Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1828-05-07
MISOEILA ANY.
A MOTHERS PRECEPTS.
ny 4 LADY.

Ter OF IttIc Po't'''e !" '"S'N'J ~
general. II is most strange that those
who have the power Of Influencing al
will the minds, manners and habits OF
the succeeding generation, require III
the opinion of most people so little
prcparatiou for the all important task.
Who that reflects moment, but per-
ceiycs the influence Of a mothers pre-
ccpts. and when those prccept> are
wise and viriuous, their impression on
the heart IS seldom entirely cllAced,
although the mind may have been
overcast by the darkest shades oi wee
and folly.
Edward W, was a youth of no
common stamp. The cmanalIons OF
SUPERIOR intclicct even in his child
hood, gave promise of mad, winch
should in after years enrich society
with its depth Of thought and the va
T., ing beauties Of lis ever vivid fancy,
but AS is often the case with such "a
mind. he was the sport of his passions
and feelings. Ardent and sincere III
all his pursuits he loved and hated
with icrvour known only To those OF
like temperament. With such a dis
position lie required daily that re-
s,raint and those prudent counsel>
which tender mother alone can be-
stow with effect. Happily for Ed
ward, he was blessed with such a
guide. His mother was truly one OF
those sweet spirits, which are sent to
bless this weary world her naturally
strong and highly cultivated mind wcll
fitted her for. the important task as
signed her. Left in the bloom OF
youth by the death Of an allcctionat'
husband, to encounter the trials o!
life alone, she felt that her only earth
ly care was to train up the children OF
her love in the ways Of wisdom and
virtue. Well aware of the impor-
tancc Of early impressions, uncca>lng'
~ did she labor to present to their
youthful minds the beauty ofgoodncss,
and tho dcformty Of vice. Two
daughters shared with Edward, her
maternal cares and instructions. The
gentle and pleasant minds OF Elm Ma
and Ann received with facility the les
sons of wisdom and gave joyful prom.
isc of attaining TO that moral and in
tellcctual beauty. which is calcuIated
particularly in a female, at once Ia
adorn and improve society: but the
wild and intractablc spirit Of Edward
often made her tremblc for his future
welfare. He loved his mother will
all the enthusiasm natural TO a mind
like his. His sisters were also the OBJ
iccts OF his warmcst affection, although
frequently induced by the waywardnes,
Of his temper to tease and carcss then
by turns, until hi. mother would inter
icre to restore order. At the age o
eighteen, Edward was sent to Il college
about eighty miles from his place o
residence, for the purpose OF com
pIcting his education. This separa
ton was source Of much uneasines
to his aifect,onate mother. She knew
it was necessary, yet tremblcd whc
she thought Of the many evils whIc
aboundcd in n world with which, a
vet, Edward was but little acquainted
She gave him with tirmncss and dc
cision, a sketch of the errors to whic
he was liable, and warned him To bt
ware Of them. She painted in glow
~ ing colours the benefits resulting
mankind and TO themselves from
wise and virtuous character, and bi
him remember that the only sure b;
sis of such an one was parity of MIN
integrity of principle, and unrcmitti
application ; and then solcmn!y con
menIing him 10 the protection ofth
God whom she sinccrc y worshippc
he departed, attended by laithi
servant. The sorrow of Edward
leaving his beloved mother and 81
ters was, for time vehement; but /
spirits quickly resumed their usu
buoyant tone, and he looked (orwa
with delight TO the new scene Of Ii
upon which he was entering. He q
rived safely at the time expected, al
on the return OF the servant cheer
the heart Of his mother by the m,
unbounded expressions of affect
a and attention TO her counscls.
Edward was just at the time Of ]
when the mind receives with facil
any impressions that present the
selves. lie quickly formed acqua
tanccs and friendships with his fcllo
studcnts-hc applied himself with
dnstry TO the studies in which he ,
gaycd, and his progress was proporiic
ably rapid. There was one of his ella