ld know
and act upon the knowledge that it is only to _one_ they can give
their unlimited confidence and individual affection as a wife. It is
the height of cruelty and wickedness for either a man or a woman to
trifle with another's affection. Such base conduct has cost many a
young woman her health and peace, and even her life, and cannot,
therefore, be too much depreciated and avoided.

Let me, then, advise you to be

VERY CAUTIOUS

before you allow a young man to pay you such marked attentions as may
lead to marriage. It is not, you know, to terminate in seven years,
like an apprenticeship or a commercial partnership, but it is an
engagement for the life of one of the parties. I want you, then, to
profit by the experience of others, too many of whom enter into
marriage from light and low considerations, and not to settle in life
till you, and also your friends, see that there is a reasonable
prospect of your securing happiness, as well as comfort and a
respectable position.

When a young woman has property or expects it, or is possessed of
superior personal attractions, she should be especially prudent in her
conduct towards the numerous admirers which such qualifications
usually attract. No woman should allow herself to accept the
attentions of any man who does not possess those sterling qualities
which will command her respect, or whose love is directed to her
fortune or beauty rather than herself. On such a one she can place no
reliance, for should illness or misfortune overtake her she may find
herself deprived of that love which she had valued as the great
treasure of her life. Possessed of this, she feels that earthly riches
are but of secondary importance, and that the want of them can never
make her poor.

Moreover, a worthier man than any of her interested suitors may have a
sincere respect and affection for her, but be kept in the background
by the overzealous attention of his rivals. Still, if she has
sufficient self-command to patiently and calmly investigate their
general private character, she may find reason to decline their suit,
and may discover that the more modest and retiring youth is the one
that is deserving of her love.

While on this subject, let me caution you against the foolish
affectation which some girls practice in order to attract the
attention of young men. In their company be natural in your manners,
open and friendly and ready to converse on ge