CHAP. XXV.
Mrs. Maſon's farewel Advice to her young Friends.
THE day before Mrs. Maſon was to leave her pupils, ſhe took a hand of each, and preſſing them tenderly in her own, tears ſtarted into her eyes—I tremble for you, my dear girls, for you muſt now practiſe by yourſelves ſome of the virtues which I have been endeavouring to inculcate; and I ſhall anxiouſly wait for the ſummer, to ſee what progreſs you have made by yourſelves.
We have converſed on ſeveral very important ſubjects; pray do not forget the concluſions I have drawn.
I now, as my laſt preſent, give you a book, in which I have written the ſubjects that we have diſcuſſed. Recur frequently to it, for the ſtories illuſtrating the inſtruction it contains, you will not feel in ſuch a great degree the want of my perſonal advice. Some of the reaſoning you may not thoroughly comprehend, but, as your underſtandings ripen, you will feel its full force.
Avoid anger; exerciſe compaſſion; and love truth. Recollect, that from religion your chief comfort must ſpring, and never neglect the duty of prayer. Learn from experience the comfort that ariſes from making known your wants and ſorrows to the wiſeſt and beſt of Beings, in whoſe hands are the iſſues, not only of this life, but of that which is to come.
Your father will allow you a certain ſtipend; you have already felt the pleaſure of doing good; ever recollect that the wild purſuits of fancy muſt be conquered, to enable you to gratify benevolent wiſhes, and that you must practiſe œconomy in trifles to have it in your power to be generous on great occaſions. And the good you intend to do, do quickly; for know that a trifling duty neglected is a great fault, and the preſent time only is at your command.
You are now candidates for my friendſhip, and on your advancement in virtue my regard will in future depend. Write often to me, I will punctually anſwer your letters; but let me have the genuine ſentiments of your hearts. In expreſſions of affection and reſpect, do not deviate from truth to gain what you wiſh for, or to turn a period prettily.
Adieu! when you think of your friend, obſerve her precepts; and let the recollection of my affection give additional weight to the truths which I have endeavoured to inſtill; and, to reward my care, let me hear that you love and practiſe virtue.
FINIS.