Scripture may be silent as to any impropriety in the practice of dancing, nay, may even appear to approve of the amusement, yet it does condemn, and in the most unqualified language, all degrees of licentiousness, whether of thought, or word, or deed, and everything approximating thereto. And such is the waltz-licentious in the act, and still worse in its tendencies."

Upon my word," exclaimed Mrs. Stately, "your unmitigated denunciation has indeed startled me more than I could possibly have imagined. Though I can by no means sympathize with you in the strong opinion you entertain on this subject, yet I almost rejoice that I have no daughter to be exposed to a danger which you have been pleased to depict in such frightful colours."

"But you have a son, my dear madam, and though the consequences, in a worldly sense, of a young man going astray are not so ruinous as in the case of one of our sex, yet, in a moral point of view, sin is precisely the same denounced transgression in each party, and will be equally punished, if unrepented of, without the smallest distinction of persons. Besides, to make any difference between the sexes, as regards the religious principles on which education ought ever to be conducted, is to suppose that the souls of the one class are not as immortal, and as precious, as those of the other. This is a proposition unheard of except among some few savage tribes, who, in estimating the degrees of intellectual capacity possessed amongst them, assign a

spiritual nonentity to the condition of their oppressed and degraded women."

"And do you really believe," said the lady, in a tone of hesitation which she had not evinced before,

-“do you really believe that every kind of dancing is unlawful? I do not mean scripturally unlawful, for I think we are both agreed that the Bible does not declare it to be so, in reference to the simple and pure style of patriarchal dancing; but I mean as being hostile to the welfare, the virtue, and the moral government of society? Am I to understand that you place the quadrille, for instance, in the same category with the waltz, and as equally offensive to virtue ?"

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To prove to you," answered our spiritual heroine, "that I am not a bigot, blindly and fanatically opposed to innocent recreation, I do not think that dancing is actually sinful in itself, as practised in the years of ancient times. I am rather inclined to believe that, like wine, it is not the use, but the abuse of it, that constitutes its sinfulness. I will candidly acknowledge that I do not think there is any impropriety in the quadrille, in which a modest decorum does prevail of style and attitude. I am indeed induced to imagine that being taught, for example, to walk through the steps of this dance is calculated to form a graceful carriage, and to give a degree of elegance to the person; and, in addition to this, it affords the benefit of exercise, as well as reasonable amusement, in private parties, in the evenings of a winter's day, when the weather will

not permit of exercise being taken in the open air. But, in making this concession, I would qualify the allowance within certain prescribed limits. I would neither sanction late hours, which are destructive to health and domestic duties, nor that ostentatious rivalry of dress which is too generally exhibited at such parties. I would not have a lady or a gentleman degenerate into an opera dancer. In a word, I would have the recreation enjoyed simply as such, and not for display; and restricted within the rigid bounds of moderation, private parties, early hours, and modest demeanour. And here I stop-for as regards the vicious tendencies-the polluting contact of the waltz and similar dances, I would discountenance them with as strong a religious feeling as I would the surrendering of my youthful daughter to temptations, and snares, which might assault her chastity.

"I think I need say no more," she added, " to show that I am opposed to the modern amusement of dancing for the reasons I have named. On this account I have not permitted my daughters to be taught dancing at all; considering it most inconsistent, though countenanced by many worthy christian mothers, to allow them to learn the art, at the same time that they are peremptorily forbidden to join in the amusement. This is indeed to lay a stumbling-block in your children's path."

"Thank you, at all events, for this concession," exclaimed Mrs. Stately," and also for your candour, which, along with your conscientiousness, I cannot but admire. Much, my dear madam, as we differ

on this subject, I fully appreciate your motives, and shall reflect, at a future time, on the conversation which that subject has elicited. On the present occasion, however, in whatever degree I might be influenced by what you have said, I cannot withdraw the invitations I have sent out, and which express on my cards the very dance which you so greatly reprobate. The disappointment to my visitors, were I to countermand the announcement, would, feel quite sure, spoil altogether the evening's entertainment."

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I am happy at least," rejoined our heroine,-for such, in a moral and religious sense, Mrs. Gracelove may well be considered, and held up to public imitation," I am happy, at least, to hear you say that you will reflect on this subject hereafter. And if you will enter on the examination of it in the spirit of sincerity, divested of the prejudice arising from fashion and custom, I have no doubt I shall have the gratification of congratulating you, ere long, on the alteration of your present views."

"I must allow," said her visitor, "that custom is a stubborn and inveterate principle to deal with, and that we are too much in the habit of doing what the world is doing around us. And yet, what all mankind agree in practising can scarcely be very wrong."

"Pardon my interruption," said Mrs. Gracelove, "but remember the Scripture which I have already quoted— That which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.""

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"It is doubtless a strong passage, and I almost

wish I could think as you do, although I feel confident that Mr. Stately would call me a fool for entertaining what he would term such methodistical notions. I intend, however, at some future time, to take the question into serious consideration."

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Ah, my dear madam," exclaimed our friend of the cottage," that was precisely the answer which Felix returned to the great apostle of the Gentiles. Permit me for a moment," she said, resuming her Bible, and turning to the 24th chapter of the Acts, "to direct your attention to the passage. St. Paul, as you perceive, had been accused before the Roman governor by Tertullus, the orator, of being a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes.' This charge was brought against the apostle simply for preaching, to an idolatrous world, the doctrine of Christ crucified for the redemption of mankind.

..

'In answer to the accusation, this holy man of God enters upon his defence, which presents one of the most affecting and impressive specimens of eloquence to be found in either profane or sacred history. And as he reasoned of righteousness,' says the divine penman,‚—' temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season I will call for thee.' This convenient season,' it is greatly to be feared, never came to him; for we read, that after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix' room and Felix, willing to show the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound.'