Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1834-09-05

that il sometimes exists IN the 1flgDllui uih'on
sions which have attributed to it; and that IL
commonly exists in great degree as 10 Leu-
der an excessive intercourse with the Worio
fruitful source of mischief. :. az.
You will anticipate me when say, III 'ni'
conneXion, that il becomes you 10 use tle w
most caution in selecting the circle win WHICH
Won are TO associate. | hardly need admonish
YOU to set il down as fixed purpose mat YOU
will never, Intentionally, be found IN any c'rcle
in which there is any tning 10 enoo our IL sn
morality. or any lack of reverence lot tue sd
cred principles and precepts OF renSioh.
would have you, moreover, beware OF mineiing
in the cav world; in scenes which are designed
TO produce an unnatural and IeVerisi eAeite-
ment of the spirits, which are fraught with no
intellectual OF moral advantage, ana I'D winch
the introduction of grave or useful discourse
would be the signal for disquletude OF disgust
do not, by any means, insist that your assocl-
ates should all be from the number OF those who
are professedly or actually pious; nor do OBJ
iect at all to your intercourse with them being
of cheerful, and sometimes, il you please, an
amusing character; but | do insist that tney
should be persons Of correct moral views ana
habits, and that your aSsociatng win them
should be for some higher purpose than merely
10 kill time. or to cultivate spirit OF trlf1lng.-
II we're desirable TOO. as have had elsewhere
occasion to remark concerning your particular
friends that the circle with which you chiefly
associate, should possess good degree OF IN
tel!igence; that thus your social intercourse
may be instrumental of improving not only
your heart but your understanding. III you
take due precautions on this subject, the time
that Won pass in society, instead OF being lost,
may subserve, in high degree, your most llll-
portant interests; while the neglect OF Such pre-
cautions will render the same hours mere
blank in the period of your probation
It is natural and proper that those with whom
YOU chiefly mingle should be from the same
walks of life with yourself. You may, howeV-
er sometimes proVidentlally be thrown among
those, the circumstances of whose bifth ana
education have given them rank quite SUPERB
or to any which you can claim; and as the
case may be, persons Of this character may
proffcr You their confidence and friendship. In
all cases of this kind never suffer yourself TO be
deIuded by any thing that is connected with the
pride or circumstance Of life; and do not think
it privilege to mingle in society OF me most
elevated worldly rank, provided there be any
thing in it to put in jeopardy your moral prlnc-
ples and feelings. And let ME say too, that,
though you may very properly accept fair and
honorable introduction into any circle, no mat
ter how elevated, etyou ought never, by a
single action, word, or look, TO signify Wish Tor
anv such distinction. 1t would indicate species
of ambition certainly not the most honorable,
and if you should accomplish your object, II Is
more than probable you would meet the recep-
ton which is due only to an intruder
You would do injustice 10 yourself, and be
wanting in the discharge of your duty, II you
should not occasionally, and even frequently,
minoe in the lower classes OF society. Not
that would be an advocate for conioundng or
annihating those distinctions which Providence
has manifesty ordained; nor would have you,
in your intercourse with those IN the hunole
walks of life lost sight of the mutual relations
u-bi cb nd thew SuStaln
But would have you 90 among them with
the benign aspect of friendship; would have
you make them feel that you recognize them as
fellow creatures, placed in many respects on
the same level with yourself; and would nave
YOU leave an impression upon their minds that
the adyeDtitious distinctions of life arc really of
little moment. compared with those points IN re-
lalon 20 which all stand upon an equality The
condescending yet dignihed familiarity which
this species of intercourse would dlscoVer,Wou'd
do more than you can easily imagine, TO render
the poor contented and cheerful, and to secure
for yourself their gratitude ana CONFIDENCE
And let me say too, that its Influence upon your
own heart would be most salutary: that 1t would
serve to refine and elevate your social aHec-
tons and confer dignity on your whole chafac-
ter.
There is one more point involved in the gen
eral subject of this letter which is too important
to be omited-I refer to the department whlch
III becomes YOU 10 to""i e' Wv S'"~'
sex. The Importance Of this, both as it respects
yourself and others, you can scarcely estimate
too highly. On The one hand, 1t has much 10
do in forming your own character; and need
not say that any lack of prudence in this re-
spect, even for a single hour may expose you to
evils which no subsequent caution could enaoie
you etTectuaIly to repair. On the other hand,
the conduct of every female who is of the least
consideration, may be expected to exert an IN
fuence on the character Of every gentleman
with whom she associates; and that influence
will be for good Or evil, as she exhibits or tails
to exhibit, department that becomes her. IN
deed, so commanding is this influence, that 1t is
safe to calculate upon the character of any com,
munity, from knowing the prevailing standard
of female character; and that can scarcely be
regarded as an exaggerated maxim, which de-
cIares that women rule the world"
Let me counsel you then never to utter an eX-
PRESTON or do an act, that even looks like soil
citing any gentleman's attention. Remember
that every expression of civility, to be OF any
value must be perfectly voluntary; and any
wish on your part, whether directly or indirect,
w expressed, to make yourselfa favorite, will