as he made at private prayer, meditation, let them beforehand count the cost. If and the study of the sacred word, were a man will construct laws for himself, commonly interrupted by sudden gusts and conjure penalties wherewith to bind of self-reproach, which would stifle his them on his soul, he should assure his petitions, and suspend his efforts at com- heart, that both the genius of such laws munion with God. Moments of com- and their specific provisions will consist posure were frequently succeeded by with his situation and capacity. Of vows paroxysms of intense anguish. Indeed, signed and sealed before the Lord in"the terrors of God did set themselves voked as witness, whose arbitrary purin array against him;" yet scarce any port is, "to spend so much time in readperceptible alteration took place in the ing and prayer; to be at devotions by course of his pious activities. But ulti- such an hour; or to abstain from this or mately, through the rich mercy of God, that gratification ;"-of vows like these, he was brought out again to the light. what more of approval can the votary He was led back, with a meek and lowly expect from God or man than is involved heart, to the fountain opened for sin. in the question, "Who hath required He looked again, with adoring gratitude, this at your hands?" to his dying Lord; and the words of the apostle John, “If any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous," spread life and transport through his breast. His countenance now resumed its glow of heavenly love; but "the remembrance of his affliction and his misery, the wormwood and the gall," would at times return, so as almost to drink up his spirit. Here I leave Edgar; but why do I record his history? 1. That parents may receive a lesson on the importance of systematic discipline. I attribute much of the peculiar wretchedness of Edgar to his untutored passions. Let parental rule be constant and uniform, and it will be authoritative, yet genial; let terrors and indulgences interchangeably direct it, and the child is likely to become a desperado, or a dunce. 2. That young converts may be careful how they place themselves under self-imposed vows. If they make vows, 3. That Christians may see again the necessity of judging each other charitably. If at any time a brother appears morose, let us not leap to the conclusion that he is cherishing suspicious distrust or supercilious contempt of those about him. I remember that Edgar was stung almost to madness, when in one of his gloomiest moods, a minister dropped an inuendo to the effect that his manner was haughty, and another esteemed friend reported him lunatic. 4. That when believers fall into sin, they should at once repair to the cross, and not feed the fires of a guilty conscience by morbid self-upbraidings and perverse disregard of the provisions of the new covenant. If ever peace is to be regained, it must be by looking afresh to the Lamb of God; and why not look at once, and let misery cease? Remember, and imitate, Peter. Other reflections I leave to be suggested by the reader's own mind. Chelsea. W. B. DARK valley, that boundest our sojourn below! And leading the saint to the home of his bliss! Of crossing thy threshold, mysterious abode !- Thine exit from earth with his presence to cheer; There rest, wearied spirit, thy wanderings complete ; Battersea, May 3, 1842. THE LAST PLAGUE. Egyptia! o'er thy judgment-scathed land. Night spreads her pall of deep and deathful gloom; The blow is past. Israel! thy blood-besprinkled lintels spare And thou wert surely sheltered in his word: Flee from the house of iron vassalage; Go to fulfil your glorious destinies, And with the uncircumcised the warfare wage: The mighty God of Abram doth engage With valorous deeds each bosom to inspire; Onward; to Canaan march; that land of long desire. Canterbury. F. L. F. REVIEW S. The English Maiden: her moral and domes- Female Character. An Essay. By ALBERT MAN'S Sweetest earthly pleasures are derived from woman, and to her he is indebted for the best assistance that he receives in weakness, toil, and sorrow. The haughtiest despot who ever boasted of his independence, required attentions when he entered into life for which he was indebted to woman's care. In childhood woman is the most condescending and patient teacher, in manhood the most affectionate and attractive companion, in adversity the most constant and faithful friend, in sickness the most vigilant and tender nurse, and, when the last struggle is over, she is usually the most sincere and disconsolate mourner. He who passes through the term of his earthly existence without a wife, may perhaps be wealthy, learned, and useful; but his share of human comfort is meagre, and to a knowledge of the position designed for man and the sympathies belonging to his nature, he is comparatively a stranger. His circumstances may be such as to render it an act of heroic selfdenial to continue in celibacy, but he acquires only a partial acquaintance with the excellence of that provision which unerring wisdom made for our wants. asked Madame Campan what was wanting in order that the youth of France might be well educated, her reply was, "Good mothers!" The answer was correct; and if it be asked what earthly blessing will be most soothing to parents in their declining years, it may be said, "Good daughters!" And what is more essential to the well-being of our young and middle-aged men than good sisters and good wives? An expensive education is however often a very bad one; instead of preparing, it absolutely unfits its recipients for the duties of future life. The worst course adopted for "the daughters of England" is that which transports them to the continent to acquire accomplishments and elegance of manners; but parents who would shudder at the thought of subjecting their children to such peril, often do what approximates