you must sometime have met with them. But be sure you never place
yourself in the power of an individual of this character, or of one,
whose principles and designs you suspect. If you doubt the purity of any
one who seeks your society frequently, consult a friend older or wiser
than yourself; and abide by the judgment of disinterested observers.

There are instances, in which a young woman is brought into the society
of the other sex, by her Brothers. This sometimes exposes one to mistake
the civilities of friendship, for manifestations of love. Thus situated,
you ought to take special heed against those romantic ideas, and
premature inclinations, that spring from passion and fancy. Here as at
all times, the advice of a judicious brother, before whom those of his
own sex are accustomed completely to disclose their true character,
should be sought and prized. Do not permit yourself to indulge a
predilection for one, against whom, as a companion for life, so near a
relative and friend has warned you.

Chapter XI.

FIRST LOVE.

What is love? The first, the only all-pervading. Petrarch and
Laura. "Love-matches." Self-oblivion indicates true love. Proofs
of one's being affected by this sentiment. Shakspeare's
description of a lover. Jealousy and Timidity indicate love.
Overtures. Unrequited love. Rejection of Addresses.

I use the expression at the head of this chapter, because of the
importance I attach, not only to the sentiment in general, but
especially to its earliest developement. There are those, who sneer at
the name of love. There are many, who laugh at its mention, if made in
sober earnestness, and yet some of these, who thus speak in public, do,
I believe, in the secrecy of their hearts, believe in, aye, reverence,
it, as one of the most sacred impulses of our nature. Because we have
witnessed, or read of, a silly sentimentalism, that affected its
character, let us not straightway question the possibility of its
existence in any one.

Nor would I encourage the little girl in musing over novels, or
listening to talk on this subject, until she dreams herself in love.
There is indeed little danger of this where friends have not made it a
theme for perpetual inuendos and jests, but spoken frankly, simply, and
seriously of it, as a reality in human experience. She, who finds
herself tending to foolish imaginings on this subject, has but to employ
her mind constantly, and preserve her health in