them from the risk of sports with promiscuous companions, and taught them the manly consciousness of useful industry, not often tasted by the children of the rich; neatness of penmanship, and accuracy in accounts, were collaterally aided; while fraternal affection, generosity, and benevolence, were alike gratified. All these were but different forms of happiness.

The sacred festival of Christmas, the ancient one of New-Year, and the annual Thanksgiving appointed in many of our States, are periods in which the young should be particularly incited to remember the poor. Especially at the hallowed celebration of His lowly birth, whose mission was to "seek and to save the lost," should their minds be directed to the destitute family, the neglected child, or the benighted heathen. In furnishing the basket for the sick, and famishing, the garment for the shivering sufferer, or the volume of instruction for the ignorant, I have seen fair brows lighted up with a more joyous and eloquent beauty, than the most splendid gift could have imparted. For with the latter, there would have been the momentary thrill of reception, or the pride of exhibition, both centering in self; but with the former would entwine the lasting remembrance of having caused the heart of the sorrowful to sing for joy.

Parents, who are always delighted to see their

children happy, should consider in what their true happiness consists. Mistakes are sometimes made with regard to its nature. I knew a mother replete with benevolence and the soul of affection. She found her husband and children made happy by the pleasures of the palate. Her life was devoted to that end. Elegance, and unending variety, characterized her table. Her invention was taxed, her personal labour often put in requisition, for efforts to which the genius of her ser vants was unequal. She loved the glowing smile that repaid her toils. The motive was affectionate: what were its results? In some, conviviality; in others, gluttony; in all, a preference of sense to spirit.

Another mother wished to make a family of beautiful daughters happy. She encouraged the gay amusements in which youth delights. Expensive dresses and rich jewelry were found necessary. She could not bear to see her daughters outshone and mortified. She taxed the purse of her husband beyond its capacity, and contrary to his judgment. Her principal argument was, "I know you love to see our young people happy." Her theory of happiness ended in a spirit of display, a necessity of excitement, a habit of com petition, a ruinous extravagance.

“I

If we would advance the true felicity of others, we must not only know in what it consists, but

must also be happy ourselves. Let us remember that we must give account at last, for our happiness, as well as for any other sacred deposite. A capacity for it has been given us; how have we improved it? Have we suffered it to grow inert, or morbid ?

A cup was put into our hands, capable of containing the bright essences which this beautiful creation yields. Have we allowed it to be filled with tears? have we dampened its crystal surface with perpetual sighs?

The flowers of affection were sown along our path. Did we gratefully inhale them, or complain that weeds sometimes mingled with them, that the roses were not without thorns, that the fairest and purest were never exempt from mildew, and frost, and death?

If we are so happy as at last to arrive at heaven, and some reproving seraph at its gate, should ask why we came mourning or repining along our pilgrim-path, and assure us that the dispositions of that blessed clime ought to have been cultivated below, that joy and praise were the elements of its atmosphere, how earnestly should we wish that the whole of our life had been a preparation for that Eternity of love, and that we had travelled thither with a countenance always radiant, "an everlasting hymn within our souls."

LETTER XXI.

ADVERSITY.

To bear the evils and sorrows which may be appointed us, with a patient mind, should be the continual effort of our sex. It seems, indeed, to be expected of us; since the passive and enduring virtues are more immediately within our pro

vince.

How often does adversity strengthen the character, impart powerful motives of action, and unfold hidden energies,

"As darkness shows us worlds of light,
We never saw by day."

The trials and dangers, through which Queen Elizabeth past, in early life, gave her a discretion and firmness of character, which she could never have learned amid the effeminacy of courts. Without these causes, the high enthusiasm would never have burst forth, which greeted her, when, about to pass from prison-durance to a throne, she appeared on horseback at the camp in Tilbury, and said nobly to the soldiers and people,

"I am come among you all, not as for my recreation and sport, but as being resolved in the midst and heat of battle, to live or die amongst you. I have but the body of a weak and feeble woman, but I have the heart of a king, and a king of England too, and can lay down for my God, and for my kingdom, and for my people, my honour and my blood, even in the dust."

It is universally acknowledged that the vicissitudes which Louis Philippe, the present king of France, for many years sustained, have contributed to render him one of the most distinguished sovereigns in Europe, as well as one of the most exemplary and amiable men, in private life.

To descend from the scale of royalty, what country has such an array of self-made men, as our own? men whose hardships lay at the root of their greatness, and who, in the "baptism of fame, have given themselves their own name." How many instances have we seen, where unexpected reverses of fortune, were blest as benefits to a rising family, extirpating the rust of indolence or selfishness, and contributing to render each one, more useful, more respectable, more rationally happy. Should such changes happen to either ourselves or our children, let us not indulge despondence, but receive them with cheerful courage, as rough teachers of a higher wisdom, than might otherwise have been learned.