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 performance, 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.

But an address to daughters, in reference to their mothers, appears still more appropriate from the intimate and frequently protracted connexion which subsists between them. They especially should be solicitous to discharge the duties of that relation in which others may one day stand to themselves; and although the inequality of years must certainly produce some essential difference in their feelings and pursuits, yet there are points in which they as naturally correspond.

The happiness of a mother is essentially at the mercy of the female branches of her family; and her condition is to be commiserated, if in the prospect of succeeding years spent under the same roof with them, when her health and spirits are on the wane, they manifest no inclination to promote her comfort. External attentions will not suffice to discharge the duties of this intimate relation. The services of one who is not her mother's confidential friend, are of little comparative value; while that bosom which is the receptacle of every maternal care and sorrow, thereby becomes the repository of such a

knowledge of the world, as may be of essential service when her own turn comes to encounter it.

It is truly revolting to a feeling mind, to behold a mother and a daughter-those dear relations-if not actually at variance, evidently not on terms of intimacy and confidence. If the former be respectable and affectionate, it is a phenomenon for which it is difficult to account, except from some radical error in the education.

Ajudicious mother will adapt her conduct, as well to the sexes, as to the dispositions of her children. Those who do not receive the same degree of attention from their sons as from their daughters, should make every allowance which the nature of things admits, and should not be too hasty in attributing to want of affection what may be the mere effect of thoughtlessness, united with different pursuits and avocations.

She who through an excess of maternal anxiety would shield her son from every wind that blows, is placing herself in the predicament of a hen with a duckling brood, who will follow the dictates of their nature, and