near half the globe we have +no histories at all; that of other parts of it, a +few facts only are known to us; and that, even +of those nations which make the greatest figure +in history, the early ages are involved in obscurity +and fable: it is not indeed allowable to +be totally ignorant even of those fables, because +they are the frequent subjects of poetry and +painting, and are often referred to in more authentic +histories.</p> + +<p>The first recorders of actions are generally +poets: in the historical songs of the bards are +found the only accounts of the first ages of +every state; but in these we must naturally +expect to find truth mixed with fiction, and +often disguised in allegory. In such early<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[187]</a></span> +times, before science has enlightened the minds +of men, the people are ready to believe every +thing; and the historian, having no restraints +from the fear of contradiction or criticism, delivers +the most improbable and absurd tales +as an account of the lives and actions of +their forefathers; thus the first heroes of every +nation are gods, or the sons of gods; and +every great event is accompanied with some +supernatural agency. Homer, whom I have +already mentioned, as a poet, you will find +the most agreeable historian of the early +ages of Greece; and Virgil will show you the +supposed origin of the Carthaginians and Romans.</p> + +<p>It will be necessary for you to observe some +regular plan in your historical studies, which +can never be pursued with advantage otherwise +than in a continued series. I do not +mean to confine you solely to that kind of reading; +on the contrary, I wish you frequently to +relax with poetry or some other amusement, +whilst you are pursuing your course of history; +I only mean to warn you against mixing <i>ancient</i> +history with <i>modern</i>, or <i>general</i> histories +of one place with <i>particular reigns</i> in another; +by which desultory manner of reading, many<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[188]</a></span> +people distract and confound their memories, +and retain nothing to any purpose from such +a confused mass of materials.</p> + +<p>The most ancient of all histories, you will +read in your Bible: from thence you will proceed +to l'Histoire Ancienne of Rollin, who very +ingeniously points out the connection of profane +with sacred history, and enlivens his narrative +with many agreeable and improving reflections, +and many very pleasing detached +stories and anecdotes, which may serve you as +resting places in your journey. It would be an +useful exercise of your memory and judgment, +to recount these interesting passages to a friend, +either by letter or in conversation; not in +the words of the author, but in your own +natural style—by memory, and not by book; +and to add whatever remarks may occur to +you. I need not say that you will please me +much, whenever you are disposed to make this +use of <i>me</i>.</p> + +<p>The want of memory is a great discouragement +in historical pursuits, and is what every +body complains of. Many artificial helps have +been invented, of which those who have tried +them can best tell you the effects; but the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[189]</a></span> +most natural and pleasant expedient is that of +conversation with a friend, who is acquainted +with the history which you are reading. By +such conversations, you will find out how much +is usually retained of what is read, and you +will learn to select those characters and facts +which are best worth preserving: for it is by +trying to remember every thing, without distinction, +that young people are so apt to lose +every trace of what they read. By repeating +to your friend what you can recollect, you will +fix it in your memory: and if you should omit +any striking particular, which ought to be retained, +that friend will remind you of it, and +will direct your attention to it on a second +perusal. It is a good rule to cast your eye +each day over what you read the day before, +and to look over the contents of every book +when you have finished it.</p> + +<p>Rollin's work takes in a large compass: but, +of all the ancient nations it treats of, perhaps +there are only the Grecians and Romans, whose +stories ought to be read with any anxious +desire of retaining them perfectly: for the +rest, such as the Assyrians, Egyptians, &c., +I believe you would find, on examination, that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[190]</a></span> +most of those who are supposed tolerably +well read in history, remember no more than +a few of the most remarkable facts and characters. +I tell you this, to prevent your being +discouraged on finding so little remain in your +mind after reading these less interesting parts +of ancient history.</p> + +<p>But, when you come to the Grecian and +Roman<a name="FNanchor_30_30" id="FNanchor_30_30"></a><a href="#Footnote_30_30" class="fnanchor">[30]</a> stories, I expect to find you deeply +interested and highly entertained; and, of consequence, +eager to treasure up in your memory +those heroic actions and exalted characters by +which a young mind is naturally so much animated +and impressed. As Greece and Rome +were distinguished as much for genius as valour, +and were the theatres, not only of the greatest +military actions, the noblest efforts of liberty +and patriotism, but of the highest perfection +of arts and sciences, their immortal fame is a +subject of wonder and emulation, even to these +distant ages; and it is thought a shameful +degree of ignorance, even in our sex, to be +unacquainted with the nature and revolutions +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[191]</a></span> +of their governments, and with the characters +and stories of their most illustrious heroes. +Perhaps, when you are told that the government +and the national character of your own countrymen +have been compared with those of the +Romans, it may not be an useless amusement, +in reading the Roman history, to carry this observation +in your mind, and to examine how +far the parallel holds good. The French have +been thought to resemble the Athenians in +their genius, though not in their love of liberty. +These little hints sometimes serve to awaken reflection +and attention in young readers—I leave +you to make what use of them you please.</p> + +<p>When you have got through Rollin, if you +add <i>Vertot's Revolutions Romaines</i>—a short +and very entertaining work—you may be said +to have read as much as is <i>absolutely necessary</i> +of ancient history. Plutarch's lives of famous +Greeks and Romans—a book deservedly of the +highest reputation—can never be read to so +much advantage as immediately after the histories +of Greece and Rome: I should even +prefer reading each life in Plutarch, immediately +after the history of each particular hero, +as you meet with them in Rollin or in Vertot.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[192]</a></span></p> + +<p>If hereafter you should choose to enlarge +your plan, and should wish to know more of +any particular people or period than you find +in Rollin, the sources from which he drew may +be open to you; for there are, I believe, +French or English translations of all the original +historians, from whom he extracted his materials.</p> + +<p>Crevier's continuation of Rollin, I believe, +gives the best account of the Roman emperors +down to Constantine. What shocking instances +will you there meet with, of the terrible effects +of lawless power on the human mind! How +will you be amazed to see the most promising +characters changed by flattery and self-indulgence +into monsters that disgrace humanity! +To read a series of such lives as those of Tiberius, +Nero, or Domitian, would be intolerable, +were we not consoled by the view of those +excellent emperors, who remained uncorrupted +through all temptations. When the mind—disgusted, +depressed, and terrified—turns from +the contemplation of those depths of vice, to +which human nature may be sunk, a Titus, the +delight of mankind—a Trajan—an Antoninus—restore +it to an exulting sense of the dignity,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[193]</a></span> +to which that nature may be exalted by virtue. +Nothing is more awful than this consideration: +a human creature given up to vice is infinitely +below the most abject brute; the same +creature, trained by virtue to the utmost perfection +of his nature, 'is but a little lower +than the angels, and is crowned with glory and +immortality.'</p> + +<p>Before you enter upon the modern history +of any particular kingdom, it will be proper to +gain some idea of that interval between ancient +and modern times, which is justly called the +dark and barbarous ages, and which lasted +from Constantine to Charlemagne—perhaps one +might say to some centuries after. On the +irruption of the northern Barbarians, who broke +the Roman empire, and dissipated all the treasures +of knowledge, as well as of riches, which +had been so long accumulating in that enormous +state, the European world may be said to +have returned to a second infancy; and the +Monkish legends, which are the only records +preserved of the times in which they were +written, are not less fabulous than the tales of +the demi-gods. I must profess myself ignorant +how to direct you to any distinct or amusing +knowledge of the History of Europe during<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[194]</a></span> +this period<a name="FNanchor_31_31" id="FNanchor_31_31"></a><a href="#Footnote_31_31" class="fnanchor">[31]</a>: some collect it from <i>Puffendorf's +Introduction</i>; some from <i>The Universal +History</i>; and now, perhaps, with more advantage +and delight, from the first volume of +<i>Robertson's Charles the Fifth</i>, in which he +traces the progress of civilization, government, +and arts, from the first settlements of the Barbarians; +and shows the foundation of the several +states into which Europe is now divided, and +of those laws, customs, and politics, which prevail +in this quarter of the world.</p> + +<p>In those dark ages, you will find no single +character so interesting as that of Mahomet; +that bold impostor, who extended his usurped +dominion equally over the minds and properties +of men, and propagated a new religion, +whilst he founded a new empire, over a large +portion of the globe. His life has been written +by various hands.</p> + +<p>When you come to the particular histories +of the European states, your own country seems +to demand the precedence; and there is no +part more commodious to set out from, since +you cannot learn the history of Great Britain, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[195]</a></span> +without becoming in some degree acquainted +with almost every neighbouring nation, and +without finding your curiosity excited to know +more of those with whom we are most connected.</p> + +<p>By the amazing progress of navigation and +commerce, within the last two or three centuries, +all parts of the world are now connected: +the most distant people are become +well acquainted, who, for thousands of years, +never heard of one another's existence: we +are still every day exploring new regions; +and every day see greater reason to expect +that immense countries may yet be discovered, +and America no longer retain the name of the +<i>New World</i>. You may pass to every quarter +of the earth, and find yourself still in the British +dominion: this island, in which we live, is the +least portion of it; and, if we were to adopt +the style of ancient conquerors, we might call +it the throne, from which we rule the world. +To this boast we are better entitled than some +of those who formerly called themselves <i>Masters +of the Globe</i>, as we possess an empire of +greater extent, and from the superior advantages +of our commerce, much greater power and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[196]</a></span> +riches: but we have now too many rivals in dominion, +to take upon us such haughty titles.</p> + +<p>You cannot be said to know the history of +that empire, of which you are a subject, without +knowing something of the East and West +Indies, where so great a part of it is situated: +and you will find the accounts of the discovery +and conquest of America very entertaining, +though you will be shocked at the injustice +and cruelty of its conquerors. But, with which +of the glorious conquerors of mankind must +not humanity be shocked! Ambition, the most +remorseless of all passions, pursues its object +by all sorts of means: justice, mercy, truth, +and every thing most sacred, in vain oppose +its progress! Alas, my dear, shall I venture to +tell you, that the history of the world is little +else than a shocking account of the wickedness +and folly of the ambitious! The world has +ever been, and, I suppose, ever must be, governed +and insulted by these aspiring spirits: +it has always, in greater or less degree, groaned +under their unjust usurpation.</p> + +<p>But let not the horror of such a scene put a +stop to your curiosity: it is proper you should<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[197]</a></span> +know mankind as they are: you must be acquainted +with the heroes of the earth, and +perhaps you may be too well reconciled to +them: mankind have in general a strong bias +in their favour; we see them surrounded with +pomp and splendour—every thing that relates +to them has an air of grandeur—and, whilst we +admire their natural powers, we are too apt to +pardon the detestable abuse of them, to the +injury and ruin of the human race. We are +dazzled with false glory, and willingly give into +the delusion; for mighty conquests, like great +conflagrations, have something of the sublime +that pleases the imagination, though we know, +if we reflect at all, that the consequences of +them are devastation and misery.</p> + +<p>The Western and Eastern world will present +to you very different prospects. In <i>America</i>, +the first European conquerors found nature in +great simplicity; society still in its infancy; +and consequently the arts and sciences yet unknown: +so that the facility with which they +overpowered these poor innocent people, was +entirely owing to their superior knowledge in +the arts of destroying. They found the inhabitants +brave enthusiastic patriots, but without +either the military or political arts necessary<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[198]</a></span> +for their defence. The two great kingdoms +of Mexico and Peru had alone made some progress +in civilization; they were both formed +into regular states, and had gained some order +and discipline: from these therefore the Spaniards +met with something like an opposition. +At first indeed the invaders appeared supernatural +beings, who came upon them flying over +the ocean, on the wings of the wind, and who, +mounted on fiery animals, unknown in that +country, attacked them with thunder and lightning +in their hands; for such the fire-arms of +the Spaniards appeared to this astonished people. +But from being worshipped as gods, they +soon came to be feared as evil spirits; and in +time being discovered to be men—different +from the Americans only in their outrageous +injustice, and in the cruel arts of destroying—they +were abhorred and boldly opposed. The +resistance however of a million of these poor +naked people, desperately crowding on each +other to destruction, served only to make their +ruin more complete. The Europeans have destroyed, +with the most shocking barbarity, +many millions of the original inhabitants of +these countries, and have ever since been depopulating +Europe and Africa to supply their +places.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[199]</a></span></p> + +<p>Though our own countrymen have no reason +to boast of the justice and humanity of their +proceedings in America, yet, in comparison +with those of the Spaniards, our possessions +there were innocently acquired. Some of them +gained by conquest, or cession, from Spain and +from other European powers; some by contract +with the natives, or by settlements on uninhabited +lands<a name="FNanchor_32_32" id="FNanchor_32_32"></a><a href="#Footnote_32_32" class="fnanchor">[32]</a>. We are now possessed of a +series of colonies, extending above two thousand +miles along the whole Eastern coast of +North-America, besides many islands of immense +value. These countries, instead of being +thinly peopled by a few hordes of ignorant savages, +are now adorned with many great cities, +and innumerable rich plantations, which have +made ample returns to their mother-country, for +the dangers and expenses which attended their +first establishment. Blessed with more natural +advantages than almost any country in the +world, they are making a swift progress in +wealth and grandeur, and seem likely, in some +future period, to be as much the seat of empire +and of science as Europe is at present. Whether +their attainments in virtue and happiness +will keep pace with their advancement in knowledge, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[200]</a></span> +wealth, and power, is much to be questioned; +for you will observe in your historical +view of the several great empires of the world, +that as each grew up towards the highest pitch +of greatness, the seeds of destruction grew up +with it; luxury and vice, by debasing the minds, +and enervating the bodies of the people, left +them all, in their turns, an easy prey to poorer +and more valiant nations.</p> + +<p>In the East, the Europeans introduced themselves +in a milder way; admitted first as traders—and, +for the more commodious carrying +on their commerce, indulged by the powers of +the country in establishing a few small factories—they, +by gentle degrees, extended and +strengthened their settlements there, till their +force became considerable enough to be thought +an useful auxiliary to contending princes; +and, as it has often happened to those who +have called in foreign powers to interfere in +their domestic contentions, by availing themselves +of the disturbances of a dismembered +monarchy, they at length raised a power almost +independent of their employers. Soon, the +several European nations, who had thus got +footing in the Indies, jealous of each other's +growing greatness, made the feuds of the native<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[201]</a></span> +princes subservient to their mutual contests; +till within a few years, the English, by a happy +concurrence of circumstances, obtained the +mastery, and expelled their rivals from all their +considerable settlements.</p> + +<p>The rapidity of our conquests here has been +perhaps equal to that of the first invaders of +America—but from different causes. Here we +found an old-established empire advanced to +its crisis; the magnificence and luxury of the +great carried to the highest excess, and the +people in a proportionable degree of oppression +and debasement. Thus ripe for destruction, +the rivalship of the viceroys, from the +weakness of the government, become independent +sovereigns; and the dastardly spirit of +the meaner people, indifferent to the cause +for which they were compelled to fight, encouraged +these ambitious merchants to push +their advantages further than they could at first +have supposed possible: with astonishment they +saw the intrepid leaders of a few hundreds +of brave free Britons, boldly oppose and repeatedly +put to flight millions of these effeminate +Indian slaves; and, in a short time, raised +for them an empire much larger than their +mother-country.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[202]</a></span></p> + +<p>From these remote quarters of the world, let +us now return to Great Britain, with the history +of which you ought certainly to acquaint +yourself, before you enter upon that of any +other European kingdom. If you have courage +and industry enough to begin so high as +the invasion of Julius Cæsar—before which nothing +is known of the inhabitants of this island—you +may set out with Rapin, and proceed +with him to William the Conqueror. From +this era there are other histories of England +more entertaining than his, though I believe +none esteemed more authentic. Party so strongly +influences both historians and their readers, +that it is a difficult and invidious task to point +out the <i>best</i> amongst the number of English +histories that offer themselves: but, as <i>you</i> will +not read with a critical view, nor enter deeply +into politics, I think you may be allowed to +choose that which is most entertaining; and, +in this view, I believe the general voice will +direct you to Hume, though he goes no further +than the Revolution. Among other <i>historians</i>, +do not forget my darling <i>Shakspeare</i>—a faithful +as well as a most agreeable one—whose +historical plays, if read in a series, will fix in +your memory the reigns he has chosen, more +durable than any other history. You need<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[203]</a></span> +not fear his leading you into any material mistakes, +for he keeps surprisingly close to the +truth, as well in the characters as in the events. +One cannot but wish he had given us a play +on the reign of every English king; as it +would have been the pleasantest, and perhaps +the most useful, way of becoming acquainted +with it.</p> + +<p>For the other portion of Great Britain, Robertson's +History of Scotland is a delightful +work, and of a moderate size.</p> + +<p>Next to your own country, <i>France</i> will be +the most interesting object of your inquiries; +our ancient possessions in that country, and +the frequent contests we have been engaged in +with its inhabitants, connect their history with +our own. The extent of their dominion and +influence—their supposed superiority in elegance +and politeness—their eminence in the +Arts and Sciences—and that intercourse of +thought, if so I may call it, which subsists between +us, by the mutual communication of +literary productions—make them peculiarly interesting +to us; and we cannot but find our +curiosity excited to know their story, and to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[204]</a></span> +be intimately acquainted with the character, +genius, and sentiments of this nation.</p> + +<p>I do not know of any general history of +France, that will answer your purpose, except +that of <i>Mezerai</i>, which even in the abridgment +is a pretty large work: there is a very modern +one by <i>Velly and others</i>, which perhaps may +be more lively, but is still more voluminous, +and not yet completed. From Mezerai you +may proceed with Voltaire to the end of the +reign of Louis the Fourteenth.</p> + +<p>In considering the rest of Europe, your curiosity +may be confined within narrower limits. +Modern history is, from the nature of it, much +more minute and laborious than the ancient; +and to pursue that of so many various kingdoms +and governments, would be a task unequal +to your leisure and abilities, at least for +several years to come; at the same time, it +must be owned, that the present system of politics +and commerce has formed such a relation +between the different powers of Europe, that +they are in a manner members of one great +body, and a total ignorance of any considerable +state would throw an obscurity even upon<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[205]</a></span> +the affairs of your own country<a name="FNanchor_33_33" id="FNanchor_33_33"></a><a href="#Footnote_33_33" class="fnanchor">[33]</a>; an acquaintance +however with the most remarkable circumstances +that distinguish the principal governments, +will sufficiently enlighten you, and +will enable you to comprehend whatever relates +to them, in the histories with which you are +more familiar. Instead of referring you for this +purpose to dull and uninteresting abridgments, +I choose rather to point out to you a few +small Tracts, which exhibit striking and lively +pictures, not easily effaced from the memory, +of the constitutions and the most remarkable +transactions of several of these nations. Such +are</p> + +<ul> +<li>Sir William Temple's Essay on the United +Provinces.</li> + +<li>His Essay on Heroic Virtue, which contains +some account of the Saracen Empire.</li> + +<li>Vertot's Revolutions de Suede.</li> + +<li>Vertot's Revolutions de Portugal.</li> + +<li>Voltaire's Charles XII. de Suede.</li> + +<li>Voltaire's Pierre le Grand.</li> + +<li>Puffendorf's Account of the Popes, in his +Introduction to Modern History.</li></ul> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[206]</a></span></p> +<p>Some part of the History of Germany and +Spain, you will see more in detail in Robertson's +History of Charles the Vth, which I have +already recommended to you in another view.</p> + +<p>After all this, you may still be at a loss for +the transactions of Europe, in the last fifty +years: for the purpose of giving you, in a very +small compass, some idea of the state of affairs +during that period, I will venture to recommend +one book more—<i>Campbell's State of Europe</i><a name="FNanchor_34_34" id="FNanchor_34_34"></a><a href="#Footnote_34_34" class="fnanchor">[34]</a>.</p> + +<p>Thus much may suffice for that moderate +scheme, which I think is best suited to your +sex and age. There are several excellent histories, +and memoirs of particular reigns and +periods, which I have taken no notice of in +this circumscribed plan; but with which, if +you should happen to have a taste for the +study, you will hereafter choose to be acquainted: +these will be read with most advantage +after you have gained some general view +of history; and they will then serve to refresh +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[207]</a></span> +your memory, and settle your ideas distinctly; +as well as enable you to compare different +accounts of the persons and facts which they +treat of, and to form your opinions of them on +just grounds.</p> + +<p>As I cannot, with certainty, foresee what degree +of application or genius for such pursuits +you will be mistress of, I shall leave deficiencies +of this collection to be supplied by the suggestions +of your more informed friends; who, +if you explain to them how far you wish to extend +your knowledge, will direct you to the +proper books.</p> + +<p>But if, instead of an eager desire for this +kind of knowledge, you should happen to feel +that distaste for it, which is too common in +young ladies who have been indulged in reading +only works of mere amusement, you will +perhaps rather think that I want mercy in offering +you so large a plan, than that there needs +an apology for the deficiencies of it: but, comfort +yourself with the assurance, that a taste +for history will grow and improve by reading; +that, as you get acquainted with one period or +nation, your curiosity cannot fail to be awakened<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[208]</a></span> +for what concerns those immediately connected +with it: and thus you will insensibly +be led on from one degree of knowledge to +another.</p> + +<p>If you waste in trivial amusement the next +three or four years of your life, which are the +prime season of improvement, believe me you +will hereafter bitterly regret their loss: when +you come to feel yourself inferior in knowledge +to almost every one you converse with—and, +above all, if you should ever be a mother, +when you feel your own inability to direct and +assist the pursuits of your children—you will +then find ignorance a severe mortification and +a real evil. Let this, my dear, animate your +industry; and let not a modest opinion of your +own capacity be a discouragement to your endeavours +after knowledge: a moderate understanding, +with diligent and well-directed application, +will go much further than a more lively +genius, if attended with that impatience and inattention, +which too often accompanies quick +parts. It is not from want of capacity that +so many women are such trifling insipid companions, +so ill qualified for the friendship and +conversation of a sensible man, or for the task<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[209]</a></span> +of governing and instructing a family: it is +much oftener from the neglect of exercising +the talents which they really have, and from +omitting to cultivate a taste for intellectual +improvement: by this neglect, they lose the +sincerest of pleasures; a pleasure which would +remain when almost every other forsakes them; +which neither fortune nor age can deprive +them of, and which would be a comfort and +resource in almost every possible situation of +life.</p> + +<p>If I can but inspire you, my dear child, with +the desire of making the most of your time and +abilities, my end is answered; the means of +knowledge will easily be found by those who +diligently seek them, and they will find their +labours abundantly rewarded.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + + +<p><a name="conclusion" id="conclusion"></a>And +now, my dear, I think it is time to +finish this long correspondence, which, though +in some parts it may have been tedious to you, +will not, I hope, be found entirely useless in +any. I have laid before you all that my maturest +reflections could enable me to suggest, for +the direction of your conduct through life. My +love for you, my dearest child, extends its<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[210]</a></span> +views beyond this frail and transitory existence; +it considers you as a candidate for immortality—as +entering the lists for the prize of your +high calling—as contending for a crown of +unfading glory. It sees, with anxious solicitude, +the dangers that surround you, and the +everlasting shame that must follow, if you do +not exert all your strength in the conflict. Religion +therefore has been the basis of my plan—the +principle to which every other pursuit is +ultimately referred. Here then I have endeavoured +to guide your researches; and to assist +you in forming just notions on a subject of such +infinite importance, I have shown you the necessity +of regulating your heart and temper, +according to the genuine spirit of that religion +which I have so earnestly recommended as the +great rule of your life. To the same principle +I would refer your attention to domestic duties; +and, even that refinement and elegance of +manners, and all those graces and accomplishments, +which will set your virtues in the fairest +light, and will engage the affection and respect +of all who converse with you. Endeared to +society by these amiable qualities, your influence +in it will be more extensive, and your capacity +of being useful proportionably enlarged.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[211]</a></span> +The studies, which I have recommended to you, +must be likewise subservient to the same views; +the pursuit of knowledge, when it is guided +and controlled by the principles I have established, +will conduce to many valuable ends: +the habit of industry it will give you, the +nobler kind of friendships for which it will +qualify you, and its tendency to promote a candid +and liberal way of thinking, are obvious +advantages. I might add, that a mind well informed +in the various pursuits which interest +mankind, and the influence of such pursuits on +their happiness, will embrace with a clearer +choice, and will more steadily adhere to, those +principles of Virtue and Religion, which the +judgment must ever approve, in proportion as +it becomes enlightened.</p> + +<p>May those delightful hopes be answered +which have animated my heart, while with diligent +attention I have endeavoured to apply +to your advantage all that my own experience +and best observation could furnish. With what +joy should I see my dearest girl shine forth a +bright example of every thing that is amiable +and praiseworthy;—and how sweet would be +the reflection that I had, in any degree, contributed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[212]</a></span> +to make her so!—My heart expands +with the affecting thought, and pours forth in +this adieu the most ardent wishes for your perfection! +If the tender solicitude expressed for +your welfare by this 'labour of love' can engage +your gratitude, you will always remember +how deeply your conduct interests the happiness +of</p> + +<div class="signature"> +Your most affectionate<br /> +<br /> +AUNT.<br /> +</div> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> +<h3>FINIS.</h3> +<h5>Printed by Weed and Rider, Little Britain, London.</h5> + + + + + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_1_1" id="Footnote_1_1"></a><a href="#FNanchor_1_1"><span class="label">[1]</span></a> 'I am at present engaged with a most admirable young lady of +little more than twenty, Miss Mulso, on the subject of Filial Obedience +and Paternal Authority, &c. Miss Mulso is a charming writer, +&c. Your ladyship will be charmed with her part of the subject.' +<i>Richardson to Lady Bradshaigh, 1751.</i> +</p><p> +'I have been engaged in a kind of amicable controversy with my +honoured friend Mr. Richardson, which has occasioned letters of so +immoderate a length between us, that I have been quite tired of pen +and ink, and inexcusably negligent of all my other correspondents. +Does it not sound strange, my dear Miss Carter, that a girl like me +should have dared to engage in a dispute with such a man? Indeed +I have often wondered at my own assurance; but the pleasure +and improvement I expected from his letters were motives too +strong to be resisted, and the kind encouragement he gave me got +the better of my fear of exposing myself.' <i>Miss Mulso to Miss Carter, +March 1750.</i> +</p><p> +This correspondence is dated from October 1750, to January 1751.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_2_2" id="Footnote_2_2"></a> +<a href="#FNanchor_2_2"><span class="label">[2]</span></a> 'I shall +still find in her (Miss Mulso is writing <i>to</i> and <i>of</i> Miss +Carter) that amiable condescension, and unreserved benevolence, which +endears her conversation, and enhances the value of her understanding; +which teaches her how to improve her companions without appearing +to instruct them, to correct without seeming to reprove, and even to +reprove without offending.' <i>Miss Mulso to Miss Carter, September +11, 1749.</i> +</p><p> +'It is impossible not to be better, as well as happier, for an intimate +acquaintance with <i>Miss Carter</i>; take her for all in all, I think, I may +venture to pronounce her <i>the first of women</i>!' <i>Miss Mulso to Mr. +Richardson, July 24, 1752.</i></p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_3_3" id="Footnote_3_3"></a><a href="#FNanchor_3_3"><span class="label">[3]</span></a> 'I think I read the 'Rambler' with great attention, yet I cannot +entirely acquit him of the charge of severity in his satires on mankind. +I believe him a worthy humane man; but I think I see a little of the +asperity of disappointment in his writings.' <i>Miss Mulso to Miss +Carter, October 1752.</i> +</p><p> +'I am very unwilling to believe those that fright us with shocking +pictures of human nature, and could almost quarrel with my very +great favourite, 'The Rambler,' for his too-general censures on mankind; +and for speaking of envy and malice as universal passions.' <i>Ibid.</i></p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_4_4" id="Footnote_4_4"></a><a href="#FNanchor_4_4"><span class="label">[4]</span></a> 'I thank God, (Canterbury, August 29, 1757,) my best soul has +now the upper hand, by the assistance of medicine and cool weather, +much more than of reason; and perhaps by the hope of two or three +days of fancied good, in the presence of a <i>fancied essential</i> (Mr. +Chapone) to my happiness, who has promised to come down and see +me some time before the middle of next month.'——'I shall now tell +you something of myself, who live here (Salisbury, John, the second +brother to her, being then its Prebendary) uncorrupted by grandeur, +&c. &c. &c. who could prefer <i>a little attorney</i> (Chapone) even to my +Lord Feversham; had he offered to me, instead of the fair young lady +he has so happily won.' <i>Miss Mulso to Miss Carter.</i></p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_5_5" id="Footnote_5_5"></a><a href="#FNanchor_5_5"><span class="label">[5]</span></a> 'Nothing can ever make me amends for that luxurious ease and +security, in the kindness of all around me, which enables me to wrangle, +abuse, and dispute, till I am black in the face,' &c. &c. <i>Mrs. +Chapone to Mr. Burrows, 1773.</i></p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_6_6" id="Footnote_6_6"></a><a href="#FNanchor_6_6"><span class="label">[6]</span></a> 'It has always been one of my prayers, that I might never be the +wife of an overgrown scholar.' <i>Miss Mulso to Miss Carter, 1754.</i></p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_7_7" id="Footnote_7_7"></a><a href="#FNanchor_7_7"><span class="label">[7]</span></a> Letters on the Improvement of the Mind, edit. 1801, pages +93, 94.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_8_8" id="Footnote_8_8"></a><a href="#FNanchor_8_8"><span class="label">[8]</span></a> 'I have been very near death; and, at the time he threatened me +most, it was the most earnest wish of my heart to meet and embrace +him. But, I bless God, I am restored not only to life, but to a sense of +the great mercy indulged me in the grant of a longer tern of trial.'—'You +are so obligingly solicitous about my circumstances, that I would +willingly inform you of the state of them, if I had any certainty about +them. But my dear Mr. Chapone's affairs were left in great confusion +and perplexity by his sudden death; which happened just at the +time of year in which he should have settled his accounts, and made +out his bills. As these are very considerable, his estate must suffer a +great loss from this circumstance. At present, things are in a very +melancholy state, and my own prospects such as would probably have +appeared very dreadful to me at any other time.' <i>Mrs. Chapone to +Miss Carter, December 6, 1761.</i></p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_9_9" id="Footnote_9_9"></a><a href="#FNanchor_9_9"><span class="label">[9]</span></a> King George III. and Queen Charlotte; his present Majesty, then +Prince of Wales, and sixteen years old; Prince Frederic, Duke of York, +then fifteen years old; Prince William, Duke of Clarence, then thirteen +years old; Princess Royal, now Queen of Wirtemberg, then about +fourteen years old, and Princess Augusta, then about ten years old.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_10_10" id="Footnote_10_10"></a><a href="#FNanchor_10_10"><span class="label">[10]</span></a> Addressed by Mrs. Chapone to her friend Mrs. Carter.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_11_11" id="Footnote_11_11"></a><a href="#FNanchor_11_11"><span class="label">[11]</span></a> 'Letters on the Improvement of the Mind.' They had been published +five years then.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_12_12" id="Footnote_12_12"></a><a href="#FNanchor_12_12"><span class="label">[12]</span></a> This young lady, of whom the reader must wish to know more, +was the eldest daughter of Mrs. Chapone's second brother, John, who +was Prebendary of the cathedrals of Winchester and Salisbury. She +became attached to this niece in 1766, while on a visit at her home; +wrote the Letters, to her, in 1772; and, stimulated by her literary +friends, published them in 1773.—'I had great satisfaction,' writes +Mrs. Chapone to Miss Carter, November 1797, 'in seeing my darling +niece established in the happiest manner, at Winchester, with husband +(Rev. Benjamin Jeffreys) who seems in every respect calculated +to make her happy.' Mrs. Chapone passed the autumns 1797 and +1798 at the Deanery at Winchester. Here she awaited the approaching +accouchement of her dearest niece, which was destined to terminate +one or her fondest hopes. This last joy of her life, this child of her +heart, was now torn from her, after the birth of a dead infant, in +March 1799.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_13_13" id="Footnote_13_13"></a><a href="#FNanchor_13_13"><span class="label">[13]</span></a> Of the family of the Burrows's, who were her tried friends, 'I am +glad,' writes Mrs. Chapone to Miss Carter, July 31, 1761, 'that you +love my Burrows's, who are, indeed, some of the most valuable persons +I have ever known.——Poor Miss Amy (who was her last prop!) is still +complaining, and consequently her sisters are anxious and unhappy.——I +wish you were to hear Mr. Burrows preach. There is a simplicity +and an earnestness in his manner more affecting than any thing I ever +heard from the pulpit.' Mrs. Smith and Mrs. Elizabeth Burrows, two +of the sisters mentioned in this place, together with Mr. and Mrs. +Burrows, died before Mrs. Chapone's final retreat to Hadley; so that +'out of that amiable and happy circle with whom she delighted to +associate, and on whom she relied as the sources of the most refined +enjoyments, only one sister, the present Mrs. Amy Burrows, remained +to bestow on her that heartfelt consolation which this inestimable friend +never failed to administer.' The houses of Mr. Burrows, with his wife +and two younger sisters, and of his eldest sister, wife of Sir Culling +Smith, Bart. were long her favourite asylums, and the hours spent by +her in them were among the most happy of her life.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_14_14" id="Footnote_14_14"></a><a href="#FNanchor_14_14"><span class="label">[14]</span></a> Edward Mulso. 'Since you went,' (Miss Carter had just left +the then Miss Mulso,) 'I have done nothing,' writes Mrs. C., 'but +sing Metastasio's song. I am distracted for a tune that will go to +the Translation, that I might sing that, from morning to night. I +have made <i>Neddy</i> walk with me to the tree, by Sir <i>Edward</i> Hale's +park; and intend often to reconnoitre the spot where you sat by me +there.'—'Your friend <i>Edward</i> is with us; and we make a pretty little +concert at home, pretty often,' &c. &c.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_15_15" id="Footnote_15_15"></a><a href="#FNanchor_15_15"><span class="label">[15]</span></a> The following compliment to the vocal powers of Mrs. C., though +high, appears to be ingenuous. Dr. Kennicott, relating the University +Festival, at Oxford, in a letter to Richardson, dated Exeter College, +June 9, 1754, observes—"The first clap of applause was upon <i>Forasi's</i> +taking her place in the orchestra; <i>Signiora</i> seemed a little too sensible +of the honour, &c. But I forgive her; for indeed <i>she</i> sings—I cannot +say <i>most</i> delightfully—for have I not heard Miss <i>Mulso</i>?"</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_16_16" id="Footnote_16_16"></a> +<a href="#FNanchor_16_16"><span class="label">[16]</span></a> Deut. chap. ii.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_17_17" id="Footnote_17_17"></a> +<a href="#FNanchor_17_17"><span class="label">[17]</span></a> Ibid. chap. xx.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_18_18" id="Footnote_18_18"></a> +<a href="#FNanchor_18_18"><span class="label">[18]</span></a> Deut. chap. ix. ver. 24.