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CHAPTER VII.

CONCLUSION.

"But trust me, when you have done all this, "Much will be missing still, and much will

"be amiss."

MILTON'S ODES.

I HAVE thus, to the best of my abilities, fulfilled my promise, and endeavoured to enable my fair readers to nurse their lovely offspring from the birth until two years old, or till they arrive at an age requiring comparatively less attention. And if my plan is adopted, I flatter myself, they will acquire such a stock of health and strength by that time, as with only common care through the remainder of their childhood, will ensure their exemption from the vari ous complaints, arising from debility, weakness of body, and relaxation of the nervous system, such as convulsions, epilepsies,

fevers, consumptions, king's evil, rickets, and many others, too numerous to mention; and which, for want of proper attention to their first complaints, and sufficient exercise in the open air, too frequently afflict them through a long life, or sink them to an early grave. Therefore, let me once more entreat for my young friends who have arrived at an age when nature prompts them to seek health and happiness in sportive gambols suited to their age, that they may not be confined to the house, to their infinite vexation, and the imminent danger of undoing all you have hitherto done. Surely it is wrong to immure boys, from a desire to see them look fair and delicate, whose chief attraction, both now and in after life, must consist in their courage, strength and activity. To say nothing of our duty, as citizens, while forming the future guardians of our beloved country, it is undoubtedly our duty, as mothers, to bring up our sons in such a manner as shall render them most useful and happy; and one of the most ef fectual steps towards this desirable end, is to let them have the free use of their limbs

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during this active period of their lives, and restricting them to the most simple and nutritious diet

"By arts like these,

"Laconia nursed of old her hardy sons,

"And Rome's unconquer'd legions urged their way, "Unhurt, through every toil, in every clime."

ARMSTRONG.

And even our lovely and interesting daughters will be more lovely and more interesting, if adorned with the roses of health, entwined with the lilies of innocence and delicacy. And this is the time o strengthen their constitutions, and give grace and activity to their limbs, by frequent unrestrained exercise in the open air. Now, before female vanity begins to operate, and teaches them to shun the light kisses of the passing zephyr, lest they should leave the unseemly traces of the rude salute on the damask cheek or lily neck now, while the infant heart, elate with joy and unconscious of remark, bounds with delight at every change of scene, eagerly springing from object to object, ever seeking and ever finding new and innocent

enjoyments, while indulgent Nature seems

to say

"For thee my borders nurse the fragrant wreath, "My fountains murmur and my zephyrs treathe ; "Slow slides the painted snail-the gilded fly "Smooths his fine down to charm thy curious eye; "On twinkling fins my pearly nations play, "Or win with sinuous train their trackless way; "My plumy pairs in gay embroidery drest, "Form with ingenious bill the pensile nest, "To love's soft notes attune the listening dell, "And Echo sounds her soft symphonious shell."

And surely parents ought to coincide with their benign Creator, and permit them to enjoy for a few years the various delights he has prepared for them, and which appear almost necessary to their existence. The time will soon arrive when they must be confined to different studies and occupations, and then they will infallibly sicken and decay, unless the mind and body have both been duly invigorated, the one by early precept and admonition, the other by abundant exercise in sports and amusements such as allwise Nature excites them to delight in.

The complexions of your daughters may

be as well guarded as you please from the rúde effects of the elements: this done, let them run and enjoy themselves in full liberty, for a few hours every day, being properly attended by some faithful domestic, and they will inhale health and beauty from every breeze.

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And as for your sons, let me entreat you to reflect upon what manner of men you will wish to see them in after life, and as you termine, so regulate your conduct now. you wish to see them effeminate and pusillanimous, then be it your care to guard their complexions, to instil into their tender minds the love of dress and show, to lead their attention to the best drest guest, and most splendid equipage-teach them to believe true excellence consists in sporting with superior grace the lily hand and diamond ring

"Betwixt the finger and the thumb to hold "The pouncet box"

The poison will quickly pervade the whole soul of your children, and they will grow up the things you wish them. But if, on the other hand, you wish to rear the

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