to the subject of love and marriage, you must forgive me for venturing to "guess" that you will not reject this subject as altogether an unwelcome one. Yes, my female friends, I suspect that you will rather like to see what Servio has to advance upon a topic, which, to say the truth, always has been, and always will be, an interesting one to the young. But you must remember that Servio's turn of mind is a little serious, and marriage is a serious subject, so that I cannot promise that you will not be somewhat disappointed at the grave manner in which it is presented to your minds, in the "reflections" upon it which I have ventured to draw up for your use. If, however, you should approve of the thoughts suggested, and make them, as it were, your own, you will much gratify me, and you will perhaps allow me to hope that you will, in some degree, have benefited yourselves. Some of you are not very unlikely to meet with an opportunity of entering into the state of matrimony, and while I offer you my cordial wishes that you may make a good choice, I, at the same time, beg you to accept (as a pledge of their sincerity) the abovementioned efforts so to guide your sentiments and feelings on this important subject, that your choice may be good.

My dear countrywomen, I will not pay you so poor a compliment, as to insinuate that you look forward to being married as an object in life, which, if not accomplished, would make you unhappy. Let me, on the other hand, give you full credit for assenting to this important truth, that the true hap

piness of every man and woman, whether young or old, whether married or single, consists in good habits, good principles, good thoughts, and good temper. It is by no means denied, that it is a natural, a very natural thing, for a steady and wellconducted young man to love, and dearly love, a good and modest young woman; and Servio heartily wishes that every such man may be fortunate in winning, in return, the affection of her whom he loves. But marriage generally involves such new duties, cares, and expenses, that it is both foolish and wrong to form this tie, until permanent employment gives a fair prospect to both parties of being able to meet the expenses of their humble home. Do not you, then, do, what so many have done, "repent at leisure" of a hasty marriage, but listen to the voice. of prudence, as it speaks in the old couplet,—

"Choose not alone a proper mate,

But proper time to marry."

The interest which I take in this subject, as connected with your well-being, leads me to bring under your notice the care which should be taken of the beginnings of love-these, every prudent young woman will watch. We will suppose a young man is paying you attention, and wishes you to give him your company-you, perhaps, feel inclined to do this; but wait a little, and be on your guard. If he urges you to be with him, at such times as he knows, and you know, that you ought to be at your duties, you may be quite sure that he is not a person to whom it would be safe for you to give your company. If he was trustworthy

and conscientious himself, he would wish you to be so also, for poor would be his prospect of happiness with a wife, who could readily be induced either to neglect her daily duties, or to pass the boundary of a modest propriety of behaviour. Again, when you have parted from him, and are thinking of what he has said, and how he has conducted himself towards you, ask yourself whether he has done your mind good or harm. It is easy enough to know this, if you deal with yourself faithfully. If you were to pray for him, would your prayer be, that God would graciously strengthen him in his virtues, or that He would forgive, and enable him to forsake, his vices. If the latter would be your petition, oh, trust him not; give up his company, and fly from him as you would from a viper! Rejoice that the acquaintance has been but short, and that you have found out his real character. Give your mind to other thoughts; discharge your duties with more fidelity than ever; and be grateful that you have escaped the danger of connecting yourself with a man of any known bad habit, which he will not grapple with, and endeavour to conquer. To connect yourself with vice, in any way whatever, is to court misery and ruin. Ever shun the man, whose words are evil, or whose actions are in the slightest degree such as a modest young woman would shrink from. If a young man's conduct shows that his heart is not right towards God, depend upon it, it neither is, nor can be, right towards you.

And now, my countrywomen, one and all, I must bid you farewell; and I cannot do this without com

mending you in my heart to that Being whose arm is power, whose mind is wisdom, and whose spirit is love. "His tender mercies are over all his works." "From the place of his habitation he looketh upon all the inhabitants of the earth, and considereth all their works." You cannot go where God is not, and, therefore, go where you will, you go where love is. You have the privilege (and a greater privilege not one of our erring race can enjoy) of calling this holy and powerful Being your Father and your Friend. His ear is ever open to your cry. He is ever waiting to be gracious to those that trust in Him. May you, then, trust in Him, and with gentle and obedient hearts "commit your way unto the Lord." New scenes are about to open to you, new beauties to strike the eye, and a new aspect of life to engage your attention. The friends whom you have left, will like much to hear of all that you have thought, and felt, and done, since you parted with them, and, while your willing fingers are employed in writing to these friends, it will surely be a sweet and happy thought, that both you and they (though the great waters divide you) are alike under the kind care of your Heavenly Father. He witnessed the mutual tears which you shed at your departure. He knew it was but natural that you should shed them. His gentle hand, my dear young friends, will one day wipe all tears from all eyes, for his purposes towards us all are as kind as they are wise. "Draw nigh unto Him, and He will draw nigh unto you.” Approach his throne with the gentleness of little

children, with the humility of true Christians, and with the entire and confiding trust of frail, dependent, and perishing creatures. Thank Him for all his goodness to you, for every kind feeling of your heart, and for every good purpose of your soul. Thank Him for those earthly friends whom His providence has raised up to take an interest in and to forward your happiness, but, above all, thank Him for sending into the world his beloved Son, Jesus Christ, to turn us all from our evil ways, to "bring life and immortality to light," and to teach the whole human race to address, as their Father, that Great Being who is ་་ the confidence of all the ends of the earth, and of those that are afar off upon the sea."

Faithfully yours,

SERVIO.

P.S. It has not been thought necessary to offer any particular observations or reflections upon the love of dress, as the vanity and folly which lead young women to bestow so much attention and waste so much time upon it, would be effectually cured by the steady cultivation of that habit of mind which the writer so earnestly recommends.

REFLECTIONS ON FIRST SETTING OUT.

1st. When persons enter upon any new situation in life, they must be thoughtless, indeed, not to go over in the mind the new duties which they must enter upon also. Such a want of thought tells ill