are ever seeking. Hence, one corrupt companion with whom you are intimate, will often counteract and overthrow all the admonitions and persuasions to virtue, that can be brought to bear upon you. But the influence of pure and virtuous companions, can not but be salutary and beneficial.

Community will judge your character by the character of your associates. If you seek the company of those who are circumspect, prudent and well-informed, it will evince to the world that you highly estimate these qualifications, and you will be proportionately exalted in public estimation. But if you mingle with the rude and vulgar, people will readily conclude you are drawn into such associations by a similarity of taste and inclinations, and will judge you accordingly. And when a young lady once awakens suspicions in this manner, as to her character, it is difficult— exceedingly so—to free herself from dishonorable imputations!

The counsel of parents, and of tried friends more advanced in life, should be duly heeded in selecting associates. You may be blinded by prepossession to the faults of those with whom you would mingle; but others, uninfluenced by improper bias, can more distinctly perceive the imperfections of your companions, and are thus enabled to warn you of the dangers to which you may be exposed—and wise is she, who will listen to and obey such precautions.

That the young should be fond of sprightly company and of cheerful conversation, is to be expected—it is the natural inclination of their age, when all the emotions are vigorous and elastic. When these bouyant feelings are controlled by modesty and characterized by sense, they may be indulged to advantage. But while you are at liberty to select associates who are cheerful, see that you do not choose those who allow their animation to degenerate into levity and immorality; but rather those whose free flow of good feeling, is the medium of the acquisition or communication of useful information or accomplishments. Wisdom and knowledge may be arrayed in garbs that are cheerful and pleasing.

I would not have young ladies too fastidious in the choice of associates, or imagine they must look alone to the higher circles in society, either for companions or examples; for, unfortunately, these circles are often deficient in both, of value. It is better to select those with whom you would form friendships from the circle to which you belong, than to choose unworthy associates from a higher class. You should not look for perfection in any of your fellow-beings—you will perceive failings in the most perfect. But there are certain general characteristics which those with whom you associate should possess. They should be kind and amiable in disposition, and discreet, prudent and modest in deportment—they should possess sound morals, and have a due regard to

religious subjects—they should be free from habits of fault-finding and tale-bearing, free from indolence and slovenliness—they should not be attached to gaieties of a frivolous character, or in love with those amusements which exert a deleterious influence upon public morals—they should possess sound understandings and well-informed minds, or minds that are inclined to seek for useful information. With such, associate, and from among them choose those with whom you would form friendships and intimacies. But shun those who are deficient in these valuable qualifications.

While the greater proportion of the above will apply to associates not only of your own sex, but of the opposite, I would, nevertheless, indite a few precautions in especial reference to the latter. It is very proper that you should associate with young men, under the salutary restrictions of propriety and good breeding. But if it is necessary that you should be cautious in regard to your companions of your own sex, how much more important that you should exercise great prudence in relation to the character of the young men with whom you associate—especially of those with whom you are intimate! Make it a fixed principle of conduct, never to countenance the attentions or the company of young men who are profane, or dishonest, or intemperate, or addicted to any improper or dissolute habits. Their society is dangerous—your respectability and happiness are hazarded by associating with them—and to

form a connection with them for life, would be extremely liable to entail wretchedness upon you.

Avoid, also, the society of flatterers. They are an unworthy, and generally an unprincipled class. The man who endeavors to flatter you, insults your understanding, by taking it for granted that you are so weak-minded as not to perceive the emptiness of his fulsome adulation. The flatterer has never a good motive in view— he never flatters to benefit you—and although his words may fall upon your ears with honied sweetness, yet remember, they are filled with the poison of pollution and moral death. William Penn, in writing to his daughters, gave them this salutary advice—"Avoid flatterers, for they are thieves in disguise—their praise is costly, designing to injure those they bespeak—they are the worst of creatures—they lie to flatter, and flatter to cheat—and, which is worse, if you believe them, you cheat yourselves most dangerously." With young men who are moral, virtuous and industrious, who have some laudable occupation, whose habits are pure and upright, who honor and respect your sex, and are under the sway of correct religious principles, you can freely associate, with mutual improvement and benefit.

CHAPTER IV.

FORMING THE MANNERS.

A

"Manners maketh man," is a motto inscribed in the celebrated school of William of Wykham, at Winchester, England. And it is no less true, in the same sense, that manners maketh the lady. If a lack of good manners, if vulgarity and indelicacy, are failings disgusting even in man, how much more unbecoming are they in woman! due cultivation of the manners, the general deportment, is of high importance to young ladies. Next to purity of character and sweetness of disposition, you depend for success in life, upon a well-regulated outward deportment. In regard to exterior appearance, manners, and not dress, are the ornaments of woman." The dress may blaze with jewels--the brow may be encircled by a glittering tiara of diamonds--yet if the manners are haughty and scornful, or coarse and vulgar, in vain is the costly attire assumed; it can not inspire affection or respect in those who are discriminating. But a demeanor characterized by