A CONVERSATION*

That leads to something in our next.

BEFORE your ladyship's arrival," said Mrs M. "I pined incessantly, that this disorder in my foot should ave confined me, where I expected to pass the autumn se heerily at my nephew's superb seat. All the lady visitors, deed, give me a flying call in the forenoon, when they are ather at a lose to dispose of themselves;—but dear Lady . alone vouchsafes to leave the gay crowd in the drawingoom, to pass a part of the evening with a poor invalid." "I wish I could, with propriety, dedicate more time to ou," replied Lady S.; "but as a guest of the Duke and Duchess, I must give in to some of the amusements.-I hope he Cheap Magazine supplied my place since I left you."

"DAWSON read to me ever since: even during my soliary dinner;—and I am so well pleased with the general lan, and with the improvements announced, that I shall certainly order sixty numbers to be annually sent to my son's states for the most indigent cottagers. If my income were nore ample, I would distribute hundreds monthly like Lord S.; and if my pen could elucidate important truths, ike your ladyship's, I would assist in the attempt, to qualify parents in humble life for preserving the health, and forming the morals of their offspring more effectually than they have hitherto understood those duties."

"By promoting the circulation of the Cheap Magazine," said Lady S. "you provide for the happiness of future ages. Parents duly instructed will train their children to practical Religion, and all those relative duties to man, whose only sure foundation is a lively belief in the doctrines of Christianity; but we shall never behold the uniVOL. I. versal

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* From the pen of a LADY, whose writings have been highly approved in an English periodical work.

versal triumph of those sacred principles, until the lower classes become more enlightened, and disposed to allow the gospel a candid attention.

"That numbers of the poor are dignified and blest by heart felt piety," continued Lady S. " is a fact which every good mind must regard with pure delight; but there are thous ands who have hardly an idea of their own privileges as rational and immortal beings, and the only avenue to insensible and rude minds, is by cultivating the reasoning powers. Among the numbers who seldom go to church, or go only to see and be seen, who never read a serious book, or make a serious reflection, many might be saved from fatal errors by admonition, under the guise of amusement. If some occurrence should lead them to wish for instruction, they cannot perhaps afford to purchase books, or are incapable to select them-and the good impression is soon effaced. To persons of this description the Cheap Magazine may prove a seasonable monitor. Indeed, an amusing volume is the only substitute for the dangerous resources to which the poor apply for filling up their short intervals of relaxation; and on this account, I highly applaud the Editor of that work, for framing a proportion of it to please those who would certainly throw it aside if too solemn in all its contents. The pious will read, and they will be circumspect; but the inconsiderate must be gratified before they can be induced to embrace principles that lead to genuine self-enjoyment."

"I did not sleep much last night," said Mrs M.-“and our conversation the preceding day dwelt upon my thoughts, particularly your just aphorism: That the difference of character in human beings arises from the sentiments they have imbibed, and the habits they have established; and that to render these vital springs of action pure and efficient, the understanding must be improved, so far as to enable it to

scern and to avoid the fallacious appearances by which ce entices and ensnares its victims. Criminal indulnces never assume their really hideous shape to the oughtless transgressor, until too late to retract, except der bitter repentance. The Cheap Magazine, with a rning voice, detects many of these seductions; and I nk your story of the Irish Family, must be read with inest by all who have the care of youth,—and by domestic vants. It shows the evils of misconduct, and the happy asequences of integrity, in a manner that cannot fail to ke them look forward to the probable tendency of their 'n behaviour. It may inculcate caution without what ght seem to them too rigid restraints, or enthusiastic clamation."

It was this that determined me to send my manuscript the Editor of that work, replied Lady S.; and as "I ered the passages you pointed out, and have followed ur advice to plead the cause of youth with austere rents, I hope to entice the most refractory or volatile go through my pages; and TRUTH, when she wears a begn aspect, is so engaging, that, I flatter myself, the aracter of a good servant, will be regarded as an object respectable ambition. I have endeavoured to rouse ide as an auxiliary to virtue, in combating temptationsd when we can dispose young persons to aim at deservg approbation for qualities intrinsically excellent, experice will soon convince them that rational piety, operating moral rectitude, is friendly to all the substantial enjoyents of life;"-but, as I have the promise of the publishers at the principal heroes of my story, shall be introduced to eir readers, in the first number of the Second Volume their little interesting publication, I refer you to the erformance itself, for further particulars respecting the anner I have conducted it.

The Cottager's Advice to his Daughter

UPON HER GOING TO SERVICE-CONCLUDED.

Warning against Seducers.-Danger of going to London—of being fond of fine Clothes.-Duty of Chastity.Danger of listening to superiors in Fortune.-Unhappy fate of Caroline.Advice respecting Marriage.-Duty to Parents.-Parting Advice. SORRY I am to be constrained to tell thee, MARY, but it is necessary thou shouldst know the truth: There are vile wretches of both sexes on this fair earth, who, like the Devil, go about seeking whom they may devour; and, when they have accomplished their foul ends, they laugh at the misery they have created, and spurn at the object they have deluded into destruction.

Well do I remember some of my good neighbours' daughters, whom nothing would please but going up to London, as if they were sure of making their fortunes. As soon as they arrived in town, they fell into the snares of those abandoned procuresses, who, under pretence of getting them good places, brought them like birds to the net, or lambs to the slaughter. It is impossible that thou, or any country girl, should suspect half the wicked arts which are played off to seduce young females.

I charge thee, as thou lovest thy soul, not to indulge any desire of being gaudily attired. What numbers of without other inclination to wickedness, young women, have been undone by the immoderate love of dress.

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In all conditions, remember that Christianity requires nothing at our hands more clearly, or in a stronger manner than chastity or purity; and this consists in a fixed abhorrence of all forbidden sensual indulgence, I charge thee, MARY, to be watchful of thy words: Unguarded conversi tion generally opens the door to mischief. Build the caution on this great principle, that human nature is frail:

that religion doth not keep the generality of men in awe in any degree equal to what might be reasonably expected. The generosity of men, is not to be trusted. I can tell you a very tragic story of this kind, in which I acted a considerable part. Poor CAROLINE, the daughter of a yeoman of reputation in this country was seduced by a gentleman; he had promised to marry her, and she depended upon his honour. Her father was my old acquaintance; and entreated me to talk with him, I did so, when he told me he would make her a proper allowance, but could not possibly think of marrying her, as he should disoblige his friends, and mar his fortune. She, on the other hand, would not accept his offer. Grief from such ill treatment threw her into a consumption, and she died in a few months after. Attend MARY, and take warning! This is the last day in which I may ever communicate my thoughts to thee, with uninterrupted satisfaction.

The subject of our conversation naturally leads us to the consideration of marriage. Marriage ought to be in high estimation, not only as the state most safe to virtue, and in which so great a part of private happiness consists, but as best calculated to promote the welfare of our country. Happy it is when this union is cemented by a suitableness of disposition. I will give thee one lesson more, which thou wilt easily understand, for it is founded on the plainest sense and reason. The ready way to secure a husband's affection and duty, is to be truly affectionate and dutiful as a wife, and always as agreeable as thou canst.-As to the proper time of marriage, if thou hast a prudent offer, and no weighty reason to the contrary, marry in the early part of life; but, remember, that whether thou shouldst marry or continue single, thy real sum of happiness will be proportioned to thy progress in virtuous attainments, and to the right performance of the several duties of that parDDD 3.

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