ta before us. Our disappointment engenders disgust; our disgust magnifies trifles or distorts the features of that which, considered in its proper connexion, is really commendable for its beauty.

The tribe of fanciful writers cannot be aware that the pleasures which they afford us are to be purchased at so dear a rate. In order to enjoy them we must destroy our relish for the solid pleasures of life: and thus we become like children pampered with sweet-meats, who lose all taste for those substantial viands which invigorate the system without cloying the appetite. They say not to us

Lovely Thais sits beside thee,

"Take the good the gods provide thee,"

but like the fairy and the genius in the eastern tale, they bring us entranced in converse with beauty which our waking hours never have realized, and send us to the ends of the earth in quest of the objects we have seen in the pleasing

trance.

The natural effects resulting from the fastidiousness of taste which is thus engendered, are seen in the appreciation in which many hold the sex; and in the dangers into which it leads the young female of attempting an achievement far beyond her powers. Hence the copious sources of affectation, show and falsity with which, from the guiltiness of individuals, the whole race has been stigmatized.

We have been led from the subject to which we have invited attention, by a train of remarks which we have considered intimately connected with the dangers by which the female sex are surrounded. The length to which we have extended these introductory observations compels us to postpone to a future occasion the enumeration of those dangers, whether arising from the indulgence of unrestrained imagination, the predominance of enthusiastic feelings, connected with an easy credulity, or from the less personal, though by no means less fatal causes, the plots and machinations of artifice, cunning and intrigue.

U. R.

The reader who is familiar with the Arabian tales will readily recall the adventures of a certain prince, whose name, too long for common memories, occupies the larger portion of a page.

LETTERS ON FEMALE CHARACTER.

By Mrs. Carey. Richmond-A. Works.

It was never our design, when we undertook to conduct the Ladies' Magazine, to engage in those elaborate discussions, or profound researches which confer the title of scientific and learned on the work they occupy. Nor did we propose to be critical, in the sense the philologist would deem necessary, in that important department. We only intended to explain to our readers what we considered the moral tendency of the books we might notice, or more particularly their fitness for, and probable effect on female minds. We considered this course most appropriate for a woman, and the most likely to prove acceptable as well as beneficial

to our own sex.

While adopting and pursuing this unpretending mode of management, we were fully sensible that the highest literary celebrity would not be awarded us, but that we do not seek. We are contented with a more lowly niche in the temple of fame. If we may only obtain for our work the credit of judiciously directing the attention of females to those subjects which concern them as women; if we can awaken them to a sense of their importance as women; if we can, by our reflections, aid them in their endeavors to perform their duties as women, our purpose is answered, our ambition gratified.

We would not, by precept or example, make women emulous of obtaining the same kind and measure of fame as men, because we do not believe such endeavors would contribute to their respectability or happiness. There is an allotted province for either sex, and nature has made the destination of the female too obvious to be mistaken. The domestic station is woman's appropriate sphere, and it will be honorable if she but adorn it with the graces, dignify it by intelligence, and hallow it by sentiment, tenderness and piety. An ignorant woman cannot do this. We are anxious therefore, for the thorough and systematic education of females as the best, indeed the only method to make them contented with their lot, and happy as well as the dispensators of happiness to those around them.

We are anxious too, that men of sense should be convinced that the cultivation of female intellect will not be attended by the dangerous consequences of destroying domestic peace in the struggle for equality of privileges. Why should they believe this, when of the number of women distinguished for their talents, the majority have also been distinguished for domestic virtues? The book named at the head of this article is another proof, among the many our best female writers have furnished, that intelligent and religious women are the proper censors of their own sex. Mrs. Carey has chosen the epistolary form by which to convey her sentiments respecting the advantages and end of female education. The letters are addressed to a young orphan whose mother is represented as being the particular friend of the writer. This gives scope for the introduction of some touching reminiscenses, and relation of incidents, from which reflections, on the most important topics connected with the morals and manners of a young woman, are deduced, and models of her conduct in every situation offered.

It is to be regretted Mrs. Carey adopted the mode of teaching truths by fables. Her good sense and acquaintance with society would have furnished her with appropriate illustrations without retailing the stories of other writers as her own. We particularly refer to the tale of the two cousins in the ninth letter. The style of literature fashionable in the days of the Spectator, is now as obsolete as would be the dress of Will Honeycomb's widow.