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_19_19" id="Footnote_19_19"></a> +<a href="#FNanchor_19_19"><span class="label">[19]</span></a> Lord Lyttelton.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_20_20" id="Footnote_20_20"></a> +<a href="#FNanchor_20_20"><span class="label">[20]</span></a> Matt. v.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_21_21" id="Footnote_21_21"></a> +<a href="#FNanchor_21_21"><span class="label">[21]</span></a> Ecclus. v.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_22_22" id="Footnote_22_22"></a> +<a href="#FNanchor_22_22"><span class="label">[22]</span></a> Ibid. vi.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_23_23" id="Footnote_23_23"></a> +<a href="#FNanchor_23_23"><span class="label">[23]</span></a> Ecclus. xxii. 20.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_24_24" id="Footnote_24_24"></a> +<a href="#FNanchor_24_24"><span class="label">[24]</span></a> Ecclus. xxvii. 16.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_25_25" id="Footnote_25_25"></a> +<a href="#FNanchor_25_25"><span class="label">[25]</span></a> Ecclus. xix. 13.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_26_26" id="Footnote_26_26"></a> +<a href="#FNanchor_26_26"><span class="label">[26]</span></a> Ecclus. xx. 16.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_27_27" id="Footnote_27_27"></a> +<a href="#FNanchor_27_27"><span class="label">[27]</span></a> Ecclus. xviii.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_28_28" id="Footnote_28_28"></a><a href="#FNanchor_28_28"><span class="label">[28]</span></a> There has been lately published a work particularly adapted to +the use of young ladies, entitled, "<i>A Dictionary of Polite Literature, +or Fabulous History of Heathen Gods and Illustrious Heroes.</i> +Two Vols. with Plates."</p><div class="signature"><i>Editor.</i></div></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_29_29" id="Footnote_29_29"></a> +<a href="#FNanchor_29_29"><span class="label">[29]</span></a> That is, in +the 365th year of the city.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_30_30" id="Footnote_30_30"></a><a href="#FNanchor_30_30"><span class="label">[30]</span></a> <i>Dr. Goldsmith's Histories of Greece and Rome</i> are generally +considered as most useful to young persons.<br /></p> +<div class="signature"><i>Editor.</i></div> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_31_31" id="Footnote_31_31"></a><a href="#FNanchor_31_31"><span class="label">[31]</span></a> <i>Russel's History of Ancient Europe</i> will give all the information +requisite.<br /></p> +<div class="signature"><i>Editor.</i></div> +</div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_32_32" id="Footnote_32_32"></a><a href="#FNanchor_32_32"><span class="label">[32]</span></a> This work was first printed in 1773.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_33_33" id="Footnote_33_33"></a><a href="#FNanchor_33_33"><span class="label">[33]</span></a> <i>The History of Modern Europe</i> may be read with particular +advantage.<br /></p> +<div class="signature"><i>Editor.</i></div> +</div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_34_34" id="Footnote_34_34"></a><a href="#FNanchor_34_34"><span class="label">[34]</span></a> This work has not been published for some years; <i>Guthrie's +Geographical and Historical Grammar</i> is the best work of the +kind, at present.<br /></p> +<div class="signature"><i>Editor.</i></div> + + +</div> +</div> + +<h4>Transcriber's Notes</h4> +<p>Obvious misspellings and punctuation errors repaired. Otherwise, +unusual spellings retained when used consistently in original.</p> + +<p>Hyphenated/nonhyphenated retained when occurring evenly.</p> + +<p>Thought break on P.209 added, corresponds to "Conclusion" in Contents.</p> + +<p>P.205, list: Second occurrences of "Vertot's Revolutions" and +"Voltaire's" added in place of "repeat" dashes.</p> + +<p>"Ecclus" = Sirach, or Ecclesiasticus.</p> + +<p>P.xxxii, "whole tenour of the Gospel" to "whole tenor of the Gospel"</p> + +<p>P.26 "himself was govenor" to "himself was governor"</p> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Letters on the Improvement of the Mind, by +Hester Chapone + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LETTERS ON THE IMPROVEMENT *** + +***** This file should be named 35890-h.htm or 35890-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/5/8/9/35890/ + +Produced by Jonathan Ingram, JoAnn Greenwood and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This +file was produced from images generously made available +by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.) + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Letters on the Improvement of the Mind + Addressed to a Lady + +Author: Hester Chapone + +Release Date: April 17, 2011 [EBook #35890] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LETTERS ON THE IMPROVEMENT *** + + + + +Produced by Jonathan Ingram, JoAnn Greenwood and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This +file was produced from images generously made available +by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.) + + + + + + + + + + LETTERS + ON THE + IMPROVEMENT OF THE MIND. + + ADDRESSED TO A LADY. + + BY MRS. CHAPONE. + + + WITH + _THE LIFE OF THE AUTHOR._ + + * * * * * + + I consider an human Soul, without Education, like marble in + the Quarry, which shows none of its inherent Beauties till + the Skill of the Polisher fetches out the colours, makes the + surface shine, and discovers every ornamental Cloud, Spot, + and Vein, that runs through the Body of it. Education, after + the same manner, when it works upon a noble Mind, draws out + to view every latent Virtue and Perfection, which, without + such Helps, are never able to make their Appearance. + + ADDISON. + + * * * * * + + A New Edition. + + _LONDON_: + + Printed by Weed and Rider, Little Britain, + + FOR SCATCHERD AND LETTERMAN, AVE-MARIA LANE; LONGMAN, HURST, + REES, ORME, AND BROWN; CADELL AND DAVIES; F. C. AND J. + RIVINGTON; SHERWOOD, NEELY, AND JONES; G. AND W. B. + WHITTAKER; BALDWIN, CRADOCK, AND JOY; J. MAWMAN; J. HARRIS + AND SONS; HARVEY AND DARTON; AND C. TAYLOR. + + 1820. + + + + + _CONTENTS._ + + + Letter Page + + DEDICATION v + + Life of Hester Chapone vii + + I. On the first Principles of Religion 1 + + II. On the Study of the Holy Scriptures 15 + + III. The same Subject continued 34 + + IV. On the Regulation of the Heart + and Affections 51 + + V. The same Subject continued 66 + + VI. On the Government of the Temper 98 + + VII. On Economy 121 + + VIII. On Politeness and Accomplishments 143 + + IX. On Geography and Chronology 170 + + X. On the Manner and Course of reading + History 186 + + Conclusion 209 + + + + +TO + +_MRS. MONTAGU_. + + + MADAM, + +I BELIEVE you are persuaded that I never entertained a thought of +appearing in public, when the desire of being useful to one dear child, +in whom I take the tenderest interest, induced me to write the following +Letters:--perhaps it was the partiality of friendship, which so far +biassed your judgment as to make you think them capable of being more +extensively useful, and warmly to recommend the publication of them. +Though this partiality could alone prevent your judgment from being +considered as decisive in favour of the work, it is more flattering to +the writer than any literary fame; if, however, you will allow me to +add, that some strokes of your elegant pen have corrected these Letters, +I may hope, they will be received with an attention, which will insure a +candid judgment from the reader, and perhaps will enable them to make +some useful impressions on those, to whom they are now particularly +offered. + +They only, who know how your hours are employed, and of what important +value they are to the good and happiness of individuals, as well as to +the delight and improvement of the public, can justly estimate my +obligation to you for the time and consideration you have bestowed on +this little work. As _you_ have drawn it forth, I may claim a sort of +right to the ornament and protection of your name, and to the privilege +of publicly professing myself, with the highest esteem, + + MADAM, + + Your much obliged friend, + and most obedient + humble servant, + + HESTER CHAPONE. + + + + + LIFE + OF + _HESTER CHAPONE_. + + +Among the illustrious women whose literary productions adorned and +improved the age in which they appeared, and are likely to be +transmitted with reputation to posterity, Mrs. Chapone is entitled to +distinguished consideration. However, incited by the persuasions and +encouraged by the applauses of Richardson, she had many prejudices to +encounter, many impediments to overcome. Female writers, always severely +scrutinized, and often condemned, had not then obtained the estimation +they have since commanded. + + * * * * * + +Hester Mulso, better known as Chapone, was the daughter of Thomas Mulso, +Esq. of Twywell, in Northamptonshire; who, in the year 1719, married the +posthumous daughter of Colonel Thomas, of the Guards. She lived long +enough to see the last props of an ancient and towering family fall to +the dust. + +Of the immediate connections of Mr. Mulso, his elder sister, Anne, was +married to the Rev. Dr. Donne, formerly Prebendary of Canterbury; and +the younger, Susanna, to the brother of his own wife, the Rev. Dr. John +Thomas, who was preceptor to his Majesty King George III., and who +successively held the bishoprics of Peterborough, Salisbury, and +Winchester. Mr. Mulso had himself several children; but of these only +five lived to grow up, and even of the five, Charles, his third son, who +was an officer in the navy, died, in the Mediterranean, at the age of +twenty-one. + +Thomas, the eldest of Mr. Mulso's sons, was bred to the law; and, for +some years, he went the Oxford circuit. He declined legal practice on +coming to the possession of his paternal inheritance; but was afterwards +made Registrar of Peterborough, and a Commissioner of Bankrupts. He +published, in 1768, 'Calistus, or the Man of Fashion;' and 'Sophronius, +or the Country Gentleman.' Thomas was the elect brother of Mrs. Chapone. +He died early in February, 1799; and, as his death was not thought near, +she lost, in him, the tie that bound her to life. + +John, the second of Mr. Mulso's sons, became Prebendary of the +cathedrals of Winchester and Salisbury, and held two valuable benefices +in Hampshire. It was at the houses of this brother that Mrs. Chapone +spent much of her time; and to one of his children, her beloved niece, +the world owes her best work. He died at the prebendal residence at +Winchester, in 1791, having survived his wife one year. + +Edward, the youngest son, was in the Excise Office. He was skilled in +music, and for many years President of the Anacreonic Society. Of this +brother, the life of her youth, Mrs. Chapone was also fond; and, as his +death was sudden and quick, his loss seriously affected her. He died +during the April of 1782. + +Hester Mulso, the main subject of this sketch, was born on the 27th of +October, 1727; and was the only daughter whom her father had the +pleasure of seeing arrive to mature years. How soon Miss Mulso +accustomed herself to investigate what she read, and how well, may be +inferred from a passage in her published 'Miscellanies;' where, she +says, that when fifteen years old, being charmed with many of the +doctrines of the mystics, she then began to canvass them deeply; and +that, as reason grew, she was able to detect and to reject the fanciful +theology with which they were fraught. Even at nine years of age she was +an author. Accustomed to read the old romance, which suited her then +childish taste, she wrote 'The Loves of Amorat and Melissa,' which, +however defective, gave promise of the genius that distinguished her +maturer compositions. Her mind could not, however, long dwell on such +works. 'I make no scruple,' declares Miss Mulso, writing to Miss Carter, +from Peterborough, July, 1750, 'to call romances the worst of all the +species of writing: unnatural representations of the passions, false +sentiments, false precepts, false wit, false honour, and false modesty, +with a strange heap of improbable unnatural incidents, mixed up with +true history, and fastened upon some of the great names of antiquity, +make up the composition of a romance--at least of such as I have read, +which have been mostly French ones. Then the prolixity and poverty of +the style is unsupportable. I have (and yet I am still alive) drudged +through Le Grand Cyrus in twelve large volumes, Cleopatra in eight or +ten, Polexander, Ibrahim, Clelie, and some others, whose names, as well +as all the rest of them, I have forgotten; but this was in the days when +I did not choose my own books, for there was no part of my life in which +I loved romances.' This censure of romances, ancient or modern, is not +more severe than it is just. With scarcely an exception, the business of +romances is to make good bad, and bad good; to misplace and misstate +events, falsify characters, and mislead readers. They are full of grave +lies, well told, to an ill end. These are the Will o' Wisps of the mind. + +Something of importance is stated, where Miss Mulso says, that she read +romances, volume upon volume, in the days when she did not choose her +own books; and when, therefore, she could not avoid this infantile +course of reading. She was not then permitted to go in her own way. +Superadded to the disadvantages then attending female education, she +struggled under domestic discouragements. Maternal vanity set itself +against her advances in literature; and it was not till the death of her +mother took place, that Miss Mulso, liberated from all impediments, felt +herself free to pursue the cultivation of her own understanding. 'I +believe,' she writes, referring to her new situation, early in 1750, +'there are few people who are better pleased and contented with their +lot than I; for I am qualified to feel my present happiness; by having +early experienced very different sensations.' + +Here then is one marked era in the life of Miss Mulso. Being now +mistress of herself, as to the disposal of her time, she rapidly +compassed the circle of intellectual improvement. Notwithstanding that +she was self-instructed, she soon became mistress of the French and +Italian languages, and made some proficiency even in the Latin. Attached +thus to literature, she was also careful to select her acquaintance from +among persons who were likely to improve her own taste. It was in this +way that she cultivated an intimacy with the celebrated Richardson; and +that, in 1750, when she was twenty-three years of age, she ventured to +controvert his opinions on 'Filial Obedience.'[1] + +Richardson delighted to stimulate female talents to honourable and +persevering exertions. Perhaps his partiality for epistolary +intercourse, in which he successively engaged his fair friends, +eventually decided Mrs. Chapone as to the mode of communicating her +instructions to a beloved niece. + +About this time, 1749 to 1752, she wrote some poems. Her 'Ode to Peace,' +and that to Miss Carter, prefixed to Epictetus, were the first fruits of +her muse. Her verse comes up to what she thought of verse, and this +seems as much as can with truth be said of it. 'As fond as I am of the +works of fancy,' says she, 'of the bold imagery of a Shakspeare, or a +Milton, and the delicate landscapes of Thomson, I receive much greater +and more solid pleasure from their poetry, as it is the dress and +ornament of wisdom and morality, than all the flowers of fancy, and the +charms of harmonious numbers, can give + + 'When gay description holds the place of sense.' + +Pursuing the satisfactions of literature, Miss Mulso now produced the +'Story of Fidelia.' Although this tale was written for the 'Adventurer,' +she is represented as hesitating to give it to the world; and as +publishing it only in compliance with the wishes of friendship. Little +is to be said in praise of this story. Designed, as it was, to expose +the miseries of freethinking in women, its reasoning tends rather to +stagger the unlettered moralist than to confute intellectual scepticism. +It is affected as to its style, and problematical as to its end. + +While Miss Mulso was hesitating as to what should be Fidelia's fate, 'to +print or not to print,' Miss Carter, to whom she was now known, decided +her for the press. Miss Mulso idolized Miss Carter. Astonished at her +acquirements, humbled by her talents, she approaches to her as to one of +superior existence[2]. Miss Carter accepts the homage of Miss Mulso; and +seems, throughout her deportment, to view it as due to herself. Such +friends as they were, for their friendship was not mutual in kind, so +they lasted for more than fifty years. Letters were the chief cement of +their long friendship. + +Nearly at the same time that Miss Mulso commenced acquaintance with Miss +Carter, it was her lot to meet with Mr. Chapone, to whom she was at last +married. This gentleman, who was practising the law, was introduced to +Richardson's friends, at North-End, near Hammersmith, and fully admitted +among them in the year 1750. 'Most heartily do I thank good Mrs. Dewes,' +writes Richardson, August 20, 1750, 'for her recommendation of Mr. +Chapone to my acquaintance and friendship. I am greatly taken with him. +A sensible, and ingenious, a modest young gentleman.' Miss Mulso's +friends own, that, from 'their first introduction, she entertained a +distinguished esteem for Mr. Chapone. It was, with her, love at first +sight; but, according to her relations, as their intimacy improved, and +her attachment became rooted, she had the gratification to perceive that +it was mutual.' She was certainly in love. 'Your opinion of the lordly +sex,' she says, writing to Miss Carter, in 1754, 'I know is not a very +high one, but yet I will one day or other make you confess that a man +may be capable of all the delicacy, purity, and tenderness, which +distinguish our sex, joined with all the best qualities that dignify his +own.' Whatever were her father's original objections to her marriage, +these were for some time found to be insuperable; for, having been made +acquainted with her passion, he, instead of immediately countenancing +her wishes, made her promise that she would not contract any matrimonial +engagement without his previous permission. Prudence forbad him to +approve, we are told, what kindness would not suffer him to prohibit. + +Visiting the coterie of Richardson, during the summer of 1753, Miss +Mulso was gratified by an interview with Dr. Johnson, with whom she +before had no personal acquaintance. Her whole account of this interview +may be fitly told here. 'Mr. Johnson' (Miss Mulso is writing to Miss +Carter) 'was very communicative and entertaining, and did me the honour +to address most of his discourse to me. I had the assurance to dispute +with him on the subject of human malignity[3]; and wondered to hear a +man, who by his actions shows so much benevolence, maintain that the +human heart is naturally malevolent, and that all the benevolence we +see, in the few who are good, is acquired by reason and religion. You +may believe I entirely disagreed with him, being, as you know, fully +persuaded that benevolence, or the love of our fellow-creatures, is as +much a part of our nature as self-love; and that it cannot be +suppressed, or extinguished, without great violence from the force of +other passions. I told him I suspected him of these bad notions from +some of his Ramblers, and had accused him to you; but that you persuaded +me I had mistaken his sense. To which he answered, that if he had +betrayed such sentiments in his Ramblers, it was not with design; for +that he believed _the doctrine of human malevolence, though a true one, +is not an useful one_, and ought not to be published to the world. Is +there any truth,' subjoins Miss Mulso, 'that would not be useful, or +that should not be known?' + +The misfortune is, that, on such topics as this, which must implicate +the character of man, generally as well as personally, each one writes +as each sees things, and not as things might or ought to be seen. +Establishing our individual experience as the criterion of universal +opinion, we are too apt to speak of the world as we find it; and to +conclude, that what happens to us must of necessity happen to others, +and that uniformity of experience will terminate in similarity of +decision. Perhaps truth is still clear of extremes. Man is not so bad as +some state him to be; nor is man so good as some think him to be. + +Miss Mulso is now to be known as Mrs. Chapone. Perceiving that her +inclination to matrimony was decisive, Mr. Mulso, though he still +objected to the match, consented to such arrangements, towards the close +of 1760, as to admit of the union, in one day, of his eldest son, +Thomas, with Miss Prescott, and of his only daughter, Hester, with Mr. +Chapone. Living with her father, who was indulgently attached to her, +Miss Mulso had previously been permitted to enjoy, fairly and fully, the +society of Mr. Chapone.[4] + +'Give me your congratulations,' writes the now Mrs. Chapone, to Miss +Carter, from town, December the 9th, 1760, 'my dear friend; but, as much +for my brother and friend (Mr. Thomas Mulso and Miss Prescott) as for +myself; for, in truth, I could not have enjoyed my own happiness in an +union with the man of my choice, had I been forced to leave them in the +same uncomfortable state of tedious and almost hopeless expectation in +which they have suffered so long. I shall rejoice to hear that you are +coming to town, and shall hope for many a comfortable tete-a-tete with +you in my lodgings in Carey Street; for there I must reside till Mr. +Chapone can get a house that suits him, which is no easy matter, as he +is so confined in point of situation,' &c. &c. Pleasing as might be the +prospect of her marriage pleasures, it will soon be seen that, as Mrs. +Barbauld wrote, 'her married life was short, and,' short as it was, 'not +very happy!' + +Scarcely is Mrs. Chapone first settled, when _she seems to complain of +being in lodgings_; and, when her husband has taken a house, _still she +regrets living_ in Arundel Street, as this is '_very wide from_ Clarges +Street, where' she supposes that her friend _Miss Carter's_ '_residence_ +is fixed.' Even now, dissatisfied with 'a life of hurry and +engagement,' she puts 'the drudgery of answering all the congratulatory +letters,' heaped on them as newly married, 'upon Mr. Chapone; who, _poor +man_,' says his wife, 'was _forced to humour_ me _a little at first_.' +Here is not the worst. '_I have more hours to myself_,' she adds, '_than +I wish for_; for business usually allows me _very little of my husband's +company_, except at meals.' Instead of 'many a comfortable tete-a-tete +with' Miss Carter, whom she assures of her 'most perfect dissent' from +the maxim of Johnson's school, 'that a married woman can have no +friendship but with her husband,' Chapone himself, pleased with Miss +Carter's old friendship, is represented as wondering why she never +visits his wife. 'Surely, my dear,' he would say to her, 'if Miss Carter +loved you, she would sometimes have spent a day with you; and then I +should have known her better. _If ever she loved you, I fancy she left +it off on your being married._' Mrs. Chapone's letters may explain the +absence of Miss Carter. What friend would be in haste to run to her, who +tells that she 'lived in dirt,' and in 'puddling lodgings;' and who +adds, 'at last,' that she reckons herself to be but 'tolerably settled?' + +Lengthened courtships too seldom conclude with happy marriages. Six +years of the lives of one pair, 1754 to 1760, was by far too long to +make love. Our choice may prove to be our lot, just when our lot is no +more our choice. + +Miss Mulso was also more than old enough for Mrs. Chapone. When women +are of disputatious dispositions[5], fixed in their notions, and do not +like learned husbands[6], because they may hope to rule simple ones, +they should marry before the age of thirty-three. + +Poverty is inimical to felicity; but marriage penury, worst of woes, is +inevitably calamitous. Pecuniary difficulties long protracted the union +of Miss Mulso with Mr. Chapone, who at last died in embarrassing +circumstances. Much may be borne; but to court long, wait for wealth, +wed late, and fare ill, seem more than the griefs to which flesh is +heir. + +In her advice to a beloved niece, and in the letter to a new-married +lady, there are passages perhaps referable to the fate of Mrs. Chapone. +'Young women,' she observes, '_know so little_ of the world, especially +_of the other sex_, and _such pains are usually taken to deceive them_, +that they are every way unqualified to choose for themselves, &c. Many a +heart-ache shall _I_ feel for _you_, my sweet girl, if I live a few +years longer[7]!' Equally impressive is her delineation of matrimonial +bickerings. 'Whatever may be said of the _quarrels of lovers_, (believe +_me_!) _those of married people have always dreadful consequences_, +especially if they are not very short and very slight. If _they_ are +suffered to _produce bitter or contemptuous expressions_, or betray +_habitual dislike_ in one party _of any thing in the person or mind_ of +the other, _such wounds can scarcely ever be thoroughly healed_: and +though regard to principle and character lays the married couple under a +necessity to make up the breach as well as they can, yet is their +affiance in each other's affection so rudely shaken in such conflicts, +that it can hardly ever be perfectly fixed again. _The painful +recollection of what is passed, will often intrude upon the tenderest +hours_; and every trifle will awaken and renew it. You must, _even now_, +(it is to a lady _newly married_ that Mrs. C. is addressing herself) be +particularly on your guard against _this_ source of misery.' + +Within the short space of ten months after marriage, Mr. Chapone, whose +health could not have been good, was seized by a fever, which, in about +a week, terminated his mortal career. Though his illness was short, and +thought fatal at first, Mrs. Chapone was not with him for five days +before _his death_, 'as her presence was judged to be very hurtful to +him!' She then heard of his death 'with _her accustomed meekness_;' and, +continues Miss Burrows, writing to Miss Carter, September the 22d, 1761, +'you would hardly believe me were I to describe to you _her calmness and +composure_,' &c., or, 'half _the noble things she says and does_,' &c. +'_She suffered herself_,' again writes Miss Burrows, October 5, 1761, +'_to be the most consoled_, by the kindness of her friends, _I ever saw +any body in her situation_.' Mrs. Chapone was yet for some time ill, on +the death of Mr. Chapone; and she found some other difficulties[8] +against which to bear up. Circumstances shortly after induced her to +retire into lodgings upon a small but decent income, where, cultivating +her connections, she contrived to preserve her independence and +respectability. Her small property was soon augmented by the death of +her father, who did not survive her husband quite two years. + +Mrs. Chapone now spent much of her time with friends. Dr. John Thomas, +her maternal uncle, being then Bishop of Winchester, she was always +welcome either at Farnham Castle, or at Winchester House. Of her various +letters from Farnham Castle, the following one, relating to royalty, is +sufficiently interesting to find its place here. It must be remembered, +that the Bishop had been preceptor to our late and venerable King.--'Mr. +Buller went to Windsor on Saturday,' writes Mrs. Chapone to Mr. Burrows, +August 20, 1778, 'saw the King, who enquired much about the Bishop; and +hearing that he would be eighty-two next Monday, "Then," said he, "I +will go and wish him joy." "And I," said the Queen, "will go too." Mr. +B. then dropped a hint of the additional pleasure it would give the +Bishop if he could see the Princes. "_That_," said the King, "requires +contrivance; but, if I can manage it, we will _all_ go".' ... Monday +morning, a little after eleven o'clock, 'came the King and Queen in +their phaeton, three coaches and six, and one coach and four, with a +large retinue of servants. They were all conducted into the great +drawing-room, by Mr. and Mrs. Buller, where, after paying their +compliments to the Bishop and Mrs. Thomas, those of the first column +remained there to breakfast; those of the second column left the room, +and were led by Mrs. T. to the dressing-room, where Mrs. T. and I were, +and where I made tea for them. After our breakfast was over, as well as +that of the upper house, the royal guests[9] came to visit me in the +dressing-room. The King sent the Princes in to pay their compliments to +_Mrs. Chapone_: himself, he said, was an old acquaintance. Whilst the +Princes were speaking to me, Mr. Arnold, sub-preceptor, said, "These +gentlemen are well acquainted with a certain Ode[10] prefixed to Mrs. +Carter's Epictetus, if you know any thing of it." Afterwards the King +came and spoke to us; and the Queen led the Princess Royal to me, +saying, "This is a young lady, who, I hope, has profited much by your +instructions[11]. She has read them more than once, and will read them +oftener;" and the Princess assented to the praise which followed, with a +very modest air. She has a sweet countenance, and simple unaffected +manners. I was pleased with all the Princes, but particularly with +Prince William, who is little of his age, but so sensible and engaging, +that he won the Bishop's heart; to whom he particularly attached +himself, and would stay with him while all the rest ran about the house. +His conversation was surprisingly manly and clever for his age: yet with +the young Bullers he was quite the boy; and said to John Buller, by way +of encouraging him to talk, "Come, we are both boys, you know." All of +them showed affectionate respect to the Bishop; the Prince of Wales +pressed his hand so hard that he hurt it. Mrs. B----'s two girls were +here, and the eldest son, and great notice was taken of them all. The +youngest girl, a comical natural little creature between eight and nine, +says she thinks it hard that Princes may not marry whom they please; and +seems not without hopes, that, if it were not for this restriction, the +Prince of Wales might prove a lover of hers.' + +Dr. Thomas, to whom these royal honours were thus paid, died in May +1781, at the age of eighty-six years. + +Several months of the year 1766 were passed by Mrs. Chapone at the +parsonage of her second brother, John, at Thornhill, near Wakefield, in +Yorkshire. It was then she conceived that partiality for her niece, his +eldest daughter, to which society is indebted for her 'Letters on the +Improvement of the Mind.' + +Having become acquainted with Mrs. Montagu some time in 1762, she about +eight years after joined her in her tour into Scotland; a tour from +which she derived both information and amusement, and which her pen has +described with fidelity and interest. 'I am grown as bold as a lion with +Mrs. Montagu,' asserts Mrs. Chapone, two years before their tour, to +Mrs. Carter, 'and fly in her face whenever I have a mind: in short, I +enjoy her society with the most perfect _gout_; and find my love for her +takes off my fear and awe, though my respect for her character +continually increases.' Mrs. Montagu's great friendship was found +eminently conducive to the welfare of Mrs. Chapone. It added to her +sources of intellectual gratification, extended the old circle of her +acquaintance, and emboldened and encouraged her to submit her writings +to the world. + +We are now to consider Mrs. Chapone's literary performances; which, +following the order of publication, consist of + + Letters on the Improvement of the Mind; 1773. + + Miscellanies, in Prose and Verse; 1775. + + Posthumous Works; two volumes, 1804. + +These latter volumes contain Mrs. Chapone's Correspondence with Mr. +Richardson, on Filial Obedience; a Matrimonial Creed, sent by her to +him; Letters to her friends; some Fugitive Poetry; and 'An Account of +her _Life and Character_, drawn up _by her own Family_.' Dismissing the +consideration of its partiality, this account, justly so called, has no +claim to the character of biography. + +Her 'Letters on the Improvement of the Mind' owed much of their early +success to the talents and kindness of Mrs. Montagu. 'The bookseller,' +writes their Author, July the 20th, 1773, 'is preparing the second +edition with all haste, the whole of the first being gone out of his +hands; which, considering that he printed off fifteen hundred at first, +is an extraordinary quick sale. _I attribute this success principally to +Mrs. Montagu's name, and patronage_,' &c. More of this is told in the +Dedication of the work to her. 'I believe you (Mrs. Montagu) are +persuaded that I (Mrs. Chapone) never entertained a thought of appearing +in public, when the desire of being useful to one dear child, in whom I +take the tenderest interest[12], induced me to write the following +letters: perhaps it was the partiality of friendship which so far +biassed your judgment as to make you think them capable of being more +extensively useful, and warmly to recommend the publication of them. +If,' proceeds the author, 'you will allow me to add that _some strokes +of your elegant pen_ have corrected these Letters, I may hope _they will +be received with an attention_ which will insure a candid judgment from +the reader; and, perhaps, will enable them to _make some useful +impressions_ on those to whom they are now particularly offered.' + +Notwithstanding their intrinsic excellence, various circumstances +co-operated to give to her Letters immediate popularity. Besides the +beginning preference for books on education, epistolary composition, the +style of her work, was then in very general estimation. It was the style +to which the volumes of Richardson, the correspondence of Pope, the +letters of Chesterfield and of Orrery, had familiarized the public mind. +Nor could expectation have been indifferent to any production from the +pen of one who was the friendly pupil of Samuel Richardson; in favour of +whom the discerning part of readers were already prepossessed, by the +commendation he had bestowed on her talents, and the assiduity with +which he had cultivated her correspondence. What might not be hoped from +a lady, who, when not much above twenty years of age, was considered +qualified to controvert with him the subject of paternal authority and +filial obedience? But, if admiration had been excited, it was only in +order to be gratified. Mrs. Chapone did not disappoint the expectations +entertained concerning Miss Mulso. + +It is the imperishable honour of Mrs. Chapone, that the foundation of +_her_ temple of education is on the rock, and not in the sands; that the +superstructure is therefore not only beautiful, but lasting. On the +being of a God, she fixes the tottering hopes of mere mortality: and by +his Revealed Will would direct its steps, to certainty, happiness, and +glory. Nor has she been unsuccessful in displaying the benevolent +attributes of Deity, and in exciting the gratitude of the heart towards +him. Without impeaching his justice, she has exalted his mercy; without +diminishing the awe, she has increased the fervency of pious adoration; +without depreciating prayer, she has insisted on a spirit of +thanksgiving. Devotion, in her view, becomes attractive as well as +important. We love, while we obey; while we tremble, we rejoice. Resting +the ground-work of all morality on religion, _assent_ is insisted upon +prior to _investigation_; not that the latter is excluded. Since, +however, we are compelled to _act_ before we become qualified to +_think_, it is of the utmost importance that some standard be +established in the mind, for the regulation of the conduct. Religion +supplies this deficiency. Its penalties and rewards are offered, at a +time when we are principally governed by our hopes or fears; and are, +indeed, incapable of being acted upon by abstracted considerations of +right and wrong. + +Of the early _historical_ parts of the Old Testament, Mrs. Chapone +speaks with the commendation they will always obtain from discriminating +minds. Nothing in profane history is equal to their beautiful +simplicity, their affecting minuteness. They are not sufficiently +studied. + +On the scope of the Gospel, as delivered in the New Testament, it is +justly affirmed--'The whole tenor of the Gospel is to offer us every +help, direction, and motive, that can enable us to attain that degree of +perfection, on which depends our eternal good.' Exception must +nevertheless be taken to a few epithets, by which she endeavours to +picture a future state of blessedness; as, 'the richest imagination can +paint:' for, what imagination shall paint that which 'it hath not +entered into the heart of man to conceive?' + +Letters the Fourth and Fifth, _On the Regulation of the Heart and +Affections_, display considerable knowledge of human nature, exhibit +high reasoning powers on the part of the writer, and are fraught with +excellent moral distinctions. The fifth, however, owing to the subjects +it embraces, is particularly valuable to the sex to whom it is +addressed. This encomium will apply to her sentiments _On Household +Economy_, and _On Deportment towards Servants_. The course of _Studies_ +and _Accomplishments_ recommended by her, perhaps, still includes all +that is essential. + +Unornamental, but not ungraceful, Mrs. Chapone's style, though plain, is +deserving of commendation. If there be one main fault in it, one +reigning vice, it is that it abounds with parentheses, which tend to +obscure it. + +The success of her Letters is stated by herself to have been the source +of much good to her: she who, only ten years before, declared that 'this +world had nothing for her but a few friends,' who owns that 'a certain +weariness of life, and a sense of insignificance and insipidity,' did +then 'deject' her, now feels that the success of her writings appeased +'that uneasy sense of helplessness and insignificancy which often +depressed and afflicted her.' Her work gave her some tie to the world. +Her intellectual existence, her new life, succeeded to her sympathetic +state. + +Of her next work, the 'Miscellanies,' not much need be said. +Unqualified in her admiration of the author's abilities, Mrs. Barbauld +seems to labour to explain the unpopularity of this publication. The +toil was not worth the pains. Excepting the _Letter to a New-married +Lady_, and _Three Essays_, the contents of this volume did not authorize +the distinction to which friendship conceived it to be entitled. + +Her long epistolary controversy with Richardson, respecting 'Filial +Obedience' generally, evidences great superiority of thought. It extends +to three letters; of which the first is dated October 12, and the second +November 10, 1750; and the third, which is her last, bears date the 3d +of January, 1750-51. Perhaps Miss Carter was not far from the fact, +when, as now appears from one of Mrs. Chapone's Letters to her, she +called this controversy 'an unmerciful prolixity upon a plain simple +subject.' Still it is, in such hands, of much worth. Differing from +Richardson in some essential particulars, Mrs. Chapone, young as she +then was, magnanimously promulgated, and resolutely defended, her own +sentiments. Authority seems to have been here considered by Richardson +as synonymous with what most men think tyranny. Parents were to be +despots, and children to live as their bond-slaves. Obligation is +reciprocal. Subjection necessarily supposes protection; and paternal +authority has the best claim to filial obedience, where benevolence +endears dependance, and where conduct demands respect. Goldsmith told no +more than truth, when, as his Essays will show, he declared that there +were parents who got children for the gratification of tyrannising over +them. + +Mrs. Chapone had the gift of letter-writing. When she writes to her few +friends, it is with ease, with sense, and with life. She does not then +write for the press. She read much, thought more, and wrote as she +thought. Many of her judgments, both of men and books, deserve to be +weighed. + +The last years of life, it is painful to add, were not her best years. +Surviving those by whom life was to her rendered estimable, unshaken as +was her religion, her mind, it is acknowledged by friends, yielded to +its afflictions; 'her memory became visibly and materially impaired; and +her body was so much affected by the sufferings of her mind, that she +soon sank into a state of alarming debility.' She who bore with +'calmness and composure' the death of a husband, of him whom she calls +'the man of her choice,' felt that she lost on the death of a brother, +'her strongest tie to this world,' and 'sank into a state of alarming +debility!' Where the treasure is, there also will the heart still be +found. Sublunary happiness is at the best uncertain as unstable; and +those whose plans of good are made for this earth, will see, sooner or +later, that they have built on the sands instead of the rock. + +Contracted in circumstances, and limited in the number of her friends, +Mrs. Chapone, with her youngest niece, retired to Hadley, in the autumn +of 1800; where her living near to Miss Amy Burrows[13], who had been +there for some years, opened new prospects of comfort for her rapidly +declining age. + +It was now that Mrs. Chapone needed all that the most affectionate +assiduity could do for her. 'Mrs. and Miss Burrows,' continues the short +account by her family, 'were her constant visitors; and while they +surveyed, with compassion and humiliation, the awful lesson to nature +which the wreck of so bright an ornament to it presented, they omitted +no opportunity to administer every soothing means of relief she was then +capable of experiencing.' Mr. Cottrell, also, successor to the Rev. Mr. +Burrows, at Hadley, and his family, with their friends, sometimes +enlivened the solitary seclusion to which she was doomed; but her +infirmities augmented so much, at this time, that she was not able to go +down stairs more than three or four times. + +Her life was near its close. October 1801, she completed her 74th year; +and on the Christmas-day following, without any direct illness, having +described herself as unusually well the day before, and after +experiencing less distemper during the last than any of the years of her +life, she fell into a doze, from which nothing could rouse her; and at +the eighth hour of the night, she drew her last breath, tranquilly and +imperceptibly, in the arms of her niece. Mrs. Burrows was also with her. + +Mrs. Chapone is not represented as one who had pretensions to what men +term beauty. If, however, any credit is due to the opinion of +Richardson, who knew her in her best days, and who could judge of the +sex, there was in her something of physiognomical fascination, that +bright emanation of soul, illuminating the countenance, which, candid +and benign, gave to the face its best charm. + +Music was one of her delights. Naturally possessing a voice both +mellifluous and powerful, with much true taste, and great accuracy of +ear, she, without the aid of science, would often surpass the efforts of +professional excellence. Aided by her brother[14] on the violin, her +singing frequently astonished those who were the highest judges of that +talent.