Page:Advice to young ladies on their duties and conduct in life - Arthur - 1849.djvu/69

All works of fiction, however, are not bad. Where the author’s aim is to give right views of life, and to teach true principles, if he possess the requisite ability to execute his design well, he may do great good. The reading of works of this kind forms not only a healthy mental recreation, but creates a true sympathy in the mind for virtuous actions, and inspires to emulation in good deeds. It is by means of this kind of writing that the broadest contrasts between right and wrong are made, and so presented to the reader that he cannot but love the one while he abhors the other. Who can read one of Miss Sedgwick’s admirable little books—“The Poor Rich Man, and the Rich Poor Man,” “Live and Let Live,” or “Home,”—without rising from its perusal with healthier views of life, and a more earnest desire in all things to do justly and to love mercy. Of this class of books there are a great many. The novels and tales of Miss Edgeworth, Miss Bremer, Mrs. Howitt, and Mrs. Opie, are good, and may be read with not only pleasure, but profit, by every young lady. The time spent in their perusal will not be lost. Indeed, some portion of the time occupied in reading just such books, is necessary to a well-balanced mind. In reading history, we sympathize only with masses of people, or admire some pow-