its members as nothing more than organs—­and perhaps justly, for nature herself puts to death imperfect beings.  A woman’s protecting instincts may be roused by the pleasure she feels in supporting the weak against the strong, and in leading the intelligence of the heart to victory over the brutality of matter; but society, less a mother than a stepmother, adores only the children who flatter her vanity.

As to ardent enthusiasm, that first sublime mistake of youth, which finds true happiness in using its powers, and begins by being its own dupe before it is the dupe of others, keep it within the region of the heart’s communion, keep it for woman and for God.  Do not hawk its treasures in the bazaars of society or of politics, where trumpery will be offered in exchange for them.  Believe the voice which commands you to be noble in all things when it also prays you not to expend your forces uselessly.  Unhappily, men will rate you according to your usefulness, and not according to your worth.  To use an image which I think will strike your poetic mind, let a cipher be what it may, immeasurable in size, written in gold, or written in pencil, it is only a cipher after all.  A man of our times has said, “No zeal, above all, no zeal!” The lesson may be sad, but it is true, and it saves the soul from wasting its bloom.  Hide your pure sentiments, or put them in regions inaccessible, where their blossoms may be passionately admired, where the artist may dream amorously of his master-piece.  But duties, my friend, are not sentiments.  To do what we ought is by no means to do what we like.  A man who would give his life enthusiastically for a woman must be ready to die coldly for his country.

One of the most important rules in the science of manners is that of almost absolute silence about ourselves.  Play a little comedy for your own instruction; talk of yourself to acquaintances, tell them about your sufferings, your pleasures, your business, and you will see how indifference succeeds pretended interest; then annoyance follows, and if the mistress of the house does not find some civil way of stopping you the company will disappear under various pretexts adroitly seized.  Would you, on the other hand, gather sympathies about you and be spoken of as amiable and witty, and a true friend? talk to others of themselves, find a way to bring them forward, and brows will clear, lips will smile, and after you leave the room all present will praise you.  Your conscience and the voice of your own heart will show you the line where the cowardice of flattery begins and the courtesy of intercourse ceases.

One word more about a young man’s demeanor in public.  My dear friend, youth is always inclined to a rapidity of judgment which does it honor, but also injury.  This was why the old system of education obliged young people to keep silence and study life in a probationary period beside their elders.  Formerly, as you know, nobility,