CHAPTER VII.

PARENTAL AND FILIAL CONDUCT, AS IT RELATES TO THE SEXES.

"That our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth; that our daughters may be as corner stones, polished after the similitude of a palace."

PSALM CXliv. 12.

FILIAL duties, generally speaking, are of universal application; but there are some, which as they relate exclusively to sex, may be worthy of distinct consideration.

The sons in most families are transferred from the nursery to the school, and from thence to the practice of some business or profession, and can have comparatively but little intercourse with their mothers; it is, therefore, to those who remain stationary beneath the paternal roof that the following

hints are chiefly applicable; they may, however, be found sufficiently general to affect, in some degree, the conduct of sons whether at home or abroad.

It is no equivocal symptom of amiableness of disposition, when two individuals, totally opposite in their occupations, habits, and pursuits, dwell together in unity: when a mother and her sons do so, it redounds greatly to the credit of both: but this is not universally the case, even where there is no deficiency of natural affection, no unkind intention on either side. The evil frequently originates in that thoughtlessness, which seems to be a marked characteristic of the male sex in early life. With some gentlemen indeed it is re quisite, that a lady should be young, to entitle her to any consideration; although to witness their manner to a female, an aged female, and that female their mother, excites a doubt of their entertaining any genuine respect for the sex. Certainly she is in no very enviable situation, whose lot it is to dwell under the roof with such high-flown spirits. They deem her pursuits trivial and unimportant; although to such, perhaps, they are indebted for life and

health, and for many of the comforts they now enjoy, but know not how to appreciate. Is it then a trivial pursuit to rear a family?— to bring up valuable members of society, such as, probably, they deem themselves to be! Their very self-importance might raise her in their esteem, as being the instrument, although an humble one, of so much good to the world. Let every young woman, however, beware of him who manifests such sentiments by his conduct; for he who is remiss in one relation, will generally prove so in another. Where good principle exists, its influence is not partial. The most satisfactory pledge for her own happiness that a young woman can desire, is the respectful conduct of a son to his mother. Such as he is under the parental roof, such in all probability he will prove under his own. His dignity as a man, as well as aChristian, is not impaired but enhanced by the minutest attentions to an aged parent. King Solomon in all his glory never appeared to greater advantage than in the polite reception he gave to his mother, when she appeared before him with the request of Adonijah. But to the honour of the sex, and of human

nature, we have no occasion to recur to the records of antiquity for bright examples of filial duty; such instances, we hope, are familiar to the majority of our readers. It is true, as they pass under their observation they will be appreciated by them according to their own particular sentiments and dispositions. There are some, perhaps, who would have scoffed at the conduct of two young men of sense and intelligence, whose aged mother was busily employed in executing a piece of needle-work equally void of taste and utility. So far from ridiculing or slighting her per⚫formance, as it beguiled the tedious hours of an infirm parent, they appeared to take a lively interest in it; and thereby afforded an instance of that endearing sympathy, which is so universally requisite in all our intercourse with others, but which is yet so sparingly exercised, although one of the sweetest ingredients in the cup of domestic life. Such characters stand well opposed to those whose prevailing system is tormenting; who from commencing their operations with their mothers, proceed with their experiments on their sisters, their younger brothers, the

servants, and of course all the unfortunate animals within doors and without, who may chance to come in their way. In such feats there may certainly be much wit, and prowess, and spirit; but manly feeling, and true dignity, and proper spirit, display themselves very differently; and, on every account, the sooner they are acquired the better.

It were to be wished that some sons, for their own sakes, would pay a little more respect to their mother's feelings, in what relates to their general health; that they would not altogether reject her services, either in preserving or recovering it. This is a matron's appropriate province: in all common cases, a prudent mother may safely be confided in, (for a prudent mother will not interfere with what is beyond her reach). A sensible woman, independently of the general advantages of experience, of observation, and perhaps of reading, must be furnished with additional skill in the management of her own family, from her more intimate knowledge of their constitutions. Some who have not been sufficiently aware of this, have paid dearly for their incredulity.