SECTION Xl. 58l1 rank in the world was eminent, but they never appeared the, first, nor the highest in any new - fangle forms of attire. By her. wise examples and instructions she had so formed their minds, a§ to he able to see garments more gaudy, and even more modish than their own, without envy or wishes. They could bear to find a trimming set on a little awry, or the plait of a garment ill disposed, without making the whole house and the day un- easy, and the sun and heavens smile upon them in vain. Phronissa taught them the happy art of managing a visit with some useful improvement of the hour, and without offence. If a word of scandal occurred in company, it was soon diverted or suppressed. The children were charged to speak well of their neighbours as far truth would admit, and to be silent as to any thing further : but when the poor or the deformed were mentioned in the discourse, the aged, the lame, or the blind, those objects were handled with the utmost tenderness; nothing could dis please Phronissa more than to hear a jest thrown upon natural infirmities : she thought there was something sacred in misery, and it was not to be touched with a rude hand. All reproach and satire of this kind was for ever banished where she came ; and if ever raillery was indulged, vice and wilful folly were the con- stant subjects of it. Persons of distinguished characters she always distinguished in her respect, and trained up her family to pay the same civili- ties. Whensoever she named her own parents it was with high veneration and love, and thereby she naturally led her children. to give due honour to all their superior relatives. Though it is,the fashion of the age to laugh at the priest- hood in all forms, and to teach every boy to scoff at a minister, Phronissa paid double honours to theme who laboured in the word and doctrine, where their personal behaviour upheld the dignity of their office ; for she was persuaded St. Paul was a better di- rector than the gay gentlemen of the mode ; I Tim. v. 17. Besides she wisely considered that tt contempt of their persons would necessarily bring with it a contempt of all their ministrations ; and then she might carry her daughters to the church as much as she pleased, but preaching and praying, and all sacred things, would grow despicable and useless when they had first learned to make a jest of the preacher. But are these young ladies always confined at home ? Are they never antlered to see the world ? Yes, and sometimes with- out the guard of a mother too ; though Phronissa is so well beloved by her children, that they would very seldom choose to go without her. Their souls are inlaid betimes with the princi- ples of virtue and prudence ; these are their constant guard ; nor do they ever wish to make a visit where their mother has reason to suspect their safety.
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