Could a young woman who passes through the streets decked out extravagantly in all that the milliner and dress-maker can furnish, realize the unfavorable impression she makes upon sensible young men—­could she but see the curl of the lip, and hear the contemptuous epithet which her appearance excites, and know how utterly worthless they esteem her—­she would hasten to her home, throw off her foolish attire, and weep tears of bitterness at her folly.

Parents are often much to be blamed for this indiscretion in their daughters.  They should give them better advice; and instruct them to cultivate other and worthier attractions than the poor gewgaws of dress!  Do they not know that the worthless and abandoned of the female sex dress the most gaily and fashionably?  Should they not urge their daughters to seek for a higher excellency, a more creditable distinction than this?

Here is another secret for young ladies:—­All the attraction they can ever possess by means of dress, will be derived from three sources, viz.  Plainness, Neatness, and Appropriateness.  In whatever they deviate from these cardinal points, they will to the same degree make themselves ridiculous—­weaken their influence, and lose the good opinion of those they are the most anxious to win.  I beg these truths to be impressed deeply on the mind.

Dress, personal beauty, and showy accomplishments, go but a short way to establish the reputation on which the happiness of woman really depends.  Instead of placing reliance on these, they should seek to cultivate those qualities, habits, and dispositions, which will give permanent merit and value, in the estimation of those whose attention and regard they are desirous to cultivate.  A sweet and gentle disposition—­a mild and forgiving temper—­a respectful and womanly demeanor—­a mind cultivated, and well-stored with useful knowledge—­a thorough practical acquaintance with all domestic duties; (the sphere where woman can exhibit her highest attractions, and her most valuable qualities,) tastes, habits, and views of life, drawn not from the silly novels of the day, but from a discriminating judgment, and the school of a well-learned practical experience in usefulness and goodness:—­these are the elements of a good name, a valuable reputation in a young woman.  They are more to be sought for, and more to be depended upon, than any outward qualification.  They form an attraction which will win the regard and affection of the wise and enlightened, where the fascinations of dress, and other worthless accomplishments, would prove utterly powerless.

I desire the young, of both sexes, to remember that it is one thing not to have a bad reputation, but quite another thing to have a good one.  The fact that an individual does nothing criminal, or offensive, although creditable in itself considered, does not bestow the amount of merit after which all should seek.  They may do nothing particularly bad, and nothing very good.  It is meritorious to refrain from evil; but it is better still to achieve something by active exertion, which shall deserve commendation.  The Apostle exhorts us not only to “cease to do evil,” but to “learn to do well.”  The young, while striving to avoid the evils of a bad reputation, should assiduously seek for the advantages of a good one.