I knew the children of a family, who seemed always amiable. Their countenances wore the sunshine of the heart. Among their young associates, they were obliging and kind. If there were mischief or trouble in school, they had neither "part or lot in the matter." Wherever they visited, not only their friends in the parlour, but the servants loved them, and wished them to continue long their guests. Those who were married, diffused throughout their households the spirit of order and happiness. On enquiring how they had been educated, I found that the mother had kept them much with herself, during the most plastic period of their existence, and that the rules which she had given them, had regulated her own conduct. The quiet beauty of example, and the influences of a happy fire-side, were the machinery which she had used, to render them amiable, benevolent and pious.

A standard of good manners should be established in the family-circle. We appreciate the value of such manners, in mixed society. They are a letter of credit, in the hand of a stranger. So much is every person subject to their fascination, that the unworthy study to acquire them, as a means of ensnaring their prey. Why should the wife, or the husband, lay aside those courtesies, which are associated with the growth, perhaps with the birth, of their love? Some writer

has remarked that the cardinal duties are claimed as rights, but the refined attentions, the watchful kindnesses, which make the stream of domestic life so sparkling, will ever rank as precious favours, which it is ungenerous to omit. They ought not indeed, to be omitted, were it only for the sake of the children, whose eyes are ever fixed upon the parents, in the spirit of imitation. It is not wise to exact from those little beings, the forms of etiquette, which ceremonious intercourse prescribes. They too often demand the sacrifice of honesty of speech, and originality of character. Such observances vary with ranks, countries, and ages of the world, but the principles of true politeness are the same, resting on good will to man, and pointing to that more glorious attainment, the love of God.

It was a high testimony to the fine manners of Mrs. Macauley, the accomplished historian, which was once borne by an intimate friend: "I have seen her exalted on the dangerous pinnacle of prosperity, surrounded by flattering friends, and an admiring world. I have seen her marked out by prejudice, as an object of dislike and ridicule. I have seen her bowed down, by bodily pain and weakness. But never did I see her forget the urbanity of a lady, the conscious dignity of a rational being, or fervent aspirations after the highest degree of attainable perfection."

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Perhaps, we reflect too little on the courteousness of Jesus, our Master and Exemplar. "When ye come into an house," said he, "salute it." We all know, that the oriental modes of salutation involved much more of ceremony than our own. Still, the Saviour, who ever decried the giving of undue honour to men, sanctions and enjoins them at the entrance of every dwelling. Neither are these marks of respect to be reserved for those whom we best love, or most desire to conciliate. "If ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? Do not even the publicans so?" The inference is obvious, that all should be treated with respectful regard, as beings formed by the same Creator, children of one great family.

From his disciples, though not educated in re finement, or called from among the ranks of the rich and noble, do we not receive the same instruction? Was it not a humble fisherman, who inspired by the religion of the skies, said, "be courteous?" The courtesy of a christian is no trifling part of education. Mothers, teach it to your children.

Let us, during the whole process of their education, feel and fear the omnipotence of habit. For if the toiling atom beneath the waters is able to construct a reef which may make the proudest ship a wreck, shall we dare to look

upon the slightest evil habit, and say it is harmless? Though its work may have been done secretly as under the flood, yet the cry of a lost soul may be its herald at the judgment.

LETTER VII.

HEALTH.

We have all of us seen, with pity and regret, a sickly mother, burdened with the cares of her household. She has felt that there were employments which no one could discharge as well as herself; modifications of duty, in which the interest of her husband, the welfare of her children, the comfort of her family, were concerned, which could not be deputed to another, without loss. Therefore, she continues to exert herself, above, and beyond her strength.

Still, her step is languid, and her eye joyless. The " "spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." Her little ones observe her dejected manner, and grow sad. Or, they take advantage of her want of energy, and become lawless. She, herself, cannot long persist in a course of labour, that involves expense of health, without some mental sympathy. The most amiable temper will sometimes become irritable, or complaining, when the shrinking nerves require rest, and the demands of toil, and the claims upon painful thought, are