to it, when they send them to fashionable schools, where they are taught that it is necessary above all things to walk according to the course of this world, to adopt the maxims of this world as the rule of their conduct, to imitate the manners and echo the opinions of the aristocracy, to be pious as ladies of quality are pious, and to look down with contempt on most ancient and all modern puritans. Apostasies of the children of wealthy dissenters from the principles of their grandfathers and the professions of their immediate parents, have arisen we believe chiefly from the bias received in schools and colleges; and especially from the education of young ladies, into whose hearts a love of the fashionable has been infused, and into whose hands books have been put, particularly books of English history, misrepresenting facts The interests of the generation that is and persons, and filling the mind with departing, of that which is now flourish- baneful prejudices. In other cases, ing in its prime, and of that which is through the mistakes of parents or teachabout to appear, all require that diligenters, young females receiving what is and judicious attention should be given called education are trained to habits of to the training of young females. Their frivolity, and fitted not to be the associinfluence will be great, but it may be ates of men, but their playthings; while more or less powerful, and more or less some who undertake to teach them a advantageously directed, according to more excellent way would lead them to the instructions they receive and the renounce the mental peculiarities of their habits they acquire. When Napoleon sex, and while they compliment them on their intellectual stature, would strip them of their charms, exciting them to be, not helpers to their companions of the other sex, but rivals. "This state of things cannot be too deeply deplored. When a young woman receives an offer of marriage, it presents a solemn occasion, one which demands of her great deliberation, thoughtfulness, and discretion. Counsel and assistance are never more needed than in this important exigency. And to whom should she go in preference to those who best understand her character, and what traits are needed in another to render her happy and useful to him; and who feel also the deepest interest in her this quarter, and the parent ought promptly to give it. In the other extreme, where parental partiality would coerce the feelings of a child, and impel her to a step she would fain avoid, then let the daughter mildly, but firmly, main tain her own purpose. The works before us are all intended to afford aid in the formation of the female character, and they may be read with advantage by young ladies themselves, and by those on whom it devolves to direct their course. The perusal of that entitled The English Maiden has afforded us much pleasure. It is anony-welfare? The daughter should seek advice from mous, and we know neither the name of the author nor the section of the Christian church to which he belongs; but he possesses good sense, writes in a lively style, and inculcates just principles. His fifteen chapters are on the capacities of woman-the influence of woman-the education of woman-home -society-love-single life-reasons for marriage-conditions of true marriagethe society of young men-first love conduct during engagement-conjugal and maternal duties-trials of woman and her solace-encouragements. On these topics many valuable counsels will be found, the fruit of observation of the various circumstances through which English maidens have to pass in their entrance into life, and the results accruing from the different courses they adopt. For the sake of a large and interesting class of readers we extract a few of the paragraphs relating to marriage. "A true marriage must be free, contracted by the preference and choice of both parties. To marry only to please a third person, even though it be a father or mother, is never a duty, and can be the result only of a misled judgment, or a mistaken kind of filial piety. "A good disposition, if essential in the wife, is no less so in the husband. No young lady would marry one she believed destitute of this quality. Every instance in which it is found ultimately to be wanting is the result of a deception, either blindly disregarded by the lady, or so artfully conducted during the days of courtship' as to be then wholly unperceived. But of what value are all other recommendations, talent, beauty, wealth, family, without an amiable spirit and kind feelings? She who allows herself to hazard any thing on this point, is little less than insane. If her partner prove morose, sullen, or selfish, it will blight for ever the joys of their marriage day; and their afterlife will be a source of endless misery to each. "Next to the disposition, we regard a good temper as essential to domestic happiness. If nature have bestowed sparingly of this gift, and there be evidence of inward passion, unless there be also unceasing efforts at self-control, commit not your destiny to the individual. When the restraints of unfamiliar acquaintance are at length thrown off, what can you anticipate but captiousness and peevishness? Where surfaces,' says one, are contiguous, every little prominence is mutually felt.' How fearful that minds subject to unrestrained anger should be brought in so near collision as may be produced by marriage. "Yet we would by no means recommend the disregard of parental advice in this sacred transaction. Perhaps the dangers of this age lie chiefly in that direction. There is often a false independence in this matter, an idea that a certain individual must be a lady's companion for life. She may believe that the match was made in heaven,' and that it is a sin in parents "You will desire proofs of sensibility. This and friends to oppose it. Or she may