band. I confess I cannot do enough for thee; but thou art pleased to accept the will for the deed, and rest contented."

It is related of a worldly man, that he was spending an evening with some friends at a coffeehouse, when the characters of their wives became the subject of remark. As their heads were somewhat inflamed with strong drink, the defects of their respective companions were particularly discussed. One of the number, however, spoke as follows of his wife: "As to my wife, all that I could say in her praise would fall far below the truth. My wife unites all the virtues, all the amiable qualities, which I can desire. She would be perfect if she were not a Methodist. But her piety gives her no ill humor. Nothing disturbs her equanimity; nothing irritates her, nor renders her impatient. I might go with you, gentlemen, at midnight, and ask her to get up and serve us with a supper, and she would not show the least discontent. She' would do the honors of the table with as much assiduity as if I had brought loved and long-expected guests."

"Well, then, let us put your wife to the proof," said the others.

Considerable money was staked as to the result, and, at midnight, the company started off for the trial. They reached the house, and the husband rapped, to which the servant at once responded.

"Where is my wife?" he inquired.

"Sir, she is asleep long ago."

"Go wake her, and tell her to prepare a supper for me and my friends."

It was not long before the wife made her appearance, and met the company with a pleasant coun

tenance.

"Fortunately," said she,, "I have some provisions in my house, and in a few minutes supper will be ready."

She was as good as her word; and the company were invited to the repast. She presided at the table, and bestowed upon the guests the most polite attention. They could not discover the slightest trace of a ruffled temper in her countenance. At length one of them exclaimed:

“Madam, your politeness amazes us. Our sudden appearance in your house at so unseasonable an hour is owing to a wager. We have lost it, and we do not complain. But, tell us, how is it possible that you, a pious person, should treat with so much kindness persons whose conduct you cannot approve?"

"Gentlemen,” she replied, "when we were married, my husband and myself, we both lived in dissipation. Since that time it has pleased the Lord to convert me to himself. My husband, on the contrary, continues to go on in the ways of worldli

ness. I tremble for his future state.

die now, he would need to be pitied.

If he should

As it is not possible for me to save him from that punishment which awaits him in the world to come, if he is not converted, I must apply myself at least to render his present life as agreeable as possible."

It requires the most complete self-control to cultivate such amiability as we see in the foregoing incidents. This is so much the better for the girl who is disposed to go and do likewise.

CHAPTER IX.

MODESTY.

ITS CHARM CONCEDED BY ALL NATIONS-SAMARITAN AND SYRIAN LADIES -VIEWS OF WRITERS JAMES DR. ALCOTT BOLDNESS DESTROYS FEMALE INFLUENCE-THE SCRIPTURES ON THE SUBJECT-WOMEN OF THE BIBLE-MARY LYON WAS MODEST AN UNASSUMING SCHOLAR A HUMBLE WOMAN- THE NEW ENGLAND BEAUTY AT HOME AND ABROAD-THE DAUGHTER OF DR. BUMEY AND HER FAME-THE WIFE OF PRESIDENT POLK, AND LINES OF MRS. STEPHENS-WIFE OF JOHN ADAMS AND HER LETTER MOTHER OF WASHINGTON GATHERING OF

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FRENCH AND AMERICAN OFFICERS AT FREDERICKSBURG.

MODESTY has ever been regarded one of the principal charms of woman. In all ages and nations it has held about the same rank and value. Even the heathen place it high among the feminine graces. Dr. Bowring informs us that the Samaritan, Syrian, and Mussulman females, whom he saw in his Eastern travels, were accustomed to veil themselves in public; and he was asked on one occasion, whether "the English women were so immodest as to walk out with uncovered faces?” Different nations may not agree in their sentiments concerning the nature of genuine modesty; but

none fail to esteem it highly according to their own views of its character.

Says Rev. Mr. James, "It must never be forgotten that bashfulness is the beauty of female character; like the violet, which seems to court seclusion, and indicates its coy retreat rather by its fragrance than its obtrusiveness of color or of place, her very retiringness adds to her attractions. Any thing that would destroy this—that would strip off this delicate veil of modesty, and make her bold and obtrusive; that would thrust her, by an impulsive ambition of her own mind, upon the public notice, instead of being sought out for usefulness; that would make her clamorous in her complaints of neglect, and imperious in her demands for employment — would inflict an irreparable injury on society by depriving her of that passive power of gentleness by which her influence can be most effectually exerted in society."

Says Dr. Alcott, "Of all the qualities appropriate to young women, I know of none which is more universally esteemed than modesty. And what has been, by common consent, so highly esteemed, I cannot find it in my heart to undervalue. deed, I do not think it has ever been over-valued, or that it can be."

In

We have cited these opinoins of other writers, and we might bring many more to our aid, in