LYDIA. Such persons, however, do not compose a large portion of the world. ANNE. The only desire of praise which I think may be allowed to influence our conduct, is that of our parents and best friends. This, when well earned, is the most delightful reward I know, and proves a happy stimulus to our future exertions. LYDIA. This brings us back to the subject from which we set out-domestic happiness. ANNE. Though I dislike that "dangerous desire of pleasing which leads us to resign our own wills," and put our happiness in the power of others, and which would render us subservient to the purposes of the crafty, I admire the moral politeness superior to all that rank and fashion can teach, "which, from a sincere desire of promoting good-will and mutual happiness, rejoices in every opportunity of assisting and pleasing others, refrains from every word and action that may cause unnecessary pain, views every word and action of others in the most favourable light, and thinks no sacrifice too great, which is not unlawful, if it contributes to the peace and enjoyment of others." LYDIA. Oh, Anne, those are just the sentiments which Mr. Paice must have possessed!* ANNE. I firmly believe he did, though he died when I was such a child that I can scarcely * "Joseph Paice, of Bread-street Hill, merchant, one of the Directors of the South-Sea House (and Life Governor of almost all the charitable and public institutions which existed during his lifetime), the same to whom Edwards, the Shakspeare commentator, has addresed a fine sonnet, was the only pattern of consistent politeness I have met with. Though bred a Presbyterian, and brought up a merchant, he was the finest gentlemen of his time, &c. &c."Elia, Monthly Magazine. However highly the above qualities may deserve to be estimated, all who had the opportunity of daily observing his other virtues, will cheerfully bear witness that they were the sources from whence his politeness sprang. remember him. If ever you feel in doubt whether constant and active though unobtrusive goodness finds its meed in this world as well as the next, think of him-think how his memory is embalmed, not only in the hearts of those who knew him, but of their children. Happy they who have such a friend! Happier they who walk in his footsteps, which all may do in some measure; for though every one may not have his means of doing good, they may have the inclination to do all the good in their power, which is the leading principle that prompted him to use those means. ON TRUTH. "He that does one fault at first, And lies to hide it, makes it two." DR. WATTS. FRANCES. Do you not think that the early Christians were very much superior in piety and virtue to those of the present day? ANNE. When you consider the number of professed Christians then, and now, the greatest average of good men no doubt would be found in the earliest times, because those who openly embraced Christianity when it was first promulgated, did it, with very few exceptions, from principle, and with a determination to give up every other consideration for that of their new profession. There are always numbers of persons who, from motives of interest and the influence of early education, will choose to profess the established religion of the country, let it be what it will. These characters in the present day, by calling themselves Christians, throw discredit on the faith which they profess and yet fail to practice. But while no persecutions oblige men to show whether they could endure torture, ignominy, and death, for the sake of their principles, we have hardly the means of comparing present Christians with those of an earlier period. Were times of trial again to arise, we should most likely see many calmly sacrificing their possessions and their lives for religion's sake, whose unobtrusive and retiring virtues had never attracted our attention, while others, whose professions of zeal had drawn on them the eyes of the world, would prove unable to bear the test. FRANCES. In the times of the apostles, the Christians considered themselves bound to support the common cause, and sold their property, that |