286 John Bachman. 



when they are happy, and restrain them only in 

 thoughts and actions that would lead to sin. Be a 

 watchful, but not too anxious a mother. Do your 

 duty, and then cheerfully and contentedly draw 

 largely on the promises of your Heavenly Father, 

 who will ever be the protector and guide of the 

 widow and the fatherless. 



In the education of your daughters, I do not ob- 

 ject to the ornamental parts, but let the essentials of 

 a solid English education, be particularly attended 

 to : Reading, writing, arithmetic, grammar, and 

 geography, with the use of maps and globes, history, 

 book-keeping, etc. 



Give them such a thorough education that in any 

 reverse of circumstances, they may pursue honora- 

 ble and useful employments ; or, on the other hand, 

 may discharge their duties as wives, mothers, and 

 happy members of society. 



Industry, intelligence, refinement, and pure re- 

 ligion, form, in my estimation, the characteristics of 

 a true lady. I confess, that I have little patience 

 with our fashionable, lazy young lady, who spends 

 her nights at balls, and her days in lolling on the 

 sofa with a novel, leaving her poor mother to toil, 

 economize and to speculate for her. Doll-babies 

 are pretty play-things for children, but intelligent 

 men will not resort to them even as a pastime. 



It would almost appear at first sight, as if I were 

 venturing on forbidden ground, w r ere I to advise you 

 more particularly in regard to the practice of the 

 duties of religion on which all your earthly peace, 

 and all your hopes for the future depend. I have 

 always prayed to be preserved against bigotry and I 

 have escaped I think, the charge of a desire to make 

 proselytes. The true Christian, I hail as brother or 

 sister, by what ever name he may be called. * * * 

 You and I, are not very likely to dispute about forms 



