Advantage—Knowledge of Modern Languages essential to a complete Education—False Impression prevalent on this point—Philosophic Wisdom—Wise Covetousness—Tact the Result of General Self-Culture—An Individual Moral Code of advantage—Example of Washington—Education not completed by a Knowledge of Books—Definition of True Education—The Development of the Moral Perceptions promotive of Intellectual Advancement—Undue Exaltation of Talent over Virtue—Religious Faith the legitimate Result of rightly-directed Education—Needful Enlightenment of Conscience—The Life of Jesus Christ the best Moral Guide-Book—Charity to the Faults of others the Result of Self-Knowledge—The Golden Rule of the Great Teacher—The highest Aim of Humanity—Reverence for the Spiritual Nature of Man the Result of Self-Culture—Danger of Self-Indulgence in regard to trifling Errors—Caution against the Infidel Philosophy of the Times—The establishment of Fixed Principles of Action—The True Mode of computing Life,

423 Apollo turned Author: a Bagatelle, 438 The Attainment of Knowledge under Difficulties—Necessity the Nurse of True Greatness—The Learned Blacksmith—The Wagoner—The Mill-Boy of the Slashes—Franklin and Webster, 439 A Peep at Passers-by, from the "Loopholes of Retreat," 440 The Force of Genius—A Man about Town—Anecdote—Manly Indignation, 441 Old-Fashioned Honor, 442 Webster on Biblical Studies, 443 The Young Frenchman and the Pyramids, 443 Peccadilloes and Punctiliousness.—Extract—Sir Humphrey Davy—Tribute to Religion, 446

LETTER XII.

CHOICE OF COMPANIONS AND FRIENDS.—SELECTION OF A PURSUIT IN LIFE.—COURTSHIP.—MARRIAGE.—HOUSEKEEPING.—PECUNIARY MATTERS.

Rule to be observed in the Selection of Associates—Advantage of the Companionship of Persons of more Experience than Ourselves—False Sentiments entertained by Lord Byron regarding Friendship—Self-Consciousness affords the best Contradiction to these Erroneous Opinions—Value of Friendship—Importance of the Judicious Selection of Confidants—Folly of demanding Perfection in one's Friends—Selection of Employment—The first Consideration in this Relation—Thorough Education should not be confined to Candidates for the Learned Professions—The Merchant Princes of America—Avenues for Effort—All Honest Occupations dignified by Right Conduct—The Pursuit of Wealth as an End—Freedom the Prerogative of the Worker—A Professional Manner Condemned—Individual Insignificance—Advantages of Early Marriage—Cause of prevalent Domestic Unhappiness—Each Individual the best Judge of his own Conjugal Requisites—Health, Good-Temper, and Education essential in a Wife—Accomplishments not essential to Domestic Happiness—Disadvantages resulting from a previous Fashionable Career—A True Wife—Respect due to the proper Guardians of a Lady by her Suitor—Advantages of a Friendship with a Married Lady—Reserve and Respect of Manner due to Female Friends—Manly Frankness as a Suitor the only Honorable Course—Attachment to one Woman no Excuse for Rudeness to others—The Art of Pleasing—Presents, Complimentary Attentions, etc.—Nicety of Perception usual in Women—Power of the Law of Kindness in Home-Life—The Slightest Approach to Family Dissension to be carefully avoided—The Duty of a Husband to exert a Right Influence over his Wife—Union of Spirit the only Satisfying Bond—More than Roman Sternness assumed by some—Sacredness of all the Better Emotions of the Human Heart—Expressive Synonymes—Pecuniary Matters—The Pernicious Effects of Boarding—An Old Man's Advice—Household Gods—Propriety of Providing for Future Contingencies—Slavery Imposed by Pride and Poverty—Comfort and Refinement compatible with Moderate Resources—Books and Works of Art to be preferred to Fine Furniture—Importance of Cherishing the Esthetical Tastes of Children—"Keeping" a great Desideratum in Social and Domestic Life,

447

ILLUSTRATIVE SKETCHES, ETC.

The Mooted Point.—A Morning Visit and Morning Occupations—Macaulay and the Blanket Coat—Curate's Daughters and the Daughters of New-England—A Sybarite—A Disclaimer and a Witticism—Not a Gentleman—"Trifles make the sum of Human Things"—The Slough of Despond—A Gift—Reading Poetry—A Soldier's Tactics—The "Unpardonable Sin"—A Fair Champion and a Noble Sentiment,	463
Anecdotes of a British Minister, an Ex-Governor, and an American Statesman,	470
Chief-Justice Marshall and the Young Man of Fashion,	472
Habits of