numberless little failures in those whose unhappiness it is to think little of the effect they produce upon others; nor is it by reproofs and admonitions, showered down upon the child, at the moment in which we wish him to display his good manners, that we shall effect our purpose; but by accustoming him to exercise habitual kindness and civility toward his companions, and those with whom he lives. With all our care, however, we are not to expect that the manners of children will be superior to those of the persons with whom they chiefly associate; for, in nothing is it more true that "we are all a sort of camelions, and still take a tincture from things around us." On this account, as on every other, it is of im-. portance that children should witness and at no time practise any vulgar habits in the nursery, and that the conversation between the nurses themselves should be guarded and correct.*

*

I have known a mother say things in the presence of her children, which made me tremble, lest they should imbibe from her remarks, bad principles by mis-understanding them-and when reminded that they were near, she would reply, "Q, they will not understand!”

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But here it must be remarked, that in our earnestness to render our children pleasing, and to improve their manners, care will be required that we do not rob them of their chief charm-the simplicity of childhood; for how greatly are to be preferred even an uncouthness of behavior, and awkward shyness, to any thing of premature forwardness, formality, or affectation.

"Affectation is but lighting up a candle to our defects, and though it has the laudable aim of pleasing, always misses it."* We must also avoid working upon vanity to secure good manners, lest we nurture that love of admiration which is apt, but too soon, to take an overbearing possession of the heart.

And I have known another mother, as careful in the company of her children, lest they should learn an improper word, or receive an improper idea, as she would have been had a stranger been present, or one of the national rulers, before whom she would desire to appear with the best advantage! By this constant watchful.. ness, her children acquired the purest language and most correct thought.-AM. ED.

* Locke..

ORDER.

The general order of a nursery will be greatly promoted by early rising, by regular hours for all the employments of the day, and by an attention to this maxim,

“A place for every thing, and every thing in its place."*

Method and true order are attainments of a higher stamp than is generally supposed; for they are not only useful in the less. concerns of life, but necessary to success, in the most important objects: it is by these that the powers and activity of the mind are turned to good account. "Method," as Mrs. H. More says, "is the hinge of business, and there is no method without order and punctuality." Method is important

* To promote order, some persons have kept a bas. ket, (called a pound,) into which every article, belonging to the family, found out of its place, is thrown and only redeemed by depositing a ticket of some small pecunia. ry value-this little fund is appropriated to charity by vote of its members.-AM. ED.

as it gains time; it is like packing things in a box; a good packer will get in half as much more than a bad one.”*

* Cecil

RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION.

Religious education has been so ably and satisfactorily treated in several works already before the public,* that the Author would be unwilling, even were she competent, to offer a full or connected disquisition on the subject. But as she could not entirely omit that which is the foundation of all good education, she has slightly touched upon some points, which from her own experience she conceives to be of particular importance.

"The spirit of true religion is diffusive, and therefore they that are actuated by it, as they wish the happiness of all, so they labor to set them in the right way that leads to it, and more especially will they do so, with respect to those whom divine Providence has put under their immediate direc

* Monro's Pious Institution of Youth-Babington's Practical View of Christian Education-Doddridge's Sermons on Education; and the Works of Mrs. Trimmer, and Mrs. H. More, on the same subject.