kindred, and still closer bonds of love and tender friendship, usually warrant. I feel a lively in I terest in all which concerns you; and should be more than commonly happy, if a brother's prayer and a brother's admonition should prove in any way conducive to the welfare and advancement of a much-loved sister. I am desirous of seeing and knowing that you will shine in the united characters of wife, mother, mistress, friend, and Christian. I feel truly and unequivocally anxious that you should not, even in appearance, sink into the mere accomplished and elegant woman. wish you to set a right estimate upon that far more accomplished, and infinitely more useful character, which exists chiefly within the walls of your own house. Every thing depends on your first outset. By the model which you frame for your conduct, this very year, will probably be regulated all your subsequent character and conduct in every future situation of life. You well know the affection, and I trust will not despise the judgment and sentiments, of him who speaks thus candidly and frankly to you. I am well persuaded that a young woman, to be truly respectable, must dare to be laudably singular. There always will be a certain description of persons in every place, who will wonder that you can exist without passing your time as they do; but among those whose esteem and opinion alone ought to regulate your own feelings and conduct, the more retired and seldom-to-be-seen wife, Ꭰ whose theatre of real action and real pleasure is within her own house, in the fulfilment of sober, useful, and exemplary duties, will ever be most beloved, most respected, and most befriended. By way of immediate occupation of your time and thoughts, allow me to direct them to the relief and benefit of the poor; not by idle gratuities, but by diligently seeking them out, informing yourself of their wants and distresses, and economizing in superfluities, in order that thereby the poor may abound in needfuls, and you may abound in their blessings. Be systematically charitable, both to their souls and bodies. Promote plans for instruction; assist in superintending them; employ yourselves in making clothes for them; and rest not till you have made it a settled and uniform part of your character, to be actively, constantly, and watchfully charitable. Let me recommend, with the united earnestness of a brother and a clergyman, that you will read religious books, and sometimes allow me to be your adviser. Be scrupulously attentive to the observance of the Sabbath both in public and private, both at church and at home; and in all your pleasures, all your pains, all your employments, prospects, plans, and engagements, remember that the use of this life is to prepare for a better; and that "strait is the gate, and narrow is the way that leads to eternal life, and few there be that find it." Read your Bible, with prayer, daily, under the impression of this awful truth: and may God remember you, my dearest sister, among those whom he especially loveth; and His grace render you, what I wish you may always prove to be, a valued wife, a tender mother, an estimable friend, and a devoted Christian. TO A SISTER. EVERETT. YES, dear one, to the envied train But wilt thou not sometimes the while, But not in Fashion's brilliant hall, O, think not, think not of me there. Remember me-but, loveliest, ne'er, The morning's glowing charioteer Remember me, I pray-but not In Flora's gay and blooming hour, Cold Autumn weeps, remember me. Remember me-but not to join If haply some, thy friends, should praise; 'Tis far too dear, that voice of thine, To echo what the stranger says. They know us not-but should'st thou meet Some faithful friend of me and thee, Softly, sometimes, to him repeat My name, and then remember me. Remember me-not, I entreat, In scenes of festal week-day joy, That thought thy pleasure should alloy; And, dearest, on thy bended knee, On thee for ever, ever dwell, With anxious heart and drooping eye, And doubts 'twould grieve thee should I tell ; But in thy calm, unclouded heart, When dark and gloomy visions flee, O there, my sister, be my part, WOMAN. BARNARD. O THOU, by Heaven ordained to be From thy sweet lip one tender sigh, Can raise or bend them at thy will To virtue's noblest flight, or worst extremes of ill. Be angel-minded, and despise Thy sex's little vanities; |