qualities of the heart and understanding of one who stands in this relation; and of the comparative insignificance of external charms and ornamental accomplishments?" (P. 333.)—

tastes, manners, and opinions, being things not original, but acquired, cannot be of so much consequence as the fundamental properties of good sense and good temper." (P. 334.)-To these I should add a strong religious principle.— When a kind of thoughtless good nature"

"

appears with the attractions of youth and beauty, there is some danger lest even men of sense should overlook the defects of a shallow capacity, especially if they have entertained the too common notion, that women are no better than playthings, designed rather for the amusement of their lords and masters, than for the more serious purposes of life." (P. 335.)"The original purpose for which this sex was created, is said, you know, to have been, providing man with a help-mate; yet it is, perhaps, that notion of a wife which least occupies the imagination in the season of courtship." (P. 337.)—“ Romantic ideas of domestic felicity will infallibly in time give way to that true state of things, which will show that a large part of it must arise from well ordered affairs, and an accumulation of petty comforts and con

veniencies. A clean and quiet fire-side, regular and agreeable meals, decent apparel, a house managed with order and economy, ready for the reception of a friend or the accommodation of a stranger, a skilful as well as affectionate nurse in time of sickness-all these compose a very considerable part of what the nuptial state was intended to afford us; and without them, no charms of person or understanding will long continue to bestow delight." (Do.)—“ I confess myself decidedly of the opinion of those who would rather form the two sexes to a resemblance of character, than contrast them. Virtue, wisdom, presence of mind, patience, vigour, capacity, application, are not sexual qualities; they belong to mankind-to all who have duties to perform and evils to endure." (P. 340.) “Having thus endeavoured to give you just ideas of the principal requisites in a wife, especially in a wife for one in your condition, I have done all that lies within the compass of an adviser. From the influence of passion I cannot guard you: I can only deprecate its power. It may be more to the purpose to dissuade you from hasty engagements, because in making them, a person of any resolution is not to be regarded as merely passive. Though the head has lost its rule over the heart, it may retain its command

of the hand. And surely if we are to pause before any action, it should be before one on which all the colour of remaining life" depends. Your reason must be convinced, that to form a solid judgment of so many qualities as are requisite in the conjugal union, is no affair of days and weeks, of casual visits or public exhibitions. Study your object at home-see her tried in her proper department. Let the progress be, liking, approving, loving, and lastly, declaring; and may you, after the experience of as many years as I have had, be as happily convinced, that a choice so formed is not likely to deceive!" P. 341.

In the second volume of your Letters to your Son, in the Letter (xv) On the advantages of a taste for poetry, you say, "The enemies of poetry have brought a more serious charge against it, from the topics in which it is conversant, many of which are calculated to inflame the passions and vitiate the morals. Passion, it must be allowed, is one of the grand and interesting displays of nature on which poets have ever delighted to exercise their descriptive powers; but they have for the most part painted it in such colours as to render its excesses an object of horror rather than of admiration. With respect to one, however, that of love, I

confess they have in general been too indulgent. Poetry may with still more propriety than music be termed "the food of love;" and whatever censure it may deserve on that account, it must be content to bear. Poems, as well as novels, it is true, are filled with the baneful consequences of this passion, which may be taken for a warning, if the reader be so disposed. But it is commonly so allied with heroism in one sex, and sentiment in the other, that its errors are excused, if not applauded." P. 273.

Mrs. Barbauld, in her Thoughts on the Devotional Taste, says, "It will not be amiss tomention here, a reproach which has been cast upon devotional writers, that they are apt to run into the language of love. Perhaps the charge would be full as just, had they said that Love borrows the language of Devotion; for the votaries of that passion are fond of using those exaggerated expressions, which can suit nothing below divinity; and you can hardly address the greatest of all Beings in a strain of more profound adoration than the lover uses to the object of his attachment." P. 23.

In your Letters on Poetry, addressed to a Young Lady, (L. I. p. 3.) you say, "There is one particular topic, however, concerning which I feel a degree of hesitation. Poetry has in all ages and countries been the servant

and interpreter of love: from that passion it has received some of its most rapturous inspiration, and to its interests has devoted its choicest powers. The strains of love are not only occasionally met with in the works of the poets: they are the animating soul of many, and are intimately blended with almost all." And afterwards; "it is probable that the refinement and elevation of sentiment fostered by a taste for poetry may prove a protection from that light and vulgar passion which enters merely at the eyes, and is too sensual to be disgusted with coarseness and stupidity. Since, then, it it impossible to separate love from poetry, I shall not fear to recommend it to your notice in its purest, most tender, and fanciful form." P. 4.

In Letter II. speaking of Pope, you say (p. 13.) "The two "Choruses for the Tragedy of Brutus" which follow were intended to be set to music. They are probably too replete with thought for this purpose; but this is no objection to them, considered as poems to be read. They are very elegant pieces; and the touching picture of connubial love in the second of them deserves great praise as a moral painting." Part of this is given in my third volume with some trifling alterations, p. 225.

Letter iv. p. 31. speaking of Waller, you