you who love play far better than work, and are tempted to
vote Education, its tradesmen, its family of Ologies, and all, as the
greatest bores in the world, beware of Procrastination--beware of the
thief of Time--beware of putting off till to-morrow what ought to be
done to-day. Can you bear to see that word DUNCE so terribly distinct on
your wall? Can you bear to throw away on nothing but Amusement those
precious hours and minutes which, well employed, might gain for you the
silver crown of Success?

Silly reader!--but here I must pause, for it is probable that no little
girl glancing over my pages will accept the title as her own. Yet, if
she know Miss Folly, delight in her gossiping prate, dress according to
her fanciful taste, and value her poisonous salve, she must really
excuse me for classing her with our poor, conceited young Matty. There
are thousands and tens of thousands, I fear, of such silly girls in the
world (some of them may _possibly_ be amongst my readers), who would
furnish their heads with bubbles, and neglect the good for the gay. To
such I would utter a gentle warning. Folly can never lead you to real
happiness or real usefulness in the world. She may promise you pleasures
for a moment; but her pleasures either vanish into air, or leave pain
and vexation behind. Then shut her out from your home; give her idle
fancies no room. Let your dress be sober, neat, and quiet--suited to the
station in which you are placed. Girls who deck themselves out to be
admired remind us of the cockatoo Parade, puffing out its red feathers,
and always repeating the cry, "Ain't I fine? ain't I fine?" Let your
furniture be useful and solid; water well the plant of Plain-work. It is
not the fanciful, frivolous miss who merits the crown of Success.

But, perhaps, amongst my audience are several who may be described as
lame, from the difficulty with which they make their way to the town of
Education. They can hardly climb up hill Puzzle, and are often tempted
to sit down in despair by the swollen waters of Bother! Courage, my dear
young friends! Resolute perseverance will yet win the crown of Success.
If you keep your eye upon Duty, and bravely follow where she would
lead--if, guided by gentle Affection, you steadily pursue a right
course--you will conquer difficulties at last, be useful, honoured, and
beloved.

But if you would further know _how_ to find out Duty, and, having found
her, how to get strength and courage to