of this once pure and happy couple. Hear that coarse innuendo. See whether it raises a blush. See whether it even induces a sorrowful look. Nay, see that oldest boy deciphering it. He has already become an adept at the business, and his very soul is poisoned. He is ready, on his part, when the stormy period of life shall arrive, and perhaps somewhat before that period, to become the victim of the seducer; for there are, in this lower world, seducers of males as well as of females. Ay, worse still; he is already seduced; and―astonishing as it may appear-by his own parents. His mind and conscience are defiled, and it is of little consequence whether the motions of the body have or have not yet begun to follow the impulses of the mind and the affections of the heart.

But there is other evidence. Emilia's own personal behaviour shows traces of the destroyer. She was once as remarkable for personal neatness and cleanliness, as for modesty of speech and behaviour, and purity of heart. But both these are now rapidly disappearing, and will soon be numbered, it is to be feared, with the things that were. Her tongue, too, which once knew not the art of evil speaking, is now beginning to be the retailer of those petty slanders at which, twelve, and even eight years ago, she would probably have shud

dered.

The path of vice is down hill; and she who has entered but one step in the path of impurity, is on the high road to everything which debases and destroys. Nor does she traverse it alone. She is sure to have company-a company innumerable— both of the fraternity of the vices and of those who personify them.

It may be said that this chapter should be directed to the young husband, or the young parent, rather than the young wife. Perhaps the suggestion is correct. And yet it seems desirable that the latter should know her danger. Prevention is my motto. "Who would not give a trifle to prevent," says an illustrious poet, "what he would give a thousand worlds to cure?

وو

I beg those for whom I have intended these paragraphs to ponder them well. Let them remember that their danger lies in taking first steps. Let them be guarded well at every avenue. They are often most exposed who think themselves least SO. "I tremble for the man who does not tremble for himself," said a preacher on temperance; and the same might be said, with equal if not still greater force, by the preacher on purity of character. Especially is this true of him who pleads on this point with the female world.

"The character of woman," says Stanford, in the "Ladies' Gift," "is like a bed of snow; if it

receive a blemish, however small and faint, it remains. Other snow may indeed fall upon it, and the frost may slightly gloss it over, but the sullied spot will still be there; and when the thaw comes, it will be discernible in the discolored mixture."

This figure is a very delicate one, but it is quite inadequate; since the small blemish upon the snow does not, of necessity, discolor the whole mass—whereas the slightest female impurity tends to extend itself till the whole character is affected by it. Nor does its influence end here; it moves on, affecting multitudes by example, and propagating itself, like the divided polypus, to infinity.

CHAPTER XIII.

SIMPLICITY.

Simplicity a virtue. Very rare. Simplicity of language. Story of Mrs. L. Simplicity of conduct.

WHEN I say that I consider simplicity a virtue in a young wife, I mean not by the term weakness of intellect, or any want of common sagacity. But I mean, rather, great plainness of language, i

dress and manners—an entire artlessness and freedom from everything which savors in the smallest degree of cunning or duplicity.

This simplicity is an ornament of great price in any individual; but it is especially becoming in the young married lady. It is one, moreover, which she should watch over, and be exceedingly studious to preserve.

The necessity of preserving and cultivating simplicity of character, is enhanced by the consideration that, like other gems, it is exceedingly rare among us, and is every day becoming more so. The young wife, whether she comes from the

family or the boarding school, is very apt to bring with her almost anything else, rather than this trait; and as she is now to commence an era in her life, it seems highly desirable that she should commence right. Hence it is, that I press upon her attention a due regard to simplicity.

She should study simplicity in dress. But on this point I need not enlarge, as I shall have occasion to recur to it hereafter.

She should study great plainness of speech. She should say just what she thinks. I do not, indeed, undertake to show that she should say all she thinks; for that were quite another matter. Only let what is said, be exactly what is thought, and intended, and felt.

Nothing can be more foolish, than anything like art or duplicity in the LANGUAGE of a wife to her husband. I know that some husbands like it well enough at first; but it is because they do not discover its tendency. They at length become sick of it themselves; and will, if it be continued, despise her for it.

Let me urge this point the more, from the fact that to be simple requires great self-denial. Everywhere in society this virtue is becoming old-fashioned and vulgar. You will need, therefore, to be armed for battle; otherwise you will surely be swept