Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1838-03-01
[From the Mothers Magazine.
THE ELDER SISTER.

who is that graceful young lady, with the
two little girls tripping on each side OF her,
my dear Mrs. Grey said an elderly female
to her companion, as they were walking up
High st. Mrs. Grey looked al the beautiful
girl as she smilingly nodded in passing, and
replied, shat is the eldest daughter OF my
dear friend, Mrs cleveland. She is one OF
the most interesting females i'll the city, and
] am often at loss which to admire most,
the jndicious manner in which my friend has
brought up her eldest daughter, or the excel
lent principles which regulate the minutest
part of Julla's conduct. She has been taught
ever since quite little girl, to regard her
younger brothers and sisters as the subjects
of her peculiar and unvarying care. As she
has advanced to womanhood, it has become
more and more conspicuous, and she IS now
the most watchfuI, dsintcrested being know.
Her happiness consists IN making others
happy, particularly her o,en family She is
always ready to perform for her brothers and
sisters, those little offices of love their tender
age requires. She attends them when they
rise in the morning, dresses them neatly, and
never omits attention to their private dcvo.
tions. When the bell summons them to-
morning prayer, many little football may be
heard following her to the dining room, where
solemnity and decorum mark their behaviour.
At table, sister julia has many little pima
fore TO adjust, and when the hour for school
arrives, every satchel is ready for their plump
little hands To grasp the strings.
She attends to their lessons, mends their
clothes, reconciles all their little differences,
walks with them, plays with them, sings for
them, and is the source and centre of all their
enjoyments. Whatever this good girl can
do, either for their comfort or improveme Mt,
is to her well regulated mind, a source of
unalloyed pleasure. Mr.. Cleaveland, unlike
many mothers ! know, taught Julia from her
childhood to subdue her natural selfshness,
and to consider first, the comfort and advan-
tage Of her brothers and sisters. She was
never permitted 10 assume that naughty air
which renders so many elder sisters disgust.
ing. She was never allowed to claim or re.
ceive undue indulgence on that account, and
no tavors were bestowed upon her, because
of her station in the family. On the contrary,
she was taught, that whenever it became
necessary for one to yield, she would conquer
by yielding, and win by kindness, where she
might provoke and rritate by contending.
As she grew up she practsed the most
disnterested generosity, and when first i'm
pressed by religious truth, one Of the most
affecting considerations that presented itsel
has the Lord right to expect from me p
What do my brothers and sisters expeos?-
She told me one day, when conversng with
her on religious subjects, that there was
nothing which more deeply weighed upor
her heart, than the responsible situation il
which Providence had placed her own family
ITO me- said the sweet girl, with tears in he
eyes, my dear parents look, to strengthen
their hands in the government Of our domes
tic world, TO enforce their precepts, to cxhibi
in my example what the younger ones shoul,
practice, and To aid in every way in tranin.
up family for the service Of God on earth
With my father and mother stand connectc,
by every endearing tie, rs the Representative,
Of my family, aud know | can do much {,
aid, or much to defeat them in all their plan
for family usefulness, and personal holiness
To me, my little darlings look for consisten
example, q correct tone Of sentiment, purit,
Of conversation, and that life of religion
which Christianity requires. Sometimes