take heed to be something better than a plaything for a _school-boy_.” I did not forget this lesson, and it was the more useful to me, from finding, in the gentleman’s subsequent visits, that whether it was a piece of old china, a tulip, or a young lady’s eyes or complection, he was equally liberal of his praise, and employed much the same language. I was therefore offended by his encomiums; and I am become so proud and fastidious on this point, that I always think the compliments paid to my person, include a sarcasm on my understanding. “All this argues nothing against my opinion,” said the inflexible virgin. “With your understanding, beauty may not be a dangerous gift, but in ninety and nine instances out of a hundred it is so, and leads the possessor into danger.” “So you may say of health, of spirits, of intellectual endowments, nay, even of life itself,” replied I; “for each in its turn is abused by the folly and passions of a mind unchecked, and uncultivated. But our neglect of a blessing does not lessen the value of the gift; and for my part, were I in your place, I would recommend to Miss Howard, in the enumeration of those mercies she owes to her Maker, _gratitude_ for a form and a face which open to her every bosom in which humanity resides.”—“You ought to be very pious indeed,” replied she, with an air of pique, “for most assuredly there is no comparison between your beauty and Mary’s. She has a pretty baby-face”——“For charity’s sake stop there,” cried I, “I am contented with my face at present, but I do not know what your comparison may produce. I think it too good a one to be mended by cold cream or Spanish wool; and I know it is too honest a one for a deceitful heart. As a good title page I am thankful for it, and I will take heed that the work within shall not disgrace it, when read by the eye of truth.”