precious hours upon that which adds nothing to their happiness, and does little to prepare them for married life. Let the mind be kept tranquil on this subject, the heart will then be preserved in its soundness. No good affection will die or decay, but in the time and method ordained by Providence advances will be made, and the heart addressed, and the hand solicited for marriage. Let the young maiden bide the passing months in cheerfulness, and prepare herself for a Christian life. A character thus matured, will give hope of the happiest results in new relations, and amid all the coming and unknown scenes that await her.

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CHAPTER VII.

SINGLE LIFE.

The single state is no diminution of the beauties and utilities of the female character: on the contrary, our present life would lose many of the comforts, and much likewise of what is absolutely essential to the well-being of every part of society, and even of the private home, without the unmarried female.

Sharon Turner.

We have already seen, according to the condition of society, that a state of single life is not always to be avoided, it will be therefore right and proper that we should devote a few thoughts to that state which has been with a considerable degree of quaint humour denominated one of "single blessedness." If, however, public opinion is to be the criterion, this "single blessedness" is deemed anything but a blessing, hence the feverish anxiety of the young to escape from the necessity of enduring it, and the almost innumerable hardships which those have to complain of, who, with or without any fault of their own, are doomed to pass their days in celibacy.

It is not of the voluntary "old maid" that we would now speak; but of those noble souls who, formed to love and worthy to be loved, are compelled by the

heartless arrangements of the social, anti-social state rather, to choke up the purest springs of feeling, and to play a part they were not formed to act. To such we would say, be not discouraged at your lot, yours is not a state ordained, though it is permitted by Providence, and who, to prevent some greater evil permits the less, has placed many a lovely flower and many a cheering fruit, even in your desolate and lonely path. You who are deprived of that domestic hearth which you feel yourselves fitted to adorn, may, if you will, become the purest ornaments of society. Humanity has claims upon you, to which you will do well to listen; the Church has calls upon you, to which you ought cheerfully to respond; and you may become real blessings to your country, by training the young in all those patriotic and Christian virtues which will enable them to increase the sum of human happiness, and to leave a rich treasury of blessings, to nations yet unborn.

The state which is termed an "old maid," is generally considered despicable; and when a worthy, a suitable match, has been, from whim, caprice, or other objectionable motive, refused, it certainly is so: but it is not true that single ladies are usually despised, or subject to ridicule. Those who do suffer these things, have usually brought them upon themselves by a deportment which might have been shunned. Some have been derided for their excessive reservedness of manner, for never permitting one of the opposite sex

to address them even indirectly, or scarcely to exchange a word with them. What else can the prude anticipate, or reasonably require, than that she be an object of reproach, if not of ridicule, for obstinately adhering to a manner that must result in her perpetual singleness of life? If she debar all access to herself, except from her own sex, misinterpret every word, and all intimations, and thus insulate herself from any special acquaintance with any gentleman, let her bear the consequences without a syllable of discontent. A morbid sensitiveness, in reference to all such company, must, in most cases, seal her doom. It is right that the young woman should contemplate the possibility of her being compelled to remain single during her life, because she will thus be the better prepared for every event; but she ought on no account to think of it as a state to be chosen; the doing so is a sin against the constitution of her nature, and consequently a sin against God. Woman was made to enjoy happiness by imparting it to others, this she cannot do so effectively in the single as in the married state. We speak of judicious marriage, entered into from right motives and principles, and hence it is plain that the single state is itself at variance with the designs of Providence, and with the order of our creation.

But though the single state is one not to be enjoyed, but endured, let not the young maiden, in order to escape this justly dreaded calamity, rush into the opposite extreme of that above referred to, and by an

unfeminine boldness disgust those whose favour she is solicitous to obtain. Let her remember that, those who are worthy to be won, are also worthy to be wooed; and let her assure herself, that modesty and a retiring sweetness will seldom fail of attracting and some heart which she would deem it at once an honour and a pride to love.

But should this not be the case, and she must tread the thorny path of life without one loved and cherished associate, let her remember that this is but the infancy of her being; and that, if that infancy be well and usefully employed, it will conduct to a maturity in a future state, in which all the high and noble faculties of her nature shall receive their full consummation, and their eternal recompense.

There are several traits, characteristic, in some degree, of what is termed an "old maid,” that are in reality to be ranked among the higher virtues.

Such persons are not unfrequently marked by their Humanity. Not being exclusively devoted to one individual, or one small circle of individuals, they find objects of interest everywhere around them. She who retains her cheerfulness in this state, is often an invaluable friend among the sick, and the suffering poor. She has leisure to follow out her kind impulses. They are not contracted to a single sphere; but whereever she can go and do good, thither her steps hasten. Even the inferior creation share her attentions. There is many an eye, not radiant with reason, nor accom