It is in the writings of these illustrious characters that we find originality of thought, justice of sentiment, and force of reasoning, occasionally elevating our conceptions, convincing our judgments, and softening our feelings. Many more examples might be adduced of those who prefer the exercise of composition to that of conversation, and who, in silently meditating upon some rational subject, and in recording the spontaneous flow of ideas and reflections, have felt a silent satisfaction, and an enlargement of mind, never found among the restraints, or the gaieties of society. I hope, my dear girls, that each of you will realize the pleasures of that exercise, which you now view as a burden, for if it was not of real utility, I would never recommend it to you. Often accustom yourselves to select some subject worthy of your meditations, and write your thoughts as they rise, striving by degrees to give them form and consistence, regularity and beauty. It is the privilege of our nature to think and to reason. To her who cherishes good thoughts, it can never be a burden to express them on paper, while she is confident that they will meet with no ungenerous, criticism. But as you strive to inure yourselves to this important exercise, be careful that what you produce is strictly your own; for though a similarity of sentiment or expression may accidentally occur between those who consider the same subject in the same point of view,
