cion? Suggest such observations as these, gradually, as you find opportunity, and as necessity, and their own capacities demand.

Observe likewise that artifice and dissimulation always spring from a mean disposition and a narrow mind. Persons resort to cunning and concealment, either because they are not such as they ought to be, or because, desiring things which are not improper, they employ unworthy methods to effect their purpose, for want of sufficient knowledge to guide them in the choice of more honorable means. Lead children to remark the folly of certain acts which they see practised, and the contempt which they bring upon those who practise them; and, in fine, make them thoroughly ashamed of their conduct when they are detected in any instance of deceit. Occasionally deprive them of what they love, because they wished to obtain it by indirect means, and say that they shall have it when they ask for it with simplicity; do not fear to be lenient to their little frailties, that they may be encouraged to avoid concealing them.

Extreme diffidence is a most dangerous evil, and one to which a remedy should early be applied; for, unless carefully watched, it renders all others incurable.

Undeceive them with regard to those refinements in dissimulation, by which they endeavor to make others deceive themselves, and so to avoid the reproach of having deceived them; there is more baseness and fraud in this species of cunning, than in common artifice. Others practise deception with a species of candor and plain dealing, (if such an expression may be allowed;) but these make use of a new disguise to give credit to the other. Say to the child that God is truth itself; that for any one to trifle with truth in his words, is to trifle with God; that her language should be precise and exact, and that she should speak little in order that she may say nothing but what is correct, and thus may maintain the greatest reverence for truth.

Beware of imitating those persons who commend children when they have displayed.

their ingenuity in the practice of deception. Instead of manifesting pleasure on such occasions, censure them severely, and manage so that all their artifices shall fail of success; in this way experience will render them distasteful. By praising them for such faults, you persuade them that cunning and deception are proofs of talent.

CHAPTER X.

THE VANITY OF BEAUTY AND DRESS.

[NOTHING is so much to be feared in girls, as vanity; they have naturally a strong desire to please. The paths which conduct men to fame and influence being inaccessible to them, their whole attention is bestowed on the culture of intellectual and personal graces; hence proceeds their agreeable and insinuating conversation; hence it is, that they so eagerly aspire after beauty and all external attractions, and that they have so passionate a fondness for ornaments; a cap, a ribbon, a curl somewhat higher or lower, the choice of a color, are so many important concerns in their estimation.

These things are carried to a greater ex

treme in our nation than in any other; the fickle disposition that reigns among us, causes a continual variety in the fashions; thus to the fondness for dress is added the charm of novelty, which has singular power over such minds. These two follies united, annihilate all distinctions of rank, and vitiate the public morals. As there is no longer any established distinction in dress and furniture, there is nothing in fact to mark the different grades of society; for as to the private table of individuals, it is beyond the reach of public scrutiny; each one chooses according to his wealth, or rather, without wealth, according to his ambition and vanity.

This luxury and splendor ruin families, and the ruin of families involves the corruption of the morals of society. On one side, all this pomp and show excite in the minds of persons of humble birth, the passion for hastily amassing wealth, a propensity which the Holy Spirit assures us cannot be indulged without sin. On the other hand, people of quality, finding themselves without resources,