A loquacious disposition leads to many indiscretions, of which some examples may here be furnished. It influences confidentials to divulge secrets, betray confidence, and produces open ruptures between neighbors. It leads families to discuss their private business in the presence of strangers, which is improper. It betrays many individuals into the very impertinent and annoying practice of catechizing civil travellers as to their residence, destination, name, and business. This is an extremely rude practice. Loquacity interrupts the harmony of conversation; for a talkative individual will often break in upon another while speaking, which is embarrassing and uncourteous. It makes people appear self-important and unteachable. For example, when a minister of the gospel calls on a talkative family, instead of being heard as their religious teacher, he is compelled to keep silence, and listen to their desultory harangues, perhaps all speaking at once, till his time and patience are exhausted, or retire abruptly. To visit such a family, except for the purpose of teaching them better manners, is a waste of time. In some instances, loquacity is an infirmity of old age, and in others, of partial insanity; and in all such cases should be endured with patience. But in young and sane persons it is usually a defect of education, or of natural judgment, or both together. It leads some very young persons, like saucy children, to monopolize the time in con versation, to the exclusion of the aged and experienced. This is very indiscreet. Few things are more disgusting than the frivolous conversation of young people to each other, in the presence of seniors. Well educated and sensible young people, of both sexes, always pay respect to strangers and seniors, however inferior their accomplishments may be; but the ignorant and talkative respect no one, and of course no person respects them. They are radically defective in sound understanding, and in civility, and therefore introduce their uncalled for questions and topics, without regard to circumstances. A few individuals of loquacious habits, are sufficient to cause general confusion in a large social company; because no one of them is willing to be a hearer they all speak at once, which produces sound without sense, very much resembling the gabble of a large flock of geese. Hence it is that social parties seldom afford any instructive or profitable conversation, on subjects of general interest. I have not the vanity to suppose that this short essay on loquacity will reform any confirmed talker; but it may possibly be the means of preventing some individuals from becoming such; and with that result I should not only be content, but feel amply rewarded for the labor of writing. It is admitted that there is an opposite extreme to loquacity; that is, taciturnity, or habitual silence. This is also a fault to be guarded against. Very diffident and reserved persons, are most liable to fall into this error. Often, when a few words might be spoken to the edification of some individual, or company, they keep silence, from timidity, or disinclination to talk, and thereby lose an opportunity of doing good. Man is a social being. It is wisdom in all to cultivate social habits and feelings; and one of the best means of doing so, is a familiar, friendly conversation. When we engage in social converse, it should be to instruct, impress, amuse, or gain information; and as some one of these objects may be effected with any civil companion, there is no necessity of confining our conversation to a few select friends. Extreme taciturnity is not profitable, or commendable. Sill, I am of the opinion, that to say too little is a less fault than to say too much, and, indeed, that it is better to say nothing than to speak unadvisedly. There is, between the two extremes of loquacity and taciturnity, a happy medium-that of speaking on a suitable subject, at the right time, and in a proper manner, so as to accomplish some good purpose. If all would endeavor to speak thus, much idle and unprofitable talk would be dispensed with. Fine colloquial powers are among the choicest accomplishments of human life. If properly employed, they may be rendered exceedingly entertaining and instructive. They afford their possessor ready and easy access to society, and great facilities in accomplishing any object for which he is dependent on the co-operation of others; provided, always, that they be not used too freely. To be able to say enough on all occasions, without saying too much, is a rare attainment. It is the perfection of human converse, which every individual should aim to approximate as far as practicable. A SISTER'S LOVE. BY REV. E. THOMSON, D. D. He bore in his arms SEATED last Sabbath in the altar of a crowded church, and sympathizing with a large assembly which was rather impatiently waiting for the arrival of a distinguished preacher, my attention was suddenly attracted by a gentleman who advanced slowly up the aisle. Time had whitened his temples, care had ploughed his cheek, and affliction had evidently opened the fountain of his tears, and spread over his countenance that softened expression on which the eye of the musing soul loves to rest. an infant wrapped with unusual care. ing after another over his arm, he at length disclosed the treasure so carefully concealed. It was a babe of extraordinary beauty. Its brow was of marble whiteness, its cheek of rosy hue, and its sparkling eye of almost unearthly lustre. How beautiful, thought I, is the human form! This is an abode worthy a new made angel-this is a temple fitted for the indwelling of the Holy Ghost. How innocent the human infant! No unholy thought has disturbed this intellect no unworthy purpose has agitated this bosom no transgression has polluted this character; and though |