LETTER VI.

HABIT.

WE all acknowledge the strength of habit. Its power increases with time. In youth, it may seem to us, like the filmy line of the spider; in age, like the fly caught in its toils, we struggle in vain. "Habit, if not resisted," says St. Augustine, "becomes necessity."

The physical force of habit, is thus clearly illustrated by Dr. Combe: "A tendency to resume the same mode of action at stated times, is peculiarly the characteristic of the nervous system; and on this account, regularity is of great consequence in exercising the moral and intellectual powers. All nervous diseases have a marked tendency to observe regular periods, and the natural inclination to sleep at the approach of night, is another instance of the same fact. It is this principle of our nature, which promotes the formation of what are called habits. If we repeat any kind of mental effort every day at the same hour, we at last find ourselves entering upon it, without premeditation, when the time approaches."

This law of our nature, which is so often brought to bear upon intellectual progress, should be enlisted as an adjunct in moral education. Can we be too attentive to the habits that our children form? too assiduous that the virtues which we cherish in them, should have a deep root in correct principle? We wish them to become benevolent. The proper basis of their benevolence, is sympathetic feeling, a desire for the comfort and improvement of others, in conformity to the command and example of their Heavenly Father.

That fine sentiment of Terence, "I am a man, and therefore I feel for all mankind," might be uttered with additional emphasis by our sex, whose sympathies should be ever kept in action, by our own infirmities, dependences, and sorrows. Let us therefore, in our domestic teachings, strive to extirpate selfishness, especially from the breasts of our daughters. Selfishness is not to be endured in woman. In the catalogue of her faults, we do not expect to have forbearance with that. It wars with the nature of her duties, and subverts her happiness. It will be found on a comparative analysis of character, that those females who through life have been distinguished for true goodness, were eminently disinterested.

Forgetfulness of self, and that amiable tem which at once ensures and imparts happine

not adverse to decision of character. On the contrary, their combination is natural, and necessary to produce high excellence. We are not told that the disciple who leaned on the breast of his Master, was deficient in decision of character, but we know that he possessed more of those amiable virtues which engage affection, than he, who "sudden and quick in quarrel," drew his sword, and smote the servant of the high-priest. The ardent temperament, which prompted the asseveration, "though I die with thee, I will not deny thee," is alluring; but John withstood the shock of temptation, when Peter fell.

To teach the science of self-government, is the great end of education. Every hint, to assist in promoting a correct balance of feeling, is impor tant to the mother. She will probably, sometimes, be annoyed, by a tendency to peevishness, in her little ones. Let her be doubly watchful against being fretful herself. Nothing is sooner caught, by those whose virtues are feeble, than the language of complaint. If we indulge in it ourselves, how can we hope to suppress it in our children? With what propriety can we reprove them? Let us check in their presence, every murmur that may rise to our lips, and teach them by our own cheerful manner, to walk with an open and admiring eye, through the picturegallery of life. "Keep aloof from sadness," says

an Icelandic writer, of the 12th century, "for sadness is a sickness of the soul. Men would often give gold to buy back a passionate word, and nothing so destroys unity, as the exchange of evil language."

Kind words, and affectionate epithets, between children of the same family, are delightful. Though the love of brothers and sisters is planted deep in the heart, and seldom fails to reveal itself on every trying emergency, yet its developements and daily interchange, ask the regulation of paternal care. Competitions should be soothed, differences composed, and forbearance required, on the broad principle of that fraternal duty, which God has enjoined

In familiar conversation, examples might be quoted from history, of the sweet exercise of fraternal affection, where the softening influences of the christian religion were unknown. Some little listeners were once very pleasantly impressed, by hearing the story of the love of the Emperor Titus, for his brother Domitian. It was the more praise-worthy, because there was between them no congeniality of taste. Domitian often spoke unkindly to his brother, and after his elevation to the throne, even attempted to instigate the army to rebellion. But Titus made no change in his treatment. He would not suffer others to mention him with disrespect. He ever spoke of him,

as his beloved brother, his successor to the empire. Sometimes, when they were alone, he earnestly entreated him with tears, to reciprocate that love which he had always borne him, and would continue to bear him, to the end of life. This fraternal attachment was the more affecting, because exemplified by a heathen, and partaking of the character of that precept of the religion of Jesus, to "render good for evil," which he could never have been taught.

The deportment of the older children of the family, is of great importance to the younger. Their obedience, or insubordination, operates throughout the whole circle. Especially, is the station of the eldest daughter, one of eminence. She drank the first draught of the mother's love. She usually enjoys most of her counsel, and companionship. In her absence, she is the natural viceroy. Let the mother take double pains to form her on a correct model; to make her amiable, diligent, domestic, pious; trusting that the image of those virtues, may leave impression on the soft, waxen hearts of the younger ones, to whom she may, in the providence of God, be called to fill the place of a maternal guide.

Children should be required to treat domestics with propriety. Those, on whom the comfort of a family so essentially depends, are entitled to kindness and sympathy. The theory, that industry,