We think the blending of truth and fable in a work like this, a blemish, but yet the discovery of the fiction does not invalidate the argument it was intended to enforce, or obscure the beauty of those virtues it describes and inculcates. We give a few extracts from different letters, that the reader may understand the spirit and tendency of the book, which was avowedly written for the ladies in the author's own StateVirginia. There are some remarks respecting the moral effects slavery is producing on the white inhabitants of the South, which should be read with deep attention by every American. One of the worst evils of slavery is the spirit of jealousy it has caused between different sections of our republic. It is hardly possible for a philanthropist of the non-slaveholding section to breathe a syllable against the

system, without incurring the odium of acting from political or party motives. But the ladies may surely be permitted to speak or write freely on the subject; nor will their efforts be without effect, if they are as faithful and capable as Mrs. Carey. The whole tenor of her writings shows that the predominating wish of her heart is to do good; to "train women for usefulness"-as she expresses it. Our first quotation will show the opinion of our author respecting the talents and rights of her own sex. St. Paul never enforced the obedience of the wife to her "lord" more rigidly than does Mrs. Carey.

"The present age has sanctioned an opinion that women are equal to men in mental capacity. This is a mistake; though we admire the liberality which prompts it. There are rare instances of female talent which may appear in support of this opinion; but generally speaking there is a decided inferiority of intellectual strength in women. Their proper sphere in social life requires different qualities, and may be filled with propriety without entering into collision with the stronger sex. If men were disposed to admit women to an equality of rights and privileges, both the laws of nature and of God forbid them to accept such a concession. Woman was first in the transgression; therefore, the indisputable decree of Omnipotence has gone forth against her, and her husband is to have rule over her. Her path of duty requires different qualities from those she would have to cultivate were she to take her station as the equal of man. As soon as she undertakes masculine duties, she resigns her own appropriate sphere, and leaves unperformed the minor requisitions of social life. Misrule and disorganization ensue. The ambitious female soon finds her coveted privileges irksome. She becomes discontented and miserable. She cannot ask a blessing from heaven, for she has moved out of her appointed path of duty. She cannot look to man for sympathy and protection, for she has taken her station as his equal. Power has its penalties as well as privileges. Those who govern have troubles not easily discerned by the governed. None but weak, short-sighted people think their share of the burden of life is the heavi

est.

One decisive proof of the impropriety of a woman's governing her husband may be derived from the well known

fact, that really fine women never undertake the unbecoming task. Those who excel in this invidious art, are cunning, self-willed characters without delicacy or refinement. Even where the female talent is the strongest, a woman of refinement is the last to admit the fact, or to avail herself of it by taking the power into her own hands. It is painful to an intelligent woman to be forced to acknowledge the inferiority of her husband's intellect, to whom she had looked for support in the arduous duties of life."

At the close of Mrs. Carey's remarks on friendship, which are judicious, she draws a picture which we cannot refrain from showing our readers.

"Did you never observe a certain affected young lady, who is brimfull of mawkish sentiment? How fond of mystery she is what a budget of confidence she has to unlade to her chere amie! I should really shrink from her friendship as a severe infliction. But seriously speaking, discreet, correct, and well educated young women, should have very few secrets. Indeed I know not what strictly legitimate mysteries they have a right to. in all love affairs young ladies should consider it a point of honor to be silent respecting those lovers they do not mean to accept. None but their parents and nearest friends should be informed of these things. But when a young lady has made a selection, and is actually betrothed, I see no occasion for concealment."

In making the following extracts respecting the consquences of slavery on the ladies of the South, we are prompted only by the wish of drawing public attention to the excellent reflections of Mrs. Carey on the evils of that system. True we rejoice that the North is exempt from the scourge and the stigma; but we have little reason to exult. It was the effect of circumstances that has given us the advantage. But when the people of the South rise superior to the fatality which has fastened this terrible burden on them; when they triumph, as they assuredly will, (and the sooner without our interference) over habit, and, as they fancy, interest, and break the bonds of their slaves, they will deserve an eulogium.

"When I look around and see the abuses sanctioned by custom in our state of society, I tremble. Slavery is indeed a fearful evil; a canker in the bud of our national prosperity; a bitter drop in the cup of domestic felicity. But of