The Education of Daughters. 285 



You will find employment in attending to your 

 and your daughters apparel ; in studying economy, 

 which is a virtue ; in watching the improvement of 

 your daughters in knowledge and virtue; in keep- 

 ing up a correspondence with those who are in- 

 terested in your welfare, and in reading interesting 

 works. Associate with a few choice, intelligent and 

 pious friends, above all, do not neglect self-examina- 

 tion, and intercourse with your Heavenly Father. 



Should time still hang heavy on your hands, you 

 have opportunities of acquiring a knowledge of the 

 French and German language, (the latter, which is 

 spoken in its purity at Bethlehem, is one of the 

 richest languages in the world, in history, poetry, 

 science and philosophy.) The acquisition of these 

 and other languages, beguiled many a leisure hour 

 of my life, and they were brought into requisition 

 while travelling during eight months, without an 

 interpreter, through nearly all the Kingdoms of 

 Europe. 



Thus, by constant occupation, I am sure you will 

 so beguile the sorrows of a bruised heart, as to be 

 able to discharge your duties, to look on the glorious 

 heavens and the smiling earth, and feel that the 

 Lord has not hid the light of His countenance from 

 you. Nay, you may almost realize the dream of 

 the poet's Elysium, (I quote from memory) : 



"Content, retirement, friendship, books, ease and 



alternate labor ; 

 Progressive virtue, and approving heaven." 



In the moral and mental training of your daugh- 

 ters, I would advise that you become their com- 

 panion and confidant. Do not keep them at a dis- 

 tance let them feel that their mother is their best 

 earthly friend. Make due allowance for their 

 youth the happy years. Try to smile with them 



