if they wish to be refpected and beloved by others, and happy in themfelves, they fhould leave off looking at the ugly leg. FEMALE MODESTY; or, the hiftory of Julia and Roxana. ODESTY and propriety of behav- Contribute? iour contribute fo largely to the happiness of young Ladies, that their impor tance cannot be too ftrongly inculcated. inculcated? They are admired, or despised more on account of their behaviour, than beauty. The charms of the latter are of fhort duration, but the charms, infpired by a modest and easy behaviour, are never forgotten. 2. The flower bloffoms in the fpring, and blooms. is nipt by the firft froft ; fo beauty, at first fight ftrikes the eye agreeably, but no fooner do ill` paffions difcover themfelves in the mind of pof:for? the poffeffor, than fhe, who before appeared beautiful, fcems ugly and deformed. 3. In the language of the poet, "Beauty in vain her pretty eyes may roll, Charms ftrike the fight, but merit wins the foul.” pretty. Modefty, efpecially in females, has been cele- celebrated? brated by the good and worthy of all ages and nations. recur? 4. But we need not recur to the teftimony of ancient times, our own reafon teach.' es us its importance, and our own obfervation affords numerous examples of the happi- ancient? nefs the affords. Take for inftance the hif tory of Julia and Roxana. 5. Julia and Roxana were born in a pleaf- amiable? ant Town in America, where they had all the benefits of an early education. Their parents, who were wealthy and refpectable, fpared no Sought. pifiable. literature? acquire? indicated? handfome. mental? Superfluities? affable? liberal? devoted? allured? exertions to render them amiable and accomplifhed. 6. With these advantages, their friends entertained the pleafing hope, that they would foon be the first ladies of the Town, and their company fought and admired by the worthy and refpectable youth of both fexes. 7. At a fuitable age, having received al the advantages to be derived from a common fchool education, they were fent to an Academy, where they might have an opportunity, to acquire a knowledge of the higher branches of literature, and, at the fame time become more acquainted with the world. 8. It is in fituations of this kind, that young Miffes feldom fail to difcover their difpofitions, and acquire a reputation which generally remains thro' life. It was here, that Julia and Roxana difcovered their difpofitions, and acquired a reputation which they still retain. 9. Julia was a girl of handfome features, and her countenance indicated a foul, poffeffed. of that innocence, purity, firmness and fimplicity, which always attract efteem. But her merit arose, not from handsome features, or the beauty of her countenance. She had a mind capable of distinguishing the different value of outward and mental accomplish ments. 10. Her drefs, always neat, fimple and elegant, was never rendered coftly, by needless fuperfluities. Her behaviour, to her fuperiors was refpectful, with her equals, free and fociable, kind and affable to her inferiors, and to the poor and reedy, liberal. 11. At the Academy, fhe devoted her time principally to the acquirement of knowledge, and never allowed herself to be allured from her ftudies, by trifling amusements, Naturally poffeffed of a good genius, her prog Exceeded. progrefs in learning was exceeded by few of 12. When the returned, the fame difpofition continued. Her greatest pleasure confifted, in the fatisfaction, which the good improvement. improvement fhe had made of her time and advantages, afforded her parents. 13. It was her delight, by a decent and decent? modeft behaviour, and a cheerful compliance with their wilhes, to reward them for the expence and attention they had bestowed on her education. It was her delight, likewife, introduced? to render herself agreeable to her former companions, and all others, to whofe company the was introduced. Superiority? 14. Although the exceeded all the young Miffes of the neighborhood, in every useful and polite accomplishment, yet, fo mild and amiable. engaging were her manners, and fo modeft her behaviour, that while they acknowledged, they never envied her fuperiority. Indeed, the whole town rang in her praife, and whenever her name was mentioned, it was the lovely, the charming, or the amiable Julia, 15. Far different was the character of deficiency? Roxana. Not, however, that a want of beauty; or a deficiency in point of natural abilities, rendered her incapable of being equally as agreeable as her fifter. In her drefs he was more attentive to finery, than incapable ? neatness. In her behaviour, to her fuperiors, fhe was not always refpectful, her equals were often treated with neglect, and her inferiors, with a degree of haughtiness, that rendered the very fight of her hateful. 16. In company, fhe was forward and affuming and the leaft appearance of neglect would G 1 Exafperate? would exafperate her to highly, that she would often leave it with abruptnefs. Indeed, when abruptness? ever she went into company, the chofe to command admiration, by the haughtiness of her deportment? deportment, rather, than to attract efteem, by a modest and winning behaviour. derived? extenfive? haughty. contraft? arrogant? thwarting? fufficient. contempt. irksome? genius. 17. At the Academy, fhe derived more pleafure from amufement,than fludy, of course, her progrefs in learning was by no means equal to that of her fifter. The reputation fhe acquired it is true, was extenfive, but it was the reputation of a proud and haughty young Mifs, who neglects her ftudies, and whofe pride renders her disagreeable. 18. Nothing was more common, than to hear of the difference between the proud and haughty Roxana, and the amiable and modeft Julia. As they walked the freet, the people at their windows would obferve," There "pafs Julia and Roxana, what a contraft ! "who can believe they are fifters? The one "how lovely and amiable! the other, good "Heavens! fo proud and arrogant, that the "seems to despise the very earth on which the "treads." 19. Perhaps it is unneceffary to obferve, that after her return, her conduct was very different from that of her fifter. Inftead of yielding a cheerful obedience to the commands of her parents the would often complain that they were harsh and cruel, and the least thwarting of her wishes, however unreasonable, was fufficient to put her out of humour for a number of days. 20. Her former companions, fenfible of her fuperior advantages, were difpofed to treat her with refpect. But fuch was the rudeness, of her behaviour towards them, and her contempt fo great, that her company was extremely irkfome, and her perfon and conduct moft heartily defpiled.. You 21. You cannot, my young Miles, be long at a lofs, which of the above characters molt to admire and imitate. If, however, you have Sequel? any doubt, let the fequel of their history decide. 22. The wealth and refpectability of their parents, the advantages they had received for acquiring a genteel and ufeful education, attracted the attention of young gentlemen genteel. from a confiderable diftance. Each had their admirers. 23. But Roxana, naturally of a proud and coquette? haughty difpofition, delighted to act the part of a Coquette. Nothing was more agreeable to her feelings, than to conceal her real difpo- conceal? fision, affume an air of modesty, and by a falfe appearance of friendship, gain the esteem and affection of a young gentleman, that her affume? frowns might the more fenfibly affect and mortify him. 24. But the pleasure she derived from acting a part fo unworthy of a virtuous lady, wantonly was foon at an end. Her real difpofition became known, her admirers forfook her, and all the young gentlemen who chanced to be in her company, by obferving towards her a inflicted? ftudied neglect, foon left her to feel all that mortification fhe had fo wantonly inflicted on others. 25. As fhe advanced towards thirty, an age dreaded by the generality of unmarried unmarried. women, fhe began to perceive the neceflity of purfuing a different line of conduct. But the character fhe had acquired could not be forgotten. 26. A widower, however, of about forty, paid his addreffes to her, and they were foon widower. married. In a few years the more than ever discovered the folly of her conduct. Her Husband, at the time of their marriage, had the appearance of a man of property. But, All |