This is a subject that will require a good deal perhaps of self-denial, both to us and you; but we must be governed by what is prudent on the whole, not what may be at the moment most agreeable. Happily, we have a number of valuable friends and connections in whose society you will receive both pleasure and profit.

You must in the midst of our busy family endeavour to keep up all your good habits. You must continue your studies in the line of improvement, and do your best to occupy your time, and to occupy it usefully. I expect, myself, to have great pleasure and comfort in your society. You shall make breakfast for your brother and me, and you shall, when agreeable to yourself, read for me, and sometimes, when you have time, copy for me. My eyes begin to fail. The hand of time is upon me!

I am certain you will be disposed to study our happiness — do it silently, if you please; it will not be the less observed. Let this, indeed, be a general rule in bestowing your attentions on others, to avoid all appearance of bustle or parade. Approbation is always bestowed most liberally where it is not demanded, and gratitude flows most freely, when it is rather shunned than courted. Be your manners quiet, easy, natural,

and attentive the offspring of a good understanding, a cultivated taste, and an affectionate heart. Put your emotions under control; I wish you to be kind and generous, and to feel always something more than you express.

My dear love to dear Lucy. Accept the same yourself, my very dear Jean, and believe me ever Your affectionate Father,

JAMES CURRIE.

No. 73.

Liverpool, June 17. 1803.

MY DEAR JEAN,

So short a time has now to run till I hope to see you, that you will scarcely expect that I should write to you; but Mr. offering to carry my letter, I am led to say a few words to you in the in the way of observation and advice, which I know you will receive as a proof of my affection. On your return many questions will be doubtless asked you respecting the school you have left on all such occasions, say what good you can, and keep any observation that is of a contrary kind to yourself. You will also be asked the characters of the young ladies, your friends or companions, especially those from Liverpool. Use a like reserve respecting them ;

for I have observed, that remarks made by girls from the same school on each other, are very apt to be repeated, and when they go round, to be much resented. It is highly important to a young lady to avoid unfavourable criticisms, and there is no way so likely to escape them as herself to avoid criticising others.

You must not suppose that, by offering this observation to you, I have conceived an opinion that you are critically or censoriously disposed. I never saw any thing of this sort about you; but I am putting you on your guard against the openness of your own heart in committing to others too freely sentiments which, though they may even be just, it may, however, be wise and prudent to keep in reserve. The conduct of some young women coming from school has to my knowledge been very foolish, in the particulars I have guarded you upon, and has done them much injury.

*

I was much pleased to see that you wish to continue your improvements after you get home. In this plan you shall have every encouragement and assistance I can give you. I shall be proud to find that my daughter is not a mere every-day woman, courting amusement, and

weary of thought; but one who has resources in her own mind, and who aspires to the friendship of those of both sexes who are truly estimable.

To Lucy Currie *, his youngest Daughter, at School, at Newcastle-on-Tyne, aged Ten Years and a half.

MY DEAR LUCY,

January 18. 1802.

I love you very much with all your faults, because I know you will strive to mend them; and if you do, you will succeed. What you require is, to think before you act or speak; and when you have thought, not to speak or act at all unless you see that it is proper on reflection.

Little pots they say are soon hot; little minds are easily moved. Now, what I wish is, that

*Now the wife of the Rev. Henry Moore, Rector of Carnew, in the County of Wicklow.

you should not be a little mind; that you should not be a feather, that is blown about by every wind; but that you should be guided by your judgment. You are no longer young; you are getting to be an oldish sort of a girl. darling, try to be a little thoughtful.

Above all things, my dear child,

SPEAK TRUTH!

Do, my

I do not fear that you will be guilty of premeditated falsehood God forbid I should have the pain to think so! but thoughtless girls do not always consider what they say, and their tongues sometimes run so fast, that when they have done, they find they have been talking, not from memory, but from fancy; or rather, that where memory should alone have dictated, fancy has interfered. Mrs. Wilson will, I dare say, explain this.

*

Your ever affectionate Father,

JAMES CURRIE.