American watchman and Delaware advertiser., 1826-10-10
Mrs. Opie's Illustrations Of Lying.
LIES OF FEAR.

| once believed that the lie of fear was confined
10 the low and uneducated OF both sexes, and TO
children but further reflection and observation
have convinced me that this is by no means the
case but that, this lie springs from the want of
m0rat courage, and as this defect is by no means
confined to any class or age, the result Of it, that
tear OF man which prompts to the lie of fear, must
be universal also; though The nature of the dread
may be various, and of different degrees OF strength.
For instance; child or aservant (of course speak
Of i'll educated children breaks toy or glass; and
denies having done so. Acquaintances forget 10
execute commissions ntrusted to them and either
say that they are executed, when they not, or
make some false excuses for an omission which was
the result OF forgetuness only. No persons are
guilty of many of this sort Of lies in the year,
Negligent correspondents; since excuses for not
writing usually lies Of fear--fear Of hav
ing forfeited favor by too long silence.
As the lie of fear always proceeds. as ! have be.
fore observed, from want of asora courage, it is
often the result of want Of resol ution to say no.
when eyes," is more agreeable TO the feelings Of the
qucstioner. +" Is not my new gown pretty" " Is
not my new hat becoming :" IS Is not my coat OF a
good colours There are few persons who have
courage 10 say mo" even to these trivial questions
though the negative would be truth, and the affirm
atiye falsehood And still less are they able to be
homes. in their replies TO questions of more deli
moi my wife beautiful? ~ " Is not my daughter agree
able - g Is not my son fine youth ?''-those in
snarng questions which contented and coniding
egotlsm is only TOO apt to ask.
Fear OF wounding the feelings OF the in,errogator
prompts an affirmative answer. But, perhaps, a
lie these occasions is of the least dispeaslng,
because it may possibly proceed from kind aver
sion to give pain, and occasion disappointment
and has degree of relationship, distant family
| fb1nr
when accurately analysed, even this good natured
iasehood may be resolved into selfish dread Of To-
sing favor by speaking the truth. 0! these pseudo
lies of beneyolence shall treat in their tun but
shall now proceed to relate story, to Illustrate
THE LIE OF FEAR, and its important results under
apparently unimpnrtant circumstances
THE BANK NOTE.
"Are you returning Immediately TO Worcester ~
said lady Leslie, widow residing that city, &c
young Office who was paying her morning visit
/" am can do any thing for you there:'' 9 Yes
you can do me great kindness. My confidential
servant Baynes is gone out for the day and night
and | do not like TO trust my new footman, OF whom
know nothing, to put this letter into The posoce
as it contains fifty pound note" 8" Indeed tha
is a large sum to trust to the post" Eyes but
am told it is the safest conveyance 1t is, however
quite necessary that person whom | can trust
should put the letter in the box." Certainly,
replied Capt. Freeand. Then with an air that
showed that he considered himself as person to
be trusted, he deposited the letter in safety in his
pocket book, and took leave; promising he would
return to dinner the next day. which was Saturday
On his road, Freelsnd met some of his brohel
officers, who were going TO pasa the day and night
at Great Malvern, and as they earnestly pressed hin
to accompany them, he wholly forgo, the letter en-
trusted to his care and. having despatched his ser
want to Worcester, for his saek-de mutt, and othe
passed the rest of the day in that sauntering bu
amusing deness, tina. dolce far niente, which ma!
be reckoned comparatively virtuous, il it leads to h
forgetfulness Of little duties only, and is not aeude
by the positive infringement Of greater ones. Blu,
in not putting this importsn. letter into the post a