but the soft calm of mellifluence; others adjust them by the epigram, and expect pointed sentences and forcible periods. The one party considers exemptions from faults as the height of excellence, the other looks upon neglect of excellence as the most disgusting fault; one avoids censure, the other aspires to praise; one is always in danger of insipidity, the other continually on the brink of affectation.

When the subject has no intrinsick dignity it must necessarily owe its attractions to artificial embellishments, and may catch at all advantages which the art of writing can supply. He that, like Pliny, sends his friend a portion for his daughter, will, without Pliny's eloquence or address, find means of exciting gratitude and securing acceptance; but he that has no present to make but a garland, a riband, or some pretty curiosity, must endeavour to recommend it by his manner of giving it..

The purpose for which letters are written when no intelligence is communicated, or business transacted, is to preserve in the minds of the absent either love or esteem; to excite love we must impart pleasure, and to raise esteem, we must discover abilities. Pleasure will generally be given, as abilities are displayed by scenes of imagery, points of conceit, unexpected sallies and artful compliments. Trifles always require exuberance of ornament; the building which has no strength can be valued only for the graces of its decorations. The pebble must be polished with care, which hopes to be valued as a diamond; and words ought surely to be laboured, when they are intended to stand for things.

CARDS of compliment should be short, easy, and consistent with politeness. They must begin with the title or style of the writer, and care must be taken immediately after, to mention, in a respectful manner, the style or title of those to whom they are addressed; they must contain but one subject, and that should be expressed with elegance and perspicuity. The following are given as examples, and may be varied as occasion requires.

I. Mr. and Mrs. Cecil's compliments to Mr. and Mrs. Howard, and desire the favour of their company on Wednesday next, to drink tea, and spend the evening.

Monday morning.

II. Mr. and Mrs. Howard return their compliments to Mr. and Mrs. Cecil, and will certainly do themselves the pleasure to wait on them.

Or,

Monday noon.

III. Mr. and Mrs. Howard return their compliments, and are sorry it happens that a pre-engagement will not permit them the pleasure of waiting on Mr. and Mrs. Cecil, which they would otherwise readily have done.

Monday noon.

IV. Mr. and Mrs. Compton's compliments to Mr. and Mrs. Stanley; and if they are disengaged this afternoon, will take the pleasure of waiting on them.

Tuesday morning.

V. Mr. and Mrs. Stanley are perfectly disengaged-beg their compliments, and will be extremely glad of Mr. and Mrs. Compton's agreeable company.

Or,

Tuesday noon.

VI. Mr. and Mrs. Stanley are very sorry that it so happened that they are engaged this afternoon and evening, but beg their compliments, and at any other time that shall be agreeable to Mr. and Mrs. Compton, will be proud of the pleasure of their company.

Tuesday noon.

VII. Mr. Lambert's compliments wait on Miss Norris, to beg the very great favour of being her partner to-morrow evening at the assembly.

Friday noon.

VIII. Miss Norris's compliments to Mr. Lambert, and she is engaged.

Or,

Friday noon.

IX. Miss Norris's compliments—she is not certain of being at the assembly, and undetermined about dancing; so Mr. Lambert must not absolutely depend on her for a part

ner.

Friday noon.

X. Miss Handy's respectful compliments to Miss Worthy, entreats the honour of her company this afternoon to tea and coffee.

10 o'clock, morning.

XI. Miss Worthy's compliments to Miss Handy, is happy to accept her polite invitation.

11 o'clock, morning.

XII. Mrs. Williams's compliments to Mrs. Hartley, and the young ladies,hopes they have got safe home, and are perfectly recovered the fatigue of last night.

Tuesday.

XIII. Mrs. and Miss Hartley's return thanks to Mrs. Williams for her kind enquiries,-returned home perfectly safe and are all well-Sally excepted, who has got a slight cold.

Tuesday.

XIV. Miss Wilmont's compliments to Miss Harcourt, requests the pleasure of her company to dinner on Thursday next-dinner to be on the table at three o'clock.

Wednesday.

XV. Miss Harcourt's compliments, will not fail to wait upon Miss Wilmont.

Wednesday.

MINISTER'S ADVICE

TO A

YOUNG LADY.

THY winning grace will lose its power to charm, Thy smile to vanquish, and thy breast to warm: The reign of beauty, like the blooming flower, Is but the pride and pageant of an hour; To-day its sweets perfume the ambient air, To-morrow sees it shrunk, nor longer fair. Such the extent of all external sway; At best, the glory of a short liv'd day; Then let the mind your noblest care engage; Its beauties last beyond the flight of age :

'Tis mental charms protract each dying grace;

And renovate the bloom that deck'd the beauteous face.

Let every virtue reign within thy breast,

That Heav'n approves, or makes its owner blest ;
To candour, truth, and charity divine,

The modest, decent, lovely virtues join:
Let wit, well tempered, meet with sense refin'd,
And ev'ry thought express the polish'd mind :
A mind above the meanness of deceit ;
Of honour pure-in conscious virtue great;
In
every change that keeps one steady aim,
And feels that joy and virtue are the same.

X

And O! let prudence o'er each thought preside,
Direct in publick, and in private guide;
Teach thee the snares of artifice to shun,

And know, not feel, how others were undone:
Teach thee to tell the flatterer from the friend,
And those who love, from those who but pretend.*

Ah ne'er let flatt'ry tempt you to believe;
For man is false, and flatters-to deceive;
Adores those charms his falsehood would disdain,
And laughs at confidence he strives to gain.
And if delight your bosom e'er would taste,
O shun the vitious, dread the faithless breast!
Infection breathes, where'er they take their way,
And weeping innocence becomes a prey:
The slightest blasts, a female's bliss destroy,
And taint the source of all her sweetest joy;
Kill every blossom, overrun each flow'r,
And wrest from beauty all its charming power.
The dying bud may burst to life again,
And herbs o'erspread the snow-invested plain;
Green leaves may clothe the wint'ry widow'd trees,
And where frost nipt, may fan the western breeze:
"But beauteous woman no redemption knows;
The wounds of honour, time can never close;"
Her virtue sunk, to light can never rise,
Nor lustre beam from once guilt-clouded eyes.

Fix'd be thy mind, those pleasures to pursue,
That reason points as permanent and true;
Think not that bliss can mingle with a throng,
Whirl'd by a tide of idle forms along:

* Ladies can never too cautiously shun hypocrites in love, as the bane of female innocence and virtue.