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and the self-possession it produces, can be ob- 

 tained but one way. Never allow yourself when 

 alone, to sit or move, in a manner that you 

 would think inconsistent with propriety in com- 

 pany. But to return to our dress, pray, ac- 

 custom yourself to have your clothes in neat 

 order, whatever they are ; and well put on,, at all 

 times. The French expression * d'etre bien 

 mise,' conveys everything that can be said on 

 this subject; for besides the reasonable atten- 

 tion to fashion, which good sense requires, and 

 the suitable correspondence of colours which 

 implies good taste, it includes all the proper pin- 

 ning, tying, and arrangement, which in my opi- 

 nion is the most important point of all." 



I thanked my uncle very sincerely ; and he 

 then added, " Yes, Bertha, I consider it as a very 

 unwise tenderness, not to make known their 

 lesser faults to young people. Your aunt is of 

 a somewhat different opinion, and was unwilling 

 to annoy you 5 so I took it on myself to advise you 

 on the subject of your toilette. It was from this 

 mistaken delicacy of your dear aunt's, that one 

 of your cousins was acquiring the unfortunate 

 habits of want of neatness and an ungraceful 

 walk. Your aunt depended on her own good 

 sense to overcome them ; but at last, perceiving 

 the injury we should do the child, by allowing 

 those habits to become fixed, I spoke to her 

 myself she not only outlived my interference, 



