panied by the powers of speech, that is yet eloquent in praise of her kindness.

Single women are usually adorned with Modesty. Most ladies of this class are graced by a retiring manner, and quiet habits, and a gentle address. These traits we all prize in woman. They are certainly an ornament to the character, giving new lustre to what we, perhaps with difficulty, discern beneath them.

Economy is another characteristic of a single woman. It may degenerate to a fault, it is true; but everywhere it is an incumbent duty of the Christian to "gather up the fragments, that nothing be lost.' She who does this, may be a most valuable auxiliary in the family with whom she resides.

Suppose one partly dependent, for her subsistence, on her manual exertions, or an inmate in the house of a relative or friend, she may do great good by an habitual watchfulness that nothing be wasted. The head of the family may be deficient in economy, or what is by no means uncommon, so engrossed with other inevitable cares, as to have little time to look after the savings which might daily be made. But here is an individual, whose habits prompt her to the service, and who has leisure to make herself useful in this manner.

Unmarried ladies are usually distinguished for their Neatness. We often hear it said of another, "She is so afraid of a speck of dirt, that she will certainly

be an old maid." If this be the chief index of that character, it is one which the married lady would do well to imitate, rather than deride. The personal habits can be excusably neglected by no one. If those charged with the care of families, are so absorbed in their employments as to pay little attention to neatness in dress, their condition is deplorable. She who has less occasion to interfere with this all-important quality, and who therefore gives much time to cleanliness, order, and neatness, is to be envied, not censured. Should she hereafter be placed in the situation of a wife and matron, her partner will rejoice in those circumstances which contributed to this most valuable trait in her character.

This class has proved signal benefactors of their species. In the domestic sphere, amid scenes of sickness and affliction, how often have they proved ministering angels. "To how many a father, a mother, brother, and not less a sister, is she both a necessity and a blessing! How many orphans have to look up with gratitude to her care and kindness! How many nephews and nieces owe their young felicities and improvements to her! Were every woman married, the paternal home would often, in declining life, be a solitary abode, when affectionate attentions are most precious, and, but from such a source, not attainable. It is the single class of women which supplies most of our teachers and governesses."

Thus we see that all is not dark even in the cha

racter of an "old maid;" still, at the best, their condition is one not to be envied, and they not unfrequently make it worse by their own folly. "Single women, it is well known, are sometimes envious, querulous, discontented, and restless."

Some of this class, in the agony of despair, array themselves, perhaps to old age, in attractive dresses and a profusion of jewellery, and affect the air of young ladies; let not such be surprised if they incur the opprobrium such a course merits. The advice of a female author on this point, seems peculiarly pertinent. "Let women," says she, "of a certain age, beware of the affectation of youth, if they would avoid the shipwreck of their respectability and character. As the loveliness of girlhood fades from their cheeks, and the liquid brilliancy of youth departs from their eyes, let them make unto themselves charms which neither the rust nor moth of time can corrupt; let the warmth of goodness yield its gentle tinting to their cheek, and let tears of tenderness, of mercy, of lovingkindness, make their eyes moist with those beauties which will not be destroyed, but perfected hereafter. We must all fade, but it is in our power to exchange our charms. Keeping far from us envyings, strife, jealousy, evil-speaking, let us, as our days increase, improve in wisdom and good deeds; caring for the young, comforting the old, and rendering our home the throne of domestic happiness."

K

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CHAPTER VIII.

REASONS FOR MARRIAGE.

Some there are

Who hold, that ere we enter into life,

Soul hath with soul been mated; each for each

Especially ordained.

Southey.

To attempt the enumeration of all the inducements which may lead a young woman to marry, were perhaps a hopeless task. So complex are our motives, that it is difficult to analyse them correctly, or even to say with confidence what was the sole motive operating on the mind in any particular action. This difficulty is increased, where the affections are concerned. They are too subtle and ethereal in their nature, to be subjected to minute examination. We shall, therefore, only promise in this chapter to treat of some of the reasons for marriage, as they affect most persons in actual life.

At the head of these stands the fear of being Single. There is supposed to be some latent and terrific evil in remaining unmarried. The imagination of the girl depicts its loneliness, its desolation, the blight it must shed on every gentle and happy emotion, the

reproach it must bring on her from her entire circle of acquaintances, and the pride with which her more successful companions will look down upon her. These, and other features in the picture, become so fearful to contemplate, that she resolves to embrace the first opportunity to escape so awful a dilemma.

To prevent this calamity,-for it often proves a most serious one, we would recommend the culture of two virtues, Faith and Moral Courage.

There is no cause for a young woman, in any ordinary circumstances, to fear that she shall be left single. How few are they who deserve the attentions of the other sex, and yet never receive any overtures for marriage! Have then Faith that you will not be neglected. This will do much to inspire that modest conduct which attracts so powerfully the opposite sex. It will also lead you to a course of steady preparation, in all respects, for marriage; and thus both insure your entrance on that state, and qualify you for its duties.

Cultivate Moral Courage. It is better to wait this year and the next, and many years, rather than, for the sake of appeasing the popular cry, to sacrifice yourself to the worthless. What consolation can it be, when bound to such a companion for life, to reflect that you have escaped the odious name of an "old maid?" Better ten lives of singleness, than a few years of that wretchedness so often occasioned by marrying solely from a fear of being single.