[15] + +Accomplished in deportment, intelligent in conversation, uniformly +agreeable to society generally, her company was coveted by all who knew +her, and sought for by numbers of persons with whom she never +associated. + +Physical infirmities were to her the source of habitual misery. Cold and +wet seem to have been too much for her frame; and, by the medium of +that, for her mind. + +With all her faults, for some there were in her, she was still great. +Her life may teach much that it will be well to learn; nor can too much +be said in praise of her best work. + +Mrs. Chapone holds out one bright proof of what intelligence and +perseverance may in due time hope to accomplish. She cast her own lot. +Herself made herself; and to the honours of her name, great as they are, +those who tread in her steps may yet aspire. + +Considering the high importance of her literary exertions, no task would +have been more pleasing than that of bestowing unqualified approbation +on her character. Her writings, already productive of good the most +extensively beneficial, will stand the imperishable monument of her +worth. While the sentiments which they inculcate are valued, and the +language in which they are conveyed is known, while virtue is loved, or +piety revered among us, the 'Letters on the Improvement of the Mind' +will suffer no diminution of that reputation in which they have been so +long held by the world. + +FOOTNOTES: + +[1] 'I am at present engaged with a most admirable young lady of little +more than twenty, Miss Mulso, on the subject of Filial Obedience and +Paternal Authority, &c. Miss Mulso is a charming writer, &c. Your +ladyship will be charmed with her part of the subject.' _Richardson to +Lady Bradshaigh, 1751._ + +'I have been engaged in a kind of amicable controversy with my honoured +friend Mr. Richardson, which has occasioned letters of so immoderate a +length between us, that I have been quite tired of pen and ink, and +inexcusably negligent of all my other correspondents. Does it not sound +strange, my dear Miss Carter, that a girl like me should have dared to +engage in a dispute with such a man? Indeed I have often wondered at my +own assurance; but the pleasure and improvement I expected from his +letters were motives too strong to be resisted, and the kind +encouragement he gave me got the better of my fear of exposing myself.' +_Miss Mulso to Miss Carter, March 1750._ + +This correspondence is dated from October 1750, to January 1751. + +[2] 'I shall still find in her (Miss Mulso is writing _to_ and _of_ Miss +Carter) that amiable condescension, and unreserved benevolence, which +endears her conversation, and enhances the value of her understanding; +which teaches her how to improve her companions without appearing to +instruct them, to correct without seeming to reprove, and even to +reprove without offending.' _Miss Mulso to Miss Carter, September 11, +1749._ + +'It is impossible not to be better, as well as happier, for an intimate +acquaintance with _Miss Carter_; take her for all in all, I think, I may +venture to pronounce her _the first of women_!' _Miss Mulso to Mr. +Richardson, July 24, 1752._ + +[3] 'I think I read the 'Rambler' with great attention, yet I cannot +entirely acquit him of the charge of severity in his satires on mankind. +I believe him a worthy humane man; but I think I see a little of the +asperity of disappointment in his writings.' _Miss Mulso to Miss Carter, +October 1752._ + +'I am very unwilling to believe those that fright us with shocking +pictures of human nature, and could almost quarrel with my very great +favourite, 'The Rambler,' for his too-general censures on mankind; and +for speaking of envy and malice as universal passions.' _Ibid._ + +[4] 'I thank God, (Canterbury, August 29, 1757,) my best soul has now +the upper hand, by the assistance of medicine and cool weather, much +more than of reason; and perhaps by the hope of two or three days of +fancied good, in the presence of a _fancied essential_ (Mr. Chapone) to +my happiness, who has promised to come down and see me some time before +the middle of next month.'----'I shall now tell you something of myself, +who live here (Salisbury, John, the second brother to her, being then +its Prebendary) uncorrupted by grandeur, &c. &c. &c. who could prefer _a +little attorney_ (Chapone) even to my Lord Feversham; had he offered to +me, instead of the fair young lady he has so happily won.' _Miss Mulso +to Miss Carter._ + +[5] 'Nothing can ever make me amends for that luxurious ease and +security, in the kindness of all around me, which enables me to wrangle, +abuse, and dispute, till I am black in the face,' &c. &c. _Mrs. Chapone +to Mr. Burrows, 1773._ + +[6] 'It has always been one of my prayers, that I might never be the +wife of an overgrown scholar.' _Miss Mulso to Miss Carter, 1754._ + +[7] Letters on the Improvement of the Mind, edit. 1801, pages 93, 94. + +[8] 'I have been very near death; and, at the time he threatened me +most, it was the most earnest wish of my heart to meet and embrace him. +But, I bless God, I am restored not only to life, but to a sense of the +great mercy indulged me in the grant of a longer tern of trial.'--'You +are so obligingly solicitous about my circumstances, that I would +willingly inform you of the state of them, if I had any certainty about +them. But my dear Mr. Chapone's affairs were left in great confusion and +perplexity by his sudden death; which happened just at the time of year +in which he should have settled his accounts, and made out his bills. As +these are very considerable, his estate must suffer a great loss from +this circumstance. At present, things are in a very melancholy state, +and my own prospects such as would probably have appeared very dreadful +to me at any other time.' _Mrs. Chapone to Miss Carter, December 6, +1761._ + +[9] King George III. and Queen Charlotte; his present Majesty, then +Prince of Wales, and sixteen years old; Prince Frederic, Duke of York, +then fifteen years old; Prince William, Duke of Clarence, then thirteen +years old; Princess Royal, now Queen of Wirtemberg, then about fourteen +years old, and Princess Augusta, then about ten years old. + +[10] Addressed by Mrs. Chapone to her friend Mrs. Carter. + +[11] 'Letters on the Improvement of the Mind.' They had been published +five years then. + +[12] This young lady, of whom the reader must wish to know more, was the +eldest daughter of Mrs. Chapone's second brother, John, who was +Prebendary of the cathedrals of Winchester and Salisbury. She became +attached to this niece in 1766, while on a visit at her home; wrote the +Letters, to her, in 1772; and, stimulated by her literary friends, +published them in 1773.--'I had great satisfaction,' writes Mrs. Chapone +to Miss Carter, November 1797, 'in seeing my darling niece established +in the happiest manner, at Winchester, with husband (Rev. Benjamin +Jeffreys) who seems in every respect calculated to make her happy.' Mrs. +Chapone passed the autumns 1797 and 1798 at the Deanery at Winchester. +Here she awaited the approaching accouchement of her dearest niece, +which was destined to terminate one or her fondest hopes. This last joy +of her life, this child of her heart, was now torn from her, after the +birth of a dead infant, in March 1799. + +[13] Of the family of the Burrows's, who were her tried friends, 'I am +glad,' writes Mrs. Chapone to Miss Carter, July 31, 1761, 'that you love +my Burrows's, who are, indeed, some of the most valuable persons I have +ever known.----Poor Miss Amy (who was her last prop!) is still +complaining, and consequently her sisters are anxious and unhappy.----I +wish you were to hear Mr. Burrows preach. There is a simplicity and an +earnestness in his manner more affecting than any thing I ever heard +from the pulpit.' Mrs. Smith and Mrs. Elizabeth Burrows, two of the +sisters mentioned in this place, together with Mr. and Mrs. Burrows, +died before Mrs. Chapone's final retreat to Hadley; so that 'out of that +amiable and happy circle with whom she delighted to associate, and on +whom she relied as the sources of the most refined enjoyments, only one +sister, the present Mrs. Amy Burrows, remained to bestow on her that +heartfelt consolation which this inestimable friend never failed to +administer.' The houses of Mr. Burrows, with his wife and two younger +sisters, and of his eldest sister, wife of Sir Culling Smith, Bart. were +long her favourite asylums, and the hours spent by her in them were +among the most happy of her life. + +[14] Edward Mulso. 'Since you went,' (Miss Carter had just left the then +Miss Mulso,) 'I have done nothing,' writes Mrs. C., 'but sing +Metastasio's song. I am distracted for a tune that will go to the +Translation, that I might sing that, from morning to night. I have made +_Neddy_ walk with me to the tree, by Sir _Edward_ Hale's park; and +intend often to reconnoitre the spot where you sat by me there.'--'Your +friend _Edward_ is with us; and we make a pretty little concert at home, +pretty often,' &c. &c. + +[15] The following compliment to the vocal powers of Mrs. C., though +high, appears to be ingenuous. Dr. Kennicott, relating the University +Festival, at Oxford, in a letter to Richardson, dated Exeter College, +June 9, 1754, observes--"The first clap of applause was upon _Forasi's_ +taking her place in the orchestra; _Signiora_ seemed a little too +sensible of the honour, &c. But I forgive her; for indeed _she_ sings--I +cannot say _most_ delightfully--for have I not heard Miss _Mulso_?" + + + + +LETTERS ON THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE MIND. + + + + +LETTER I. + +ON THE FIRST PRINCIPLES OF RELIGION. + + + _MY DEAREST NIECE_, + +THOUGH you are so happy as to have parents, who are both capable and +desirous of giving you all proper instruction, yet I, who love you so +tenderly, cannot help fondly wishing to contribute something, if +possible, to your improvement and welfare: and, as I am so far separated +from you, that it is only by pen and ink I can offer you my sentiments, +I will hope that your attention may be engaged, by seeing on paper, from +the hand of one of your warmest friends, Truths of the highest +importance, which, though you may not find new, can never be too deeply +engraven on your mind. Some of them perhaps may make no great +impression at present, and yet may so far gain a place in your memory as +readily to return to your thoughts when occasion recalls them. And, if +you pay me the compliment of preserving my letters, you may possibly +re-peruse them at some future period, when concurring circumstances may +give them additional weight:--and thus they may prove more effectual +than the same things spoken in conversation. But, however this may +prove, I cannot resist the desire of trying in some degree to be useful +to you on your setting out in a life of trial and difficulty; your +success in which must determine your fate for ever. + +Hitherto you have "thought as a child, and understood as a child; but it +is time to put away childish things." You are now in your fifteenth +year, and must soon act for yourself; therefore it is high time to store +your mind with those principles, which must direct your conduct, and fix +your character. If you desire to live in peace and honour, in favour +with God and man, and to die in the glorious hope of rising from the +grave to a life of endless happiness--if these things appear worthy your +ambition, you must set out in earnest in the pursuit of them. Virtue +and happiness are not attained by chance, nor by a cold and languid +approbation: they must be sought with ardour, attended to with +diligence, and every assistance must be eagerly embraced that may enable +you to obtain them. Consider, that good and evil are now before you; +that, if you do not heartily choose and love the one, you must +undoubtedly be the wretched victim of the other. Your trial is now +begun; you must either become one of the glorious _children_ of _God_, +who are to rejoice in his love for ever, or a _child_ of +_destruction_--miserable in this life, and punished with eternal death +hereafter. Surely, you will be impressed by so awful a situation! you +will earnestly pray to be directed into that road of life, which leads +to excellence and happiness; and you will be thankful to every kind hand +that is held out, to set you forward in your journey. + +The first step must be to awaken your mind to a sense of the importance +of the task before you, which is no less than to bring your frail nature +to that degree of Christian perfection, which is to qualify it for +immortality, and without which, it is necessarily incapable of +happiness; for it is a truth never to be forgotten, that God has annexed +happiness to virtue, and misery to vice, by the unchangeable nature of +things; and that a wicked being (while he continues such) is in a +natural incapacity of enjoying happiness, even with the concurrence of +all those outward circumstances, which in a virtuous mind would produce +it. + +As there are degrees of virtue and vice, so are there of reward and +punishment, both here and hereafter: But, let not my dearest Niece aim +only at escaping the dreadful doom of the wicked--let your desires take +a nobler flight, and aspire after those transcendent honours, and that +brighter crown of glory, which await those who have excelled in virtue; +and, let the animating thought, that every secret effort to gain his +favour is noted by your all-seeing Judge, who will, with infinite +goodness, proportion your reward to your labours, excite every faculty +of your soul to please and serve him. To this end you must _inform your +understanding_ what you ought to _believe_ and to _do_.--You must +_correct_ and _purify_ your _heart_; cherish and improve all its good +affections, and continually mortify and subdue those that are evil.--You +must _form_ and _govern_ your _temper_ and _manners_, according to the +laws of benevolence and justice; and qualify yourself, by all means in +your power, for an _useful_ and _agreeable_ member of society. All this +you see is no light business, nor can it be performed without a sincere +and earnest application of the mind, as to its great and constant +object. When once you consider life, and the duties of life, in this +manner, you will listen eagerly to the voice of instruction and +admonition, and seize every opportunity of improvement; every useful +hint will be laid up in your heart, and your chief delight will be in +those persons, and those books, from which you can learn true wisdom. + +The only sure foundation of human virtue is Religion, and the foundation +and first principle of religion is in the belief of the one only God, +and a just sense of his attributes. This you will think you have learned +long since, and possess in common with almost every human creature in +this enlightened age and nation; but, believe me, it is less common than +you imagine, to believe in the true God--that is, to form such a notion +of the Deity as is agreeable to truth, and consistent with those +infinite perfections, which all profess to ascribe to him. To form +worthy notions of the Supreme Being, as far as we are capable, is +essential to true religion and morality; for as it is our duty to +imitate those qualities of the Divinity, which are imitable by us, so is +it necessary we should know what they are, and fatal to mistake them. +Can those who think of God with servile dread and terror, as of a gloomy +tyrant, armed with almighty power to torment and destroy them, be said +to believe in the true God?--in that God, who, the scriptures say, is +love?--the kindest and best of Beings, who made all creatures in +bountiful goodness, that he might communicate to them some portion of +his own unalterable happiness!--who condescends to style himself our +Father; and who pitieth us, as a father pitieth his own children! Can +those, who expect to please God by cruelty to themselves or to their +fellow-creatures--by horrid punishments of their own bodies for the sin +of their souls--or, by more horrid persecution of others for difference +of opinion, be called true believers? Have they not set up another God +in their own minds, who rather resembles the worst of beings than the +best? Nor do those act on surer principles who think to gain the favour +of God by senseless enthusiasm and frantic raptures, more like the wild +excesses of the most depraved human love, than that reasonable +adoration, that holy reverential love, which is due to the pure and holy +Father of the universe. Those likewise, who murmur against his +providence, and repine under the restraint of his commands, cannot +firmly believe him infinitely wise and good. If we are not disposed to +trust him for future events, to banish fruitless anxiety, and to believe +that all things work together for good to those that love him, surely we +do not really believe in the God of mercy and truth. If we wish to avoid +all remembrance of him, all communion with him, as much as we dare, +surely we do not believe him to be the source of joy and comfort, the +dispenser of all good. + +How lamentable it is, that so few hearts should feel the pleasures of +real piety; that prayer and thanksgiving should be performed, as they +too often are, not with joy, and love, and gratitude; but, with cold +indifference, melancholy dejection, or secret horror! It is true, we +are all such frail and sinful creatures, that we justly fear to have +offended our gracious Father: but let us remember the condition of his +forgiveness: If you have sinned, "sin no more." He is ready to receive +you whenever you sincerely turn to him--and he is ready to assist you, +when you do but desire to obey him. Let your devotion then be the +language of filial love and gratitude; confide to this kindest of +fathers every want and every wish of your heart; but submit them all +to his will, and freely offer him the disposal of yourself, and of all +your affairs. Thank him for his benefits, and even for his +punishments--convinced that these also are benefits, and mercifully +designed for your good. Implore his direction in all difficulties; his +assistance in all trials; his comfort and support in sickness or +affliction; his restraining grace in time of prosperity and joy. Do not +persist in desiring what his providence denies you; but be assured it +is not good for you. Refuse not any thing he allots you, but embrace it +as the best and properest for you. Can you do less to your heavenly +Father than what your duty to an earthly one requires? If you were to +ask permission of your father to do or to have any thing you desire, +and he should refuse it to you, would you obstinately persist in +setting your heart upon it notwithstanding his prohibition? Would you +not rather say, My father is wiser than I am; he loves me, and would +not deny my request, if it was fit to be granted; I will therefore +banish the thought, and cheerfully acquiesce in his will? How much +rather should this be said of our heavenly Father, whose wisdom cannot +be mistaken, and whose bountiful kindness is infinite! Love him, +therefore, in the same manner you love your earthly parents, but in a +much higher degree--in the highest your nature is capable of. Forget +not to dedicate yourself to his service every day; to implore his +forgiveness of your faults, and his protection from evil, every night: +and this not merely in formal words, unaccompanied by any act of the +mind, but "in spirit and in truth;" in grateful love and humble +adoration. Nor let these stated periods of worship be your only +communication with him; accustom yourself to think often of him, in all +your waking hours,--to contemplate his wisdom and power, in the works +of his hands,--to acknowledge his goodness in every object of use or of +pleasure,--to delight in giving him praise in your inmost heart in the +midst of every innocent gratification--in the liveliest hour of social +enjoyment. You cannot conceive, if you have not experienced, how much +such silent acts of gratitude and love will enhance every pleasure; nor +what sweet serenity and cheerfulness such reflections will diffuse over +your mind. On the other hand, when you are suffering pain or sorrow, +when you are confined to an unpleasant situation, or engaged in a +painful duty, how will it support and animate you, to refer yourself to +your Almighty Father!--to be assured that he knows your state and your +intentions; that no effort of virtue is lost in his sight, nor the +least of your actions or sufferings disregarded or forgotten!--that his +hand is ever over you, to ward off every real evil, which is not the +effect of your own ill-conduct, and to relieve every suffering that is +not useful to your future well-being. + +You see, my dear, that true devotion is not a melancholy sentiment, that +depresses the spirits, and excludes the ideas of pleasure, which youth +is fond of: on the contrary, there is nothing so friendly to joy, so +productive of true pleasure, so peculiarly suited to the warmth and +innocence of a youthful heart. Do not therefore think it too soon to +turn your mind to God; but offer him the first fruits of your +understanding and affections: and be assured, that the more you increase +in love to him, and delight in his laws, the more you will increase in +happiness, in excellence, and honour:--that in proportion as you improve +in true piety, you will become dear and amiable to your +fellow-creatures; contented and peaceful in yourself; and qualified to +enjoy the best blessings of this life, as well as to inherit the +glorious promise of immortality. + +Thus far I have spoken of the first principles of all religion; namely, +belief in God, worthy notions of his attributes, and suitable +affections towards him--which will naturally excite a sincere desire of +obedience. But before you can obey his will, you must know what that +will is; you must enquire in what manner he has declared it, and where +you may find those laws which must be the rule of your actions. + +The great laws of morality are indeed written in our hearts, and may be +discovered by reason: but our reason is of slow growth, very unequally +dispensed to different persons, liable to error, and confined within +very narrow limits in all. If, therefore, God vouchsafed to grant a +particular revelation of his will--if he has been so unspeakably +gracious, as to send his Son into the world to reclaim mankind from +error and wickedness--to die for our sins--and to teach us the way to +eternal life--surely it becomes us to receive his precepts with the +deepest reverence; to love and prize them above all things; and to study +them constantly, with an earnest desire to conform our thoughts, our +words, and actions to them. + +As you advance in years and understanding, I hope you will be able to +examine for yourself the evidences of the Christian religion, and be +convinced, on rational grounds, of its divine authority. At present, +such inquiries would demand more study, and greater powers of reasoning, +than your age admits of. It is your part, therefore, till you are +capable of understanding the proofs, to believe your parents and +teachers, that the holy scriptures are writings inspired by God, +containing a true history of facts, in which we are deeply concerned--a +true recital of the laws given by God to Moses, and of the precepts of +our blessed Lord and Saviour, delivered from his own mouth to his +disciples, and repeated and enlarged upon in the edifying epistles of +his apostles--who were men chosen from amongst those who had the +advantage of conversing with our Lord, to bear witness of his miracles +and resurrection--and who, after his ascension, were assisted and +inspired by the Holy Ghost. This sacred volume must be the rule of your +life. In it you will find all truths necessary to be believed; and plain +and easy directions for the practice of every duty. Your Bible then must +be your chief study and delight: but as it contains many various kinds +of writing--some parts obscure and difficult of interpretation, others +plain and intelligible to the meanest capacity--I would chiefly +recommend to your frequent perusal such parts of the sacred writings as +are most adapted to your understanding, and most necessary for your +instruction. Our Saviour's precepts were spoken to the common people +amongst the Jews; and were therefore given in a manner easy to be +understood, and equally striking and instructive to the learned and +unlearned; for the most ignorant may comprehend them, whilst the wisest +must be charmed and awed, by the beautiful and majestic simplicity with +which they are expressed. Of the same kind are the Ten Commandments, +delivered by God to Moses; which, as they were designed for universal +laws, are worded in the most concise and simple manner, yet with a +majesty which commands our utmost reverence. + +I think you will receive great pleasure, as well as improvement, from +the Historical Books of the Old Testament--provided you read them as an +history, in a regular course, and keep the thread of it in your mind, as +you go on. I know of none, true or fictitious, that is equally +wonderful, interesting, and affecting; or that is told in so short and +simple a manner as this, which is, of all histories, the most authentic. + +In my next letter, I will give you some brief directions, concerning the +method and course I wish you to pursue, in reading the Holy Scriptures. +May you be enabled to make the best use of this most precious gift of +God--this sacred treasury of knowledge! May you read the Bible, not as a +task, nor as the dull employment of that day only in which you are +forbidden more lively entertainments--but with a sincere and ardent +desire of instruction; with that love and delight in God's word which +the holy psalmist so pathetically felt, and described, and which is the +natural consequence of loving God and virtue! Though I speak this of the +Bible in general, I would not be understood to mean that every part of +the volume is equally interesting. I have already said, that it consists +of various matter, and various kinds of books, which must be read with +different views and sentiments. The having some general notion of what +you are to expect from each book may possibly help you to understand +them, and heighten your relish of them. I shall treat you as if you were +perfectly new to the whole; for so I wish you to consider yourself; +because the time and manner, in which children usually read the Bible, +are very ill-calculated to make them really acquainted with it; and too +many people who have read it thus, without understanding it in their +youth, satisfy themselves that they know enough of it, and never +afterwards study it with attention, when they come to a maturer age. + +Adieu, my beloved Niece! If the feelings of your heart, whilst you read +my letters, correspond with those of mine, whilst I write them, I shall +not be without the advantage of your partial affection, to give weight +to my advice; for, believe me, my own dear girl, my heart and eyes +overflow with tenderness while I tell you, with how warm and earnest +prayers for your happiness here, and hereafter, I subscribe myself + + Your faithful friend + + and most affectionate AUNT. + + + + +LETTER II. + +ON THE STUDY OF THE HOLY SCRIPTURES. + + +I NOW proceed to give my dear Niece some short sketches of the matter +contained in the different books of the Bible, and of the course in +which they ought to be read. + +The first Book, GENESIS, contains the most grand, and, to us, the most +interesting, events that ever happened in the universe: The creation of +the world, and of man:--The deplorable fall of man, from his first state +of excellence and bliss, to the distressed condition in which we see all +his descendants continue:--The sentence of death pronounced on Adam, and +on all his race, with the reviving promise of that deliverance which has +since been wrought for us by our blessed Saviour:--The account of the +early state of the world:--Of the universal deluge:--The division of +mankind into different nations and languages:--The story of Abraham, the +founder of the Jewish people, whose unshaken faith and obedience, under +the severest trial human nature could sustain, obtained such favour in +the sight of God, that he vouchsafed to style him his friend, and +promised to make his posterity a great nation; and that in his +seed--that is, in one of his descendants--all the kingdoms of the earth +should be blessed: this, you will easily see, refers to the Messiah, who +was to be the blessing and deliverance of all nations. It is amazing +that the Jews, possessing this prophecy among many others, should have +been so blinded by prejudice, as to have expected from this great +personage only a temporal deliverance of their own nation from the +subjection to which they were reduced under the Romans: it is equally +amazing, that some Christians should, even now, confine the blessed +effects of his appearance upon earth to this or that particular sect or +profession, when he is so clearly and emphatically described as the +Saviour of the whole world! The story of Abraham's proceeding to +sacrifice his only son at the command of God, is affecting in the +highest degree, and sets forth a pattern of unlimited resignation, that +every one ought to imitate, in those trials of obedience under +temptation, or of acquiescence under afflicting dispensations, which +fall to their lot: of this we may be assured, that our trials will be +always proportioned to the powers afforded us: if we have not Abraham's +strength of mind, neither shall we be called upon to lift the bloody +knife against the bosom of an only child: but, if the almighty arm +should be lifted up against him, we must be ready to resign him, and all +we hold dear, to the Divine will. This action of Abraham has been +censured by some, who do not attend to the distinction between obedience +to a special command, and the detestably cruel sacrifices of the +heathens, who sometimes voluntarily, and without any Divine injunctions, +offered up their own children, under the notion of appeasing the anger +of their gods. An absolute command from God himself--as in the case of +Abraham--entirely alters the moral nature of the action; since he, and +he only, has a perfect right over the lives of his creatures, and may +appoint whom he will, either angel or man, to be his instrument of +destruction. That it was really the voice of God which pronounced the +command, and not a delusion, might be made certain to Abraham's mind, by +means we do not comprehend, but which we know to be within the power of +_him_ who made our souls as well as bodies, and who can control and +direct every faculty of the human mind: and we may be assured, that, if +he was pleased to reveal himself so miraculously, he would not leave a +possibility of doubting whether it was a real or an imaginary +revelation: thus the sacrifice of Abraham appears to be clear of all +superstition, and remains the noblest instance of religious faith and +submission that was ever given by a mere man: we cannot wonder that the +blessings bestowed on him for it should have been extended to his +posterity. This book proceeds with the history of Isaac, which becomes +very interesting to us, from the touching scene I have mentioned; and +still more so, if we consider him as the type of our Saviour: it +recounts his marriage with Rebecca--the birth and history of his two +sons, Jacob, the father of the twelve tribes, and Esau, the father of +the Edomites or Idumeans--the exquisitely affecting story of Joseph and +his brethren--and of his transplanting the Israelites into Egypt, who +there multiplied to a great nation. + +In EXODUS you read of a series of wonders wrought by the Almighty, to +rescue the oppressed Israelites from the cruel tyranny of the Egyptians, +who, having first received them as guests, by degrees reduced them to a +state of slavery. By the most peculiar mercies and exertions in their +favour, God prepared his chosen people to receive, with reverent and +obedient hearts, the solemn restitution of those primitive laws, which +probably he had revealed to Adam and his immediate descendants, or +which, at least, he had made known by the dictates of conscience, but +which, time, and the degeneracy of mankind, had much obscured. This +important revelation was made to them in the wilderness of Sinah: there, +assembled before the burning mountain, surrounded "with blackness, and +darkness, and tempest," they heard the awful voice of God pronounce the +eternal law, impressing it on their hearts with circumstances of terror, +but without those encouragements and those excellent promises, which +were afterwards offered to mankind by Jesus Christ. Thus were the great +laws of morality restored to the Jews, and through them transmitted to +other nations; and by that means a great restraint was opposed to the +torrent of vice and impiety, which began to prevail over the world. + +To those moral precepts, which are of perpetual and universal +obligation, were superadded, by the ministration of Moses, many peculiar +institutions, wisely adapted to different ends--either to fix the memory +of those past deliverances, which were figurative of a future and far +greater salvation--to place inviolable barriers between the Jews and the +idolatrous nations, by whom they were surrounded--or, to be the civil +law, by which the community was to be governed. + +To conduct this series of events, and to establish these laws with his +people, God raised up that great prophet Moses, whose faith and piety +enabled him to undertake and execute the most arduous enterprises, and +to pursue, with unabated zeal, the welfare of his countrymen: even in +the hour of death, this generous ardour still prevailed: his last +moments were employed in fervent prayers for their prosperity, and in +rapturous gratitude for the glimpse vouchsafed him of a Saviour, far +greater than himself, whom God would one day raise up to his people. + +Thus did Moses, by the excellency of his faith, obtain a glorious +pre-eminence among the saints and prophets in heaven; while, on earth, +he will be ever revered, as the first of those benefactors to mankind, +whose labours for the public good have endeared their memory to all +ages. + +The next book is LEVITICUS, which contains little besides the laws for +the peculiar ritual observance of the Jews, and therefore affords no +great instruction to us now: you may pass it over entirely; and, for the +same reason, you may omit the first eight chapters of NUMBERS. The rest +of Numbers is chiefly a continuation of the history, with some ritual +laws. + +In DEUTERONOMY, Moses makes a recapitulation of the foregoing history, +with zealous exhortations to the people, faithfully to worship and obey +that God, who had worked such amazing wonders for them: he promises them +the noblest temporal blessings, if they prove obedient, and adds the +most awful and striking denunciations against them, if they rebel or +forsake the true God. I have before observed, that the sanctions of the +Mosaic law were _temporal_ rewards and punishments, those of the New +Testament are _eternal_: these last, as they are so infinitely more +forcible than the first, were reserved for the last, best gift to +mankind--and were revealed by the Messiah, in the fullest and clearest +manner. Moses, in this book, directs the method in which the Israelites +were to deal with the seven nations, whom they were appointed to punish +for their profligacy and idolatry! and whose land they were to possess, +when they had driven out the old inhabitants. He gives them excellent +laws, civil as well as religious, which were ever after the standing +municipal laws of that people. This book concludes with Moses' song and +death. + +The book of JOSHUA contains the conquests of the Israelites over the +seven nations, and their establishment in the promised land. Their +treatment of these conquered nations must appear to you very cruel and +unjust, if you consider it as their own act, unauthorized by a positive +command: but they had the most absolute injunctions, not to spare these +corrupt people--"to make no covenant with them, nor shew mercy to them, +but utterly to destroy them." And the reason is given--"lest they should +turn away the Israelites from following the Lord, that they might serve +other gods[16]." The children of Israel are to be considered as +instruments in the hand of the Lord, to punish those whose idolatry and +wickedness had deservedly brought destruction on them: this example, +therefore, cannot be pleaded in behalf of cruelty, or bring any +imputation on the character of the Jews. With regard to other cities, +which did not belong to these seven nations, they were directed to deal +with them, according to the common law of arms at that time. If the city +submitted, it became tributary, and the people were spared; if it +resisted, the men were to be slain, but the women and children +saved[17]. Yet, though the crime of cruelty cannot be justly laid to +their charge on this occasion, you will observe in the course of their +history many things recorded of them very different from what you would +expect from the chosen people of God, if you supposed them selected on +account of their own merit: their national character was by no means +amiable; and we are repeatedly told, that they were not chosen for their +superior righteousness--"for they were a stiff-necked people, and +provoked the Lord with their rebellions from the day they left +Egypt."--"You have been rebellious against the Lord," says Moses, "from +the day that I knew you[18]." And he vehemently exhorts them, not to +flatter themselves that their success was, in any degree, owing to their +own merits. They were appointed to be the scourge of other nations, +whose crimes rendered them fit objects of Divine chastisement. For the +sake of righteous Abraham, their founder, and perhaps for many other +wise reasons, undiscovered to us, they were selected from a world +over-run with idolatry, to preserve upon earth the pure worship of the +one only God, and to be honoured with the birth of the Messiah amongst +them. For this end, they were precluded, by Divine command, from mixing +with any other people, and defended by a great number of peculiar rites +and observances from falling into the corrupt worship practised by their +neighbours. + +The book of JUDGES, in which you will find the affecting stories of +Samson and of Jephtha, carries on the history from the death of Joshua, +about two hundred and fifty years; but the facts are not told in the +times in which they happened, which makes some confusion; and it will be +necessary to consult the marginal dates and notes, as well as the index, +in order to get any clear idea of the succession of events during that +period. + +The history then proceeds regularly through the two books of SAMUEL, and +those of KINGS: nothing can be more interesting and entertaining than +the reigns of Saul, David, and Solomon: but, after the death of Solomon, +when the ten tribes revolted from his son Rehoboam, and became a +separate kingdom, you will find some difficulty in understanding +distinctly the histories of the two kingdoms of Israel and Judah, which +are blended together, and, by the likeness of the names, and other +particulars, will be apt to confound your mind, without great attention +to the different threads thus carried on together: the Index here will +be of great use to you. The Second Book of Kings concludes with the +Babylonish captivity, 588 years before Christ; till which time, the +kingdom of Judea had descended uninterruptedly in the line of David. + +The first book of CHRONICLES begins with a genealogy from Adam, through +all the tribes of Israel and Judah; and the remainder is the same +history which is contained in the books of Kings, with little or no +variation, till the separation of the ten tribes: from that period, it +proceeds with the history of the kingdom of Judah alone, and gives +therefore a more regular and clear account of the affairs of Judah than +the book of Kings. You may pass over the first book of Chronicles, and +the nine first chapters of the second book: but, by all means, read the +remaining chapters, as they will give you more clear and distinct ideas +of the history of Judah, than that you read in the second book of Kings. +The second of Chronicles ends, like the second of Kings, with the +Babylonish captivity. + +You must pursue the history in the book of EZRA, which gives an account +of the return of some of the Jews, on the edict of Cyrus, and of the +rebuilding the Lord's temple. + +NEHEMIAH carries on the history for about twelve years, when he himself +was governor of Jerusalem, with authority to rebuild the walls, &c. + +The story of ESTHER is prior in time to that of Ezra and Nehemiah; as +you will see by the marginal dates: however, as it happened during the +seventy years captivity, and is a kind of episode, it may be read in its +own place. + +This is the last of the canonical books that is properly historical; and +I would therefore advise, that you pass over what follows, till you have +continued the history through the apocryphal books. + +The history of JOB is probably very ancient, though that is a point upon +which learned men have differed: It is dated, however, 1520 years before +Christ: I believe it is uncertain by whom it was written: many parts of +it are obscure, but it is well worth studying, for the extreme beauty of +the poetry, and for the noble and sublime devotion it contains. The +subject of the dispute, between Job and his pretended friends, seems to +be, whether the providence of God distributes the rewards and +punishments of this life in exact proportion to the merit or demerit of +each individual. His antagonists suppose that it does: and therefore +infer, from JOB'S uncommon calamities, that, notwithstanding his +apparent righteousness, he was in reality a grievous sinner: they +aggravate his supposed guilt, by the imputation of hypocrisy, and call +upon him to confess it, and to acknowledge the justice of his +punishment. Job asserts his own innocence and virtue in the most +pathetic manner, yet does not presume to accuse the Supreme Being of +injustice. Elihu attempts to arbitrate the matter, by alleging the +impossibility that so frail and ignorant a creature as man should +comprehend the ways of the Almighty, and, therefore, condemns the unjust +and cruel inference the three friends had drawn from the sufferings of +Job. He also blames Job for the presumption of acquitting himself of all +iniquity, since the best of men are not pure in the sight of God--but +all have something to repent of; and he advises him to make this use of +his affliction. At last, by a bold figure of poetry, the Supreme Being +himself is introduced, speaking from the whirlwind, and silencing them +all by the most sublime display of his own power, magnificence, and +wisdom, and of the comparative littleness and ignorance of man. This +indeed is the only conclusion of the argument which could be drawn, at +a time when life and immortality were not yet brought to light. A future +retribution is the only satisfactory solution of the difficulty arising +from the sufferings of good people in this life. + +Next follow THE PSALMS, with which you cannot be too conversant. If you +have any taste, either for poetry or devotion, they will be your +delight, and will afford you a continual feast. The Bible translation is +far better than that used in the Common Prayer Book: and will often give +you the sense, when the other is obscure. In this, as well as in all +other parts of the scripture, you must be careful always to consult the +margin, which gives you the corrections made since the last translation, +and is generally preferable to the words of the text. I would wish you +to select some of the Psalms that please you best, and get them by +heart; or, at least, make yourself mistress of the sentiments contained +in them: Dr. Delany's Life of David will show you the occasions on which +several of them were composed, which add much to their beauty and +propriety; and, by comparing them with the events of David's life, you +will greatly enhance your pleasure in them. Never did the spirit of true +piety breathe more strongly than in these divine songs; which, being +added to a rich vein of poetry, makes them more captivating to my heart +and imagination than any thing I ever read. You will consider how great +disadvantages any poems must sustain from being rendered literally into +prose, and then imagine how beautiful these must be in the original. May +you be enabled, by reading them frequently, to transfuse into your own +breast that holy flame which inspired the writer!