worth, their desires regulated by virtue, their pas sions under the control of reason, and their hearts in possession of " that peace which passeth understanding." Let her see them ennobled by that species of superiority which alone commands the reverence of the heart, and enjoying that true dignity which confers the only real distinction. Let her imagine such children bedewing her tomb with the tears of filial gratitude; and even in the latest hour blessing her memory, as the cause of the happiness that had marked their path in life, and as the conductor to that HOPE which sweetens the hour of dissolution.

even

How poor, in comparison of this, is the paltry ambition that is gratified by the envy, or the admiration, of a few trifling and silly individuals! And yet for the purpose of exciting this envy, and of procuring this admiration, do people court the assistance of wealth and honour, and assiduously solicit acquaintance with those who are in the enjoyment of the perishable distinctions they bestow; by this means teaching their children to consider this as the first, the only object worthy the pursuit of rational and immortal beings.

Effectually to regulate the love of wealth, power, and glory, so as that they may be made secondary, not primary objects of esteem, requires a minute and scrupulous attention to circumstances, which though apparently trivial, may be productive of the most important consequences.

Simplicity in dress, simplicity in the furniture of their apartment, and simplicity in the toys which are intended for their amusement, I consider as

essential. It is by means of the latter especially, that the seeds of pride, vanity, and ostentation, are commonly first sown in the infant mind. We observe that children admire what is gaudy, and by giving them fine toys we think to gratify this natural propensity. But would we extend our observation a little further, we should be convinced that children are rather attracted than gratified by the sight of gay and brilliant objects, which soon lose the power of pleasing, unless they lead to the gratification of curiosity. After this gratification the little heart incessantly pants. But, alas! fine toys are not intended for this purpose. It is very

naughty to break them; and why? Because, forsooth, they have cost a deal of money at the toyshop! I remember having been told when very young, that

"The children of Holland found pleasure in making What the children of England found pleasure in breaking." And that it then forcibly struck me, that I should have had more pleasure in making and painting the little coach which I had drawn to pieces in half an hour, than I had experienced in demolishing it.

Why not gratify this natural propensity, by giv ing children toys on which they may exercise their ingenuity?

Often have I amused myself with observing a little groupe employed in erecting the tiny frabric of turf or pebbles. With what activity do they collect the materials, while fancy and judgment are equally employed in the selection. Animation and intelligence play upon the contenance of the ingenious

contrivers, while hope quickens exertion and novelty gives a zest to pleasure.

While the powers of the mind are thus called forth, how many new ideas may it not receive? By the assistance of a few well-timed observations from a judicious mother, the building of the rush-covered edifice may be the means of laying the foundation of a just and elegant taste.

Let us now turn to the toy-strewed nursery, and observe the neglected baby-house, whose store of Lilliputian furniture was the admiration of an hour; but which, having never produced an emotion but that of short-lived wonder, is soon viewed with indifference; nor is ever resorted to as an object of delight, except when infant vanity can be gratified by exhibiting it to a stranger. Then, indeed, when the everwelcome incense of flattery has been poured on the costly toy, it does not fail to rise in the estimation of the owner, till it produces all the pride of property: a species of pride which all detest in others, and which is the never-failing mark of a narrow and sordid mind; but which is yet carefully instilled into children by the thoughtless vanity of parents.

Where a number of young people are brought up together, a tenaciousness with regard to proper. ty is frequently inspired and encourged, with a view of teaching children to be careful and prudent. Of such an early tenaciousness concerning property, selfishness and avarice is, bowever, a much more probable result. Instead of teaching children to defend the little articles of property they are taught to call their own, with all the selfish pertinacity of so many petty-fogging attornies, would it not be

better to make them sensible, that all property is a species of trust; that the only happiness conferred by its possession, is by giving opportunities for the exercise of benevolence; and that extreme selfishness with regard to property, partakes of the nature of injustice? You know, my dears," would a prudent mother say to her children," that this house and all it contains is mine. I hire servants to take care of the furniture, and am at pains to instruct them in doing it properly; but you know it is not for myself that I take this care. I consider all that is mine as entrusted to me for your advantage. It is you who enjoy all the benefit. Whatever I give to any of you, I expect you to take care of in the same way for the good of the rest. When you say my top, and my doll, remember that the top and the doll are only entrusted to your care, that you may, by preserving them, have it in your power to contribute to the amusement of your brothers and sisters." In families thus instructed, there would be none of those hateful wranglings, by which the benevolence of the youthful mind is so often destroyed. Instead of the frequent recurrence of "that's mine, and you shan't touch it;" we should hear children saying to each other; " that is mine and therefore you are welcome to it." It is in this manner only that we can counteract the pernicious tendency of the unjust or ungenerous associations attached to MINE and THINE" those cold words," as St. Chrysostom calls them," which extinguish in our hearts the fire of charity, and light up that of covetousness."

LETTER XIII.

ASSOCIATIONS PRODUCTIVE OF SELFISHNESS AND

AMBITION.

Objections answered.---Love of power.---Love of glory; of praise; of dress; and of admiration.

MY DEAR FRIEND,

YOU are apprehensive, that if too much pains were taken to guard young minds against all prepossessions in favour of riches and honours, it would, by removing the grand stimulus to industry, produce effects injurious to individual exertion, and consequently detrimental to the interests of society; nor can you consider the love of power as a pernicious passion; since earnestly to desire the power of doing good must be admitted to be a laudable species of ambition.

In answer to the first of your objections, I shall only observe, that in the present state of society, there is very little reason to dread any evil consequences from our endeavours to preserve the heart untainted by the love of wealth and power. The value of all the comforts and elegancies of life is easi ly learned. It were folly to depreciate or despise them. Let them hold a proper place in our esteem, but let them not be considered as the chief good, by beings professing a regard to moral and religious. principle. When your pupils are introduced into a world where luxury maintains an almost universal