dently embarrassed, when it may be an act of kindness.

Giving advice unasked is another piece of rudeness; it is in fact declaring ourselves wiser than those to whom we give it; reproaching them with ignorance and inexperience.

There is nothing more unpardonably rude than seeming inattention to the person who is speaking to you: though you may meet with it in others, by all means avoid it yourself. Some ill-bred people, while others are speaking to them, will, instead of looking at or attending to them, perhaps fix their eyes on the ceiling or some picture in the room, look out of the window, play with a dog, their watch-chain, or cane, or even pick their nails; this is a tacit declaration that what is said is not worthy of attention.

Carefully avoid mentioning or reviving any circumstance or expression that may renew the affliction of any one present, or bring disagreeable sub

jects to their remembrance. How distressing would it be to say to an afflicted parent, "Such a thing happened the day after your son was buried!" How mortifying to cry out, "Bless me, how ill you look to-day!" How rude to observe to a lady, who would be thought young, "What a long time it was since you had the honor first to know her." Politeness would lead us to put every one in good-humor. In short, to speak of entertainments before the indigent, of sound limbs and health before the infirm, of houses and lands before one who has not so much as a dwelling, of your prosperity before the miserable, is not only unpolite, but cruel; and the comparison it gives rise to, between your condition and that of the person you speak to is excruciating. He also offends against politeness, who praises another's singing or touching an instrument, before such as he has obliged to sing or play for his own diversion.

There are certain expressions which are rude, and yet there are people of liberal education that sometimes use

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them; as, 66 You do not understand me;" "It is not so ;" "You mistake;" "You know nothing of the matter;" &c. Is it not better to say, "I believe I do not express myself so as to be understood;" "Let us consider it again, whether we take it right or not." is much more polite and amiable to make some excuse for another, even in cases where he might justly be blamed, and to represent the mistake as common to both; rather than to charge him with insensibility or incomprehension.

Be careful not to appear dark or mysterious, lest you should be thought suspicious; than which there can scarcely be a more unamiable char

acter.

Only one word as to swearing; those, who allow themselves in it, and

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interlard their discourse with oaths, can never be considered as gentlemen ; they are generally people of low education, and are unwelcome in good company. It is a vice that has no temptation to plead, but is, in every respect, as vulgar as it is wicked.

But, above all, let no example, no fashion, no witticism, no foolish desire of rising above what the unprincipled call prejudices tempt you to excuse, extenuate, or ridicule, the least breach of morality; but on all occasions show your disapprobation of such proceedings, and hold virtue and religion in the highest veneration.

Let your conversation be with those by whom you may accomplish yourself best; for virtue never returns with so rich a cargo as when it sets sail from such continents. Company, like climates, alters complexions; and ill company, by a kind of contagion, insensibly infects us; soft and tender na

tures are apt to receive any impressions. Alexander learned his drunkenness of Leonides, and Nero his cruelty of his barber.

MARRIAGE DESIRABLE.

I AM fond, says an ardent friend of youth, of contemplating the married state as a school, in which, instead of educating yourself alone, you are to be concerned in improving the mental, moral, and social condition of two persons, and, in the end, perhaps of others. You are to be a teacher; you cannot avoid this station if you would. But you are also to be a learner. Dr. Rush says, we naturally imitate the manners and gradually acquire the tempers of persons with whom we live, provided they are the objects of our affection and respect. (( This," he