--to delight in the +Lord, and in his laws, like the Psalmist--to rejoice in him always, and +to think "one day in his courts better than a thousand!" But may you +escape the heart-piercing sorrow of such repentance as that of David, by +avoiding sin, which humbled this unhappy king to the dust, and which +cost him such bitter anguish, as it is impossible to read of without +being moved. Not all the pleasures of the most prosperous sinner could +counterbalance the hundredth part of those sensations described in his +Penitential Psalms; and which must be the portion of every man, who has +fallen from a religious state into such crimes, when once he recovers a +sense of religion and virtue, and is brought to a real hatred of sin: +however available such repentance may be to the safety and happiness of +the soul after death, it is a state of such exquisite suffering here, +that one cannot be enough surprised at the folly of those, who indulge +in sin, with the hope of living to make their peace with God by +repentance. Happy are they who preserve their innocence unsullied by any +great or wilful crimes, and who have only the common failings of +humanity to repent of: these are sufficiently mortifying to a heart +deeply smitten with the love of virtue, and with the desire of +perfection. There are many very striking prophecies of the Messiah in +these divine songs; particularly in Psalm xxii: such may be found +scattered up and down almost throughout the Old Testament. To bear +testimony to _him_ is the great and ultimate end, for which the spirit +of prophecy was bestowed on the sacred writers:--but this will appear +more plainly to you, when you enter on the study of prophecy, which you +are now much too young to undertake. + +The PROVERBS and ECCLESIASTES are rich stores of wisdom; from which I +wish you to adopt such maxims as may be of infinite use, both to your +temporal and eternal interest. But detached sentences are a kind of +reading not proper to be continued long at a time: a few of them well +chosen and digested will do you much more service than to read half a +dozen chapters together: in this respect they are directly opposite to +the historical books, which, if not read in continuation, can hardly be +understood, or retained to any purpose. + +The SONG of SOLOMON is a fine poem; but its mystical reference to +religion lies too deep for a common understanding: if you read it, +therefore, it will be rather as matter of curiosity than of edification. + +Next follow the PROPHECIES, which, though highly deserving the greatest +attention and study, I think you had better omit for some years, and +then read them with a good exposition; as they are much too difficult +for you to understand without assistance. Dr. Newton on the Prophecies +will help you much, whenever you undertake this study; which you should +by all means do, when your understanding is ripe enough; because one of +the main proofs of our religion rests on the testimony of the +prophecies; and they are very frequently quoted and referred to in the +New Testament: besides the sublimity of the language and sentiments, +through all the disadvantages of antiquity and translation, must, in +very many passages, strike every person of taste; and the excellent +moral and religious precepts found in them must be useful to all. + +Though I have spoken of these books in the order in which they stand, I +repeat, that they are not to be read in that order; but that the thread +of the history is to be pursued, from Nehemiah, to the first book of +MACCABEES, in the Apocrypha; taking care to observe the Chronology +regularly, by referring to the Index, which supplies the deficiencies of +this history, from _Josephus's Antiquities of the Jews_. The first of +Maccabees carries on the story till within 195 years of our Lord's +circumcision: the second book is the same narrative, written by a +different hand, and does not bring the history so forward as the first; +so that it may be entirely omitted, unless you have the curiosity to +read some particulars of the heroic constancy of the Jews, under the +tortures inflicted by their heathen conquerors; with a few other things +not mentioned in the first book. + +You must then connect the history by the help of the Index, which will +give you brief heads of the changes that happened in the state of the +Jews, from this time, till the birth of the Messiah. + +The other books of the Apocrypha, though not admitted as of sacred +authority, have many things well worth your attention; particularly the +admirable book called ECCLESIASTICUS, and the BOOK OF WISDOM. But, in +the course of reading which I advise, these must be omitted till after +you have gone through the Gospels and Acts, that you may not lose the +historical thread. I must reserve, however, what I have to say to you +concerning the New Testament to another letter. + + Adieu, my dear! + +FOOTNOTES: + +[16] Deut. chap. ii. + +[17] Ibid. chap. xx. + +[18] Deut. chap. ix. ver. 24. + + + + +LETTER III. + + + _MY DEAREST NIECE_, + +WE come now to that part of scripture, which is the most important of +all; and which you must make your constant study, not only till you are +thoroughly acquainted with it, but all your life long; because how often +soever repeated, it is impossible to read the life and death of our +blessed Saviour, without renewing and increasing in our hearts that +love, and reverence, and gratitude, towards him, which is so justly due +for all he did and suffered for us! Every word that fell from his lips +is more precious than all the treasures of the earth; for his "are the +words of eternal life!" They must therefore be laid up in your heart, +and constantly referred to on all occasions, as the rule and direction +of all your actions; particularly those very comprehensive moral +precepts he has graciously left with us, which can never fail to direct +us aright, if fairly and honestly applied: such as, _whatsoever ye would +that men should do unto you, even so do unto them_. There is no +occasion, great or small, on which you may not safely apply this rule, +for the direction of your conduct: and, whilst your heart honestly +adheres to it, you can never be guilty of any sort of injustice or +unkindness. The two great commandments, which contain the summary of our +duty to God and man, are no less easily retained, and made a standard by +which to judge our own hearts.--_To love the Lord our God with all our +hearts, with all our minds, with all our strength; and our neighbour_ +(or fellow-creature) _as ourselves_. "Love worketh no ill to his +neighbour;" therefore, if you have true benevolence, you will never do +any thing injurious to individuals, or to society. Now, all crimes +whatever are (in their remoter consequences at least, if not immediately +and apparently) injurious to the society in which we live. It is +impossible _to love God_ without desiring to please him; and, as far as +we are able, to resemble him; therefore, the love of God must lead to +every virtue in the highest degree; and, we may be sure, we do not truly +love him, if we content ourselves with avoiding flagrant sins, and do +not strive in good earnest, to reach the greatest degree of perfection +we are capable of. Thus do those few words direct us to the highest +Christian virtue. Indeed, the whole tenor of the gospel is to offer us +every help, direction, and motive, that can enable us to attain that +degree of perfection, on which depends our eternal good. + +What an example is set before us in our blessed Master! How is his whole +life, from earliest youth, dedicated to the pursuit of true wisdom, and +to the practice of the most exalted virtue! When you see him, at _twelve +years of age_, in the temple amongst the doctors, hearing them, and +asking them questions on the subject of religion, and astonishing them +all with his understanding and answers, you will say, perhaps, "Well +might the Son of God, even at those years, be far wiser than the aged; +but, can a mortal child emulate such heavenly wisdom? Can such a pattern +be proposed to _my_ imitation?" Yes, my dear; remember that he has +bequeathed to you his heavenly wisdom, as far as concerns your own good. +He has left you such declarations of his will, and of the consequences +of your actions, as you are, even now, fully able to understand, if you +will but attend to them. If then you will imitate his zeal for +knowledge, if you will delight in gaining information and improvement, +you may, even now, become _wise unto salvation_. Unmoved by the praise +he acquired amongst those learned men, you see him meekly return to the +subjection of a child, under those who appeared to be his parents, +though he was in reality their Lord: you see him return to live with +them, to work for them, and to be the joy and solace of their lives; +till the time came, when he was to enter on that scene of public action, +for which his heavenly Father had sent him from his own right hand, to +take upon him the form of a poor carpenter's son. What a lesson of +humility is this, and of obedience to parents. When, having received +the glorious testimony from heaven, of his being the beloved Son of the +Most High, he enters on his public ministry, what an example does he +give us, of the most extensive and constant benevolence!--how are all +his hours spent in doing good to the souls and bodies of men!--not the +meanest sinner is below his notice: to reclaim and save them, he +condescends to converse familiarly with the most corrupt as well as the +most abject. All his miracles are wrought to benefit mankind; not one to +punish and afflict them. Instead of using the almighty power, which +accompanied him, to the purpose of exalting himself and treading down +his enemies, he makes no other use of it than to heal and to save. + +When you come to read of his sufferings and death, the ignominy and +reproach, the sorrow of mind, and torment of body, which he submitted +to--when you consider, that it was for all our sakes--"that by his +stripes we are healed"--and by his death we are raised from destruction +to everlasting life--what can I say that can add any thing to the +sensations you must then feel? No power of language can make the scene +more touching than it appears in the plain and simple narrations of the +evangelists. The heart that is unmoved by it can be scarcely human. +But, my dear, the emotions of tenderness and compunction, which almost +every one feels in reading this account, will be of no avail, unless +applied to the true end--unless it inspires you with a sincere and warm +affection towards your blessed Lord--with a firm resolution to obey his +commands:--to be his faithful disciple--and ever to renounce and abhor +those sins, which brought mankind under Divine condemnation, and from +which we have been redeemed at so dear a rate. Remember, that the title +of Christian, or follower of Christ, implies a more than ordinary degree +of holiness and goodness. As our motives to virtue are stronger than +those which are afforded to the rest of mankind, our guilt will be +proportionably greater if we depart from it. + +Our Saviour appears to have had three great purposes, in descending from +his glory and dwelling amongst men. The first, to teach them true +virtue, both by his example and precepts: the second, to give them the +most forcible motives to the practice of it, "by bringing life and +immortality to light," by showing them the certainty of a resurrection +and judgment, and the absolute necessity of obedience to God's laws: +the third, to sacrifice himself for us, to obtain by his death the +remission of our sins upon our repentance and reformation, and the power +of bestowing on his sincere followers the inestimable gift of immortal +happiness. + +What a tremendous scene of the _last day_ does the gospel place before +our eyes?--of _that day_ when you, and every one of us, shall awake from +the grave, and behold the Son of God, on his glorious tribunal, attended +by millions of celestial beings, of whose superior excellence we can now +form no adequate idea:--When, in presence of all mankind, of those holy +angels, and of the great Judge himself, you must give an account of your +past life, and hear your final doom, from which there can be no appeal, +and which must determine your fate to all eternity. Then think--if for a +moment you can bear the thought--what will be the desolation, shame, and +anguish of those wretched souls, who shall hear these dreadful +words:--_Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for +the devil and his angels_. Oh! my beloved child! I cannot support even +the idea of your becoming one of those undone, lost creatures. I trust +in God's mercy, that you will make a better use of that knowledge of his +will, which he has vouchsafed you, and of those amiable dispositions he +has given you. Let us therefore turn from this horrid, this +insupportable view, and rather endeavour to imagine, as far as is +possible, what will be the sensation of your soul, if you shall hear our +heavenly Judge address you in these transporting words--_Come, thou +blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the +foundation of the world_. Think, what it must be, to become an object of +the esteem and applause, not only of all mankind assembled together, but +of all the host of heaven, of our blessed Lord himself, nay, of his and +our Almighty Father: to find your frail flesh changed in a moment into a +glorious celestial body, endowed with perfect beauty, health, and +agility--to find your soul cleansed from all its faults and infirmities; +exalted to the purest and noblest affections, overflowing with divine +love and rapturous gratitude;--to have your understanding enlightened +and refined, your heart enlarged and purified, and every power and +disposition of mind and body adapted to the highest relish of virtue and +happiness! Thus accomplished, to be admitted into the society of +amiable and happy beings, all united in the most perfect peace and +friendship, all breathing nothing but love to God, and to each +other;--with them to dwell in scenes more delightful than the richest +imagination can paint--free from every pain and care, and from all +possibility of change or satiety:--but, above all, to enjoy the more +immediate presence of God himself--to be able to comprehend and admire +his adorable perfections in a high degree, though still far short of +their infinity--to be conscious of his love and favour, and to rejoice +in the light of his countenance!--but here all imagination fails:--We +can form no idea of that bliss which may be communicated to us by such a +near approach to the source of all beauty and all good:--We must content +ourselves with believing, that it is what _mortal eye hath not seen, nor +ear heard, neither hath it entered into the heart of man to conceive_. +The crown of all our joys will be to know that we are secure of +possessing them _for ever_--What a transporting idea! + +My dearest child! can you reflect on all these things, and not feel the +most earnest longings after immortality? Do not all other views and +desires seem mean and trifling when compared with this? And does not +your inmost heart resolve that this shall be the chief and constant +object of its wishes and pursuit, through the whole course of your life? +If you are not insensible to that desire of happiness, which seems woven +into our nature, you cannot surely be unmoved by the prospect of such a +transcendent degree of it; and that, continued to all eternity--perhaps +continually increasing. You cannot but dread the forfeiture of such an +inheritance as the most insupportable evil! Remember then--remember the +conditions on which alone it can be obtained. God will not give to vice, +to carelessness, or sloth, the prize he has proposed to virtue. You have +every help that can animate your endeavours:--You have written laws to +direct you--the example of Christ and his disciples to encourage +you--the most awakening motives to engage you--and you have, besides, +the comfortable promise of constant assistance from the Holy Spirit, if +you diligently and sincerely pray for it. O, my dear child! let not all +this mercy be lost upon you; but give your attention to this your only +important concern, and accept, with profound gratitude, the inestimable +advantages that are thus affectionately offered you. + +Though the four gospels are each of them a narration of the life, +sayings, and death of Christ; yet, as they are not exactly alike, but +some circumstances and sayings, omitted in one, are recorded in another, +you must make yourself perfectly mistress of them all. + +The ACTS of the holy Apostles, endowed with the Holy Ghost, and +authorized by their divine Master, come next in order to be read. +Nothing can be more interesting and edifying, than the history of their +actions--of the piety, zeal, and courage, with which they preached the +glad tidings of salvation--and of the various exertions of the wonderful +powers conferred on them by the Holy Spirit, for the confirmation of +their mission. + +The character of St. Paul, and his miraculous conversion, demand your +particular attention: most of the apostles were men of low birth and +education; but St. Paul was a Roman citizen; that is, he possessed the +privileges annexed to the freedom of the city of Rome, which was +considered as an high distinction in those countries that had been +conquered by the Romans. He was educated amongst the most learned sect +of the Jews, and by one of their principal doctors. He was a man of +extraordinary eloquence, as appears not only in his writings, but in +several speeches in his own defence, pronounced before governors and +courts of justice, when he was called to account for the doctrines he +taught. He seems to have been of an uncommon warm temper, and zealous in +whatever religion he professed: this zeal, before his conversion, showed +itself in the most unjustifiable actions, by furiously persecuting the +innocent Christians: but though his actions were bad, we may be sure his +intentions were good; otherwise we should not have seen a miracle +employed to convince him of his mistake, and to bring him into the right +way. This example may assure us of the mercy of God towards mistaken +consciences, and ought to inspire us with the most enlarged charity and +good-will towards those whose erroneous principles mislead their +conduct: instead of resentment and hatred against their persons, we +ought only to feel an active wish of assisting them to find the truth; +since we know not whether, if convinced, they might not prove, like St. +Paul, chosen vessels to promote the honour of God, and of true religion. +It is not my intention now to enter with you into any of the arguments +for the truth of Christianity, otherwise it would be impossible wholly +to pass over that which arises from this remarkable conversion, and +which has been so admirably illustrated by a noble writer,[19] whose +tract on this subject is in every body's hand. + +Next follow the EPISTLES, which make a very important part of the New +Testament: and you cannot be too much employed in reading them. They +contain the most excellent precepts and admonitions, and are of +particular use in explaining more at large several doctrines of +Christianity, which we could not so fully comprehend without them. There +are indeed in the Epistles of St. Paul many passages hard to be +understood; such, in particular, are the first eleven chapters to the +Romans; the greater part of his Epistles to the Corinthians and +Galatians; and several chapters of that to the Hebrews. Instead of +perplexing yourself with these more obscure passages of Scripture, I +would wish you to employ your attention chiefly on those that are plain; +and to judge of the doctrines taught in the other parts, by comparing +them with what you find in these. It is through the neglect of this +rule, that many have been led to draw the most absurd doctrines from +the Holy Scriptures. Let me particularly recommend to your careful +perusal the 12th, 13th, 14th, and 15th chapters of the Epistle to the +Romans. In the 14th chapter, St. Paul has in view the difference between +the Jewish and Gentile (or Heathen) converts at that time; the former +were disposed to look with horror on the latter, for their impiety in +not paying the same regard to the distinctions of days and meats, that +they did; and the latter, on the contrary, were inclined to look with +contempt on the former, for their weakness and superstition. Excellent +is the advice which the apostle gives to both parties: he exhorts the +Jewish converts not to judge, and the Gentiles not to despise; +remembering that the kingdom of heaven is not meat and drink, but +righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. Endeavour to +conform yourself to this advice; to acquire a temper of universal +candour and benevolence: and learn neither to despise nor condemn any +persons on account of their particular modes of faith and worship; +remembering always, that goodness is confined to no party; that there +are wise and worthy men among all the sects of Christians; and that, to +his own master, every one must stand or fall. + +I will enter no further into the several points discussed by St. Paul in +his various epistles--most of them too intricate for your understanding +at present, and many of them beyond my abilities to state clearly. I +will only again recommend to you, to read those passages frequently, +which, with so much fervour and energy, excite you to the practice of +the most exalted piety and benevolence. If the effusions of a heart, +warmed with the tenderest affection for the whole human race--if +precept, warning, encouragement, example, urged by an eloquence which +such affection only could inspire, are capable of influencing your mind, +you cannot fail to find, in such parts of his epistles as are adapted to +your understanding, the strongest persuasives to every virtue that can +adorn and improve your nature. + +The Epistle of St. James is entirely practical, and exceedingly fine; +you cannot study it too much. It seems particularly designed to guard +Christians against misunderstanding some things in St. Paul's writings, +which have been fatally perverted to the encouragement of a dependance +on faith alone, without good works. But the more rational commentators +will tell you, that by the works of the law, which the apostle asserts +to be incapable of justifying us, he means not the works of moral +righteousness, but the ceremonial works of the Mosaic law; on which the +Jews laid the greatest stress, as necessary to salvation. But St. James +tells us, that, "If any man among us seem to be religious, and bridleth +not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, that man's religion is +vain." And that pure religion, and undefiled before God the Father, is +this: "to visit the fatherless and widow in their affliction, and to +keep himself unspotted from the world." Faith in Christ, if it produce +not these effects, he declares is dead, or of no power. + +The Epistles of St. Peter are also full of the best instructions and +admonitions, concerning the relative duties of life; amongst which are +set forth the duties of women in general, and of wives in particular. +Some part of the second Epistle is prophetical; warning the church of +false teachers, and false doctrines, which would undermine morality, and +disgrace the cause of Christianity. + +The first of St. JOHN is written in a highly figurative style, which +makes it in some parts hard to be understood: but the spirit of divine +love, which it so fervently expresses, renders it highly edifying and +delightful.--That love of God and of man, which this beloved apostle so +pathetically recommends, is in truth the essence of religion, as our +Saviour himself informs us. + +The book of REVELATIONS contains a prophetical account of most of the +great events relating to the Christian church, which were to happen from +the time of the writer, St. John, to the end of the world. Many learned +men have taken a great deal of pains to explain it; and they have done +this in many instances very successfully: but, I think, it is yet too +soon for you to study this part of scripture; some years hence perhaps +there may be no objection to your attempting it, and taking into your +hands the best expositions to assist you in reading such of the most +difficult parts of the New Testament as you cannot now be supposed to +understand. May Heaven direct you in studying this sacred volume, and +render it the means of making you wise unto salvation! May you love and +reverence, as it deserves, this blessed and invaluable book, which +contains the best rule of life, the clearest declaration of the will +and laws of the Deity, the reviving assurance of favour to true +penitents, and the unspeakably joyful tidings of eternal life and +happiness to all the truly virtuous, through Jesus Christ, the Saviour +and Deliverer of the world! + + Adieu. + +FOOTNOTE: + +[19] Lord Lyttelton. + + + + +LETTER IV. + +ON THE REGULATION OF THE HEART AND AFFECTIONS. + + +YOU will have read the New Testament to very little purpose, my dearest +Niece, if you do not perceive the great end and intention of all its +precepts to be the improvement and regulation of the heart: not the +outward actions alone, but the inward affections, which give birth to +them, are the subjects of those precepts; as appears in our Saviour's +explanation[20] of the commandments delivered to Moses; and in a +thousand other passages of the gospels, which it is needless to recite. +There are no virtues more insisted on, as necessary to our future +happiness, than humility, and sincerity, or uprightness, of heart; yet +none more difficult and rare. Pride and vanity, the vices opposite to +humility, are the sources of almost all the worst faults, both of men +and women. The latter are particularly accused--and not without +reason--of _vanity_, the vice of _little_ minds, chiefly conversant with +trifling subjects. Pride and vanity have been supposed to differ so +essentially, as hardly ever to be found in the same person. "Too proud +to be vain," is no uncommon expression; by which I suppose is meant, too +proud to be over anxious for the admiration of others: but this seems to +be founded on mistake. Pride is, I think, an high opinion of one's self, +and an affected contempt of others: I say _affected_, for that it is not +a _real_ contempt is evident from this, that the lowest object of it is +important enough to torture the proud man's heart, only by refusing him +the homage and admiration he requires. Thus Haman could relish none of +the advantages in which he valued himself, whilst that Mordecai, whom he +pretended to despise, sat still in the king's gate, and would not bow to +him as he passed. But as the proud man's contempt of others is only +assumed with a view to awe them into reverence by his pretended +superiority, so it does not preclude an extreme inward anxiety about +their opinions, and a slavish dependance on them for all his +gratifications. Pride, though a distinct passion, is seldom +unaccompanied by vanity, which is an extravagant desire of admiration. +Indeed, I never saw an insolent person, in whom a discerning eye might +not discover a very large share of vanity, and of envy, its usual +companion. One may nevertheless see many _vain_ persons who are not +_proud_; though they desire to be admired, they do not always admire +themselves: but as timid minds are apt to despair of those things they +earnestly wish for, so you will often see the woman who is most anxious +to be thought handsome, most inclined to be dissatisfied with her looks, +and to think all the assistance of art too little to attain the end +desired. To this cause, I believe, we may generally attribute +affectation; which seems to imply a mean opinion of one's own real form, +or character, while we strive against nature to alter ourselves by +ridiculous contortions of body, or by feigned sentiments and unnatural +manners. There is no art so mean, which this mean passion will not +descend to for its gratification--no creature so insignificant, whose +incense it will not gladly receive. Far from despising others, the vain +man will court them with the most assiduous adulation; in hopes, by +feeding their vanity, to induce them to supply the craving wants of his +own. He will put on the guise of benevolence, tenderness, and +friendship, where he feels not the least degree of kindness, in order to +prevail on good-nature and gratitude to like and to commend him; but if, +in any particular case, he fancies the airs of insolence and contempt +may succeed better, he makes no scruple to assume them; though so +awkwardly, that he still appears to depend on the breath of the person +he would be thought to despise. Weak and timid natures seldom venture to +try this last method; and, when they do, it is without the assurance +necessary to carry it on with success: but a bold and confident mind +will oftener endeavour to command and extort admiration than to court +it. As women are more fearful than men, perhaps this may be one reason +why they are more vain than proud; whilst the other sex are oftener +proud than vain. It is, I suppose, from some opinion of a certain +greatness of mind accompanying the one vice rather than the other, that +many will readily confess their pride, nay, and even be proud of their +pride, whilst every creature is ashamed of being convicted of vanity. +You see, however, that the end of both is the same, though pursued by +different means; or, if it differs, it is in the importance of the +subject. Whilst men are proud of power, of wealth, dignity, learning, or +abilities, young women are usually ambitious of nothing more than to be +admired for their persons, their dress, or their most trivial +accomplishments. The homage of men is their grand object; but they only +desire them to be in love with their persons, careless how despicable +their minds appear, even to these their pretended adorers. I have known +a woman so vain as to boast of the most disgraceful addresses; being +contented to be thought meanly of, in points the most interesting to her +honour, for the sake of having it known, that her person was attractive +enough to make a man transgress the bounds of respect due to her +character, which was not a vicious one, if you except this intemperate +vanity. But this passion too often leads to the most ruinous actions, +always corrupts the heart, and, when indulged, renders it, perhaps, as +displeasing in the sight of the Almighty, as those faults which find +least mercy from the world; yet, alas! it is a passion so prevailing, I +had almost said universal, in our sex, that it requires all the efforts +of reason, and all the assistance of grace, totally to subdue it. +Religion is indeed the only effectual remedy for this evil. If our +hearts are not dedicated to God, they will in some way or other be +dedicated to the world, both in youth and age. If our actions are not +constantly referred to him, if his approbation and favour is not our +principal object, we shall certainly take up with the applause of men, +and make that the ruling motive of our conduct. How melancholy is it to +see this phantom so eagerly followed through life! whilst all that is +truly valuable to us is looked upon with indifference; or, at best, made +subordinate to this darling pursuit! + +Equally vain and absurd is every scheme of life that is not subservient +to, and does not terminate in, that great end of our being--the +attainment of real excellence, and of the favour of God. Whenever this +becomes sincerely our object, then will pride and vanity, envy, +ambition, covetousness, and every evil passion, lose their power over +us; and we shall, in the language of scripture, "walk humbly with our +God." We shall then cease to repine under our natural or accidental +disadvantages, and feel dissatisfied only with our moral defects;--we +shall love and respect all our fellow-creatures, as the children of the +same dear parent, and particularly those who seek to do his will: All +our delight will be "in the saints that are in the earth, and in such as +excel in virtue." We shall wish to cultivate good-will, and to promote +innocent enjoyment wherever we are:--we shall strive to please, not from +vanity, but from benevolence. Instead of contemplating our own fancied +perfections, or even real superiority with self-complacence, religion +will teach us to "look into ourselves, and fear:" the best of us, God +knows, have enough to fear, if we honestly search into all the dark +recesses of the heart, and bring out every thought and intention fairly +to the light, to be tried by the precepts of our pure and holy religion. + +It is with the rules of the gospel we must compare ourselves, and not +with the world around us; for we know, "that the many are wicked: and +that we must not be conformed to the world." + +How necessary it is frequently thus to enter into ourselves, and search +out our spirit, will appear, if we consider, how much the human heart is +prone to insincerity, and how often, from being first led by vanity into +attempts to impose upon others, we come at last to impose on ourselves. + +There is nothing more common than to see people fall into the most +ridiculous mistakes, with regard to their own characters; but I can by +no means allow such mistakes to be unavoidable, and therefore innocent: +they arose from voluntary insincerity, and are continued for want of +that strict honesty towards ourselves and others, which the Scripture +calls "_singleness of heart_;" and which in modern language is termed +_simplicity_,--the most enchanting of all qualities, esteemed and +beloved in proportion to its rareness. + +He, who "requires truth in the inward parts," will not excuse our +self-deception; for he has commanded us to examine ourselves diligently, +and has given us such rules as can never mislead us, if we desire the +truth, and are willing to see our faults, in order to correct them. But +this is the point in which we are defective; we are desirous to gain our +own approbation, as well as that of others, at a cheaper rate than that +of being really what we ought to be; and we take pains to persuade +ourselves that we are that which we indolently admire and approve. + +There is nothing in which this self-deception is more notorious than in +what regards sentiment and feeling. Let a vain young woman be told that +tenderness and softness is the peculiar charm of the sex, that even +their weakness is lovely, and their fears becoming, and you will +presently observe her grow so tender as to be ready to weep for a fly; +so fearful, that she starts at a feather; and so weak-hearted, that the +smallest accident quite overpowers her. Her fondness and affection +become fulsome and ridiculous; her compassion grows contemptible +weakness; and her apprehensiveness the most abject cowardice: for, when +once she quits the direction of Nature, she knows not where to stop, and +continually exposes herself by the most absurd extremes. + +Nothing so effectually defeats its own ends as this kind of affectation: +for though warm affections and tender feelings are beyond measure +amiable and charming, when perfectly natural, and kept under the due +control of reason and principle, yet nothing is so truly disgusting as +the affectation of them, or even the unbridled indulgence of such as are +real. + +Remember, my dear, that our feelings were not given us for our ornament, +but to spur us on to right actions. Compassion, for instance, was not +impressed upon the human heart, only to adorn the fair face with tears, +and to give an agreeable languor to the eyes; it was designed to excite +our utmost endeavours to relieve the sufferer. Yet, how often have I +heard that selfish weakness, which flies from the sight of distress, +dignified with the name of tenderness!--"My friend is, I hear, in the +deepest affliction and misery;--I have not seen her--for indeed I cannot +bear such scenes--they affect me too much!--those who have less +sensibility are fitter for this world;--but, for my part, I own, I am +not able to support such things.