elf; and to dress indecently is as great an offence against purity
and modesty, when it is the fashion, as when it is obsolete. There
should be a line of demarcation somewhere. In the article of dress and
appearance, Christian mothers should make a stand. They should not be so
unreasonable as to expect that a young girl will of herself have courage
to oppose the united temptations of fashion without, and the secret
prevalence of corruption within: and authority should be called in where
admonition fails."

The conversation after dinner took a religious turn. Mrs. Ranby was not
unacquainted with the subject, and expressed herself with energy on many
serious points. I could have been glad, however, to have seen her views
a little more practical; and her spirit a little less censorious. I saw
she took the lead in debate, and that Mr. Ranby submitted to act as
subaltern, but whether his meekness was the effect of piety or fear, I
could not at that time determine. She protested vehemently against all
dissipation, in which I cordially joined her, though I hope with
something less intemperance of manner, and less acrimony against those
who pursued it. I began, however, to lose sight of the errors of the
daughters' dress in the pleasure I felt at conversing with so pious a
mother of a family. For pious she really was, though her piety was a
little debased by coarseness, and not a little disfigured by asperity.

I was sorry to observe that the young ladies not only took no part in
the conversation, but that they did not even seem to know what was going
on, and I must confess the _manner_ in which it was conducted was not
calculated to make the subject interesting. The girls sat jogging and
whispering each other, and got away as fast as they could.

As soon as they were withdrawn--"There sir," said the mother, "are three
girls who will make three excellent wives. They were never at a ball or
a play in their lives; and yet, though I say it, who should not say it,
they are as highly accomplished as any ladies at St. James." I cordially
approved the former part of her assertion, and bowed in silence to the
latter.

I took this opportunity of inquiring what had been her mode of religious
instruction for her daughters; but though I put the question with much
caution and deference, she looked displeased, and said she did not think
it necessary to do a great deal in that way; all these things must come
from above; it was not human en