sured, and even ridiculed, however creditable their talents, and estimable the information they have gained, simply because, in the endeavour to attain our characteristics, they have compromised

their own.

Learning has imparted, in some cases, a masculine boldness to woman, and we cannot part with her retiredness without a pang. The loss of

"Those graceful acts,

Those thousand decencies that daily flow
From all her words and actions,"

and that winning diffidence and modesty that mark her mien, would be but ill supplied by all that languages can give, or books impart.

It has fallen to my lot to know a few fair, I am almost tempted to say a few of the fairest specimens of females of talent, whose unusual powers were unmingled with aught that was unwomanly; and willingly would I see the number of such abundantly increase.

Shall I tell you a secret that is well worth knowing? It is this: We, "lords of the creation," venerate woman for her piety; we honour and respect her for her integrity and judgment; we admire her for her wit, talents, and accomplishments; and we love her for her personal charms and her feminine qualities and virtues.

She, then, who would be venerated, respected, and admired, must excel in piety, integrity, judgment, wit, talent, and accomplishments; while sne who would be loved, must cultivate with care the personal charms God has bestowed upon her, and guard, as the apple of her eye, her feminine qualities and virtues.

I have said more than I intended, and only wish that it was more worthy your perusal. Time is hastening onwards, and we are hastening on too let not, then, our contention be, which has the higher faculties, but rather, which shall apply them to the best advantage. If led on by infirmity of purpose, we may commit many errors in the pursuit of knowledge; but hardly shall we err, if our objects are really the Redeemer's glory, and the welfare of those around us for time and

eternity. Whatever be our attainments, may the language of our hearts be, "Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory," Psa.

cxv. 1.

I remain, yours,

With true respect, and Christian regard,
OLD HUMPHREY.

ON EXAGGERATED

EXPRESSIONS.

SOME time ago a correspondent, whom I would not willingly neglect, requested me to pen a few plain remarks on the common evil of giving utterance to inflated expressions and remarks in common conversation.

It is a somewhat ungrateful task to tell those who would shrink from the imputation of a falsehood that they are in the daily habit of uttering untruths; and yet, if I proceed, no other course than this can be taken by me. It is of no use to adopt half measures; plain speaking saves a deal of trouble.

I love the man who steps along on his toes, that he may not tread on the toes or the heels of his neighbours. Some are remarkable for this habitual tenderness to their fellow-creatures, and it does my heart good to see it; but in a case where trifling is losing time, and decision is really necessary, we must run the risk of giving offence if we would really do good.

My correspondent says, that I make capital

caps;" and that if all those who need them would wear them, my hints would be very profitable. I am, however, sadly afraid that most of the caps I make would fit my own head quite as well as they would fit the heads of my neighbours. But to my task.

The examples about to be given by me of exaggerated expressions, are only a few of the many that are constantly in use. Whether you can acquit yourselves of the charge of occasionally using them, I cannot tell; but I dare not affirm for myself that I am altogether guiltless.

"I was caught in the wet last night; the rain came down in torrents." Most of us have been out in heavy rains; but a torrent of water pouring down from the skies would a little surprise us, after all.

"I am wet to the skin, and have not a dry thread upon me." Where these expressions are once used correctly, they are used twenty times in opposition to the truth.

"I tried to overtake him, but in vain; for he ran like lightning." The celebrated race-horse Eclipse is said to have run a mile in a minute; but poor Eclipse is left sadly behind by this expression.

"He kept me standing out in the cold so long, I thought I should have waited for ever." There

is not a particle of probability that such a thought could have been for one moment entertained.

"As I came across the common, the wind was as keen as a razor." This is certainly a very keen remark; but the worst of it is that its keenness far exceeds its correctness.

"I went to the meeting, but had hard work to get in; for the place was crowded to suffocation." In this case, in justice to the veracity of the relator, it is necessary to suppose that successful means had been used for his recovery.

"When I mentioned it to her, she turned as pale as a sheet." I am sceptical enough to believe, that had an actual comparison taken place, it would have been found otherwise.

"I have been sadly troubled with head-ache; I thought I should have died, I was so ill." If they who use this expression on every light occasion, did really reflect on death as frequently as they represent themselves to do so, it might be attended with the most salutary consequences.

"You would hardly know her again, she is as thin as a thread-paper." Either the thread-paper must have been of an unusual size, or she must have been very thin indeed.

"We came along the lane, a horrid road, up to our knees in mud." Some people a little more diffident, satisfy themselves with saying, "It was