HINTS

ΤΟ

YOUNG PEOPLE.

YOU are now at that season of life when your minds e susceptible of improvement. Your faculties are exanding; and exercise will increase their powers. Your nderstanding is now inquisitive, and eager for information. et it be your study to direct it to the contemplation of roper objects, and to the acquisition of useful knowledge. f it be left uncultivated, you may conceive false notions of hings; and you will probably imbibe such prejudices, as nay give a wrong bias to your conduct through life, and in ■ great measure deprive you of the satisfaction and benefit hat may be derived from civil society.

Now is indeed the seed time of life; and according to what you sow, you shall reap. The direction which you now give to your desires and passions, will be likely to continue. Beware, then, at your first setting out in life, of those seducing appearances of pleasure that surround you. It often happens, that, by a continued series of loose, though apparently trivial gratifications, the heart is thoroughly corrupted. Guard, therefore, against accounting any thing small or trivial, which is in hazard of introducing disorder into your hearts. Set out with the intention, that usefulness and active goodness shall direct your pursuits: thus will each in his place, contribute to the general welfare, and reap the benefit of his own improvement.

All the duties of civil life, are embraced in to do good. Civil life is a commerce of mut to which the most virtuous bring the great seeking the good of others, you will general own. People who live only for themselves, creatures. Self-love sometimes occasions great crimes; and, in its most innocent state, virtues and harmonies of society, and concea own faults.

By reflecting frequently upon your own showing them to yourselves without disguis once derive sentiments of humility and bene

Upon your first entering on the stage of world, to keep good company, will be of great you. It will give you a relish for such comp you will be likely to receive proper imp early impressions, whether right or wrong, of our future conduct in life. Associate, therefor from whose conduct and conversation, you ma attention, gain instruction and useful knowledg rest assured that you will sink or rise to the company you keep. People will, and not wi judge of you by that. Bad company is often people. If you associate with those whose are immoral and irregular, you can hardly fa rupted by the pernicious influence of their by the destructive tendency of the sentiments will endeavour to insinuate into your minds, clusion of the better principles which you ma sessed. Cautiously avoid the company of such

་་ མམ་ན་ ས་་སསབ It shows not a

em in the opinion of sensible persons. periority of mind, but a depravity of heart. Purity of anners, and respect for religion, are necessary to those no would wish to be respected by worthy people. Vire exalts the condition of man, as much as vice degrades The basis of happiness is that peace of mind which sults from the testimony of a good conscience.

It is our duty as well as interest, to endeavour to proote intellectual and moral improvement in conversation. eek not to shine. Remember that simplicity, accompaied with a pleasing mildness, and a proper regard for the eelings of others, is the first charm in manner, as truth

in mind. Remember also, that this mildness, and reard for others' feelings, ought not to be an occasional orLament, but an every-day habit-not put on merely when ou go into company, but steadily worn when at home, where it is most needed. If people would always observe t at home, it would prove an efficacious preventive to he frequent recurrence of those jars and wranglings by which the happiness of many families is destroyed.

If a due regard for the feelings of others were properly cherished both at home and abroad, that gentleness and strict civility which give security and pleasure to our social intercourse, would, in all companies, and on all occasions, be maintained. Civility and true politeness are near akin : they consist not in an adherence to unmeaning forms of ceremony; but in a nice observance of the feelings of others, and an invariable respect for those feelings. To express (without an indispensable necessity) what you suspect may wound the feelings of any present, whether it respects themselves, their profession in life, their religious opinions, or their manners, is uncivil, and is neither a trait of a good education, por an improved mind. If any present have a

particular weakness or infirmity, genuine ci allow you to exercise your wit by inventing of may expose or betray it; but will lead y favourable a turn as you can to the weakness

To treat the frailties of our fellow-creat derness, to correct their errors with kindr even their vices with pity, and to induce, by e attention, a mutual good will, are not only im duties, but means of increasing the sum of earth

Polite or well-behaved people discover a n out bashfulness, a candour without bluntnes without assurance. They do not rudely co other. They are attentive to what is said, a mildness and condescension. They neither unnecessarily with the affairs, nor pry into t others. Thus, their conduct being easy, ag consistent with sincerity, they command respe true civility or politeness, is that kind of beha unites firmness with gentleness of manners, springs from a disposition to please, but neve pense of integrity.

But there is a description of people who selves plain dealers; they speak what they t rough bluntness, and uncontrolled freedom, spect to time or place. They openly reprov of others, and throw out their satire indis Such persons, however unexceptionable their however true their remarks, are, notwithst pleasant companions.

In conversation, mark well what others say curate observation, and reflection upon men

est eloquence is the plainest; and the most concise le is generally the best. Never exchange simplicity manners, speech, or behaviour, for that which is the fect of false taste, or servile imitation. Banish art and Tectation; for you will not make yourselves agreeable by ther. Strict sincerity, with unassuming manners, will ain you the esteem and confidence of your acquaintance. Do good when you can-Speak evil of none-these are mportant lessons; the latter should be so indelibly imrinted on your mind, as to keep you on your guard, in all ompany, and on all occasions; so that you may avoid sayng any thing of an absent person that will tend to lessen is reputation. For, although evil-speaking too frequently Forms a considerable part of common conversation, this loes not lessen its criminality, nor palliate the injury done to the reputation of our neighbour. Avoid, therefore, and discourage every kind of detraction. Listen not to slander. Never judge with rigour, nor condemn any person unheard. Remember, there are things resembling truth, that are not true. In private judgment we should imitate the equity of public decisions. Judges never decide without examining the grounds of accusation, and hearing the defence of the accused. It would indeed be great injustice, if they did so. And let me impress it upon you, that a sense of justice should be the principle on which you should act. In your earliest intercourse with the world, and even in your youthful amusements, permit no unfairness of any kind. Despise that gain which cannot be obtained without mean arts. Stoop to no dissimulation; for it will sink you into contempt. Engrave on your minds this sacred rule; "all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them."

And as justice is due to man, so is tenderness to the