of a rich rival, or one endowed with personal charms, or
gifts in conversation, and the object of attraction in society, so often
disparaged, and ascribed to any but pure motives? Whence is it, that a
woman of talent and literary claims shall be thought by so many of her
sex tinged with "blue?" Why the secret endeavor to awaken ill-will
toward the distinguished, and the reluctance to join in the defence of
such, when unjustly accused? Too readily are the faults of a compeer
rehearsed, and too slowly are her virtues acknowledged. Should the
modesty of some one be commended, may it not be because her diffidence
gives us room to pass before her in the public eye?

During the middle ages, the young and the beautiful were sometimes
burned at the stake, on the charge of having dealt in magic. If the
body be not thus sacrificed, in this latter age, truth knows that the
peace and happiness of many an innocent young woman are devoured by
insatiate envy. Imitate, my young friends, the sweet temper of those
ladies in Switzerland, who are reported to be so firmly knit together in
the Infant Societies peculiar to that country, as often to meet, after
separation, in the meridian of life, with the affection of sisters. A
love like this would scorch and destroy each germ of envy, while it gave
life, vigor, and permanence, to a gospel charity.

Akin to envy is the passion of Jealousy. The conscious possession of
eminent attainments exposes one to this sin. Let it not be palliated, as
if consistent with humility. It is the child of a morbid selfishness. It
is pride, which makes us jealous of inferiors; never does humility.
Observe the manners of her who is infected with this spirit. Does that
lofty carriage, do those averted eyes, and that sullen lip, speak of
self-abasement? Woman, dwelling in and for her affections, is prone
insensibly to indulge the risings of jealousy. A female writer says,
"Our sex are apt to be more aristocratic than men." The aristocracy of
claiming attention, friendship, promptly and unremittingly manifested,
the aristocracy, in a word, of the heart, who can doubt that this sex
often does cherish. Counsel, therefore, calls them to be vigilant, lest
they offend in this respect, even unawares. Is a young maiden in
prosperous circumstances? Let her know that the growing fortunes of
another will excite her to temptation and prejudice. Even now the
branches of the oak, that will tower and shade her whole being, might