DELICACY.

On this subject, there is little to be said, for it is only those who have refined and delicate feelings; who shrink from all that

is coarse or impure, and who desire for themselves to be "wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil," who can fully appreciate so invaluable a spirit in their children, or who would know how to guard it in them as the choicest plant, though of the tenderest growth. If children are tempted to commit other faults, if they are misled into other errors; there is great hope that the voice of conscience will be heard, and bring them back to the path of duty; but if the purity of the mind be sullied or lost, this cannot be regained: the outward conduct may be correct; but a beauty, a charm, a security to all that is good, is gone. The necessity of giving children good principles is generally acknowledged, but the importance of inspiring them with good tastes is much oftener overlooked. A

correct moral taste will not only prove an invaluable aid to religious principle, but will be a safe-guard against the inroads of corruption, even when religion has but too little influence on the heart. Purity of character is so little in unison with the spirit of the world, that, unless carefully cherished and watched over, we cannot hope to retain it; and it is, on this account, more than on any other, that companions for children should be selected with the greatest care; that unguarded intercourse with others is to be dreaded; low company prohibited, and that peculiar discernment and discretion are necessary, in the choice of those, to whose care they are entrusted.

ge

During the first ten years of life, it is nerally the case, both with boys and girls, that the character is chiefly formed by female influence; and how well calculated ought that influence to prove, to foster the purity and innocence of childhood! It is only to be lamented that women, both in the higher and lower walks of life, should endanger that refined delicacy, so essential.

to their character, by ever allowing themselves to treat what is impure, as a subject of curiosity or amusement; by admitting conversation which is not perfectly delicate; by reading books of an improper tendency, or by devouring promiscuously the contents of our public papers.*

Even little children are sometimes inclined, in their measure, to indelicate conversation, and will indulge in it, for the amusement of each other, and to excite a laugh; but, in nothing has a license of tongue a more corrupting effect; and any tendency to indelicacy in words or actions, is one of the few things in children, which ought to be treated with severity. An incorrect word, or an improper trick, in infancy,

* Perhaps no amusement can be less suitable than this for elder children, or young people, especially girls, and it is surprising that newspapers are so often entrusted to them.

[It is evident, that the author does not here refer to those newspapers whose professed object is moral reform-but to those, which present details of seduction, without the consequent misery, or pointing out the blessed antidote.-AM. ED.]

may at the time, be amusing, as appearing to spring from childish playfulness and humor; but here an object of no small importance is at stake: we are to manifest our disapprobation, both towards the offender, and those who are amused at his fault, and we must take care that our looks corres-pond with our conduct; for a secret smilewill more than counteract the effect of the severest reproof.

A great deal on the subject before us, will depend on the nice principles, the correct propriety, and the constant watchfulness of a nurse; for it is by a strict and minute attention to little things, that modest and refined habits are formed and a disgust induced at all that is improper and vulgar. A nurse cannot be too much guarded in what she does or says in the presence of children; nor must she fancy that they are always infants, or less alive than herself, to what passes before them. At the same time, the precautions taken, should be per-ceived as little as possible, for she will de-

feat her end, if she excite curiosity, by giving the idea that there is something to be concealed.

› Diligence and regular employment are great safeguards to purity, for it is the indolent and vacant mind, that is the most susceptible of improper impressions.

When children ask embarrassing questions, we are not to deceive them, or resort to a falsehood, that we may keep them in ignorance. If we receive such questions, with an unmoved countenance, and seeming indifference; without the least air of mystery or concealment, and with no apparent awkwardness or confusion, we may answer them, with truth, though perhaps, only in part, without exciting further curiosity, or improperly opening their minds, and we may easily prevent their pursuing the subject, by diverting their thoughts to other objects. It is also to be remembered, that there are some things which it is safer for children to learn from their parents, than from those who are less judicious and