--I shall not attempt to visit her, till +I hear she has recovered her spirits." This have I heard said, with an +air of complacence; and the poor selfish creature has persuaded herself +that she had finer feelings than those generous friends, who are sitting +patiently in the house of mourning, watching, in silence, the proper +moment to pour in the balm of comfort;--who suppressed their own +sensations, and only attended to those of the afflicted person; and +whose tears flowed in secret, whilst their eyes and voice were taught to +enliven the sinking heart with the appearance of cheerfulness. + +That sort of tenderness which makes us useless, may indeed be pitied and +excused, if owing to natural imbecility; but, if it pretends to +loveliness and excellence, it becomes truly contemptible. + +The same degree of active courage is not to be expected in woman as in +man; and, not belonging to her nature, it is not agreeable in her: but +passive courage--patience, and fortitude under sufferings--presence of +mind, and calm resignation in danger--are surely desirable in every +rational creature; especially in one professing to believe in an +over-ruling Providence, in which we may at all times quietly confide, +and which we may safely trust with every event that does not depend upon +our own will. Whenever you find yourself deficient in these virtues, let +it be a subject of shame and humiliation--not of vanity and +self-complacence: do not fancy yourself the more amiable for that which +really makes you despicable; but content yourself with the faults and +weaknesses that belong to you, without putting on more by way of +ornament. With regard to tenderness, remember that compassion is best +shown by an ardour to relieve; and affection, by assiduity to promote +the good and happiness of the persons you love; that tears are +unamiable, instead of being ornamental, when voluntarily indulged; and +can never be attractive but when they flow irresistibly, and avoid +observation as much as possible: the same may be said of every other +mark of passion. It attracts our sympathy, if involuntary, and not +designed for our notice--It offends, if we see that it is purposely +indulged and obtruded on our observation. + +Another point, on which the heart is apt to deceive itself, is +generosity: we cannot bear to suspect ourselves of base and ungenerous +feelings, therefore we let them work without attending to them, or we +endeavour to find out some better motive for those actions, which really +flow from envy and malignity. Before you flatter yourself that you are a +generous benevolent person, take care to examine whether you are really +glad of every advantage and excellence, which your friends and +companions possess, though they are such as you are yourself deficient +in. If your sister or friend makes a greater proficiency than yourself +in any accomplishment, which you are in pursuit of, do you never wish to +stop her progress, instead of trying to hasten your own? + +The boundaries between virtuous emulation and vicious envy are very +nice, and may be easily mistaken. The first will awaken your attention +to your own defects, and excite your endeavours to improve; the last +will make you repine at the improvements of others, and wish to rob them +of the praise they have deserved. Do you sincerely rejoice when your +sister is enjoying pleasure or commendation, though you are at the same +time in disagreeable or mortifying circumstances? Do you delight to see +her approved and beloved, even by those who do not pay you equal +attention? Are you afflicted and humbled, when she is found to be in +fault, though you yourself are remarkably clear from the same offence? +If your heart assures you of the affirmative to these questions, then +may you think yourself a kind sister and a generous friend: for you must +observe, my dear, that scarcely any creature is so depraved as not to be +capable of kind affections in some circumstances. We are all naturally +benevolent, when no selfish interest interferes, and where no advantage +is to be given up: we can all pity distress, when it lies complaining at +our feet, and confesses our superiority and happier situation: but I +have seen the sufferer himself become the object of envy and ill-will, +as soon as his fortitude and greatness of mind had begun to attract +admiration, and to make the envious person feel the superiority of +virtue above good fortune. + +To take sincere pleasure in the blessings and excellencies of others, is +a much surer mark of benevolence than to pity their calamities: and you +must always acknowledge yourself ungenerous and selfish, whenever you +are less ready to "rejoice with them that do rejoice," than to "weep +with them that weep." If ever your commendations of others are forced +from you, by the fear of betraying your envy--or if ever you feel a +secret desire to mention something that may abate the admiration given +them, do not try to conceal the base disposition from yourself, since +that is not the way to cure it. + +Human nature is ever liable to corruption, and has in it the seeds of +every vice, as well as of every virtue; and the first will be +continually shooting forth and growing up, if not carefully watched and +rooted out as fast as they appear. It is the business of religion to +purify and exalt us, from a state of imperfection and infirmity, to that +which is necessary and essential to happiness. Envy would make us +miserable in heaven itself, could it be admitted there; for we must +there see beings far more excellent, and consequently more happy than +ourselves; and till we can rejoice in seeing virtue rewarded in +proportion to its degree, we can never hope to be among the number of +the blessed. + +Watch then, my dear child, and observe every evil propensity of your +heart, that you may in time correct it, with the assistance of that +grace which alone can conquer the evils of our nature, and which you +must constantly and earnestly implore. + +I must add, that even those vices which you would most blush to own, and +which most effectually defile and vilify the female heart, may by +degrees be introduced into yours--to the ruin of that virtue, without +which, misery and shame must be your portion--unless the avenues of the +heart are guarded by a sincere abhorrence of every thing that +approaches towards evil. Would you be of the number of those blessed, +"who are pure in heart," you must hate and avoid every thing, both in +books and in conversation, that conveys impure ideas, however neatly +clothed in decent language, or recommended to your taste by pretended +refinements, and tender sentiments--by elegance of style, or force of +wit and genius. + +I must not now begin to give you my thoughts on the regulation of the +affections, as that is a subject of too much consequence to be soon +dismissed. I shall dedicate to it my next letter: in the mean time, +believe me, + + Your ever affectionate. + +FOOTNOTE: + +[20] Matt. v. + + + + +LETTER V. + +ON THE REGULATION OF THE AFFECTIONS. + + +THE attachments of the heart, on which almost all the happiness or +misery of life depends, are most interesting objects of our +consideration. I shall give my dear niece the observations which +experience has enabled me to draw from real life, and not from what +others have said or written, however great their authority. + +The first attachment of young hearts is _friendship_--the noblest and +happiest of affections, when real, and built on a solid foundation; but, +oftener pernicious than useful to very young people, because the +connection itself is ill understood, and the subject of it frequently +ill chosen. Their first error is that of supposing equality of age, and +exact similarity of disposition, indispensably requisite in friends; +whereas these are circumstances which in great measure disqualify them +for assisting each other in moral improvements, or supplying each +other's defects; they expose them to the same dangers, and incline them +to encourage rather than correct each other's failings. + +The grand cement of this kind of friendship is telling secrets, which +they call confidence: and I verily believe that the desire of having +secrets to tell, has often helped to draw silly girls into very unhappy +adventures. If they have no lover or amour to talk of, the too frequent +subject of their confidence is betraying the secrets of their families; +or conjuring up fancied hardships to complain of against their parents +or relations: this odious cabal, they call friendship; and fancy +themselves dignified by the profession; but nothing is more different +from the reality, as is seen by observing how generally those early +friendships drop off, as the parties advance in years and understanding. + +Do not you, my dear, be too ready to profess a friendship with any of +your young companions. Love them, and be always ready to serve and +oblige them, and to promote all their innocent gratifications: but, be +very careful how you enter into confidence with girls of your own age. +Rather choose some person of riper years and judgment, whose good-nature +and worthy principles may assure you of her readiness to do you a +service, and of her candour and condescension towards you. + +I do not expect that youth should delight to associate with age, or +should lay open its feelings and inclinations to such as have almost +forgot what they were, or how to make proper allowance for them; but if +you are fortunate enough to meet with a young woman eight or ten years +older than yourself, of good sense and good principles, to whom you can +make yourself agreeable, it may be one of the happiest circumstances of +your life. She will be able to advise and to improve you--and your +desire of this assistance will recommend you to her taste, as much as +her superior abilities will recommend her to you. Such a connection will +afford you more pleasure, as well as more profit, than you can expect +from a girl like yourself, equally unprovided with knowledge, prudence, +or any of those qualifications which are necessary to make society +delightful. + +With a friend, such as I have described, of twenty-three or twenty-four +years of age, you can hardly pass an hour without finding yourself +brought forward in some useful knowledge; without learning something of +the world or of your own nature, some rule of behaviour, or some +necessary caution in the conduct of life: for even in the gayest +conversations, such useful hints may often be gathered from those whose +knowledge and experience are much beyond our own. Whenever you find +yourself in real want of advice, or seek the relief of unburdening your +heart, such a friend will be able to judge of the feelings you describe, +or of the circumstances you are in--perhaps from her own experience--or, +at least, from the knowledge she will have gained of human nature! she +will be able to point out your dangers, and to guide you into the right +path; or, if she finds herself incapable, she will have the prudence to +direct you to some abler adviser. The age I have mentioned will not +prevent her joining in your pleasures, nor will it make her a dull or +grave companion; on the contrary, she will have more materials for +entertaining conversation, and her liveliness will shew itself more +agreeably than in one of your own age. Your's therefore will be the +advantage in such a connection; yet do not despair of being admitted +into it, if you have an amiable and docile disposition. Ingenuous youth +has many charms for a benevolent mind; and, as nothing is more endearing +than the exercise of benevolence, the hope of being useful and +beneficial to you will make her fond of your company. + +I have known some of the sweetest and most delightful connections +between persons of different ages, in which the elder has received the +highest gratification from the affection and docility of the younger; +whilst the latter has gained the noblest advantages from the +conversation and counsels of her wiser friend. Nor has the attachment +been without use as well as pleasure to the elder party. She has found +that there is no better way of improving one's own attainments, than by +imparting them to another; and the desire of doing this in the most +acceptable way has added a sweetness and gentleness to her manner, and +taught her the arts of insinuating instruction, and of winning the +heart, whilst she convinces the understanding. + +I hope, my dear, you in your turn will be this useful and engaging +friend to your younger companions, particularly to your sisters and +brothers, who ought ever--unless they should prove unworthy--to be your +nearest and dearest friends, whose interest and welfare you are bound to +desire as much as your own. If you are wanting here, do not fancy +yourself qualified for friendship with others, but, be assured, your +heart is too narrow and selfish for so generous an affection. + +Remember, that the end of true friendship is the good of its object, and +the cultivation of virtue, in two hearts emulous of each other, and +desirous to perpetuate their society beyond the grave. Nothing can be +more contrary to this end than that mutual intercourse of flattery, +which some call friendship. A real friend will venture to displease me, +rather than indulge my faulty inclinations, or increase my natural +frailties; she will endeavour to make me acquainted with myself, and +will put me upon guarding the weak parts of my character. + +Friendship, in the highest sense of the word, can only subsist between +persons of strict integrity and true generosity. Before you fancy +yourself possessed of such a treasure, you should examine the value of +your own heart, and see how well it is qualified for so sacred a +connection; and then a harder task remains--to find out whether the +object of your affection is also endued with the same virtuous +disposition. Youth and inexperience are ill able to penetrate into +characters: the least appearance of good attracts their admiration, and +they immediately suppose they have found the object they pursued. + +It is a melancholy consideration, that the judgement can only be formed +by experience, which generally comes too late for our own use, and is +seldom accepted for that of others. I fear it is in vain for me to tell +you what dangerous mistakes I made in the early choice of friends--how +incapable I then was of finding out such as were fit for me, and how +little I was acquainted with the true nature of friendship, when I +thought myself most fervently engaged in it! I am sensible all this will +hardly persuade you to choose by the eyes of others, or even to suspect +that your own may be deceived. Yet, if you should give any weight to my +observations, it may not be quite useless to mention to you some of the +essential requisites in a friend; and to exhort you never to choose one +in whom they are wanting. + +The first of these is a deep and sincere regard for religion. If your +friend draws her principles from the same source with yourself, if the +gospel precepts are the rule of her life, as well as your's, you will +always know what to expect from her, and have one common standard of +right and wrong to refer to, by which to regulate all material points of +conduct. The woman who thinks lightly of sacred things, or who is ever +heard to speak of them with levity or indifference, cannot reasonably be +expected to pay a more serious regard to the laws of friendship, or to +be uniformly punctual in the performance of any of the duties of +society; take no such person to your bosom, however recommended by +good-humour, wit, or any other qualification; nor let gaiety or +thoughtlessness be deemed an excuse for offending in this important +point: a person habituated to the love and reverence of religion and +virtue, no more wants the guard of serious consideration to restrain her +from speaking disrespectfully of them, than to prevent her speaking ill +of her dearest friend. In the liveliest hour of mirth, the innocent +heart can dictate nothing but what is innocent; it will immediately take +alarm at the apprehension of doing wrong, and stop at once in the full +career of youthful sprightliness, if reminded of the neglect or +transgression of any duty. Watch for these symptoms of innocence and +goodness, and admit no one to your entire affection, who would ever +persuade you to make light of any sort of offence, or who can treat with +levity or contempt any person or thing that bears a relation to +religion. + +A due regard to reputation is the next indispensable +qualification.--"Have regard to thy name," saith the wise son of Sirach, +"for that will continue with thee above a thousand great treasures of +gold." The young person, who is careless of blame, and indifferent to +the esteem of the wise and prudent part of the world, is not only a most +dangerous companion, but gives a certain proof of the want of rectitude +in her own mind. Discretion is the guardian of all the virtues; and, +when she forsakes them, they cannot long resist the attacks of an enemy. +There is a profligacy of spirit in defying the rules of decorum, and +despising censure, which seldom ends otherwise than in extreme +corruption and utter ruin. Modesty and prudence are qualities that early +display themselves, and are easily discerned: where these do not appear, +you should avoid, not only friendship, but every step towards intimacy, +lest your own character should suffer with that of your companion; but, +where they shine forth in any eminent degree, you may safely cultivate +an acquaintance, in the reasonable hope of finding the solid fruits of +virtue beneath such sweet and promising blossoms: should you be +disappointed, you will at least have run no risk in the search after +them, and may cherish as a creditable acquaintance the person so +adorned, though she may not deserve a place in your inmost heart. + +The understanding must next be examined: and this is a point which +requires so much understanding to judge of in another, that I must +earnestly recommend to you, not to rely entirely on your own, but to +take the opinion of your older friends. I do not wish you to seek for +bright and uncommon talents, though these are sources of inexhaustible +delight and improvement, when found in company with solid judgment and +sound principles. Good sense (by which I mean a capacity for reasoning +justly and discerning truly) applied to the uses of life, and exercised +in distinguishing characters and directing conduct, is alone _necessary_ +to an intimate connection; but, without this, the best intentions, +though certain of reward hereafter, may fail of producing their effects +in this life; nor can they singly constitute the character of an useful +and valuable friend. On the other hand, the most dazzling genius, or the +most engaging wit and humour, can but ill answer the purposes of +friendship, without plain common sense and a faculty of just reasoning. + +What can one do with those who will not be answered with reason, and +who, when you are endeavouring to convince or persuade them by serious +arguments, will parry the blow with a witty repartee or a stroke of +poignant raillery? I know not whether such a reply is less provoking +than that of an obstinate fool, who answers your strongest reasons +with--"What you say may be very true, but this is my way of thinking." A +small acquaintance with the world will show you instances of the most +absurd and foolish conduct in persons of brilliant parts and +entertaining faculties. But how trifling is the talent of diverting an +idle hour, compared with true wisdom and prudence, which are perpetually +wanted to direct us safely and happily through life, and to make us +useful and valuable to others! + +Fancy, I know, will have her share in friendship, as well as in +love:--you must please as well as serve me, before I can love you as the +friend of my heart. But the faculties that please for an evening may not +please for life. The humourous man soon runs through his stock of odd +stories, mimickry, and jest; and the wit, by constant repeated flashes, +confounds and tires one's intellect, instead of enlivening it with +agreeable surprise: but good sense can neither tire nor wear out; it +improves by exercise, and increases in value, the more it is known: the +pleasure it gives in conversation is lasting and satisfactory, because +it is accompanied with improvement; its worth is proportioned to the +occasion that calls for it, and rises highest on the most interesting +topics; the heart, as well as the understanding, finds its account in +it; and our noblest interests are promoted by the entertainment we +receive from such a companion. + +A good temper is the next qualification; the value of which in a friend, +you will want no arguments to prove, when you are truly convinced of the +necessity of it in yourself, which I shall endeavour to show you in a +following letter. But, as this is a quality in which you may be +deceived, without a long and intimate acquaintance, you must not be +hasty in forming connections, before you have had sufficient opportunity +for making observations on this head. A young person, when pleased and +enlivened by the presence of her youthful companions, seldom shows ill +temper; which must be extreme indeed, if it is not at least controllable +in such situations. But, you must watch her behaviour to her own family, +and the degree of estimation she stands in with them. Observe her manner +to servants and inferiors--to children--and even to animals. See in +what manner she bears disappointments, contradiction, and restraint; +and what degree of vexation she expresses on any accident of loss or +trouble. If in such little trials she shows a meek, resigned, and +cheerful temper, she will probably preserve it on greater occasions; but +if she is impatient and discontented under these, how will she support +the far greater evils which may await her in her progress through life? +If you should have an opportunity of seeing her in sickness, observe +whether her complaints are of a mild and gentle kind, forced from her by +pain, and restrained as much as possible; or whether they are +expressions of a turbulent rebellious mind, that hardly submits to the +Divine hand. See whether she is tractable, considerate, kind, and +grateful, to those about her: or whether she takes the opportunity, +which their compassion gives her, to tyrannize over and torment them. +Women are in general very liable to ill health, which must necessarily +make them in some measure troublesome and disagreeable to those they +live with. They should therefore, take the more pains to lighten the +burden as much as possible, by patience and good humour; and be careful +not to let their infirmities break in on the health, freedom, or +enjoyments of others, more than is needful and just. Some ladies seem +to think it very improper for any person within their reach to enjoy a +moment's comfort while they are in pain; and make no scruple of +sacrificing to their own least convenience, whenever they are +indisposed, the proper rest, meals, or refreshments of their servants, +and even sometimes of their husbands and children. But their selfishness +defeats its own purpose, as it weakens that affection and tender pity +which excites the most assiduous services, and affords the most healing +balm to the heart of the sufferer. + +I have already expressed my wishes that your chosen friend may be some +years older than yourself; but this is an advantage not always to be +obtained. Whatever be her age, _religion_, _discretion_, _good sense_, +and _good temper_, must on no account be dispensed with; and till you +can find one so qualified, you had better make no closer connection than +that of a mutual intercourse of civilities and good offices. But if it +is always your aim to mix with the best company, and to be worthy of +such society, you will probably meet with some one among them deserving +your affection, to whom you may be equally agreeable. + +When I speak of the best company, I do not mean, in the common +acceptation of the word, persons of high rank and fortune--but rather +the most worthy and sensible. It is however very important to a young +woman to be introduced into life on a respectable footing, and to +converse with those whose manners and style of life may polish her +behaviour, refine her sentiments, and give her consequence in the eye of +the world. Your equals in rank are most proper for intimacy, but to be +sometimes amongst your superiors is every way desirable and +advantageous, unless it should inspire you with pride, or with the +foolish desire of emulating their grandeur and expense. + +Above all things avoid intimacy with those of low birth and education! +nor think it a mark of humility to delight in such society; for it much +oftener proceeds from the meanest kind of pride,--that of being the head +of the company, and seeing your companions subservient to you. The +servile flattery and submission, which usually recommend such people, +and make amends for their ignorance and want of conversation, will +infallibly corrupt your heart, and make all company insipid from whom +you cannot expect the same homage. Your manners and faculties, instead +of improving, must be continually lowered, to suit you to your +companions; and, believe me, you will find it no easy matter to raise +them again to a level with those of polite and well-informed people. + +The greatest kindness and civility to inferiors is perfectly consistent +with proper caution on this head. Treat them always with affability, and +talk to them of their own affairs with an affectionate interest; but +never make them familiar, nor admit them as associates in your +diversions: but, above all, never trust them with your secrets, which is +putting yourself entirely in their power, and subjecting yourself to the +most shameful slavery. The only reason for making choice of such +confidants, must be the certainty that they will not venture to blame or +contradict inclinations, which you are conscious no true friend would +encourage. But this is a meanness into which I trust you are in no +danger of falling. I rather hope you will have the laudable ambition of +spending your time chiefly with those, whose superior talents, +education, and politeness, may continually improve you, and whose +society will do you honour. However, let no advantage of this kind +weigh against the want of principle. I have long ago resolved with +David, that, as far as lies in my power, "I will not know a wicked +person." Nothing can compensate for the contagion of bad example, and +for the danger of wearing off by use that abhorrence of evil actions and +sentiments, which every innocent mind sets out with, but which an +indiscriminate acquaintance in the world soon abates, and at length +destroys. + +If you are good, and seek friendship only among the good, I trust you +will be happy enough to find it. The wise son of Sirach pronounces that +you will. "[21]A faithful friend," saith he, "is the medicine of life; +and he that feareth the Lord shall find him. Whoso feareth the Lord +shall direct his friendship aright; for, as he is, so shall his +neighbour be also." In the same admirable book, you will find directions +how to choose and preserve a friend. Indeed there is hardly a +circumstance in life concerning which you may not there meet with the +best advice imaginable. Caution in making friendships is particularly +recommended. "[22]Be in peace with many, nevertheless have but one +counsellor of a thousand. If thou wouldst get a friend, prove him first, +and be not hasty to credit him; for some man is a friend for his own +occasion, and will not abide in the day of trouble. And there is a +friend, who, being turned to enmity and strife, will discover thy +reproach." Again, "Some friend is a companion at the table, and will not +continue in the day of thy affliction; but in thy prosperity he will be +as thyself, and will be bold over thy servants: if thou be brought low, +he will be against thee, and will hide himself from thy face." Chap. ix. +10. "Forsake not an old friend; for the new is not comparable to him--A +new friend is as new wine; when it is old, thou shalt drink it with +pleasure." + +When you have discreetly chosen, the next point is how to preserve your +friend. Numbers complain of the fickleness and ingratitude of those on +whom they bestowed their affection; but few examine, whether what they +complain of is not owing to themselves. Affection is not like a portion +of freehold land, which once settled upon you is a possession for ever, +without further trouble on your part. If you grow less deserving, or +less attentive to please, you must expect to see the effects of your +remissness, in the gradual decline of your friend's esteem and +attachment. Resentment and reproaches will not recal what you have lost; +but, on the contrary, will hasten the dissolution of every remaining +tie. The best remedy is, to renew your care and assiduity to deserve and +cultivate affection, without seeming to have perceived its abatement. +Jealousy and distrust are the bane of friendship, whose essence is +esteem and affiance. But if jealousy is expressed by unkind upbraidings, +or, what is worse, by cold haughty looks and insolent contempt, it can +hardly fail, if often repeated, to realize the misfortune, which at +first perhaps was imaginary. Nothing can be more an antidote to +affection than such behaviour, or than the cause of it, which, in +reality, is nothing but pride; though the jealous person would fain +attribute it to uncommon tenderness and delicacy: but tenderness is +never so expressed: it is indeed deeply sensible of unkindness, but it +cannot be unkind;--it may subsist with anger, but not with contempt;--it +may be weakened, or even killed, by ingratitude; but it cannot be +changed into hatred. Remember always, that if you would be _loved_, you +must be _amiable_. Habit may, indeed, for a time, supply the deficiency +of merit; what we have long loved we do not easily cease to love; but +habit will at length be conquered by frequent disgusts.--"[23]Whoso +casteth a stone at the birds, frayeth them away; and he that upbraideth +his friend, breaketh friendship. Though thou drewest a sword at thy +friend, yet despair not, for there may be a returning to favour. If thou +hast opened thy mouth against thy friend, fear not, for there may be a +reconciliation; excepting for _upbraiding_, or _pride_, or _disclosing +of secrets_, or a _treacherous wound_,--for, for these things every +friend will depart." + +I have hitherto spoken of a friend in the singular number, rather in +compliance with the notions of most writers, who have treated of +friendship, and who generally suppose it can have but one object, than +from my own ideas. The highest kind of friendship is indeed confined to +one;--I mean the conjugal, which, in its perfection, is so entire and +absolute an union of interest, will, and affection, as no other +connection can stand in competition with. But there are various degrees +of friendship, which can admit of several objects, esteemed, and +delighted in, for different qualities, and whose separate rights are +perfectly compatible. Perhaps it is not possible to love two persons +exactly in the same degree; yet, the difference may be so small, that +none of the parties can be certain on which side the scale +preponderates. + +It is narrowness of mind to wish to confine your friend's affection +solely to yourself; since you are conscious that, however perfect your +attachment may be, you cannot possibly supply to her all the blessings +she may derive from several friends, who may each love her as well as +you do, and may each contribute largely to her happiness. If she depends +on you alone for all the comforts and advantages of friendship, your +absence or death may leave her desolate and forlorn. If therefore you +prefer her good to your own selfish gratification, you should rather +strive to multiply her friends, and be ready to embrace in your +affections all who love, and deserve her love: this generosity will +bring its own reward, by multiplying the sources of your pleasures and +supports; and your first friend will love you the more for such an +endearing proof of the extent of your affection, which can stretch to +receive all who are dear to her. But if, on the contrary, every mark of +esteem shewn to another excites uneasiness or resentment in you, the +person you love must soon feel her connection with you a burden and +restraint. She can own no obligation to so selfish an attachment; nor +can her tenderness be increased by that which lessens her esteem. If she +is really fickle and ungrateful, she is not worth your reproaches: If +not, she must be reasonably offended by such injurious imputations. + +You do not want to be told, that the strictest fidelity is required in +friendship: and though possibly instances might be brought, in which +even the secret of a friend must be sacrificed to the calls of justice +and duty, yet these are rare and doubtful cases; and we may venture to +pronounce that, "[24]Whoso discovereth secrets, loseth his credit, and +shall never find a friend to his mind."--"Love thy friend, and be +faithful unto him: but if thou betrayest his secrets, follow no more +after him. For as a man that hath destroyed his enemy, so hast thou +destroyed the love of thy friend. As one that letteth a bird go out of +his hand, so hast thou let thy neighbour go. Follow no more after him, +for he is too far off; he is as a roe escaped out of the snare. As for a +wound, it may be bound up; and after revilings there may be +reconcilement; but he that betrayeth secrets is without hope." + +But in order to reconcile this inviolable fidelity with the duty you owe +to yourself or others, you must carefully guard against being made the +repository of such secrets as are not fit to be kept. If your friend +should engage in any unlawful pursuit--if, for instance, she should +intend to carry on an affair of love, unknown to her parents--you must +first use your utmost endeavours to dissuade her from it; and if she +persists, positively and solemnly declare against being a confidant in +such a case. Suffer her not to speak to you on the subject, and warn her +to forbear acquainting you with any step she may propose to take towards +a marriage unsanctified by parental approbation. Tell her, you would +think it your duty to apprize her parents of the danger into which she +was throwing herself. However unkindly she may take this at the time, +she will certainly esteem and love you the more for it, whenever she +recovers a sense of her duty, or experiences the sad effects of swerving +from it. + +There is another case, which I should not choose to suppose possible, in +addressing myself to so young a person, was it not that too many +instances of it have of late been exposed to public animadversion: I +mean the case of a married woman, who encourages or tolerates the +addresses of a lover. May no such person be ever called a friend of +your's! but if ever one, whom, when innocent, you had loved, should fall +into so fatal an error, I can only say that, after proper remonstrances, +you must immediately withdraw from all intimacy and confidence with her. +Nor let the absurd pretence of _innocent intentions_, in such +circumstances, prevail with you to lend your countenance a moment to +disgraceful conduct. There cannot be innocence, in any degree of +indulgence to unlawful passion. The sacred obligations of marriage are +very ill understood by the wife, who can think herself innocent, while +she parleys with a lover, or with love, and who does not shut her heart +and ears against the most distant approaches of either. A virtuous +wife--though she should be so unhappy as not to be secured, by having +her strongest affections fixed on her husband--will never admit an idea +of any other man, in the light of a lover; but if such an idea should +unawares intrude into her mind, she would instantly stifle it, before it +grew strong enough to give her much uneasiness. Not to the most intimate +friend--hardly to her own soul--would she venture to confess a weakness, +she would so sincerely abhor. Whenever therefore such infidelity of +heart is made a subject of confidence, depend upon it the corruption has +spread far, and has been faultily indulged. Enter not into her counsels: +show her the danger she is in, and then withdraw yourself from it, +whilst you are yet unsullied by contagion. + +It has been supposed a duty of friendship to lay open every thought and +every feeling of the heart to our friend. But I have just mentioned a +case, in which this is not only unnecessary, but wrong. A disgraceful +inclination, which we resolve to conquer, should be concealed from every +body; and is more easily subdued when denied the indulgence of talking +of its object; and, I think, there may be other instances, in which it +would be most prudent to keep our thoughts concealed even from our +dearest friend. Some things I would communicate to one friend, and not +to another, whom perhaps I loved better, because I might know that my +first friend was not so well qualified as the other to counsel me on +that particular subject: a natural bias on her mind, some prevailing +opinion, or some connection with persons concerned, might make her an +improper confidant with regard to one particular, though qualified to be +so on all other occasions. + +This confidence of friendship is indeed one of its sweetest pleasures +and greatest advantages. The human heart often stands in need of some +kind and faithful partner of its cares, in whom it may repose all its +weaknesses, and with whom it is sure of finding the tenderest sympathy. +Far be it from me to shut up the heart with cold distrust, and rigid +caution, or to adopt the odious maxim, that "we should live with a +friend, as if he were one day to become an enemy." But we must not +wholly abandon prudence in any sort of connection; since, when every +guard is laid aside, our unbounded openness may injure others as well as +ourselves. Secrets entrusted to us must be sacredly kept even from our +nearest friend: for we have no right to dispose of the secrets of +others. + +If there is danger in making an improper choice of friends, my dear +child, how much more fatal would it be to mistake in a stronger kind of +attachment--in that which leads to an irrevocable engagement for life! +yet so much more is the understanding blinded, when once the fancy is +captivated, that it seems a desperate undertaking to convince a girl in +love that she has mistaken the character of the man she prefers. + +If the passions would wait for the decision of judgment, and if a young +woman could have the same opportunities of examining into the real +character of her lover, as into that of a female candidate for her +friendship, the same rules might direct you in the choice of both: for +marriage being the highest state of friendship, the qualities requisite +in a friend are still more important in a husband. But young women know +so little of the world, especially of the other sex, and such pains are +usually taken to deceive them, that they are every way unqualified to +choose for themselves, upon their own judgment. Many a heart-ache shall +I feel for you, my sweet girl, if I live a few years longer! Since, not +only all your happiness in this world, but your advancement in religion +and virtue, or your apostacy from every good principle you have been +taught, will probably depend on the companion you fix to for life. Happy +will it be for you, if you are wise and modest enough to withdraw from +temptation, and preserve your heart free and open to receive the just +recommendation of your parents: further than a recommendation, I dare +say they will never go, in an affair which, though it should be begun by +them, ought never to be proceeded in without your free concurrence. + +Whatever romantic notions you may hear or read of, depend upon it, those +matches are the happiest which are made on rational grounds--on +suitableness of character, degree, and fortune--on mutual esteem, and the +prospect of a real and permanent friendship. Far be it from me to advise +you to marry where you do not love;--a mercenary marriage is a detestable +prostitution. But, on the other hand, an union formed upon mere personal +liking, without the requisite foundation of esteem, without the sanction +of parental approbation, and, consequently, without the blessing of God, +can be productive of nothing but misery and shame. The passion, to which +every consideration of duty and prudence is sacrificed, instead of +supplying the loss of all other advantages, will soon itself be changed +into mutual distrust--repentance--reproaches--and, finally, perhaps into +hatred. The distresses it brings will be void of every consolation; you +will have disgusted the friends who should be your support--debased +yourself in the eyes of the world--and, what is much worse, in your own +eyes, and even in those of your husband: above all, you will have +offended that God, who alone can shield you from calamity. + +From an act like this, I trust, your duty and gratitude to your kind +parents--the first of dudes next to that we owe to God, and inseparably +connected with it--will effectually preserve you. But most young people +think they have fulfilled their duty, if they refrain from actually +marrying against prohibition: they suffer their affections, and even +perhaps their word of honour, to be engaged, without consulting their +parents; yet satisfy themselves with resolving not to marry without +their consent: not considering, that, besides the wretched, useless, +uncomfortable state they plunge _themselves_ into, when they contract an +hopeless engagement, they must likewise involve a _parent_ in the +miserable dilemma of either giving a forced consent against his +judgment, or of seeing his beloved child pine away her prime of life in +fruitless anxiety--seeing her accuse him of tyranny, because he +restrains her from certain ruin--seeing her affections alienated from +her family--and all her thoughts engrossed by one object, to the +destruction of her health and spirits, and of all improvements and +occupations. What a cruel alternative for parents, whose happiness is +bound up with that of their child! The time to consult them is before +you have given a lover the least encouragement; nor ought you to listen +a moment to the man who would wish you to keep his addresses secret; +since he thereby shows himself conscious that they are not fit to be +encouraged. + +But perhaps I have said enough on this subject at present; though, if +ever advice on such a topic can be of use, it must be before passion has +got possession of the heart, and silenced both reason and principle. Fix +therefore in your mind, as deeply as possible, those rules of duty and +prudence which now seem reasonable to you, that they may be at hand in +the hour of trial, and save you from the miseries, in which strong +affections, unguided by discretion, involve so many of our sex. + +If you love virtue sincerely, you will be incapable of loving an openly +vicious character. But, alas! your innocent heart may be easily ensnared +by an artful one--and from this danger nothing can secure you but the +experience of those, to whose guidance God has entrusted you: may you be +wise enough to make use of it!--So will you have the fairest chance of +attaining the best blessings this world can afford, in a faithful and +virtuous union with a worthy man, who may direct your steps in safety +and honour through this life, and partake with you the rewards of virtue +in that which is to come. But, if this happy lot should be denied you, +do not be afraid of a single life. A worthy woman is never destitute of +valuable friends, who in a great measure supply to her the want of +nearer connections. She can never be slighted or disesteemed, while her +good temper and benevolence render her a blessing to her companions. +Nay, she must be honoured by all persons of sense and virtue, for +preferring the single state to an union unworthy of her. The calamities +of an unhappy marriage are so much greater than can befall a single +person, that the unmarried woman may find abundant argument to be +contented with her condition, when pointed out to her by Providence. +Whether married or single, if your first care is to please God, you will +undoubtedly be a blessed creature;--"For that which he delights in _must +be happy_." How earnestly I wish you this happiness, you can never know, +unless you could read the heart of + + Your truly affectionate. + +FOOTNOTES: + +[21] Ecclus v. + +[22] Ibid. vi. + +[23] Ecclus. xxii. 20. + +[24] Ecclus. xxvii. 