the world their tributary. The current of money sets in upon them from all quarters of the globe. But what is to become of a nation like ours which imports twenty three millions' worth of silks in one year? What will become of a nation, one tenth of whose exports goes to pay for jewelry and trinkets?

The over indulgence in a taste for finery does not stop at its economical effects. Its social and moral consequences are no less pernicious. It is one great cause and instrument of the follies and sins of what is called fashionable life, which is woman's great snare. It creates distinctions in society, which are as absurd as they are invidious and unjust. It brings about a principle of association, which is fatal to the dignity of human nature, that those shall come together for mutual entertainment, not whose minds are most accomplished, or whose manners are most refined, but who are able to change their dresses the oftenest during the winter. This operates upon all but the most opulent as the most grinding oppression. Oh! how many hearts there are in the brilliant saloon, where all should be joyous, sad and depressed by the consciousness that the foolish frippery in which

they are compelled to appear, has cost them more than their own better judgment assures them they ought to expend in the decoration of their persons. This, together with preposterous hours and sumptuous entertainments, operates in each circle as an intolerable oppression to that immediately below them in point of wealth, and so down to those whose means are most limited, and often renders, I fear, that social intercourse which ought to be a blessing and a privilege, little better than a curse. To one whose observation has penetrated behind the scenes, and seen the miserable struggles and subterfuges to which the tyranny of fashion compels people to resort, a splendid party of pleasure suggests any idea rather than that of unmingled enjoyment. It is this oppression moreover, which exasperates to incurable alienation those feelings of jealousy, which are too apt to spring up between the different orders of society, and finally break out in violence and blood. Every woman then, no matter what may be her wealth, who gives into these fashionable follies, much more who commences and fosters them, commits a sin alike against humanity, morality, and religion. She is doing all she can to destroy the

pleasures and advantages of society, and make it a miserable slavery, to shut out of it those who would adorn and improve it the most, and give it up to the empty, the ostentatious, and the weak.

Beware then, I would charge every woman who hears me, beware how you are drawn into the vortex of fashion. You will not only

wrong society, but do an irreparable injury to yourself. You will not have travelled far on that road, before you will find a fearful change take place in yourself. You will find the old and home bred virtues of fidelity and sincerity fast taking leave of you. You will find yourself first talking merely to have something to say, then saying what you think will be agreeable, then with no higher temptation, saying what is not true. You will find yourself gradually alienated from the friends of your heart, to be surrounded by the insincere and the sycophantic. When you have cut loose from all natural ties, and smothered every natural affection, you will find yourself utterly dependent on a circle, who you know in your heart would shake you off on the first reverse of fortune. And you will be, moreover, conscious to yourself, that you stand up before

the world the most odious of the things which the sun shines upon-a woman with

out a heart

LECTURE IV.

ON THE SPHERE AND DUTIES OF WOMAN.

N THE lecture before the last we instated woman in that sphere which she was created to fill, that of the wife, the mistress of a home, the head of a family. In that position we shall contemplate her in the present lecture. I intend to show that it is one eminently calculated to promote her happiness, to develope and perfect her character. We have a right to infer this antecedently from the nature of the Deity. Being infinitely wise as well as infinitely benevolent, he could not fail to fit woman to her sphere, and her sphere to woman in such a way, that when she follows the leadings of his hand she shall attain to all the happiness that is compatible with this imperfect state.