determine is often accompanied by excitable passions; but that, let what will be the consequences, she will not uniformly, not of necessity. The beau ideal accept the overtures the gentleman has made of a desirable companion combines quick feelher. The tendencies of the times induce many ings with a serene, self-possessed temper. Spare parents to keep silent, and take no part, and no efforts in ascertaining how near the indivigive no advice, when their daughters receive dual who addresses you approaches this glorious proposals for marriage. It is thought that, let | ideal. An utter failure should present, in your them advise as they may, their children are re-view, an insuperable obstacle to a connexion solved to do just as they please, and to preserve with him for life. peace they forbear to interfere in the least. "Another condition of a happy marriage is "The young woman may justly require that her future companion be a man of intelligence. Mental attractions alone can gain a lasting empire. Where these are wanting, as the object loses its novelty and becomes common, its beauties fade away, and the imagination and the eyes which complacently and admiringly rested upon them begin to wander. Love, if it ever existed, rapidly abates; one or both regret precipitation; glaring defects stand out in bold relief, in place of the perfections which the imagination had painted.' She who does not regard another as at least her equal in talent and education, can hardly entertain for him that respect which is the basis of all true love. Not only should there be a moral and religious, but also an intellectual sympathy between hushand and wife. Else, how can they enjoy the society and conversation of each other in those numberless hours when they are scle companions? a union of spirit on the great subject of religion. | ward. This is a fatal error, and should be most It is desirable that the husband and wife belong studiously avoided. to the same Christian denomination; and that the family they constitute may worship in one church. But, above all, it is necessary that they be imbued with the spirit of true religion. 'What is true religion ?' asks a modern writer; Is it a temper and a disposition too high for common thought, or common use, abstracted from the ordinary feelings and affairs of life? Is it a thing requiring some especial and exclu- | sive form and pattern, even to the very look and gesture of a man, as being something solemn and extraordinary, and altogether separated from the things of this world? Or should it not rather be some silent, inward principle of operation like to that of leaven, capable of spreading through the whole mass, both of the individual in whom it is, and of society in which it ought to be? Is it not meant to be the very life-blood, circulating through every vein of the whole moral and social system, the moving, vital spirit of man's daily life, and its unceasing, uniform, and universal guide? Is it not, for instance, in worship, devoutness? in business, diligence and honesty? in suffering, patient resignation? amidst enjoyment, temperance and sobriety?—and so on, through the chain of Christian graces, religion being the perfection of each;-all springing equally from a sincere belief in what the Saviour of the world has done for us, and taught us, in the fulfilment of his Father's will.' "There must be sympathy, as respects the value and necessity of personal piety. It is not their belief alone which can produce this; nor will a diversity of opinion prevent it where the spirit of Christ exists mutually between them. We are told that, where husband and wife enter into a cordial union, there often becomes a growing personal resemblance of one to the other. Like views, tastes, feelings, and interests generate a similar expression of countenance. This blessed token of genuine affection will often be manifested where there is found a spi ritual sympathy. Let this boly temper be deemed essential, and you shall 'Learn, by a mortal yearning, to ascend Towards a higher object. Love was given, Encouraged, sanctified, chiefly for that end." "Let there be a full and frank expression of opinion on points of faith and conscience, before marriage, as well as after. Occasion is sometimes given for the complaint that the true feelings and intentions on this subject were concealed during the engagement of the parties; or that more charity was expressed then than after VOL V.-FOURTH SERIES. "The mortification, too, of being linked to stupidity or ignorance for life; of feeling always anxious, when in company, lest your husband utter the follies he does at your own fireside, must be insupportable. If you have one whom you cannot trust as a man of common sense at least, woe is your lot."-The English Maiden, pp. 153-158. Three advantages appertain to Mrs. Ellis. The first is, that she is favourably known to the public by former productions of her pen; the second, that possessing the heart of a woman, she can enter experimentally into feminine difficulties, anxieties, and hopes; and the third that her suggestions on some subjects will be received by the persons to whom they are addressed with more ready and implicit confidence as coming from a lady than they would obtain if propounded by a gentleman. Her work is divided into twelve chapters, entitled, important inquiries-economy of time-cleverness, learning, knowledge--music, painting, and poetry-taste, tact, and observation-beauty, health, and temper-society, fashion, and love of distinction-gratitude and affection-friendship and flirtation-love and courtship --selfishness, vanity, artifice, and integrity-dedication of youth. The following remarks by Mrs. Ellis relate to the same subject as the preceding extract. "In the bestowment of the affections, few women are tempted to make choice of men of weak capacity. Still there is sometimes a 2 M |