16. + + + + +LETTER VI. + +ON THE GOVERNMENT OF THE TEMPER. + + +THE next great point of importance to your future happiness, my dear, is +what your parents have, doubtless, been continually attentive to from +your infancy, as it is impossible to undertake it too early--I mean the +due Regulation of your Temper. Though you are in great measure indebted +to their forming hands for whatever is good in it, you are sensible, no +doubt, as every human creature is, of propensities to some infirmity of +temper, which it must now be _your own_ care to correct and to subdue: +otherwise the pains that have hitherto been taken with you may all +become fruitless; and, when you are your own mistress, you may relapse +into those faults, which were originally in your nature, and which will +require to be diligently watched and kept under, through the whole +course of your life. + +If you consider, that the constant tenor of the gospel precepts is to +promote love, peace, and good-will amongst men, you will not doubt that +the cultivation of an amiable disposition is a great part of your +religious duty: since nothing leads more directly to the breach of +charity, and to the injury and molestation of our fellow-creatures, than +the indulgence of an ill-temper. Do not therefore think lightly of the +offences you may commit, for want of a due command over it, or suppose +yourself responsible for them to your fellow-creatures only; but, be +assured, you must give a strict account of them all to the Supreme +Governor of the world, who has made this a great part of your appointed +trial upon earth. + +A woman, bred up in a religious manner, placed above the reach of want, +and out of the way of sordid or scandalous vices, can have but few +temptations to the flagrant breach of the Divine laws. It particularly +concerns her therefore to understand them in their full import, and to +consider how far she trespasses against them, by such actions as appear +trivial when compared with murder, adultery, and theft, but which become +of very great importance, by being frequently repeated, and occurring in +the daily transactions of life. + +The principal virtues or vices of a woman must be of a private and +domestic kind. Within the circle of her own family and dependents lies +her sphere of action--the scene of almost all those tasks and trials, +which must determine her character, and her fate, here and hereafter. +Reflect, for a moment, how much the happiness of her husband, children, +and servants, must depend on her temper, and you will see that the +greatest good, or evil, which she ever may have in her power to do, may +arise from her correcting or indulging its infirmities. + +Though I wish the principle of duty towards God to be your ruling motive +in the exercise of every virtue, yet, as human nature stands in need of +all possible helps, let us not forget how essential it is to present +happiness, and to the enjoyment of this life, to cultivate such a temper +as is likewise indispensably requisite to the attainment of higher +felicity in the life to come. The greatest outward blessings cannot +afford enjoyment to a mind ruffled and uneasy within itself. A fit of +ill-humour will spoil the finest entertainment, and is as real a torment +as the most painful disease. Another unavoidable consequence of +ill-temper is the dislike and aversion of all who are witnesses to it, +and, perhaps, the deep and lasting resentment of those who suffer from +its effects. We all, from social or self-love, earnestly desire the +esteem and affection of our fellow-creatures; and indeed our condition +makes them so necessary to us, that the wretch who has forfeited them, +must feel desolate and undone, deprived of all the best enjoyments and +comforts the world can afford, and given up to his inward misery, +unpitied and scorned. But this can never be the fate of a good-natured +person: whatever faults he may have, they will generally be treated with +lenity; he will find an advocate in every human heart; his errors will +be lamented rather than abhorred; and his virtues will be viewed in the +fairest point of light. His good humour, without the help of great +talents or acquirements, will make his company preferable to that of the +most brilliant genius, in whom this quality is wanting; in short, it is +almost impossible that you can be sincerely beloved by any body, without +this engaging property, whatever other excellencies you may possess; +but, with it, you will scarcely fail of finding some friends and +favourers, even though you should be destitute of almost every other +advantage. + +Perhaps you will say, all this is very true; "but our tempers are not in +our own power; we are made with different dispositions, and, if mine is +not amiable, it is rather my unhappiness than my fault." This, my dear, +is commonly said by those who will not take the trouble to correct +themselves. Yet, be assured, it is a delusion, and will not avail in our +justification before Him, "who knoweth whereof we are made," and of what +we are capable. It is true, we are not all equally happy in our +dispositions; but human virtue consists in cherishing and cultivating +every good inclination, and in checking and subduing every propensity to +evil. If you had been born with a bad temper, it might have been made a +good one, at least with regard to its outward effects, by education, +reason, and principle: and, though you are so happy as to have a good +one while young, do not suppose it will always continue so, if you +neglect to maintain a proper command over it. Power, sickness, +disappointments, or worldly cares, may corrupt and embitter the finest +disposition, if they are not counteracted by reason and religion. + +It is observed, that every temper is inclined, in some degree, either to +passion, peevishness, or obstinacy. Many are so unfortunate as to be +inclined to each of the three in turn: it is necessary therefore to +watch the bent of our nature, and to apply the remedies proper for the +infirmity to which we are most liable. With regard to the first, it is +so injurious to society, and so odious in itself, especially in the +female character, that one would think shame alone would be sufficient +to preserve a young woman from giving way to it: for it is as unbecoming +her character to be betrayed into ill-behaviour by _passion_, as by +_intoxication_, and she ought to be ashamed of the one as much as of the +other. Gentleness, meekness, and patience, are her peculiar +distinctions; and an enraged woman is one of the most disgusting sights +in nature. + +It is plain, from experience, that the most passionate people can +command themselves, when they have a motive sufficiently strong--such as +the presence of those they fear, or to whom they particularly desire to +recommend themselves; it is therefore no excuse to persons, whom you +have injured by unkind reproaches, and unjust aspersions, to tell them +you was in a passion; the allowing yourself to speak to them in a +passion is a proof of an insolent disrespect, which the meanest of your +fellow-creatures would have a right to resent. When once you find +yourself heated so far as to desire to say what you know would be +provoking and wounding to another, you should immediately resolve either +to be silent, or to quit the room, rather than give utterance to any +thing dictated by so bad an inclination. Be assured, you are then unfit +to reason or to reprove, or to hear reason from others. It is therefore +your part to retire from such an occasion of sin; and wait till you are +cool, before you presume to judge of what has passed. By accustoming +yourself thus to conquer and disappoint your anger, you will, by +degrees, find it grow weak and manageable, so as to leave your reason at +liberty. You will be able to restrain your tongue from evil, and your +looks and gestures from all expressions of violence and ill-will. Pride, +which produces so many evils in the human mind, is the great source of +passion. Whoever cultivates in himself a proper humility, a due sense of +his own faults and insufficiencies, and a due respect for others, will +find but small temptation to violent or unreasonable anger. + +In the case of real injuries, which justify and call for resentment, +there is a noble and generous kind of anger, a proper and necessary part +of our nature, which has nothing in it sinful or degrading. I would not +wish you insensible to this; for the person, who feels not an injury, +must be incapable of being properly affected by benefits. With those, +who treat you ill without provocation, you ought to maintain your own +dignity. But, in order to do this, whilst you show a sense of their +improper behaviour, you must preserve calmness, and even good-breeding; +and thereby convince them of the impotence as well as injustice of +their malice. You must also weigh every circumstance with candour and +charity, and consider whether your showing the resentment deserved may +not produce ill consequences to innocent persons--as is almost always +the case in family quarrels; and whether it may not occasion the breach +of some duty, or necessary connection, to which you ought to sacrifice +even your just resentments. Above all things, take care that a +particular offence to you does not make you unjust to the general +character of the offending person. Generous anger does not preclude +esteem for whatever is really estimable, nor does it destroy good-will +to the person of its object: it even inspires the desire of overcoming +him by benefits, and wishes to inflict no other punishment than the +regret of having injured one who deserved his kindness: it is always +placable, and ready to be reconciled, as soon as the offender is +convinced of his error; nor can any subsequent injury provoke it to +recur to past disobligations, which had been once forgiven. But it is +perhaps unnecessary to give rules for this case. The consciousness of +injured innocence naturally produces dignity, and usually prevents +excess of anger. Our passion is most unruly, when we are conscious of +blame, and when we apprehend that we have laid ourselves open to +contempt. Where we know we have been wrong, the least injustice in the +degree of blame imputed to us, excites our bitterest resentment; but, +where we know ourselves faultless, the sharpest accusation excites pity +or contempt, rather than rage. Whenever, therefore, you feel yourself +very angry, suspect yourself to be in the wrong, and resolve to stand +the decision of your own conscience before you cast upon another the +punishment, which is perhaps due to yourself. This self-examination will +at least give you time to cool, and, if you are just, will dispose you +to balance your own wrong with that of your antagonist, and to settle +the account with him on equal terms. + +Peevishness, though not so violent and fatal in its immediate effects, +is still more unamiable than passion, and, if possible, more destructive +of happiness, inasmuch as it operates more continually. Though the +fretful man injures us less, he disgusts us more than the passionate +one; because he betrays a low and little mind, intent on trifles, and +engrossed by a paltry self-love, which knows not how to bear the very +apprehension of any inconvenience. It is self-love then, which we must +combat, when we find ourselves assaulted by this infirmity; and, by +voluntarily induring inconveniences, we shall habituate ourselves to +bear them with ease and good-humour, when occasioned by others. Perhaps +this is the best kind of religious mortification; as the chief end of +denying ourselves any innocent indulgences, must be to acquire a habit +of command over our passions and inclinations, particularly such as are +likely to lead us into evil. Another method of conquering this enemy, is +to abstract our minds from that attention to trifling circumstances, +which usually creates this uneasiness. Those, who are engaged in high +and important pursuits, are very little affected by small +inconveniences. The man, whose head is full of studious thought, or +whose heart is full of care, will eat his dinner without knowing whether +it was well or ill dressed, or whether it was served punctually at the +hour or not: and though absence from the common things of life is far +from desirable--especially in a woman--yet too minute and anxious an +attention to them seldom fails to produce a teasing, mean, and fretful +disposition. I would therefore wish your mind to have always some object +in pursuit worthy of it, that it may not be engrossed by such as are in +themselves scarce worth a moment's anxiety. It is chiefly in the decline +of life, when amusements fail, and when the more importunate passions +subside, that this infirmity is observed to grow upon us; and perhaps it +will seldom fail to do so, unless carefully watched, and counteracted by +reason. We must then endeavour to substitute some pursuits in the place +of those, which can only engage us in the beginning of our course. The +pursuit of glory and happiness in another life, by every means of +improving and exalting our own minds, becomes more and more interesting +to us, the nearer we draw to the end of all sublunary enjoyments. +Reading, reflection, rational conversation, and, above all, conversing +with God, by prayer and meditation, may preserve us from taking that +anxious interest in the little comforts and conveniences of our +remaining days, which usually gives birth to so much fretfulness in old +people. But though the aged and infirm are most liable to this evil--and +they alone are to be pitied for it--yet we sometimes see the young, the +healthy, and those who enjoy most outward blessings, inexcusably guilty +of it. The smallest disappointment in pleasure, or difficulty in the +most trifling employment, will put wilful young people out of temper, +and their very amusements frequently become sources of vexation and +peevishness. How often have I seen a girl, preparing for a ball, or for +some other public appearance--unable to satisfy her own vanity--fret +over every ornament she put on, quarrel with her maid, with her clothes, +her hair; and growing still more unlovely as she grew more cross, be +ready to fight with her looking-glass for not making her as handsome as +she wished to be! She did not consider, that the traces of this +ill-humour on her countenance would be a greater disadvantage to her +appearance than any defect in her dress, or even than the plainest +features enlivened by joy and good-humour. There is a degree of +resignation necessary even to the enjoyment of pleasure: we must be +ready and willing to give up some part of what we could wish for, before +we can enjoy that which is indulged to us. I have no doubt that she, who +frets all the while she is dressing for an assembly, will suffer still +greater uneasiness when she is there. The same craving restless vanity +will there endure a thousand mortifications, which, in the midst of +seeming pleasure, will secretly corrode her heart; whilst the meek and +humble generally find more gratification than they expected, and return +home pleased and enlivened from every scene of amusement, though they +could have staid away from it with perfect ease and contentment. + +Sullenness, or obstinacy, is perhaps a worse fault of temper than either +of the former, and, if indulged, may end in the most fatal extremes of +stubborn melancholy, malice, and revenge. The resentment which, instead +of being expressed, is nursed in secret, and continually aggravated by +the imagination, will, in time, become the ruling passion; and then, how +horrible must be his case, whose kind and pleasurable affections are all +swallowed up by the tormenting as well as detestable sentiments of +hatred and revenge? "[25]Admonish thy friend, peradventure he hath not +done it: or, if he hath, that he do it no more.--Admonish thy friend, +peradventure he hath not said it: or, if he hath, that he speak it not +again." Brood not over a resentment which perhaps was at first +ill-grounded, and which is undoubtedly heightened by an heated +imagination. But when you have first subdued your own temper, so as to +be able to speak calmly, reasonably, and kindly, then expostulate with +the person you suppose to be in fault--hear what she has to say; and +either reconcile yourself to her, or quiet your mind under the injury by +the principle of Christian charity. But, if it should appear that you +yourself have been most to blame, or if you have been in an error, +acknowledge it fairly and handsomely; if you feel any reluctance to do +so, be certain that it arises from pride, to conquer which is an +absolute duty. "A soft answer turneth away wrath," and a generous +confession oftentimes more than atones for the fault which requires it. +Truth and justice demand, that we should acknowledge conviction, as soon +as we feel it, and not maintain an erroneous opinion, or justify a wrong +conduct, merely from the false shame of confessing our past ignorance. A +false shame it undoubtedly is, and as impolitic as unjust, since your +error is already seen by those who endeavour to set you right; but your +conviction, and the candour and generosity of owning it freely, may +still be an honour to you, and would greatly recommend you to the person +with whom you disputed. With a disposition strongly inclined to +sullenness or obstinacy, this must be a very painful exertion; and to +make a perfect conquest over yourself at once may perhaps appear +impracticable, whilst the zeal of self-justification, and the abhorrence +of blame, are strong upon you. But, if you are so unhappy as to yield to +your infirmity, at one time, do not let this discourage you from +renewing your efforts. Your mind will gain strength from the contest, +and your internal enemy will by degrees be forced to give ground. Be not +afraid to revive the subject, as soon as you find yourself able to +subdue your temper; and then frankly lay open the conflict you sustained +at the time: by this you will make all the amends in your power for your +fault, and will certainly change the disgust you have given into pity at +least, if not admiration. Nothing is more endearing than such a +confession; and you will find such a satisfaction in your own +consciousness, and in the renewed tenderness and esteem you will gain +from the person concerned, that your task for the future will be made +more easy, and your reluctance to be convinced will on every occasion +grow less and less. + +The love of truth, and a real desire of improvement, ought to be the +only motives of argumentation; and, where these are sincere, no +difficulty can be made of embracing the truth, as soon as it is +perceived. But, in fact, people oftener dispute from vanity and pride, +which makes it a grievous mortification to allow that we are the wiser +for what we have heard from another. To receive advice, reproof, and +instruction, properly, is the surest sign of a sincere and humble heart; +and shows a greatness of mind, which commands our respect and reverence, +while it appears so willingly to yield to us the superiority. + +Observe, notwithstanding, that I do not wish you to hear of your faults +without pain: Such an indifference would afford small hopes of +amendment. Shame and remorse are the first steps to true repentance; yet +we should be willing to bear this pain, and thankful to the kind hand +that inflicts it for our good. Nor must we, by sullen silence under it, +leave our kind physician in doubt, whether the operation has taken +effect or not, or whether it has not added another malady, instead of +curing the first. You must consider that those who tell you of your +faults, if they do it from motives of kindness, and not of malice, exert +their friendship in a painful office, which must have cost them as great +an effort as it can be to you to acknowledge the service; and, if you +refuse this encouragement, you cannot expect that any one, who is not +absolutely obliged to it by duty, will a second time undertake such an +ill-requited trouble. What a loss would this be to yourself!--How +difficult would be our progress to that degree of perfection, which is +necessary to our happiness, was it not for the assistance we receive +from each other!--This certainly is one of the means of grace held out +to us by our merciful Judge, and, if we reject it, we are answerable for +all the miscarriages we may fall into for want of it. + +I know not, whether that strange caprice, that inequality of taste and +behaviour, so commonly attributed to our sex, may be properly called a +fault of temper,--as it seems not to be connected with, or arising from, +our animal frame,--but to be rather the fruit of our own +self-indulgence, degenerating by degrees into such a wantonness of will +as knows not how to please itself. When, instead of regulating our +actions by reason and principle, we suffer ourselves to be guided by +every slight and momentary impulse of inclination, we shall, doubtless, +appear so variable and inconstant, that nobody can guess, by our +behaviour to day, what may be expected from us to-morrow; nor can we +ourselves tell, whether what we delighted in a week ago will now afford +us the least degree of pleasure. It is in vain for others to attempt to +please us--we cannot please ourselves, though all we could wish for +waits our choice: and thus does a capricious woman become "sick of +herself, through very selfishness:" And, when this is the case, it is +easy to judge how sick others must be of her, and how contemptible and +disgusting she must appear. This wretched state is the usual consequence +of power and flattery. May my dear child never meet with the temptation +of that excessive and ill-judged indulgence from a husband, which she +has happily escaped from her parents, and which seldom fails to reduce +women to the miserable condition of a humoured child, always unhappy +from having nobody's will to study but its own! The insolence of such +demands for yourself, and such disregard to the choice and inclinations +of others, can seldom fail to make you as many enemies as there are +persons obliged to bear with your humours; whilst a compliant, +reasonable, and contented disposition, would render you happy in +yourself, and beloved by all your companions; particularly by those, who +live constantly with you; and, of what consequence this is to your +happiness, a moment's reflection will convince you. Family friendships +are the friendships made for us, if I may so speak, by God himself. With +the kindest intentions, he has knit the bands of family love, by +indispensable duties; and wretched are they who have burst them asunder +by violence and ill-will, or worn them out by constant little +disobligations, and by the want of that attention to please, which the +presence of a stranger always inspires, but which is so often shamefully +neglected towards those, whom it is most our duty and interest to +please. May you, my dear, be wise enough to see that every faculty of +entertainment, every engaging qualification, which you possess, is +exerted to the best advantage for those, whose love is of most +importance to you--for those who live under the same roof, and with whom +you are connected for life, either by the ties of blood, or by the still +more sacred obligations of a voluntary engagement. + +To make you the delight and darling of your family, something more is +required than barely to be exempt from ill-temper and troublesome +humours. The sincere and genuine smiles of complacency and love must +adorn your countenance. That ready compliance, that alertness to assist +and oblige, which demonstrates true affection, must animate your +behaviour, and endear your most common action. Politeness must accompany +your greatest familiarities, and restrain you from every thing that is +really offensive, or which can give a moment's unnecessary pain. +Conversation, which is so apt to grow dull and insipid in families, nay, +in some to be almost wholly laid aside, must be cultivated with the +frankness and openness of friendship, and by the mutual communication of +whatever may conduce to the improvement or innocent entertainment of +each other. + +Reading, whether apart or in common, will furnish useful and pleasing +subjects; and the sprightliness of youth will naturally inspire harmless +mirth and native humour, if encouraged by a mutual desire of diverting +each other, and making the hours pass agreeably in your own house: every +amusement that offers will be heightened by the participation of these +dear companions, and by talking over every incident together and every +object of pleasure. If you have any acquired talent of entertainment, +such as music, painting, or the like, your own family are those before +whom you should most wish to excel, and for whom you should always be +ready to exert yourself; not suffering the accomplishments which you +have gained, perhaps by their means, and at their expense, to lie +dormant, till the arrival of a stranger gives you spirit in the +performance. Where this last is the case, you may be sure vanity is the +only motive of the exertion: a stranger will praise you more: but how +little sensibility has that heart which is not more gratified by the +silent pleasure painted on the countenance of a partial parent, or of an +affectionate brother, than by the empty compliment of a visitor, who is +perhaps inwardly more disposed to criticise and ridicule than to admire +you! + +I have been longer in this letter than I intended, yet it is with +difficulty I can quit the subject, because I think it is seldom +sufficiently insisted on, either in books or in sermons; and because +there are many persons weak enough to believe themselves in a safe and +innocent course of life, whilst they are daily harassing every body +about them by their vexatious humours. But you will, I hope, constantly +bear in mind, that you can never treat a fellow-creature unkindly, +without offending the kind Creator and Father of all; and that you can +no way render yourself so acceptable to him, as by studying to promote +the happiness of others, in every instance, small as well as great. The +favour of God, and the love of your companions, will surely be deemed +rewards sufficient to animate your most fervent endeavours; yet this is +not all: the disposition of mind, which I would recommend, is its own +reward, and is in itself essential to happiness. Cultivate it therefore, +my dear child, with your utmost diligence; and watch the symptoms of +ill-temper, as they rise, with a firm resolution to conquer them, before +they are even perceived by any other person. In every such inward +conflict, call upon our Maker, to assist the feeble nature he hath given +you, and sacrifice to _Him_ every feeling that would tempt you to +disobedience: so will you at length attain the true Christian meekness, +which is blessed in the sight of God and man; "which has the promise of +this life as well as of that which is to come." Then will you pity, in +others, those infirmities, which you have conquered in yourself; and +will think yourself as much bound to assist, by your patience and +gentleness, those who are so unhappy as to be under the dominion of evil +passions, as you are to impart a share of your riches to the poor and +miserable. + + Adieu, my dearest. + +FOOTNOTES: + +[25] Ecclus. xix. 13. + + + + +LETTER VII. + +ON ECONOMY. + + + _MY DEAREST NIECE_, + +ECONOMY is so important a part of a woman's character, so necessary to +her own happiness, and so essential to her performing properly the +duties of a wife and of a mother, that it ought to have the precedence +of all other accomplishments, and take its rank next to the first duties +of life. It is, moreover, an _art_ as well as a _virtue_; and many +well-meaning persons, from ignorance, or from inconsideration, are +strangely deficient in it. Indeed it is too often wholly neglected in a +young woman's education; and she is sent from her father's house to +govern a family, without the least degree of that knowledge which should +qualify her for it: this is the source of much inconvenience; for though +experience and attention may supply, by degrees, the want of +instruction, yet this requires time: the family in the meantime may get +into habits, which are very difficult to alter; and, what is worse, the +husband's opinion of his wife's incapacity may be fixed too strongly to +suffer him ever to think justly of her gradual improvements. I would +therefore earnestly advise you to make use of every opportunity you can +find, for the laying in some store of knowledge on this subject, before +you are called upon to the practice; by observing what passes before +you--by consulting prudent and experienced mistresses of families--and +by entering in a book a memorandum of every new piece of intelligence +you acquire; you may afterwards compare these with more mature +observations, and you can make additions and corrections, as you see +occasion. I hope it will not be long before your mother entrusts you +with some part, at least, of the management of your father's house. +Whilst you are under her eye, your ignorance cannot do much harm, though +the relief to her at first may not be near so considerable as the +benefit to yourself. + +Economy consists of so many branches, some of which descend to such +minutenesses, that it is impossible for me in writing to give you +particular directions. The rude outlines may be perhaps described, and I +shall be happy if I can furnish you with any hint that may hereafter be +usefully employed. + +The first and greatest point is, to lay out your general plan of living +in a just proportion to your fortune and rank: if these two will not +coincide, the last must certainly give way; for, if you have right +principles, you cannot fail of being wretched under the sense of the +injustice as well as danger of spending beyond your income, and your +distress will be continually increasing. No mortifications, which you +can suffer from retrenching in your appearance, can be comparable to +this unhappiness. If you would enjoy the real comforts of affluence, you +should lay your plan considerably within your income; not for the +pleasure of amassing wealth--though, where there is a growing family, it +is an absolute duty to lay by something every year--but to provide for +contingencies, and to have the power of indulging your choice in the +disposal of the overplus, either in innocent pleasures, or to increase +your funds for charity and generosity, which are in fact the true funds +of pleasure. In some circumstances indeed this would not be prudent: +there are professions in which a man's success greatly depends on his +making some figure, where the bare suspicion of poverty would bring on +the reality. If by marriage you should be placed in such a situation, it +will be your duty to exert all your skill in the management of your +income: yet, even in this case, I would not strain to the utmost for +appearance, but would choose my models among the most prudent and +moderate of my own class; and be contented with slower advancement, for +the sake of security and peace of mind. + +A contrary conduct is the ruin of many; and, in general, the wives of +men in such professions might live in a more retired and frugal manner +than they do, without any ill consequence, if they did not make the +scheme of advancing the success of their husbands an excuse to +themselves for the indulgence of their own vanity and ambition. + +Perhaps it may be said, that the settling the general scheme of expenses +is seldom the wife's province, and that many men do not choose even to +acquaint her with the real state of their affairs. Where this is the +case, a woman can be answerable for no more than is entrusted to her. +But I think it a very ill sign, for one or both of the parties where +there is such a want of openness, in what equally concerns them. As I +trust you will deserve the confidence of your husband, so I hope you +will be allowed free consultation with him on your mutual interest; and +I believe there are few men, who would not hearken to reason on their +own affairs, when they saw a wife ready and desirous to give up her +share of vanities and indulgences, and only earnest to promote the +common good of the family. + +In order to settle your plan, it will be necessary to make a pretty +exact calculation: and if, from this time, you accustom yourself to +calculations, in all the little expenses entrusted to you, you will grow +expert and ready at them, and be able to guess very nearly, where +certainty cannot be obtained. Many articles of expense are regular and +fixed: these may be valued exactly; and, by consulting with experienced +persons, you may calculate nearly the amount of others: any material +article of consumption, in a family of any given number and +circumstances, may be estimated pretty nearly. Your own expenses of +clothes and pocket-money should be settled and circumscribed, that you +may be sure not to exceed the just proportion. I think it an admirable +method to appropriate such a portion of your income, as you judge +proper to bestow in charity, to be sacredly kept for that purpose, and +no longer considered as your own. By which means you will avoid the +temptation of giving less than you ought, through selfishness, or more +than you ought, through good-nature or weakness. If your circumstances +allow of it, you might set apart another fund for acts of liberality or +friendship, which do not come under the head of charity. The having such +funds ready at hand, makes it easy and pleasant to give; and when acts +of bounty are performed without effort, they are generally done more +kindly and effectually. If you are obliged in conscience to lay up for a +family, the same method of an appropriated fund for saving will be of +excellent use, as it will prevent that continual and often ineffectual +anxiety, which a general desire of saving, without having fixed the +limits, is sure to create. + +Regularity of payments and accounts is essential to Economy:--your +house-keeping should be settled at least once a week, and all the bills +paid: all other tradesmen should be paid, at furthest, once a year. +Indeed I think it more advantageous to pay oftener: but, if you make +them trust you longer, they must either charge proportionally higher, or +be losers by your custom. Numbers of them fail, every year, from the +cruel cause of being obliged to give their customers so much longer +credit than the dealers, from whom they take their goods, will allow to +them. If people of fortune considered this, they would not defer their +payments, from mere negligence, as they often do, to the ruin of whole +families. + +You must endeavour to acquire skill in purchasing: in order to this, you +should begin now to attend to the prices of things, and take every +proper opportunity of learning the real value of every thing, as well as +the marks whereby you are to distinguish the good from the bad. + +In your table, as in your dress, and in all other things, I wish you to +aim at _propriety_ and _neatness_, or, if your state demands it, +_elegance_, rather than _superfluous figure_. To go beyond your sphere, +either in dress or in the appearance of your table, indicates a greater +fault in your character than to be too much within it. It is impossible +to enter into the _minutiae_ of the table; good sense and observation on +the best models must form your taste, and a due regard to what you can +afford must restrain it. + +Ladies, who are fond of needle-work, generally choose to consider that +as a principal part of good housewifery: and though I cannot look upon +it as of equal importance with the due regulation of a family, yet, in a +middling rank, and with a moderate fortune, it is a necessary part of a +woman's duty, and a considerable article in expense is saved by it. Many +young ladies make almost _every thing_ they wear; by which means they +can make a genteel figure at a small expense. This, in your station, is +the most profitable and desirable kind of work; and, as much of it as +you can do, consistently with a due attention to your health, to the +improvement of your mind, and to the discharge of other duties, I should +think highly commendable. But, as I do not wish you to impose upon the +world by your appearance, I should be contented to see you worse +dressed, rather than see your whole time employed in preparations for +it, or any of those hours given to it, which are needful to make your +body strong and active by exercise, or your mind rational by reading. +Absolute idleness is inexcusable in a woman, because the needle is +always at hand for those intervals in which she cannot be otherwise +employed. If you are industrious, and if you keep good hours, you will +find time for all your proper employments. Early rising, and a good +disposition of time, is essential to Economy. The necessary orders, and +examinations into household affairs, should be dispatched as soon in the +day and as privately as possible, that they may not interrupt your +husband or guests, or break in upon conversation, or reading, in the +remainder of the day. If you defer any thing that is necessary, you may +be tempted by company, or by unforeseen avocations, to forget or to +neglect it: hurry and irregularity will ensue, with expensive expedients +to supply the defect. + +There is in many people, and particularly in youth, a strange aversion +to regularity--a desire to delay what ought to be done immediately, in +order to do something else, which might as well be done afterwards. Be +assured it is of more consequence to you than you can conceive, to get +the better of this idle procrastinating spirit, and to acquire habits of +constancy and steadiness, even in the most trifling matters: without +them there can be no regularity, or consistency of action or +character--no dependence on your best intentions, which a sudden humour +may tempt you to lay aside for a time, and which a thousand unforeseen +accidents will afterwards render it more and more difficult to execute: +no one can say what important consequences may follow a trivial neglect +of this kind. For example--I have known one of these _procrastinators_ +disoblige and gradually lose very valuable friends, by delaying to write +to them so long, that, having no good excuse to offer, she could not get +courage enough to write at all, and dropped their correspondence +entirely. + +The neatness and order of your house and furniture is a part of Economy, +which will greatly affect your appearance and character, and to which +you must yourself give attention, since it is not possible even for the +_rich_ and _great_ to rely wholly on the care of servants, in such +points, without their being often neglected. The more magnificently a +house is furnished, the more one is disgusted with that air of +confusion, which often prevails where attention is wanting in the owner. +But, on the other hand, there is a kind of neatness, which gives a lady +the air of a housemaid, and makes her excessively troublesome to every +body, and particularly to her husband: in this, as in all other branches +of Economy, I wish you to avoid all parade and bustle. Those ladies who +pique themselves on the particular excellence of neatness, are very apt +to forget that the decent order of the house should be designed to +promote the convenience and pleasure of those who are to be in it; and +that, if it is converted into a cause of trouble and constraint, their +husbands and guests would be happier without it. The love of fame, that +universal passion, will sometimes show itself on strangely insignificant +subjects; and a person who acts for praise only, will always go beyond +the mark in every thing. The best sign of a house being well governed +is, that nobody's attention is called to any of the little affairs of +it, but all goes on so well of course, that one is not led to make +remarks upon any thing, nor to observe any extraordinary effort that +produces the general result of ease and elegance, which prevails +throughout. + +Domestic Economy, and the credit and happiness of a family, depend so +much on the choice and proper regulation of servants, that it must be +considered as an essential part both of prudence and duty. Those who +keep a great number of them, have a heavy charge on their consciences, +and ought to think themselves in some measure responsible for the morals +and happiness of so many of their fellow-creatures, designed like +themselves for immortality. Indeed the cares of domestic management are +by no means lighter to persons of high rank and fortune, if they perform +their duty, than to those of a retired station. It is with a family, as +with a commonwealth, the more numerous and luxurious it becomes, the +more difficult it is to govern it properly. Though the great are placed +above the little attentions and employments, to which a private +gentlewoman must dedicate much of her time, they have a larger and more +important sphere of action, in which, if they are indolent and +neglectful, the whole government of their house and fortune must fall +into irregularity. Whatever number of deputies they may employ to +overlook their affairs, they must themselves overlook those deputies, +and be ultimately answerable for the conduct of the whole. The +characters of those servants, who are entrusted with power over the +rest, cannot be too nicely inquired into; and the mistress of the +family must be ever watchful over their conduct; at the same time that +she must carefully avoid every appearance of suspicion, which, whilst it +wounds and hinders a worthy servant, only excites the artifice and +cunning of an unjust one. + +None, who pretend to be friends of religion and virtue, should ever keep +a domestic, however expert in business, whom they know to be guilty of +immorality. How unbecoming a serious character is it, to say of such an +one, "He is a bad man, but a good servant!" What a preference does it +show of private convenience to the interests of society, which demand +that vice should be constantly discountenanced, especially in every +one's own household; and that the sober, honest, and industrious, should +be sure of finding encouragement and reward, in the houses of those who +maintain respectable characters! Such persons should be invariably +strict and peremptory with regard to the behaviour of their servants, in +every thing which concerns the general plan of domestic government; but +should by no means be severe on small faults, since nothing so much +weakens authority as frequent chiding. Whilst they require precise +obedience to their rules, they must prove by their general conduct, +that these rules are the effect, not of humour but of reason. It is +wonderful that those, who are careful to conceal their ill-temper from +strangers, should be indifferent how peevish and even contemptibly +capricious they appear before their servants, on whom their good name so +much depends, and from whom they can hope for no real respect, when +their weakness is so apparent. When once a servant can say, "I cannot do +any thing to please my mistress to-day," all authority is lost. + +Those, who continually change their servants, and complain of perpetual +ill usage, have good reason to believe that the fault is in themselves, +and that they do not know how to govern. Few indeed possess the skill to +unite authority with kindness, or are capable of that steady and +uniformly reasonable conduct, which alone can maintain true dignity, and +command a willing and attentive obedience. Let us not forget that human +nature is the same in all stations. If you can convince your servants, +that you have a generous and considerate regard to their health, their +interest, and their reasonable gratifications--that you impose no +commands but what are fit and right, nor ever reprove but with justice +and temper--why should you imagine that they will be insensible to the +good they receive, or whence suppose them incapable of esteeming and +prizing such a mistress? I could never, without indignation, hear it +said, that "servants have no gratitude;" as if the condition of +servitude excluded the virtues of humanity! The truth is, masters and +mistresses have seldom any real claim to gratitude. They think highly of +what they bestow, and little of the service they receive: they consider +only their own convenience, and seldom reflect on the kind of life their +servants pass with them: they do not ask themselves, whether it is such +an one as is consistent with the preservation of their health, their +morals, their leisure for religious duties, or with a proper share of +the enjoyments and comforts of life. The dissipated manners, which now +so generally prevail, perpetual absence from home, and attendance on +assemblies or at public places, is, in all these respects, pernicious to +the whole household, and to the _men-servants_ absolutely ruinous. Their +only resource, in the tedious hours of waiting, whilst their masters and +ladies are engaged in diversions, is to find out something of the same +kind for themselves. Thus they are led into gaming, drinking, +extravagance, and bad company; and thus, by a natural progression, they +become distressed and dishonest. That attachment and affiance, which +ought to subsist between the dependant and his protector, are destroyed. +The master looks on his attendants as thieves and traitors, whilst they +consider him as one whose money only gives him power over them, and who +uses that power without the least regard to their welfare. + +"[26]The fool saith, I have no friends--I have no thanks for all my good +deeds, and they that eat my bread speak evil of me." Thus foolishly do +those complain, who choose their servants, as well as their friends, +without discretion, or who treat them in a manner that no worthy person +will bear. + +I have been often shocked at the want of politeness, by which masters +and mistresses sometimes provoke impertinence from their servants: a +gentleman, who would resent to death an imputation of falsehood, from +his equal, will not scruple, without proof, to accuse his servant of it +in the grossest terms. I have heard the most insolent contempt of the +whole class expressed at a table, whilst five or six of them attended +behind the chairs, who the company seemed to think were without senses, +without understanding, or the natural feelings of resentment: these are +cruel injuries, and will be retorted in some way or other. + +If you, my dear, live to be at the head of a family, I hope you will not +only avoid all injurious treatment of your domestics, but behave to them +with that courtesy and good breeding, which will heighten their respect +as well as their affection. If, on any occasion, they do more than you +have a right to require, give them, at least, the reward of seeing that +they have obliged you. If, in your service, they have any hardship to +endure, let them see that you are concerned for the necessity of +imposing it. When they are sick, give them all the attention and every +comfort in your power, with a free heart and kind countenance; "[27]not +blemishing thy good deeds, not using uncomfortable words when thou +givest any thing. Is not a word better than a gift? but both are with a +gracious man. A fool will upbraid churlishly, and a gift of the envious +consumeth the eyes." + +Whilst you thus endear yourself to all your servants, you must ever +carefully avoid making a favourite of any; unjust distinctions, and weak +indulgences to one, will of course excite envy and hatred in the rest. +Your favourite may establish whatever abuses she pleases; none will dare +to complain against her, and you will be kept ignorant of her