The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-06-26
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Oh reader had you in your mind
| Such stores constant thought can bring,
Oh gentle reader, you would lind
A tale in every thing - Wordsworth
A habit Of constant thinking is Of no less conse-
ouence 10 our youthful improvement than careful
reading.
So much conversation is carried on by young la
dies that II is Of the first importance that should be
rightly regulated; that it should have some origi-
nality and character and that they do not reverse
the order Of nature by speaking first and rejecting
afterwards. IL we accustom ourselves to think, the
topics of conversation will be far less rihng and in
vidicus, and our meetings and partings, much more
pleasant and agreeable, Ifyoung ladies were asked
in what manner they waste most OF their time, ana
from what moment they derive the least pleasure
and instruction. believe they would say, in Idle Cos
sip, and from the society of those whose whole lie
is without thought purpose those female loungers
whose iteness is not unfrequently tinged with lea-
lousy and envy, who "#..:
"Can read nod, shrug look
Far better than printed book;
Convey libel in frown
And wink reputation down." ..-
One of the most powerful drawbacks from early
thinking girls is their entering society too young,
and mingling too much with it athat period. Young
ladies Of tolerable ease and grace appear as well in
a crowded ROOM at SIXTEEN as do their super1ors IN
wears, and are apparently as well qualified to mingle
in any circle true they are able to support appear
ances but these appearances are fictitious and not
unlikely to bring them into ridicue. But the good
opinion Of the world is only paltry requltal poor
inducement for the formation OF habits OF solo e4
cellence and intrinsic worth. habit OF thinking
elevates and refnes every feeling Of our nature; It
teaches us to discriminate between the na'ural ana
artificial the light and the solid; we shall LOOK ous
upon the world and in upon ourselves, and the COM
para,iye view will give US an acquaintance with hui
man nature The hidden springs Of knowledge
will be continually unfolding their vast treasures;
the imagination unfeered will seek out new ex-
isences; the understanding and the heart will re-
ceive new impulse in their search after wisdom, and
bring into action the most delicate sentiments, the
best emotions which belong to the human mind. A
false and frivolous taste may be refined improved,
BY carefully following some rule of action, by rea-
son and reflection, while genius may be misspent,
and talents misused, If we indulge in a waste OF
! time and reckessness OF Thought One of the strong
est illustrations of the happy result Of close reason
ing is the case of Burns, whose early years were
spent in secusion from society and books, yet his
writings at that period are very remarkable, and his
familiar letters the most extraordinary specimen of
that style of writing extant He accustomed him
self to much thought; he habuated his mind to
constant action; he was always dwelling upon some
subject requiring mental exerion; he loved TO re-
volve in his mind the mooed points of philosophy,
and arraying argument against argument, weigh
them in the balances of his own understanding, and
pronounce his own conviction II was from his
habit of thinking, that he acquired that vigor and
energy which gave TO his expressions that power
beauty, and originality, which are the peculiar cha
racteristics of his style. And however difficult It
may appear to read to think, and not to talk, we
should be so resolutely bent upon mental improve
ment, that we should snatch the rcns from incina-
ton, and with low bow and determined air, hand
them willingly over TO duty. What monotonous
and Improbable existence must be that of a woman
of an unculivated understanding without the power
of deriving the least qualification from Gods works.
or the labors of Gods creatures; her life must be
stupid, tedious round, of than lstless inaniy,
which must brand all her actions with inconsistency
and render her whole life burdensome: how differ
ent from that spent in study, which, like The magma
ton and skill of the sculptor in time chses out, in
admirable symmetry and simplicity, those exquisite
forms and fair proportions which lay concealed in
the marble block The honorable improvement Of
the advantage afforded US in early years, is Of the
deepest moment to our own happiness and future
usefulness but our ambition ought not 10 be bounded
by the acquiring Of learning merely; unless we
careful to store our minds with correct principles,
good morals and just feelings, learning is but an
empty name. Young ladies who wish TO exert a
saluary influence upon society, should guard well
the avenues TO their heart Let not vanity jealousy,
and envy rankle there but cherish the exalted prnci-
pies of that holy religion taught us by our Saviour
Aim at the highest point OF human perfection, and
however low we may fall from the summit of our
aspirations the effort will give dignity to our cbaIac
ter elevation to our sentiments and purity TO all our
actions. The mind is rich store house, in which
we are to garner up treasures, which like the WI
dows cruise, arc to Increase, while we constantly
draw from them. There is dignity which belongs
to our character, ga majesty that circles round
fair and viruous woman" which can only be sup
ported by careful observance Of the respect we owe
ourselves; nor can we respect ourselves, except so
far as we feel conscious of purity Of thought and rec
itude of conduct. Though should always be
courteous TO ALL should never cultivate an inti-
macy with those whose behavior Is not regulated py
refined moral sense and delicacy; and while we
seek our acauaintapces from the circles That AFFORD
patterns Of moral excellence, we should be careful
,o renav in some measure the benefits we derive
from socie,v bv setting an example worthy Of mta-
lion nv presenting in our turn Light that may live
n kindle in others the spark Of noble emulation.
R..
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