ciating at the moment, that it is almost certain everything we say or write to that person will in some degree take its tone from the influence of her mind; and we should feel the same words unsuitable for another person, for whom we might yet feel an equal affection. It is better, therefore, to burn at the end of every year all unimportant letters received in it, and to request our own letters may be treated in the same way. Let me add, that no correspondence should be entered into by a young girl without the sanction of her best friend-her mother ; nor should it be carried on, if it ever becomes of such a nature that she would not like her mother to see it. No loving mother will object to the innocent amusement of her child; and be sure, if you feel you would rather not show your parent the letter of your friend, there is something in it which should never have been written. Always refuse to be a party to anything clandestine; and save yourself from the temptation to become privy to a secret by letting it be known your mother is so much your friend you have no concealments from her.

Whilst being studious not to be compromised by the folly of others, be very careful what you yourself write concerning any one. If it be necessary for a Christian to set a watch at the door of her lips, be sure it is still more important for her to guard her pen; for words may be forgotten, a harsh speech may be excused on the ground of momentary anger, but a written judgment remains; and, if we allow ourselves to comment on others in an undue manner, we are almost certain to live to regret our error, not however before some irreparable 'mischief is committed. It is wise, therefore, to say nothing of any one, in our most private letter, that we should not like to have repeated; and, as a general rule, it is better to talk of things than of persons. Beware of giving way to a propensity to gossip; it will make you odious as a young woman, and deprive you in old age of every title to respect.

The details of folding, sealing, and directing a letter are by no means beneath the attention of a lady, since strangers will judge of her character by the appearance of her letters. Besides

this, it should be a woman's aim to do everything, no matter how trivial, in the best possible

If a thing is worth doing at all, it is orth doing well. The universal introduction of envelopes has obviated much of the difficulty that used to exist in folding a letter neatly; but even now we see sheets of paper that have been twice folded, because the first arrangement would not admit of their being placed in the envelope. The usual way of folding note-paper is to double it first in the length, and then in the breadth. French envelopes, which are long and narrow, require the paper to be folded in four in the width. Sealing-wax is comparatively little used now; but we can never consider an adhesive envelope an elegant thing, although we may allow it to be a convenient one. The address should be extremely clear, as should also the place of your own residence; for I have known some hundreds of letters which could not be answered, because the name and address of the writer were illegible; and, as a last resource, I have cut out the name and address, and gummed them on the envelope, trusting that the magical

skill of the “Blind Clerk," at the General Post Office, might enable him to decipher a name which was quite beyond my comprehension.

To conclude this subject, I will say a few words more on composition. Poets, indeed, may be “born, not made,” according to the old proverb; but for all writers study does as much as genius. Hear what one of the greatest authors of modern times (Sir E. Bulwer Lytton) says on this point—"I am no believer in genius without labour; but I do believe that labour, continuously and judiciously applied, becomes genius in itself.” If such a man has had to toil to attain excellence, what must humbler individuals do?

There are two kinds of exercise for your pen, if you wish to become a good writer: you must learn to condense and to amplify. To condense is to give the substance of any narrative or event in the fewest words possible, without in any degree altering the sense. The other process is that by which we enlarge on a history, or a sentiment, still retaining its leading features in all their integrity. These exercises will lead you

to criticise all your words carefully, that you may not unthinkingly use one which does not convey the right impression. Exercises in original composition are also very desirable; and careful attempts at criticism will improve your judgment as well as your style. The notices I have already advised you to give of the books you read, will prepare you for more elaborate critiques. Any new work which is much talked of will be an admirable study for you, as you will probably hear it discussed by those who are more capable of appreciating its merits; and, at any rate, the monthly reviews will be sure to have notices of it, which you may compare with your own, and thus learn to form your judgment and your taste. Do not, however, be ashamed of differing even from a professed critic; rather examine the ground of his opinion, and see whether you are yourself in error or not. Editors are but fallible mortals, like other peo

and no rational being should pin her faith on any other person's sleeve. Let your object be, not to prove yourself right, but to exercise your powers and enlarge your mind.

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