speak the exact truth in a party, as if you were on oath in a court of justice. The desire of pleasing, the wish to appear that which they know another admires, too often makes girls affected, and induces them to express sentiments they do not really feel. If you are conscientious, and call yourself to a strict account for all you say and do, you will suffer so much from any such want of truth, as to be saved from the degradation which invariably follows its habitual indulgence; but if you are careless of yourself, and think more of the effect you have produced on others than of the good or evil you have done to your own soul, you may be led away by your desire of attracting attention, till you become false to yourself and to others, and your whole character will be corrupted by this early perversion. It is a mistaken policy too; because there is a greater charm in truth and simplicity than in any particular sentiments that can be feigned. All the most delightful heroines in Miss Edgeworth's tales, are distinguished for their perfect sincerity, their noble candour. How much we love Lady Geraldine, Belinda, and Grace Nugent, for their honesty of character, for the truth of all their words! There is a charm in mere youth which is set off to the best advantage by a simple style of dress. Young girls lose a great deal, if they sacrifice their peculiar privileges for the sake of ornament and an elaborate toilet, which would better become them at a later period. The simplest muslin frock, if well made, and accompanied by well-dressed hair, neat gloves and shoes, will become a girl in her teens far better than rich satins and laces. If you have any doubt as to the size and nature of the party you are going to attend, it is better to be on the safe side, and err by being too little rather than too much dressed. Do not stake your gentility on going late to parties; but show your love of reasonable hours, by going as early as it will do to go. Late hours are the bane of those enjoyments; all wise and good people should do their utmost to check the folly of turning night into day, by midnight revels and morning sleep. There is a great difference in the manner of moving about in a crowd; some push rudely through, regardless of the finery they are disturbing; whilst a true gentlewoman wins her graceful way without harm or offence to any, but conciliating every one she approaches. She never retreats without looking to see if she incommodes any person behind her; she never pushes forward without taking every pains to avoid coming in contact with the dresses around her. At the supper-table, too, great difference of character is seen. Where things are so managed as to give the elderly and married people the precedence which they ought to have, there will sometimes be a want of proper courtesy in the eagerness shown by the young people to reach the scene of action. The pushing and crowding is sometimes more like that of a mob than what befits a private house, and an occasion where all will be equally well served without it. Gentlemen often feel their pride engaged in doing their utmost to provide well for the ladies on their arms, and so press on too violently; it is, therefore, incumbent upon a lady to repress the earnestness of her cavalier, to say she is in no haste, she will go presently, when there is more room. A slight movement back from the crowd will often affect all around you, and induce others to wait as you do; thus a party is formed who take their supper half an hour later, and all are better accommodated. In the matter of eating the good things provided, the characters of individuals are shown, and very greedy propensities will occasionally appear, under very fair forms. It is best to make up your mind beforehand as to what refreshments agree with you, and what do not, and then partake of them accordingly. Both health and delicacy are best consulted by avoiding mixtures; CONDUCT ON GOING AWAY. 215 to eat freely of one thing is better than to eat of a variety of things, and to eat slowly is not only better for your stomach, but for your reputation too; for what is more disagreeable than to see a person devouring rich things as though they were famished, or never before had tasted anything so good. However agreeable a beau may be, he should not be allowed to engross a lady for any considerable time. Some gentlemen make a practice of selecting a young lady whom they like, and keeping her to themselves for the greatest part of an evening, unless the lady take measures to prevent it. If she appear pleased with the tête-à-tête, other gentlemen will avoid interrupting it; and thus a foundation is laid for one of those idle reports which every one should take pains to avoid. In such a case, you need not hesitate to break off the conversation, and to change your position so as to ensconce yourself among ladies, and get rid of such marked attentions. No man of delicacy would choose so to exhibit a real preference of the heart; this sort of monopoly is one of the amusements of the selfish, and if you suffer it, they will think you honoured by their notice. There is a predicament, the opposite of this, which inexperienced young girls sometimes fall into; it is that of keeping a gentleman talking to them longer than he wishes, because they do not give him a chance to break off. They are perhaps standing apart from the rest of the company, and he cannot leave her without her remaining quite alone. If you suspect that a gentleman is desirous of departing, make it easy for him to go, by changing your position, or speaking to another person; taking care not to do it so pointedly, that he shall be obliged to go if he do not wish it. If you have a quick eye and observe the expression of faces, you will be able to regulate your words and actions so as to be true to yourself, without hurting the feelings of any. The less you think of yourself, and the more you consider others, the more ageeeable you will be. When about to leave, put on your things expeditiously, if you would not exhaust the patience of all concerned. A gentleman is so easily equipped, that he often has to wait, and cannot but wonder at the time ladies consume; to lengthen his penance, by dawdling, or stopping to talk, is not fair, and shows a want of proper consideration for others. CHAPTER XVII. CONVERSATION. MISAPPLIED. THE UNRULY MEMBER. TWO BESETTING SINS. RIDI- MANY of the hints which would otherwise be arranged under this head, have already been given, in connexion with other subjects; but much remains to be said; and, were I to go fully into the duties that belong to the government of the tongue, I should fill a volume, instead of a chapter. But this little work, as already premised, is addressed to those who have been morally and religiously brought up; and I must trust, therefore, to their being aware of the evils and dangers which belong to that unruly member, as they are powerfully described by the apostle James, and other writers of the Old and New Testaments. The proper government of the tongue is the result of thorough Christian discipline, and I might as well. hope to change the nature of water, flowing from a bitter fountain, by throwing sugar into the streams that branch off from it, as to give rules that will render conversation sinless, whilst the heart remains unregenerate, and the character is formed on worldly principles. Young people are generally so ardent and so incautious, that whatever is in their thoughts and feelings will find vent in their conversation. The vain, the proud, the envious, the suspicious, will each |