The Wilmingtonian, and Delaware register., 1825-09-15
T'zyE TsErvEAI,s's NTo1SrToa.
DR.. Hawkesworth to a young lady leaving
school

company, the conversation and amuscments of
Children, into a scene of life which afords more
rational pleasures, and which will engage you in
more important pursuits The world is open
ing before yon; wilderness in which many
have been lost, and in which, among a thou
sand broad paths there is but one narrow path
that leads to happiness and honor. 1t is Of great
consequence to you to be directed into this
path at tirst for if you should miss it ut set
ting out, you viii find great difficulty in rccov-
crng t.-l hope you will he long under the
guidance and protection of parents, in whom
there is all that can be wished in the relation;
yet my affection for you induces nc to give
few plain instructions, which, ! trust, will as
slst you in fulfilling your duty to them, in OBJ
tanning the good will Of others, and in promoting
your own welfare.
DO not imagine that think you inclined to
every fault and folly that shall yarn you against;
but You must remember, that we all have faults
and iollies; and that to caution persons while
they arc innocent, may spare them the shame
and anguish of being reprovcd or upbraidcd af-
rcr they are guilty.
Great part of the happiness Of every iniividu-
al depends upon the opinions and actions Of
others; it is, therefore, desirable for you 70 gain
and preserve the good will OF all with whom yoa
are connected. Your regard and attention to
them will seldom fail TO secure theirs to
you. BE always ready TO perform such acts
of Kindness AS arc in your power; taking care
TO AVOID partially, which may lead you to do
any thing in favour OF ono person, at the expense
ofanotler, Or yourself
/ There arc mary acts Of kindness TO mankind
] in general, which are neither difficult, trouble
some, nor expensive. The principal Of these is,
speaking well, orat least not speaking ill of the
absent. II you see fait in another, do not
! mo eul,i AZ No, nnt
! think yourself .iustfed by saying, that what you
report to another's disadvantage is true. Ii al
( the real f,ilings Of the best Of us, were 10 be
told to our dearest friend. perhaps all our VIZ
tues could scarcely secure his esteem. Ent this
rule must not extend to the conceaiin# Of any
/ thing by which another may be Injured in his
property or character, Il hy rese;.linr i the evil
may be prevented; and this saimost the only IN
s,ancc in which We arc allowed 10 speak Of the
faults OF others.
BE always pulictual in returning what the
world calls ciyilitics. The failing III this, how
ever trinng, is cttcn taken for contempt, or at
least for want Of esteem; anl have known TIC
emitting to return Visit or answer letter, III
due time, attended with colClncss indifference,
and worse consequences. That persons ought
not 70 set such q value oil these triiiea, .s tre
but II they do, It behoycs us TO act cJ.,ioriiA-
blv. However, rs the rescntiES OF breach o
these punctiIios is really y Fault, take care that
you are not BETRAYED into it. Mere neglIgenccs
should be below your resentmcnt; though, Tor
the sake of tho niirnities Of others, you should
guard against them in yourself.
There are two ways of gaining the good will
Of the world, which weak people practise, be-
cause they know no other; one Is itattcryi the
Io,hcr is lavish professions Of friendship, which
begin and end on the lips Never stoop to ei-
thcr Of these low and infamous arts. whatever is
thus gained, is bought too dear TO refrain from
this fault is easy: but to guard against the Ill e-
fects of it in others, is difficult; it is not, how
ever. more difficult than necessary. Always sus-
meet that 4 person who iiatters you, endeaVoufs
70 cain a confidence which he intends to be-
tray.
Remember, that whoever makes professions of
friendship which arc not sincere, is ahypocrite;
and beware that your vanity does not encourage
; you to think that you have mented uncommon
and excessive instances ofiavor and zcaSto serve
! you But the constant, steady esteem dirend-
,bip of person long tried and well known, WHO
has obtained reputation for virtue and sincerity,
Is an inyall able treasure: ifyou can lind 1t, pre-
y serve it with religious care, and return 1t "itii
" fidelity and zeal.
u Never be trusted with the secrets OF others, II
won can by any means avoid it with decency, re-
iect it, as an enemy to your peace, ana rs
snare TO your good nsmc. Whoever tells you a
secret usually tells il to many others: ut lehStl'
n s BETRAYED; and rs this breach OF faith is always
: denied by the guilty, the innocent are gchei,-
: ,llv s,lsnccted 1t has been thought good Ml-
ice not TO reveal our own secrets; but
voull rather advise you to have none. D0
- ,oth;nr that. if known, would wound your rep
! ration. fill YOUR bosom with shame and regret.
6. I, lie at the mercy of accident; to be opn6ed
m constantly to watch over our words ana actio's'
let what we wish to hide should be discover
%. Is the life of a slave, full OF fear, suspi-
cim. and anxiety. Those who have nothing 10
&c an,rehend but ialschood anl detraclon, ENJOY
thdr own innocence, have an open look Il no
hlccountenancc, and a native 3chcertnlness.
i, unon some difference, YOU should happen
to osc any OF your intimate acquaintance, 40
+, rothc eapcr to relate the circumstances OF the
y ouarel, IN order to justify your conduct, ana
contemn theirs. Those stories, wmch tlou'
s,p1 l;,tle circumstances make OF Importance 70
~on AMI warm your mind in the recital, arc
,s',d n other persons; and, while you think
YOU muse them, and are rising INTO consequent
by atletal Of your own prudent mahsac'ne'i.'
von viii become tircsome, impertincht, ana ~ ~
dcubus. If the party with whom you nave on,
fcrca should pursue this method, the wiser paI'
of mmkind will rather conclude tncn 10 DC u
gault from their zeal to defend themselves
th,n y,u from our siIepce; for 1t is q conscious
ncss nnt others will condemn us, winch m.Nes
ne ea,er to anticipate their Judgment NJ. !.
n! mia tends to Yourself and of your private al
c;n, -, every occasion; except when II mas
,, ,.n'' rt;rcnt relation to the discourse OF the