I remember finding her one morning with books, pictures and children’s toys scattered around her; she made an apology for the litter in her parlor, saying as it was a holy day, she felt it her highest duty to entertain her children, lest they should desire to resort to the common among their school companions, where they might acquire habits that the exertions of maternal influence would never correct. I endeavor, therefore, she added, to select their associates and devote my time to enliven their amusements, that their home may be the happiest place on earth to them, and truly I never beheld a happier group of youthful faces than at that instant entered the room, from a short run they had taken in the garden, each one begging Mrs. B. to come and walk with them, and teach them the names and history of the flowers and birds as she promised them. When the sons of Mrs. B. had reached that period of life when childish amusement becomes insipid, and as young men they wished for higher entertainment, she invited an orphan niece to reside with her, whose amiable manners and polite accomplishments, assisted to enliven the family circle. Musick, painting and the most sprightly and interesting conversation gave a zest to each hour not devoted to study. Mrs. B. gave frequent entertainments to prevent her high spirited sons from resorting to public places for amusement. The charms of intellectual conversation were never more fully displayed than in Mrs. B.’s parties. Men of the most enlightened minds and most shining talents thought themselves honored to be admitted as her guests. And none received that favor but those who possessed unblemished morals. She was particularly careful to select as companions for her sons young gentlemen and ladies who were more distinguished for talents and virtue than for rank or wealth. By these means she formed the taste and matured the judgment of her sons and preserved them from the dangerous allurements of the gay and dissipated circles they would otherwise have entered and which would undoubtedly have proved their ruin.