ill +practices, but will feel the effects of them, by finding all your other +servants uneasy in their places, and, perhaps, by being obliged +continually to change them. + +When they have spent a reasonable time in your service, and have behaved +commendably, you ought to prefer them, if it is in your power, or to +recommend them to a better provision. The hope of this keeps alive +attention and gratitude, and is the proper support of industry. Like a +parent, you should keep in view their establishment in some way, that +may preserve their old age from indigence; and to this end, you should +endeavour to inspire them with care to lay up part of their gains, and +constantly discourage in them all vanity in dress, and extravagance in +idle expenses. That you are bound to promote their eternal as well as +temporal welfare, you cannot doubt, since, next to your children, they +are your nearest dependants. You ought therefore to instruct them as far +as you are able, furnish them with good books suited to their capacity, +and see that they attend the public worship of God: and you must take +care so to pass the sabbath-day as to allow them time, on that day, at +least, for reading and reflection at home, as well as for attendance at +church. Though this is part of your religious duty, I mention it here, +because it is also a part of family management: for the same reason I +shall here take occasion earnestly to recommend family prayers, which +are useful to all, but more particularly to servants, who, being +constantly employed, are led to the neglect of private prayer, and whose +ignorance makes it very difficult for them to frame devotions for +themselves, or to choose proper helps, amidst the numerous books of +superstitious or enthusiastic nonsense, which are printed for that +purpose. Even, in a political light, this practice is eligible, since +the idea which it will give them of your regularity and decency, if not +counteracted by other parts of your conduct, will probably increase +their respect for you, and will be some restraint at least on their +outward behaviour, though it should fail of that inward influence, which +in general may be hoped from it. + +The prudent distribution of your charitable gifts may not improperly be +considered as a branch of Economy, since the great duty of almsgiving +cannot be truly fulfilled without a diligent attention so to manage the +sums you can spare as to produce the most real good to your +fellow-creatures. Many are willing to give money, who will not bestow +their time and consideration, and who therefore often hurt the +community, when they mean to do good to individuals. The larger are your +funds, the stronger is the call upon you to exert your industry and care +in disposing of them properly. It seems impossible to give rules for +this, as every case is attended with a variety of circumstances, which +must all be considered. In general, charity is most useful, when it is +appropriated to animate the industry of the young, to procure some ease +and comforts to old age, and to support in sickness those, whose daily +labour is their only maintenance in health. They, who are fallen into +indigence, from circumstances of ease and plenty, and in whom education +and habit have added a thousand wants to those of nature, must be +considered with the tenderest sympathy by every feeling heart. It is +needless to say, that to such the bare support of existence is scarcely +a benefit, and that the delicacy and liberality of the manner, in which +relief is here offered, can alone make it a real act of kindness. In +great families, the waste of provisions, sufficient for the support of +many poor ones, is a shocking abuse of the gifts of Providence: nor +should any lady think it beneath her to study the best means of +preventing it, and of employing the refuse of luxury in the relief of +the poor. Even the smallest families may give some assistance in this +way, if care is taken that nothing be wasted. + +I am sensible, my dear child, that very little more can be gathered from +what I have said on Economy, than the general importance of it, which +cannot be too much impressed on your mind, since the natural turn of +young people is to neglect and even to despise it; not distinguishing +it from parsimony and narrowness of spirit. But, be assured, my dear, +there can be no true generosity without it; and that the most enlarged +and liberal mind will find itself not debased but ennobled by it. +Nothing is more common than to see the same person, whose want of +Economy is ruining his family, consumed with regret and vexation at the +effect of his profusion; and, by endeavouring to save, in such trifles +as will not amount to twenty pounds in a year, that which he wastes by +hundreds, incur the character and suffer the anxieties of a miser, +together with the misfortunes of a prodigal. A rational plan of expense +will save you from all these corroding cares, and will give you the full +and liberal enjoyment of what you spend. An air of ease, of hospitality, +and frankness, will reign in your house, which will make it pleasant to +your friends and to yourself. "Better is a morsel of bread," where this +is found, than the most elaborate entertainment, with that air of +constraint and anxiety, which often betrays the grudging heart through +all the disguises of civility. + +That you, my dear, may unite in yourself the admirable virtues of +Generosity and Economy, which will be the grace and crown of all your +attainments, is the earnest wish of + + Your ever affectionate. + +FOOTNOTES: + +[26] Ecclus. xx. 16. + +[27] Ecclus. xviii. + + + + +LETTER VIII. + +ON POLITENESS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS. + + +WHILST you labour to enrich your mind with the essential virtues of +Christianity--with piety, benevolence, meekness, humility, integrity, +and purity--and to make yourself useful in domestic management, I would +not have my dear child neglect to pursue those graces and acquirements, +which may set her virtue in the most advantageous light, adorn her +manners, and enlarge her understanding: and this, not in the spirit of +vanity, but in the innocent and laudable view of rendering herself more +useful and pleasing to her fellow-creatures, and consequently more +acceptable to God. Politeness of behaviour, and the attainment of such +branches of knowledge and such arts and accomplishments as are proper to +your sex, capacity, and station, will prove so valuable to yourself +through life, and will make you so desirable a companion, that the +neglect of them may reasonably be deemed a neglect of duty; since it is +undoubtedly our duty to cultivate the powers entrusted to us, and to +render ourselves as perfect as we can. + +You must have often observed, that nothing is so strong a recommendation +on a slight acquaintance as _politeness_; nor does it lose its value by +time or intimacy, when preserved, as it ought to be, in the nearest +connections and strictest friendships. This delightful qualification--so +universally admired and respected, but so rarely possessed in any +eminent degree--cannot but be a considerable object of my wishes for +you: nor should either of us be discouraged by the apprehension, that +neither I am capable of teaching, nor you of learning it, in +_perfection_; since whatever degree you attain will amply reward our +pains. + +To be perfectly polite, one must have great _presence of mind_, with a +delicate and quick _sense of propriety_; or, in other words, one should +be able to form an instantaneous judgment of what is fittest to be said +or done, on every occasion as it offers. I have known one or two +persons, who seemed to owe this advantage to nature only, and to have +the peculiar happiness of being born, as it were, with another sense, by +which they had an immediate perception of what was proper and improper, +in cases absolutely new to them: but this is the lot of very few; in +general, propriety of behaviour must be the fruit of instruction, of +observation, and reasoning; and is to be cultivated and improved like +any other branch of knowledge or virtue. A good temper is a necessary +groundwork of it; and, if to this is added a good understanding, applied +industriously to this purpose, I think it can hardly fail of attaining +all that is essential in it. Particular modes and ceremonies of +behaviour vary in different countries, and even in different parts of +the same town. These can only be learned by observation on the manners +of those who are best skilled in them, and by keeping what is called +good company. But the principles of politeness are the same in all +places. Wherever there are human beings, it must be impolite to hurt the +temper or to shock the passions of those you converse with. It must +every where be good-breeding, to set your companions in the most +advantageous point of light, by giving each the opportunity of +displaying their most agreeable talents, and by carefully avoiding all +occasions of exposing their defects;--to exert your own endeavours to +please, and to amuse, but not to outshine them;--to give each their due +share of attention and notice--not engrossing the talk, when others are +desirous to speak, nor suffering the conversation to flag, for want of +introducing something to continue or renew a subject;--not to push your +advantages in argument so far that your antagonist cannot retreat with +honour:--In short, it is an universal duty in society to consider others +more than yourself--"in honour preferring one another." Christianity, in +this rule, gives the best lesson of politeness; yet judgment must be +used in the application of it: our humility must not be strained so far +as to distress those we mean to honour; we must not quit our proper +rank, nor force others to treat us improperly; or to accept, what we +mean as an advantage, against their wills. We should be perfectly easy, +and make others so, if we can. But this happy ease belongs perhaps to +the last stage of perfection in politeness, and can hardly be attained +till we are conscious that we know the rules of behaviour, and are not +likely to offend against propriety. In a very young person, who has +seen little or nothing of the world, this cannot be expected; but a real +desire of obliging, and a respectful attention, will in a great measure +supply the want of knowledge, and will make every one ready to overlook +those deficiencies, which are owing only to the want of opportunities to +observe the manners of polite company. You ought not therefore to be too +much depressed by the consciousness of such deficiencies, but endeavour +to get above the shame of wanting what you have not had the means of +acquiring. Nothing heightens this false shame, and the awkwardness it +occasions, so much as vanity. The humble mind, contented to be known for +what it is, and unembarrassed by the dread of betraying its ignorance, +is present to itself, and can command the use of understanding, which +will generally preserve you from any great indecorum, and will secure +you from that ridicule, which is the punishment of affectation rather +than of ignorance. People of sense will never despise you, whilst you +act naturally; but, the moment you attempt to step out of your own +character, you make yourself an object of just ridicule. + +Many are of opinion, that a very young woman can hardly be too silent +and reserved in company; and, certainly, nothing is so disgusting in +youth as pertness and self-conceit. But modesty should be distinguished +from an awkward bashfulness, and silence should be only enjoined, when +it would be forward and impertinent to talk. There are many proper +opportunities for a girl, young even as you are, to speak in company, +with advantage to herself; and, if she does it without conceit or +affectation, she will always be more pleasing than those, who sit like +statues, without sense or motion. When you are silent, your looks should +show your attention and presence to the company: a respectful and +earnest attention is the most delicate kind of praise, and never fails +to gratify and please. You must appear to be interested in what is said, +and endeavour to improve yourself by it: if you understand the subject +well enough to ask now and then a pertinent question, or if you can +mention any circumstances relating to it that have not before been taken +notice of, this will be an agreeable way of showing your willingness to +make a part of the company; and will probably draw a particular +application to you, from some one or other. Then, when called upon, you +must not draw back as unwilling to answer, nor confine yourself merely +to _yes_, or _no_, as is the custom of many young persons, who become +intolerable burdens to the mistress of the house, whilst she strives in +vain to draw them into notice, and to give them some share in the +conversation. + +In your father's house it is certainly proper for you to pay civility to +the guests, and to talk to them in your turn--with modesty and +respect--if they encourage you to it. Young ladies of near your own age, +who visit there, fall of course to your share to entertain. But, whilst +you exert yourself to make their visit agreeable to them, you must not +forget what is due to the elder part of the company, nor, by whispering +and laughing apart, give them cause to suspect, what is too often true, +that they themselves are the subjects of your mirth. It is so shocking +an outrage against society, to talk of, or laugh at, any person in his +own presence, that one would only think it could be committed by the +vulgar. I am sorry however to say, that I have too often observed it +amongst young ladies, who little deserved that title whilst they +indulged their overflowing spirits in defiance of decency and +good-nature. The desire of laughing will make such inconsiderate young +persons find a subject of ridicule, even in the most respectable +character. Old age, which--if not disgraced by vice or affectation--has +the justest title to reverence, will be mimicked and insulted; and even +personal defects and infirmities will too often excite contempt and +abuse, instead of compassion. If you have ever been led into such an +action, my dear girl, call it seriously to mind, when you are confessing +your faults to Almighty God; and be fully persuaded, that it is not one +of the least which you have to repent of. You will be immediately +convinced of this, by comparing it with the great rule of justice, that +of doing to all as you would they should do unto you. No person living +is insensible to the injury of contempt, nor is there any talent so +invidious, or so certain to create ill-will, as that of ridicule. The +natural effects of years, which all hope to attain, and the infirmities +of the body, which none can prevent, are surely of all others the most +improper objects of mirth. There are subjects enough that are innocent, +and on which you may freely indulge the vivacity of your spirits; for I +would not condemn you to perpetual seriousness; on the contrary, I +delight in a joyous temper, at all ages, and particularly at your's. +Delicate and good-natured raillery amongst equal friends, if pointed +only against such trifling errors as the owner can hardly join to laugh +at, or such qualities as they do not pique themselves upon, is both +agreeable and useful; but then it must be offered in perfect kindness +and sincere good-humour; if tinctured with the least degree of malice, +its sting becomes venomous and detestable. The person rallied should +have liberty and ability to return the jest, which must be dropped upon +the first appearance of its affecting the temper. + +You will wonder, perhaps, when I tell you, that there are some +characters in the world, which I would freely allow you to laugh +at--though not in their presence. Extravagant vanity and affectation are +the natural subjects of ridicule, which is their proper punishment. When +you see old people, instead of maintaining the dignity of their years, +struggling against nature to conceal them, affecting the graces, and +imitating the follies of youth--or a young person assuming the +importance and solemnity of old age--I do not wish you to be insensible +to the ridicule of such absurd deviations from truth and nature. You +are welcome to laugh, when you leave the company, provided you lay up a +lesson for yourself at the same time; and remember that, unless you +improve your mind whilst you are young, you also will be an +insignificant fool in old age; and that, if you are presuming and +arrogant in youth, you are as ridiculous as an old woman with a +head-dress of flowers. + +In a young lady's behaviour towards gentlemen, great delicacy is +certainly required: yet, I believe, women oftener err from too great a +consciousness of the supposed views of men, than from inattention to +those views, or want of caution against them. You are at present rather +too young to want rules on this subject; but I could wish that you +should behave almost in the same manner three years hence as now; and +retain the simplicity and innocence of childhood, with the sense and +dignity of riper years. Men of loose morals or impertinent behaviour +must always be avoided: or, if at any time you are obliged to be in +their company, you must keep them at a distance by cold civility. But, +with regard to those gentlemen whom your parents think it proper for you +to converse with, and who give no offence by their own manners, to them +I wish you to behave with the same frankness and simplicity as if they +were of your own sex. If you have natural modesty, you will never +transgress its bounds, whilst you converse with a man, as one rational +creature with another, without any view to the possibility of a lover or +admirer, where nothing of that kind is professed; where it is, I hope +you will ever be equally a stranger to coquetry and prudery; and that +you will be able to distinguish the effects of real esteem and love from +idle gallantry and unmeaning fine speeches: the slighter notice you take +of these last, the better; and that, rather with good-humoured contempt +than with affected gravity: but the first must be treated with +seriousness and well-bred sincerity; not giving the least encouragement, +which you do not mean, nor assuming airs of contempt, where it is not +deserved. But this belongs to a subject, which I have touched upon in a +former letter. I have already told you, that you will be unsafe in every +step which leads to a serious attachment, unless you consult your +parents, from the first moment you apprehend any thing of that sort to +be intended: let them be your first confidants, and let every part of +your conduct, in such a case, be particularly directed by them. + +With regard to accomplishments, the chief of these is a competent share +of reading, well chosen and properly regulated; and of this I shall +speak more largely hereafter. Dancing and the knowledge of the French +tongue are now so universal, that they cannot be dispensed with in the +education of a gentlewoman; and indeed they both are useful as well as +ornamental; the first, by forming and strengthening the body, and +improving the carriage; the second, by opening a large field of +entertainment and improvement for the mind. I believe there are more +agreeable books of female literature in French than in any other +language; and, as they are not less commonly talked of than English +books, you must often feel mortified in company, if you are too ignorant +to read them. Italian would be easily learnt after French, and, if you +have leisure and opportunity, may be worth your gaining, though in your +station of life it is by no means necessary. + +To write a free and legible hand, and to understand common arithmetic, +are indispensable requisites. + +As to music and drawing, I would only wish you to follow as Genius +leads: you have some turn for the first, and I should be sorry to see +you neglect a talent, which will at least afford you an innocent +amusement, though it should not enable you to give much pleasure to your +friends. I think the use of both these arts is more for yourself than +for others: it is but seldom that a private person has leisure or +application enough to gain any high degree of excellence in them; and +your own partial family are perhaps the only persons who would not much +rather be entertained by the performance of a professor than by your's: +but, with regard to yourself, it is of great consequence to have the +power of filling up agreeably those intervals of time, which too often +hang heavily on the hands of a woman, if her lot be cast in a retired +situation. Besides this, it is certain that even a small share of +knowledge in these arts will heighten your pleasure in the performances +of others: the taste must be improved before it can be susceptible of an +exquisite relish for any of the imitative arts: an unskilful ear is +seldom capable of comprehending _harmony_, or of distinguishing the most +_delicate_ charms of _melody_. The pleasure of seeing fine paintings, or +even of contemplating the beauties of Nature, must be greatly heightened +by our being conversant with the rules of drawing, and by the habit of +considering the most picturesque objects. As I look upon taste to be an +inestimable fund of innocent delight, I wish you to lose no opportunity +of improving it, and of cultivating in yourself the relish of such +pleasures as will not interfere with a rational scheme of life, nor lead +you into dissipation, with all its attendant evils of vanity and luxury. + +As to the learned languages, though I respect the abilities and +application of those ladies who have attained them, and who make a +modest and proper use of them, yet I would by no means advise you--or +any other woman who is not strongly impelled by a particular genius--to +engage in such studies. The labour and time which they require are +generally incompatible with our natures and proper employments: the real +knowledge which they supply is not essential, since the English, French, +or Italian tongues afford tolerable translations of all the most +valuable productions of antiquity, besides the multitude of original +authors which they furnish: and these are much more than sufficient to +store your mind with as many ideas as you will know how to manage. The +danger of pedantry and presumption in a woman--of her exciting envy in +one sex and jealousy in the other--of her exchanging the graces of +imagination for the severity and preciseness of a scholar, would be, I +own, sufficient to frighten me from the ambition of seeing my girl +remarkable for learning. Such objections are perhaps still stronger with +regard to the abstruse sciences. + +Whatever tends to embellish your fancy, to enlighten your understanding, +and furnish you with ideas to reflect upon when alone, or to converse +upon in company, is certainly well worth your acquisition. The wretched +expedient, to which ignorance so often drives our sex, of calling in +slander to enliven the tedious insipidity of conversation, would alone +be a strong reason for enriching your mind with innocent subjects of +entertainment, which may render you a fit companion for persons of sense +and knowledge, from whom you may reap the most desirable improvements; +for, though I think reading indispensably necessary to the due +cultivation of your mind, I prefer the conversation of such persons to +every other method of instruction: but this you cannot hope to enjoy, +unless you qualify yourself to bear a part in such society, by, at +least, a moderate share of reading. + +Though _religion_ is the most important of all your pursuits, there are +not many _books_ on that subject which I should recommend to you at +present. Controversy is wholly improper at your age, and it is also too +soon for you to enquire into the evidence of the truth of revelation, or +to study the difficult parts of scripture: when these shall come before +you, there are many excellent books, from which you may receive great +assistance. At present, practical divinity--clear of superstition and +enthusiasm, but addressed to the heart, and written with a warmth and +spirit capable of exciting in it pure and rational piety--is what I wish +you to meet with. + +The principal study, I would recommend, is _history_. I know of nothing +equally proper to entertain and improve at the same time, or that is so +likely to form and strengthen your judgment, and, by giving you a +liberal and comprehensive view of human nature, in some measure to +supply the defect of that experience, which is usually attained too late +to be of much service to us. Let me add, that more materials for +conversation are supplied by this kind of knowledge, than by almost any +other; but I have more to say to you on this subject in a future letter. + +The faculty, in which women usually most excel, is that of imagination; +and, when properly cultivated, it becomes the source of all that is most +charming in society. Nothing you can read will so much contribute to the +improvement of this faculty as _poetry_; which, if applied to its true +ends, adds a thousand charms to those sentiments of religion, virtue, +generosity, and delicate tenderness, by which the human soul is exalted +and refined. I hope you are not deficient in natural taste for this +enchanting art, but that you will find it one of your greatest pleasures +to be conversant with the best poets, whom our language can bring you +acquainted with, particularly those immortal ornaments of our nation, +_Shakspeare_ and _Milton_. The first is not only incomparably the +noblest genius in dramatic poetry, but the greatest master of nature, +and the most perfect characterizer of men and manners: in this last +point of view, I think him inestimable; and I am persuaded that, in the +course of your life, you will seldom find occasion to correct those +observations on human nature, and those principles of morality, which +you may extract from his capital pieces. You will at first find his +language difficult; but, if you take the assistance of a friend, who +understands it well, you will by degrees enter into his manner of +phraseology, and perceive a thousand beauties, which at first lay buried +in obsolete words and uncouth constructions. The admirable _Essay on +Shakespeare_, which has lately appeared, so much to the honour of our +sex, will open your mind to the peculiar excellences of this author, and +enlighten your judgment on dramatic poetry in general, with such force +of reason and brilliancy of wit, as cannot fail to delight as well as +instruct you. + +Our great English poet, Milton, is as far above my praise as his +_Paradise Lost_ is above any thing which I am able to read, except the +sacred writers. The sublimity of his subject sometimes leads him into +abstruseness; but many parts of his great poem are easy to all +comprehensions, and must find their way directly to every heart by the +tenderness and delicacy of his sentiments, in which he is not less +strikingly excellent than in the richness and sublimity of his +imagination. Addison's criticism in the Spectators, written with that +beauty, elegance, and judgment, which distinguish all his writings, will +assist you to understand and to relish this poem. + +It is needless to recommend to you the translations of Homer and Virgil, +which every body reads that reads at all. You must have heard that Homer +is esteemed the father of poetry, the original from whence all the +moderns--not excepting Milton himself--borrow some of their greatest +beauties, and from whom they extract those rules for composition, which +are found most agreeable to nature and true taste. Virgil, you know, is +the next in rank among the classics: you will read his Eneid with +extreme pleasure, if ever you are able to read Italian, in Annibal +Caro's translation; the idiom of the Latin and Italian languages being +more alike, it is, I believe, much closer, yet preserves more of the +spirit of the original than the English translations. + +For the rest, fame will point out to you the most considerable of our +poets; and I would not exclude any of name among those whose morality is +unexceptionable: but of poets, as of all other authors, I wish you to +read only such as are properly recommended to you--since there are many +who debase their divine art by abusing it to the purposes of vice and +impiety. If you could read poetry with a judicious friend, who could +lead your judgment to a true discernment of its beauties and defects, it +would inexpressibly heighten both your pleasure and improvement. But, +before you enter upon this, some acquaintance with the _Heathen +Mythology_ is necessary. I think that you must before now have met with +some book under the title of _The Pantheon_[28]: and, if once you know +as much of the gods and goddesses as the most common books on the +subject will tell you, the rest may be learned by reading Homer: but +then you must particularly attend to him in this view. I do not expect +you to penetrate those numerous mysteries--those amazing depths of +morality, religion, and metaphysics--which some pretend to have +discovered in his mythology, but to know the names and principal offices +of the gods and goddesses, with some idea of their moral meaning, seems +requisite to the understanding almost any poetical composition. As an +instance of the _moral meaning_ I speak of, I will mention an +observation of Bossuet. That Homer's poetry was particularly recommended +to the Greeks by the superiority which he ascribes to them over the +Asiatics: this superiority is shown in the Iliad, not only in the +conquest of Asia by the Greeks, and in the actual destruction of its +capital, but in the division and arrangement of the gods, who took part +with the contending nations. On the side of Asia was _Venus_--that is, +sensual passion--pleasure--and effeminacy. On the side of Greece was +_Juno_--that is, matronly gravity and conjugal love; together with +_Mercury_--invention and eloquence--and _Jupiter_--or political wisdom. +On the side of Asia was _Mars_, who represents brutal valour and blind +fury. On that of Greece was _Pallas_--that is, military discipline, and +bravery, guarded by judgment. + +This, and many other instances that might be produced, will show you how +much of the beauty of the poet's art must be lost to you, without some +notion of these allegorical personages. Boys, in their school learning, +have this kind of knowledge impressed on their minds by a variety of +books: but women, who do not go through the same course of instruction, +are very apt to forget what little they read or hear on the subject: I +advise you, therefore, never to lose an opportunity of enquiring into +the meaning of any thing you meet with in poetry, or in painting, +alluding to the history of any of the heathen deities, and of obtaining +from some friend an explanation of its connection with true history, or +of its allegorical reference to morality or to physics. + +Natural Philosophy, in the largest sense of the expression, is too wide +a field for you to undertake; but the study of nature, as far as may +suit your powers and opportunities, you will find a most sublime +entertainment: the objects of this study are all the stupendous works of +the Almighty Hand, that lie within the reach of our observation. In the +works of man perfection is aimed at, but it can only be found in those +of the Creator. The contemplation of perfection must produce delight, +and every natural object around you would offer this delight, if it +could attract your attention. If you survey the earth, every leaf that +trembles in the breeze, every blade of grass beneath your feet, is a +wonder as absolutely beyond the reach of human art to imitate as the +construction of the universe. Endless pleasures, to those who have a +taste for them, might be derived from the endless variety to be found in +the composition of this globe and its inhabitants. The fossil--the +vegetable--and the animal world--gradually rising in the scale of +excellence--the innumerable species of each, still preserving their +specific differences from age to age, yet of which no two individuals +are ever perfectly alike--afford such a range for observation and +enquiry, as might engross the whole term of our short life, if followed +minutely. Besides all the animal creation obvious to our unassisted +senses, the eye, aided by philosophical inventions, sees myriads of +creatures, which by the ignorant are not known to have existence: it +sees all nature teem with life; every fluid--each part of every +vegetable and animal--swarm with its peculiar inhabitants--invisible to +the naked eye, but as perfect in all their parts, and enjoying life as +indisputably, as the elephant or the whale. + +But if from the earth, and from these minute wonders, the philosophic +eye is raised towards the heavens, what a stupendous scene there opens +to its view!--those brilliant lights that sparkle to the eye of +ignorance as gems adorning the sky, or as lamps to guide the traveller +by night, assume an importance that amazes the understanding!--they +appear to be _worlds_, formed like ours for a variety of inhabitants--or +_suns_, enlightening numberless other worlds too distant for our +discovery! I shall ever remember the astonishment and rapture with which +my mind received this idea, when I was about your age: it was then +perfectly new to me, and it is impossible to describe the sensations I +felt from the glorious boundless prospect of infinite beneficence +bursting at once upon my imagination! Who can contemplate such a scene +unmoved? If our curiosity is excited to enter upon this noble enquiry, a +few books on the subject, and those of the easiest sort, with some of +the common experiments, may be sufficient for your purpose--which is to +enlarge your mind, and to excite in it the most ardent gratitude and +profound adoration towards that great and good Being, who exerts his +boundless power in communicating various portions of happiness through +all the immense regions of creation. + +_Moral_ philosophy, as it relates to human actions, is of still higher +importance than the study of nature. The works of the ancients on this +subject are universally said to be entertaining as well as instructive, +by those who can read them in their original languages; and such of them +as are well translated will undoubtedly, some years hence, afford you +great pleasure and improvement. You will also find many agreeable and +useful books, written originally in French, and in English, on morals +and manners: for the present, there are works, which, without assuming +the solemn air of philosophy, will enlighten your mind on these +subjects, and introduce instruction in an easier dress: of this sort are +many of the moral essays, that have appeared in periodical papers, +which, when excellent in their kind--as are the _Spectators_, +_Guardians_, _Ramblers_, and _Adventurers_--are particularly useful to +young people, as they comprehend a great variety of subjects--introduce +many ideas and observations that are new to them--and lead to a habit of +reflecting on the characters and events that come before them in real +life, which I consider as the best exercise of the understanding. + +Books on taste and criticism will hereafter be more proper for you than +at present: whatever can improve your discernment, and render your taste +elegant and just, must be of great consequence to your enjoyments as +well as to the embellishment of your understanding. + +I would by no means exclude the kind of reading, which young people are +naturally most fond of: though I think the greatest care should be taken +in the choice of those _fictitious stories_ that so enchant the mind; +most of which tend to inflame the passions of youth, whilst the chief +purpose of education should be to moderate and restrain them. Add to +this, that both the writing and sentiments of most novels and romances +are such as are only proper to vitiate your style, and to mislead your +heart and understanding. The expectation of extraordinary +adventures--which seldom ever happen to the sober and prudent part of +mankind--and the admiration of extravagant passions and absurd conduct, +are some of the usual fruits of this kind of reading; which, when a +young woman makes it her chief amusement, generally render her +ridiculous in conversation, and miserably wrong-headed in her pursuits +and behaviour. There are however works of this class in which excellent +morality is joined with the most lively pictures of the human mind, and +with all that can entertain the imagination and interest the heart. But +I must repeatedly exhort you, never to read any thing of the sentimental +kind without taking the judgment of your best friends in the choice; +for, I am persuaded that, the indiscriminate reading of such kind of +books corrupts more female hearts than any other cause whatsoever. + +Before I close this correspondence, I shall point out the course of +history I wish you to pursue, and give you my thoughts of geography and +chronology, some knowledge of both being, in my opinion, necessary to +the reading of history with any advantage. + + I am, my dearest Niece, + + Your ever affectionate. + +FOOTNOTE: + +[28] There has been lately published a work particularly adapted to the +use of young ladies, entitled, "_A Dictionary of Polite Literature, or +Fabulous History of Heathen Gods and Illustrious Heroes._ Two Vols. with +Plates." + + _Editor._ + + + + +LETTER IX. + +ON GEOGRAPHY AND CHRONOLOGY. + + + _MY DEAREST NIECE_, + +I HAVE told you, that you will not be able to read history, with much +pleasure or advantage, without some little knowledge of _Geography_ and +_Chronology_. They are both very easily attained--I mean in the degree +that will be necessary for you. You must be sensible that you can know +but little of a country, whose situation with respect to the rest of the +world you are entirely ignorant of; and, that it is to little purpose +that you are able to mention a fact, if you cannot nearly ascertain the +_time_ in which it happened, which alone, in many cases, gives +importance to the fact itself. + +In Geography--the easiest of all sciences, and the best adapted to the +capacity of children--I suppose you to have made some beginning; to know +at least the figure of the earth--the supposed lines--the degrees--how +to measure distances--and a few of the common terms: If you do not +already know these, two or three lessons will be sufficient to attain +them; the rest is the work of memory, and is easily gained by reading +with maps; for I do not wish your knowledge to be exact and masterly; +but such only as is necessary for the purpose of understanding history, +and, without which, even a newspaper would be unintelligible. It may be +sufficient for this end, if, with respect to _ancient_ Geography, you +have a general idea of the situation of all the great states, without +being able precisely to ascertain their limits. But, in the _modern_, +you ought to know the bounds and extent of every state in Europe, and +its situation with respect to the rest. The other parts of the world +will require less accurate knowledge, except with regard to the European +settlements. + +It may be an useful and agreeable method, when you learn the situation +of any important country, to join with that knowledge some one or two +leading facts or circumstances concerning it, so that its particular +property may always put you in mind of the situation, and the situation, +in like manner, recal the particular property. When, for instance, you +learn in what part of the globe to find Ethiopia, to be told at the same +time, that, in that vast unknown tract of country, the Christian +religion was once the religion of the state, would be of service; +because the geographical and historical knowledge would assist each +other. Thus, to join with Egypt, _the nurse and parent of arts and of +superstition_--with Persia, _shocking despotism and perpetual +revolutions_--with ancient Greece, _freedom and genius_--with Scythia, +_hardiness and conquest_, are hints which you may make use of as you +please. Perhaps annexing to any country the idea of some familiar form +which it most resembles may at first assist you to retain a general +notion of it; thus Italy has been called a _boot_, and Europe compared +to a _woman sitting_. + +The difference of the ancient and modern names of places is somewhat +perplexing; the most important should be known by both names at the same +time, and you must endeavour to fix a few of those which are of most +consequence so strongly in your mind, by thinking of them, and being +often told of them, that the ancient name should always call up the +modern one to your memory, and the modern the ancient: Such as the AEgean +Sea, now _The Archipelago_--The Peloponnesus, now _The Morea_--Crete, +_Candia_--Gaul, _France_--Babylon, _Bagdat_--Byzantium--to which the +Romans transplanted their seat of empire--_Constantinople_, &c. + +There have been so many ingenious contrivances to make Geography easy +and amusing, that I cannot hope to add any thing of much service; I +would only prevail with you not to neglect acquiring, by whatever method +pleases you best, that share of knowledge in it which you will find +necessary, and which is so easily attained; and I entreat that you would +learn it in such a manner as to fix it in your mind, so that it may not +be lost and forgotten among other childish acquisitions, but that it may +remain ready for use through the rest of your life. + +Chronology indeed has more of difficulty; but if you do not bewilder +yourself by attempting to learn too much and too minutely at first, you +need not despair of gaining enough for the purpose of reading history +with pleasure and utility. + +Chronology may be naturally divided into three parts, _the +Ancient_--_the Middle_--and _the Modern_. With respect to all these, the +best direction that can be given is to fix on some periods or epochas, +which, by being often mentioned and thought of, explained and referred +to, will at last be so deeply engraven on the memory, that they will be +ready to present themselves whenever you call for them: these indeed +should be few, and ought to be well chosen for their importance, since +they are to serve as elevated stations to the mind, from which it may +look backwards and forwards upon a great variety of facts. + +Till your more learned friends shall supply you with better, I will take +the liberty to recommend the following, which I have found of service to +myself. + +In the ancient chronology, you will find there were four thousand years +from the creation to the redemption of man; and that Noah and his family +were miraculously preserved in the ark 1650 years after Adam's creation. + +As there is no history, except that in the Bible, of any thing before +the flood, we may set out from that great event, which happened, as I +have said above, in the year of the world 1650. + +The 2350 years, which passed from the deluge to our Saviour's birth, may +be thus divided.