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mending works of fiction to you, I would have you clearly to understand, that a solid foundation must be laid in your mind, by serious study, before you raise the superstructure of taste with the above mentioned materials. A regular course of history should be commenced at twelve years of age, and continued with unremitting assiduity until the mind is stored with a connected recollection of important historical events, from the creation to the present day. Beginning at the Old Testament, and following up the sacred records with such ancient history as you can procure, you must endeavour to obtain a general knowledge of the nations whose origin is to be traced in the Bible.

The history of Rome is so deeply interesting, particularly in the days of the republic, that you will need no inducement to study, when you once begin, greater than the passing pleasure of the pursuit. Livy is a delightful historian. He carries you irresistibly along with his narrative, through the various changes of that vast empire, which was once mistress of the world. Tacitus and Suetonius, as far as they go, fill up some of the chasms in regular history; but after reading Livy, I remember reading Polybius' history of the Punic wars, to carry on the chain of events. Middleton's life of Cicero, is a finished chronicle of the times in which that celebrated Roman lived; and Gibbon gives you a full, though rather verbose, narrative of the decline and fall of that mighty empire. Plutarch's Lives should be read and re-read, until all their contents are indelibly fixed on the memory. It is best to read them in connexion with history; that is, to take up each life as you come to the period at which each character flourished.*

History should always be read with geography, for it is impossible to remember events, unless in connexion with the places at which they happened. Dates should also be scrupulously re

In reading Gibbon, I would have you remember that his principles are dangerous; but his mode of treating the subject of Christianity, will doubtless shock your orthodoxy. His celebrated chapter on the causes of the progress of Christianity, is thought, by shallow minded people, to contain conclusive arguments against that holy religion; but a true Christian is safe from his sophistry, and a child in faith can refute his boasted reasoning. The incongruity of supposing that persecution could advance the interests of any cause, is too striking to be overlooked by a tyro in logic. How much more rational it is to deduce from this circumstance a powerful proof of the strength of that cause which surmounts persecution, and triumphs against opposition. Had this

corded, and extracts of important events, with the times at which they happened, and a brief geographical notice of places rendered celebrated by their occurrence, should form a regular volume in every young lady's library. It is pleasant as well as profitable, to be able to refer to such a summary of our youthful studies, when years have passed over our heads, and dimmed the recollection of early pursuits. It often happens, that such reminiscences awaken trains of thought favourable to mental or spiritual improvement. It is sometimes useful to compare present with past feelings; to measure the sober march of chastened intellect, with the full, overflowing ebullition of fresh springing thoughts and feelings.

Extracts from history should be interspersed with such reflections as arise spontaneously in the mind while reading. These serve to mark the progress of the judgment towards maturity. It is a profitable exercise to compare these reflections at different periods, that we may accurately ascertain the development of reason under this process of mental instruction. I often carry myself back to the earliest season of youth, by looking over a book of extracts from history read at that period: this enables me to realize my own state of mind at that season of immaturity. I smile over detected errors of judgment, and rejoice that years have added something to my stock of discretion, if they have subtracted from my volubility of spirits,

thing originated in man's devices, man could and would have overthrown it. But as it came from God himself, it will prosper under his providence.

sure.

The history of Greece should be taken up at its proper time, and read in connexion with that of Rome. Gillies is a pleasing writer; and you will fancy yourself reading a romance when you take up Anacharsis. With regard to the history of England, Hume has been discarded by the best judges, and Baxter and Rapin substituted in his place. La Cretelle is the most pleasing historian of France, and his "Precis de la Revolution," is a deeply interesting narrative. Voltaire's General History, and his Age of Lewis XIV. will be always read with pleaThe "Henriade" of the same author is a historical poem, and the best known specimen of French epic poetry. Some of Voltaire's dramatic works are pleasing, but no female can contaminate her mind by reading his works of fancy and fiction. I would refer you to the "Universal History," a well known work, for the most authentic records of those nations mentioned in the Bible. You must of course read all Robertson's Histories; as they are indispensable items in the catalogue of useful reading. With regard to American history, there is so little, that you must read all you can pro

cure.

The French language is almost essential to a well educated woman; and yet I would not have you read much of the most celebrated literature of that nation. Rousseau I would prohibit entirely, and, as I have before stipulated, much of Voltaire's immoral trash. Among the female writers of France, I would recommend Madam de Genlis, as she has written professedly for her own sex. Yet I cannot but object to her plan of education, that it tends to inculcate double dealing; or to speak more cautiously, it does not advocate that

singleness of heart and freedom from duplicity, which is the principal charm of woman. In other respects her morality is pure, and her style is certainly highly pleasing. Madam de Stael Holstein, though the greatest genius of the age, is not a model for women; her declared infidelity and her romanic turn of thought, together with her practice, make her rather a warning than an example to her sex. Her works of fiction are alluring from the beauty of her style, and the highly wrought tone of romance which pervades them. But all her rational feelings, and even her principles, seem to evaporate in the mystifying vapour of sentiment. She would make woman a thing to be worshipped on an altar; not a rational being, whose intelligent and active exertions are to afford a perennial source of comfort to mankind. I would not advise you to read her "Corrinné," or her "Delphine," lest your imagination should become infected with the over exquisite fashion of her refinement. Women who are determined (as I trust you are) to be rational and useful, must keep a strict guard over their sensibilities, instead of surrendering them to the guidance of the high priestess of romance. Madam Cottin is a less exceptionable specimen of French authoresses. Her novels are pleasing without being dangerous; for they skim lightly over the fancy, without stirring it too deeply. The imagination is the avenue to the heart. Some writers sport awhile in its mystic windings, without reaching the sanctum sanctorum of feeling. While others possess a subtle power, which penetrates at once to the citadel, and usurps rule over the impulses. I would have you, my dear girl, always in possession of your own rational judgment, in all things concerning your dearest interests. Women who exalt their imaginations by the overheated ebullitions of sentimental writers, place themselves in the dangerous condition of being

overcome by morbid feeling, or misled by false reasoning. Love is omnipotent with this class of writers, and the female heart is softened to puerile weakness, by being persuaded to submit to its usurpations, without appeal to reason. But love is in fact a dangerous passion, which must be subjected to vigorous control; for it will subvert the peace of the individual who allows its predominance. So much mischief has befallen those who have acquiesced in its tyranny, that the world should have, ere this, gained wisdom from experience. But young hearts are open to its wiles, and it is necessary to put them on their guard. I have pursued this subject far enough, and will conclude for the present with best wishes to my dear young friend.

LETTER XVI.

MY DEAR MARY,

Science is now so much simplified, that women have time as well as talents to become acquainted with its elements. Joyce's Scientific Dialogues contain much that is agreeable and useful; and I would recommend their attentive perusal to all my young female friends. Other elementary works are daily pouring from the press, in this prolific age; and doubtless, even while I am penning this sentence, new efforts are making to smooth the path of knowledge, so as to render its high places accessible to female talent and industry. There is something delightful in the free, familiar exercise of the rational faculties. The utmost art of education can do no more than excite a desire for improvement, and

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