286 John BacJiman. 



when they are happy, and restraii] 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, were 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, b}^ what ever name he may be called. * * * 

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