--There have been four successive _Empires_, called +_Universal_, because they extended over a great part of the then known +world: these are usually distinguished by the name of _The Four great +Monarchies_: the three first of them are included in ancient Chronology, +and began and ended in the following manner. + +1st, The ASSYRIAN EMPIRE, founded by Nimrod in the year of the world +1800, ended under Sardanapalus in 3250, endured 1450 years. + + The Median--though not accounted one of the four great + monarchies, being conquests of rebels on the Assyrian + empire--comes in here for about 200 years. + +2d, THE PERSIAN EMPIRE, which began under Cyrus, in the year of the +world 3450, ended in Darius in 3670, before Christ 330, lasted a little +more than 200 years. + +3d, THE GRECIAN EMPIRE, began under Alexander the Great in 3670, was +soon after his death dismembered by his successors; but the different +parcels into which they divided it were possessed by their respective +families, till the famous Cleopatra, the last of the race of Ptolemy, +one of Alexander's captains who reigned in Egypt, was conquered by +Julius Caesar, about half a century before our Lord's birth, which is a +term of about 300 years. + +Thus you see that, from the deluge to the establishment of the first +great monarchy--the + + Years + Assyrian--is 150 + The Assyrian empire continued 1450 + The Median 200 + The Persian 200 + The Grecian 300 + From Julius Caesar, with whom began + the fourth great monarchy,--_viz._ + the Roman--to Christ 50 + ---- + In all 2350 + +years; the term from the deluge to Christ. + +I do not give you these dates and periods as correctly true, for I have +taken only round numbers, as more easily retained by the memory; so +that, when you come to consult chronological books or tables, you will +find variances of some years between them and the above accounts; but +precise exactness is not material to a beginner. + +I offer this short table as a little specimen of what you may easily do +for yourself; but even this sketch, slight as it is, will give you a +general notion of the ancient history of the world, from the deluge to +the birth of Christ. + +Within this period flourished the Grecian and Roman republics, with the +history and chronology of which it will be expected you should be +tolerably well acquainted; and indeed you will find nothing in the +records of mankind so entertaining. Greece was divided into many petty +states, whose various revolutions and annals you can never hope +distinctly to remember; you are therefore to consider them as forming +together one great kingdom--like the Germanic body, or the United +Provinces--composed separately of different governments, but sometimes +acting with united force for their common interest. The _Lacedemonian_ +government, formed by Lycurgus in the year of the world 3100--and the +_Athenian_, regulated by Solon about the year 3440--will chiefly engage +your attention. + +In pursuing the _Grecian_ chronology, you need only perhaps make one +stand or epocha, at the time _Socrates_, that wisest of philosophers, +whom you must have heard of, who lived about 3570 years from the +creation, and about 430 before Christ: for within the term of 150 years +_before_ Socrates, and 200 _after_ him, will fall in most of the great +events and illustrious characters of the Grecian history. + +I must inform you that the Grecian method of dating time was by +_Olympiads_; that is, four complete years; so called from the +celebration, every fifty years, of the Olympic Games, which were +contests in all the manly exercises, such as wrestling, boxing, running, +chariot-racing, &c. They were instituted in honour of Jupiter and took +their name from Olympia, a city of Elis, near which they were performed: +they were attended by all ranks of people, from every state in Greece; +the noblest youths were eager to obtain the prize of victory, which was +no other than an olive crown, but esteemed the most distinguishing +ornament. These games continued all the time that Greece retained any +spark of liberty; and with them begins the authentic history of that +country--all before being considered as fabulous. You must therefore +endeavour to remember, that they began in the year of the world 3228; +after the flood 1570 years; after the destruction of Troy 400; before +the building of Rome 23; before Cyrus about 200; and 770 before Christ. +If you cannot retain _all_ these dates, at least you must not fail to +remember the near coincidence of the first _Olympiad_ with the _building +of Rome_, which is of great consequence, because, as the Grecians +reckoned time by Olympiads, the Romans dated from the building of their +city; and as these two eras are within 23 years of each other, you may, +for the ease of memory, suppose them to begin together, in the year of +the world 3228. + +In reading the history of the _Roman Republic_, which continued in that +form of government to the time of Julius Caesar's dictatorship, about the +year of the world 3960, and about 48 years before Christ, you will make +as many epochas as you shall find convenient: I will mention only two; +the sacking of Rome by the Gauls, which happened in the year of the +world 3620, in the 365th year of the city, in the 97th Olympiad, before +Christ 385, and about 30 years before the birth of Alexander. The +second epocha may be the 608th year of the city, when, after three +obstinate wars, Carthage was destroyed, and Rome was left without a +rival. + +Perhaps the following bad verses, which were given me when I was young, +may help to fix in your mind the important eras of the Roman and Grecian +dates: You must not laugh at them, for chronologers do not pique +themselves on their poetry, but they make use of numbers and rhymes +merely as assistants to memory, being so easily learned by heart. + + "Rome and Olympiads bear the same date, + Three thousand two hundred and twenty-eight. + In three hundred and sixty[29] was Rome sack'd and torn, + Thirty summers before Alexander was born." + +You will allow that what I have said in these few pages is very easily +learned; yet, little as it is, I will venture to say that, was you as +perfectly mistress of it as of your alphabet, you might answer several +questions relating to ancient chronology more readily than many who +pretend to know something of this science. One is not so much required +to tell the precise year, in which a great man lived, as to know, with +whom he was contemporary in other parts of the world. I would know then, +from the slight sketch above given, about what year of the Roman +republic Alexander the Great lived. You would quickly run over in your +mind, "Alexander lived in the 3670th year of the world, 330 before +Christ; consequently he must have flourished about the 400th _of Rome_, +which had endured 750 years when Christ was born." Or, suppose it was +asked, what was the condition of Greece, at the time of the sacking of +Rome by the Gauls; had any particular state, or the united body, chosen +then to take advantage of the misfortunes of the Romans? You consider +that the 365th year of the city--the date of that event---is 385 before +Christ; consequently this must have happened about the time of Philip of +Macedon, father of Alexander, when the Grecians under such a leader +might have extirpated the Roman nation from the earth, had they ever +heard of them, or thought the conquest of them an object worthy their +ambition. + +Numberless questions might be answered in like manner, even on this very +narrow circumscribed plan, if it was completely mastered. I might +require that other periods or epochas should be learned with the same +exactness; but these may serve to explain my meaning, and to show you +how practicable and easy it is. One thing, however, I must +observe--though perhaps it is sufficiently obvious--which is, that you +can make no use of this sketch of ancient Chronology, nor even hope to +retain it, till you have read the ancient _history_. When you have gone +through Rollin's Histoire Ancienne _once_, then will be the time to fix +the ancient Chronology deep in your mind, which will very much enhance +the pleasure and use of reading it a _second_ time; for you must +remember, that nobody reads a history to much purpose, who does not go +over it more than once. + +When you have got through your course of ancient history, and are come +to the more modern, you must then have recourse to the second of the +three divisions; viz. _middle Chronology_: containing about 800 years, +from the birth of our Lord, and from within 50 years of the rise of the +Roman empire, to Charlemagne, who died in 814. + +This period, except in the earliest part of it, is too much involved in +obscurity to require a very minute knowledge of its history: it may be +sufficient to fix two or three of the most singular circumstances by +their proper dates. + +The first epocha to be observed is the year of our Lord 330, when +Constantine, the first Christian emperor, who restored peace to the +oppressed and persecuted church, removed the seat of empire from Rome to +Byzantium, called afterwards from him Constantinople. After his time, +about the year 400, began those irruptions of the Goths and Vandals, and +other northern nations, who settled themselves all over the western +parts of the Roman empire, and laid the foundation of the several states +which now subsist in Europe. + +The next epocha is the year 622--for the ease of memory say 600--when +Mahomet, by his successful imposture, became the founder of the Saracen +empire, which his followers extended over a great part of Asia and +Africa, and over some provinces of Europe. At the same time, St. +Gregory, bishop of Rome, began to assume a spiritual power, which grew +by degrees into that absolute and enormous dominion, so long maintained +by the popes over the greatest part of Christendom. St. Augustine--a +missionary from St. Gregory--about this time, began the conversion of +Great Britain to Christianity. + +The third and concluding epocha in this division, is the year 800; when +Charlemagne, king of France--after having subdued the Saxons, repressed +the Saracens, and established the temporal dominion of the pope by a +grant of considerable territories--was elected emperor of the west, and +protector of the church. The date of this event corresponds with that +remarkable period of our English history--the union of the Heptarchy, or +seven kingdoms, under Egbert. + +As to the _third_ part of Chronology, namely, the _Modern_, I shall +spare you and myself all trouble about at present; for if you follow the +course of reading which I shall recommend, it will be some years before +you reach modern history; and, when you do, you will easily make periods +for yourself, if you do but remember carefully to examine the dates as +you read, and to impress on your memory those of very remarkable reigns +or events. + +I fear you are by this time tired of Chronology; but my sole intention, +in what I have said, is to convince you that it is a science not out of +your reach, in the moderate degree that is requisite for you; _the last +volume of the Ancient Universal History_ is the best English +Chronological Work I know; if that does not come in your way, there is +an excellent French one, called Tablettes Chronologiques de l'Histoire +Universelle, Du Fresnoy, 3 tomes, Paris; there is also a _chart_ of +universal history, including Chronology, and a _Biographical_ chart, +both by Priestley, which you may find of service to you. + +Indeed, my dear, a woman makes a poor figure who affects, as I have +heard some ladies do, to disclaim all knowledge of times and dates: the +strange confusion they make of events, which happened in different +periods, and the stare of ignorance when such are referred to as are +commonly known, are sufficiently pitiable: but the highest mark of folly +is to be proud of such ignorance--a resource, in which some of our sex +find great consolation. + +Adieu, my dear child! I am, with the tenderest affection, + + Ever your's. + +FOOTNOTE: + +[29] That is, in the 365th year of the city. + + + + +LETTER X. + +ON READING HISTORY. + + + _MY DEAREST NIECE_, + +WHEN I recommend to you to gain some insight into the general history of +the world, perhaps you will think I propose a formidable task; but your +apprehensions will vanish, when you consider that of near half the globe +we have no histories at all; that of other parts of it, a few facts only +are known to us; and that, even of those nations which make the greatest +figure in history, the early ages are involved in obscurity and fable: +it is not indeed allowable to be totally ignorant even of those fables, +because they are the frequent subjects of poetry and painting, and are +often referred to in more authentic histories. + +The first recorders of actions are generally poets: in the historical +songs of the bards are found the only accounts of the first ages of +every state; but in these we must naturally expect to find truth mixed +with fiction, and often disguised in allegory. In such early times, +before science has enlightened the minds of men, the people are ready to +believe every thing; and the historian, having no restraints from the +fear of contradiction or criticism, delivers the most improbable and +absurd tales as an account of the lives and actions of their +forefathers; thus the first heroes of every nation are gods, or the sons +of gods; and every great event is accompanied with some supernatural +agency. Homer, whom I have already mentioned, as a poet, you will find +the most agreeable historian of the early ages of Greece; and Virgil +will show you the supposed origin of the Carthaginians and Romans. + +It will be necessary for you to observe some regular plan in your +historical studies, which can never be pursued with advantage otherwise +than in a continued series. I do not mean to confine you solely to that +kind of reading; on the contrary, I wish you frequently to relax with +poetry or some other amusement, whilst you are pursuing your course of +history; I only mean to warn you against mixing _ancient_ history with +_modern_, or _general_ histories of one place with _particular reigns_ +in another; by which desultory manner of reading, many people distract +and confound their memories, and retain nothing to any purpose from such +a confused mass of materials. + +The most ancient of all histories, you will read in your Bible: from +thence you will proceed to l'Histoire Ancienne of Rollin, who very +ingeniously points out the connection of profane with sacred history, +and enlivens his narrative with many agreeable and improving +reflections, and many very pleasing detached stories and anecdotes, +which may serve you as resting places in your journey. It would be an +useful exercise of your memory and judgment, to recount these +interesting passages to a friend, either by letter or in conversation; +not in the words of the author, but in your own natural style--by +memory, and not by book; and to add whatever remarks may occur to you. I +need not say that you will please me much, whenever you are disposed to +make this use of _me_. + +The want of memory is a great discouragement in historical pursuits, and +is what every body complains of. Many artificial helps have been +invented, of which those who have tried them can best tell you the +effects; but the most natural and pleasant expedient is that of +conversation with a friend, who is acquainted with the history which you +are reading. By such conversations, you will find out how much is +usually retained of what is read, and you will learn to select those +characters and facts which are best worth preserving: for it is by +trying to remember every thing, without distinction, that young people +are so apt to lose every trace of what they read. By repeating to your +friend what you can recollect, you will fix it in your memory: and if +you should omit any striking particular, which ought to be retained, +that friend will remind you of it, and will direct your attention to it +on a second perusal. It is a good rule to cast your eye each day over +what you read the day before, and to look over the contents of every +book when you have finished it. + +Rollin's work takes in a large compass: but, of all the ancient nations +it treats of, perhaps there are only the Grecians and Romans, whose +stories ought to be read with any anxious desire of retaining them +perfectly: for the rest, such as the Assyrians, Egyptians, &c., I +believe you would find, on examination, that most of those who are +supposed tolerably well read in history, remember no more than a few of +the most remarkable facts and characters. I tell you this, to prevent +your being discouraged on finding so little remain in your mind after +reading these less interesting parts of ancient history. + +But, when you come to the Grecian and Roman[30] stories, I expect to +find you deeply interested and highly entertained; and, of consequence, +eager to treasure up in your memory those heroic actions and exalted +characters by which a young mind is naturally so much animated and +impressed. As Greece and Rome were distinguished as much for genius as +valour, and were the theatres, not only of the greatest military +actions, the noblest efforts of liberty and patriotism, but of the +highest perfection of arts and sciences, their immortal fame is a +subject of wonder and emulation, even to these distant ages; and it is +thought a shameful degree of ignorance, even in our sex, to be +unacquainted with the nature and revolutions of their governments, and +with the characters and stories of their most illustrious heroes. +Perhaps, when you are told that the government and the national +character of your own countrymen have been compared with those of the +Romans, it may not be an useless amusement, in reading the Roman +history, to carry this observation in your mind, and to examine how far +the parallel holds good. The French have been thought to resemble the +Athenians in their genius, though not in their love of liberty. These +little hints sometimes serve to awaken reflection and attention in young +readers--I leave you to make what use of them you please. + +When you have got through Rollin, if you add _Vertot's Revolutions +Romaines_--a short and very entertaining work--you may be said to have +read as much as is _absolutely necessary_ of ancient history. Plutarch's +lives of famous Greeks and Romans--a book deservedly of the highest +reputation--can never be read to so much advantage as immediately after +the histories of Greece and Rome: I should even prefer reading each life +in Plutarch, immediately after the history of each particular hero, as +you meet with them in Rollin or in Vertot. + +If hereafter you should choose to enlarge your plan, and should wish to +know more of any particular people or period than you find in Rollin, +the sources from which he drew may be open to you; for there are, I +believe, French or English translations of all the original historians, +from whom he extracted his materials. + +Crevier's continuation of Rollin, I believe, gives the best account of +the Roman emperors down to Constantine. What shocking instances will you +there meet with, of the terrible effects of lawless power on the human +mind! How will you be amazed to see the most promising characters +changed by flattery and self-indulgence into monsters that disgrace +humanity! To read a series of such lives as those of Tiberius, Nero, or +Domitian, would be intolerable, were we not consoled by the view of +those excellent emperors, who remained uncorrupted through all +temptations. When the mind--disgusted, depressed, and terrified--turns +from the contemplation of those depths of vice, to which human nature +may be sunk, a Titus, the delight of mankind--a Trajan--an +Antoninus--restore it to an exulting sense of the dignity, to which +that nature may be exalted by virtue. Nothing is more awful than this +consideration: a human creature given up to vice is infinitely below the +most abject brute; the same creature, trained by virtue to the utmost +perfection of his nature, 'is but a little lower than the angels, and is +crowned with glory and immortality.' + +Before you enter upon the modern history of any particular kingdom, it +will be proper to gain some idea of that interval between ancient and +modern times, which is justly called the dark and barbarous ages, and +which lasted from Constantine to Charlemagne--perhaps one might say to +some centuries after. On the irruption of the northern Barbarians, who +broke the Roman empire, and dissipated all the treasures of knowledge, +as well as of riches, which had been so long accumulating in that +enormous state, the European world may be said to have returned to a +second infancy; and the Monkish legends, which are the only records +preserved of the times in which they were written, are not less fabulous +than the tales of the demi-gods. I must profess myself ignorant how to +direct you to any distinct or amusing knowledge of the History of Europe +during this period[31]: some collect it from _Puffendorf's +Introduction_; some from _The Universal History_; and now, perhaps, with +more advantage and delight, from the first volume of _Robertson's +Charles the Fifth_, in which he traces the progress of civilization, +government, and arts, from the first settlements of the Barbarians; and +shows the foundation of the several states into which Europe is now +divided, and of those laws, customs, and politics, which prevail in this +quarter of the world. + +In those dark ages, you will find no single character so interesting as +that of Mahomet; that bold impostor, who extended his usurped dominion +equally over the minds and properties of men, and propagated a new +religion, whilst he founded a new empire, over a large portion of the +globe. His life has been written by various hands. + +When you come to the particular histories of the European states, your +own country seems to demand the precedence; and there is no part more +commodious to set out from, since you cannot learn the history of Great +Britain, without becoming in some degree acquainted with almost every +neighbouring nation, and without finding your curiosity excited to know +more of those with whom we are most connected. + +By the amazing progress of navigation and commerce, within the last two +or three centuries, all parts of the world are now connected: the most +distant people are become well acquainted, who, for thousands of years, +never heard of one another's existence: we are still every day exploring +new regions; and every day see greater reason to expect that immense +countries may yet be discovered, and America no longer retain the name +of the _New World_. You may pass to every quarter of the earth, and find +yourself still in the British dominion: this island, in which we live, +is the least portion of it; and, if we were to adopt the style of +ancient conquerors, we might call it the throne, from which we rule the +world. To this boast we are better entitled than some of those who +formerly called themselves _Masters of the Globe_, as we possess an +empire of greater extent, and from the superior advantages of our +commerce, much greater power and riches: but we have now too many +rivals in dominion, to take upon us such haughty titles. + +You cannot be said to know the history of that empire, of which you are +a subject, without knowing something of the East and West Indies, where +so great a part of it is situated: and you will find the accounts of the +discovery and conquest of America very entertaining, though you will be +shocked at the injustice and cruelty of its conquerors. But, with which +of the glorious conquerors of mankind must not humanity be shocked! +Ambition, the most remorseless of all passions, pursues its object by +all sorts of means: justice, mercy, truth, and every thing most sacred, +in vain oppose its progress! Alas, my dear, shall I venture to tell you, +that the history of the world is little else than a shocking account of +the wickedness and folly of the ambitious! The world has ever been, and, +I suppose, ever must be, governed and insulted by these aspiring +spirits: it has always, in greater or less degree, groaned under their +unjust usurpation. + +But let not the horror of such a scene put a stop to your curiosity: it +is proper you should know mankind as they are: you must be acquainted +with the heroes of the earth, and perhaps you may be too well reconciled +to them: mankind have in general a strong bias in their favour; we see +them surrounded with pomp and splendour--every thing that relates to +them has an air of grandeur--and, whilst we admire their natural powers, +we are too apt to pardon the detestable abuse of them, to the injury and +ruin of the human race. We are dazzled with false glory, and willingly +give into the delusion; for mighty conquests, like great conflagrations, +have something of the sublime that pleases the imagination, though we +know, if we reflect at all, that the consequences of them are +devastation and misery. + +The Western and Eastern world will present to you very different +prospects. In _America_, the first European conquerors found nature in +great simplicity; society still in its infancy; and consequently the +arts and sciences yet unknown: so that the facility with which they +overpowered these poor innocent people, was entirely owing to their +superior knowledge in the arts of destroying. They found the inhabitants +brave enthusiastic patriots, but without either the military or +political arts necessary for their defence. The two great kingdoms of +Mexico and Peru had alone made some progress in civilization; they were +both formed into regular states, and had gained some order and +discipline: from these therefore the Spaniards met with something like +an opposition. At first indeed the invaders appeared supernatural +beings, who came upon them flying over the ocean, on the wings of the +wind, and who, mounted on fiery animals, unknown in that country, +attacked them with thunder and lightning in their hands; for such the +fire-arms of the Spaniards appeared to this astonished people. But from +being worshipped as gods, they soon came to be feared as evil spirits; +and in time being discovered to be men--different from the Americans +only in their outrageous injustice, and in the cruel arts of +destroying--they were abhorred and boldly opposed. The resistance +however of a million of these poor naked people, desperately crowding on +each other to destruction, served only to make their ruin more complete. +The Europeans have destroyed, with the most shocking barbarity, many +millions of the original inhabitants of these countries, and have ever +since been depopulating Europe and Africa to supply their places. + +Though our own countrymen have no reason to boast of the justice and +humanity of their proceedings in America, yet, in comparison with those +of the Spaniards, our possessions there were innocently acquired. Some +of them gained by conquest, or cession, from Spain and from other +European powers; some by contract with the natives, or by settlements on +uninhabited lands[32]. We are now possessed of a series of colonies, +extending above two thousand miles along the whole Eastern coast of +North-America, besides many islands of immense value. These countries, +instead of being thinly peopled by a few hordes of ignorant savages, are +now adorned with many great cities, and innumerable rich plantations, +which have made ample returns to their mother-country, for the dangers +and expenses which attended their first establishment. Blessed with more +natural advantages than almost any country in the world, they are making +a swift progress in wealth and grandeur, and seem likely, in some future +period, to be as much the seat of empire and of science as Europe is at +present. Whether their attainments in virtue and happiness will keep +pace with their advancement in knowledge, wealth, and power, is much to +be questioned; for you will observe in your historical view of the +several great empires of the world, that as each grew up towards the +highest pitch of greatness, the seeds of destruction grew up with it; +luxury and vice, by debasing the minds, and enervating the bodies of the +people, left them all, in their turns, an easy prey to poorer and more +valiant nations. + +In the East, the Europeans introduced themselves in a milder way; +admitted first as traders--and, for the more commodious carrying on +their commerce, indulged by the powers of the country in establishing a +few small factories--they, by gentle degrees, extended and strengthened +their settlements there, till their force became considerable enough to +be thought an useful auxiliary to contending princes; and, as it has +often happened to those who have called in foreign powers to interfere +in their domestic contentions, by availing themselves of the +disturbances of a dismembered monarchy, they at length raised a power +almost independent of their employers. Soon, the several European +nations, who had thus got footing in the Indies, jealous of each other's +growing greatness, made the feuds of the native princes subservient to +their mutual contests; till within a few years, the English, by a happy +concurrence of circumstances, obtained the mastery, and expelled their +rivals from all their considerable settlements. + +The rapidity of our conquests here has been perhaps equal to that of the +first invaders of America--but from different causes. Here we found an +old-established empire advanced to its crisis; the magnificence and +luxury of the great carried to the highest excess, and the people in a +proportionable degree of oppression and debasement. Thus ripe for +destruction, the rivalship of the viceroys, from the weakness of the +government, become independent sovereigns; and the dastardly spirit of +the meaner people, indifferent to the cause for which they were +compelled to fight, encouraged these ambitious merchants to push their +advantages further than they could at first have supposed possible: with +astonishment they saw the intrepid leaders of a few hundreds of brave +free Britons, boldly oppose and repeatedly put to flight millions of +these effeminate Indian slaves; and, in a short time, raised for them an +empire much larger than their mother-country. + +From these remote quarters of the world, let us now return to Great +Britain, with the history of which you ought certainly to acquaint +yourself, before you enter upon that of any other European kingdom. If +you have courage and industry enough to begin so high as the invasion of +Julius Caesar--before which nothing is known of the inhabitants of this +island--you may set out with Rapin, and proceed with him to William the +Conqueror. From this era there are other histories of England more +entertaining than his, though I believe none esteemed more authentic. +Party so strongly influences both historians and their readers, that it +is a difficult and invidious task to point out the _best_ amongst the +number of English histories that offer themselves: but, as _you_ will +not read with a critical view, nor enter deeply into politics, I think +you may be allowed to choose that which is most entertaining; and, in +this view, I believe the general voice will direct you to Hume, though +he goes no further than the Revolution. Among other _historians_, do not +forget my darling _Shakspeare_--a faithful as well as a most agreeable +one--whose historical plays, if read in a series, will fix in your +memory the reigns he has chosen, more durable than any other history. +You need not fear his leading you into any material mistakes, for he +keeps surprisingly close to the truth, as well in the characters as in +the events. One cannot but wish he had given us a play on the reign of +every English king; as it would have been the pleasantest, and perhaps +the most useful, way of becoming acquainted with it. + +For the other portion of Great Britain, Robertson's History of Scotland +is a delightful work, and of a moderate size. + +Next to your own country, _France_ will be the most interesting object +of your inquiries; our ancient possessions in that country, and the +frequent contests we have been engaged in with its inhabitants, connect +their history with our own. The extent of their dominion and +influence--their supposed superiority in elegance and politeness--their +eminence in the Arts and Sciences--and that intercourse of thought, if +so I may call it, which subsists between us, by the mutual communication +of literary productions--make them peculiarly interesting to us; and we +cannot but find our curiosity excited to know their story, and to be +intimately acquainted with the character, genius, and sentiments of this +nation. + +I do not know of any general history of France, that will answer your +purpose, except that of _Mezerai_, which even in the abridgment is a +pretty large work: there is a very modern one by _Velly and others_, +which perhaps may be more lively, but is still more voluminous, and not +yet completed. From Mezerai you may proceed with Voltaire to the end of +the reign of Louis the Fourteenth. + +In considering the rest of Europe, your curiosity may be confined within +narrower limits. Modern history is, from the nature of it, much more +minute and laborious than the ancient; and to pursue that of so many +various kingdoms and governments, would be a task unequal to your +leisure and abilities, at least for several years to come; at the same +time, it must be owned, that the present system of politics and commerce +has formed such a relation between the different powers of Europe, that +they are in a manner members of one great body, and a total ignorance of +any considerable state would throw an obscurity even upon the affairs +of your own country[33]; an acquaintance however with the most +remarkable circumstances that distinguish the principal governments, +will sufficiently enlighten you, and will enable you to comprehend +whatever relates to them, in the histories with which you are more +familiar. Instead of referring you for this purpose to dull and +uninteresting abridgments, I choose rather to point out to you a few +small Tracts, which exhibit striking and lively pictures, not easily +effaced from the memory, of the constitutions and the most remarkable +transactions of several of these nations. Such are + + Sir William Temple's Essay on the United Provinces. + + His Essay on Heroic Virtue, which contains some account of + the Saracen Empire. + + Vertot's Revolutions de Suede. + + Vertot's Revolutions de Portugal. + + Voltaire's Charles XII. de Suede. + + Voltaire's Pierre le Grand. + + Puffendorf's Account of the Popes, in his Introduction to + Modern History. + +Some part of the History of Germany and Spain, you will see more in +detail in Robertson's History of Charles the Vth, which I have already +recommended to you in another view. + +After all this, you may still be at a loss for the transactions of +Europe, in the last fifty years: for the purpose of giving you, in a +very small compass, some idea of the state of affairs during that +period, I will venture to recommend one book more--_Campbell's State of +Europe_[34]. + +Thus much may suffice for that moderate scheme, which I think is best +suited to your sex and age. There are several excellent histories, and +memoirs of particular reigns and periods, which I have taken no notice +of in this circumscribed plan; but with which, if you should happen to +have a taste for the study, you will hereafter choose to be acquainted: +these will be read with most advantage after you have gained some +general view of history; and they will then serve to refresh your +memory, and settle your ideas distinctly; as well as enable you to +compare different accounts of the persons and facts which they treat of, +and to form your opinions of them on just grounds. + +As I cannot, with certainty, foresee what degree of application or +genius for such pursuits you will be mistress of, I shall leave +deficiencies of this collection to be supplied by the suggestions of +your more informed friends; who, if you explain to them how far you wish +to extend your knowledge, will direct you to the proper books. + +But if, instead of an eager desire for this kind of knowledge, you +should happen to feel that distaste for it, which is too common in young +ladies who have been indulged in reading only works of mere amusement, +you will perhaps rather think that I want mercy in offering you so large +a plan, than that there needs an apology for the deficiencies of it: +but, comfort yourself with the assurance, that a taste for history will +grow and improve by reading; that, as you get acquainted with one period +or nation, your curiosity cannot fail to be awakened for what concerns +those immediately connected with it: and thus you will insensibly be led +on from one degree of knowledge to another. + +If you waste in trivial amusement the next three or four years of your +life, which are the prime season of improvement, believe me you will +hereafter bitterly regret their loss: when you come to feel yourself +inferior in knowledge to almost every one you converse with--and, above +all, if you should ever be a mother, when you feel your own inability to +direct and assist the pursuits of your children--you will then find +ignorance a severe mortification and a real evil. Let this, my dear, +animate your industry; and let not a modest opinion of your own capacity +be a discouragement to your endeavours after knowledge: a moderate +understanding, with diligent and well-directed application, will go much +further than a more lively genius, if attended with that impatience and +inattention, which too often accompanies quick parts. It is not from +want of capacity that so many women are such trifling insipid +companions, so ill qualified for the friendship and conversation of a +sensible man, or for the task of governing and instructing a family: it +is much oftener from the neglect of exercising the talents which they +really have, and from omitting to cultivate a taste for intellectual +improvement: by this neglect, they lose the sincerest of pleasures; a +pleasure which would remain when almost every other forsakes them; which +neither fortune nor age can deprive them of, and which would be a +comfort and resource in almost every possible situation of life. + +If I can but inspire you, my dear child, with the desire of making the +most of your time and abilities, my end is answered; the means of +knowledge will easily be found by those who diligently seek them, and +they will find their labours abundantly rewarded. + + * * * * * + +And now, my dear, I think it is time to finish this long correspondence, +which, though in some parts it may have been tedious to you, will not, I +hope, be found entirely useless in any. I have laid before you all that +my maturest reflections could enable me to suggest, for the direction of +your conduct through life. My love for you, my dearest child, extends +its views beyond this frail and transitory existence; it considers you +as a candidate for immortality--as entering the lists for the prize of +your high calling--as contending for a crown of unfading glory. It sees, +with anxious solicitude, the dangers that surround you, and the +everlasting shame that must follow, if you do not exert all your +strength in the conflict. Religion therefore has been the basis of my +plan--the principle to which every other pursuit is ultimately referred. +Here then I have endeavoured to guide your researches; and to assist you +in forming just notions on a subject of such infinite importance, I have +shown you the necessity of regulating your heart and temper, according +to the genuine spirit of that religion which I have so earnestly +recommended as the great rule of your life. To the same principle I +would refer your attention to domestic duties; and, even that refinement +and elegance of manners, and all those graces and accomplishments, which +will set your virtues in the fairest light, and will engage the +affection and respect of all who converse with you. Endeared to society +by these amiable qualities, your influence in it will be more extensive, +and your capacity of being useful proportionably enlarged. The studies, +which I have recommended to you, must be likewise subservient to the +same views; the pursuit of knowledge, when it is guided and controlled +by the principles I have established, will conduce to many valuable +ends: the habit of industry it will give you, the nobler kind of +friendships for which it will qualify you, and its tendency to promote a +candid and liberal way of thinking, are obvious advantages. I might add, +that a mind well informed in the various pursuits which interest +mankind, and the influence of such pursuits on their happiness, will +embrace with a clearer choice, and will more steadily adhere to, those +principles of Virtue and Religion, which the judgment must ever approve, +in proportion as it becomes enlightened. + +May those delightful hopes be answered which have animated my heart, +while with diligent attention I have endeavoured to apply to your +advantage all that my own experience and best observation could furnish. +With what joy should I see my dearest girl shine forth a bright example +of every thing that is amiable and praiseworthy;--and how sweet would be +the reflection that I had, in any degree, contributed to make her +so!--My heart expands with the affecting thought, and pours forth in +this adieu the most ardent wishes for your perfection! If the tender +solicitude expressed for your welfare by this 'labour of love' can +engage your gratitude, you will always remember how deeply your conduct +interests the happiness of + + Your most affectionate + + AUNT. + +FOOTNOTES: + +[30] _Dr. Goldsmith's Histories of Greece and Rome_ are generally +considered as most useful to young persons. + + _Editor._ + +[31] _Russel's History of Ancient Europe_ will give all the information +requisite. + + _Editor._ + +[32] This work was first printed in 1773. + +[33] _The History of Modern Europe_ may be read with particular +advantage. + + _Editor._ + +[34] This work has not been published for some years; _Guthrie's +Geographical and Historical Grammar_ is the best work of the kind, at +present. + + _Editor._ + + + FINIS. + +Printed by Weed and Rider, Little Britain, London. + + + * * * * * + +Transcriber's Notes: + +Obvious misspellings and punctuation errors repaired. Otherwise, +unusual spellings retained when used consistently in original. + +Hyphenated/nonhyphenated retained when occurring evenly. + +Thought break on P.209 added, corresponds to "Conclusion" in Contents. + +P.205, list: Second occurrences of "Vertot's Revolutions" and +"Voltaire's" added in place of "repeat" dashes. + +"Ecclus" = Sirach, or Ecclesiasticus + +P.xxxii, "whole tenour of the Gospel" to "whole tenor of the Gospel" + +P.26 "himself was govenor" to "himself was governor" + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Letters on the Improvement of the Mind, by +Hester Chapone + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LETTERS ON THE IMPROVEMENT *** + +***** This file should be named 35890.txt or 35890.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/5/8/9/35890/ + +Produced by Jonathan Ingram, JoAnn Greenwood and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This +file was produced from images generously made available +by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.) + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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