directed, contracted notions of things-án ignorant simplicity, which, far from being their safeguard in after life, does but expose them to deception and danger an engrossing selfishness, which is ever seeking to advance its own interests an undue estimate of self importance, which is ever urging its claims on the attention and regard of others? Now these are the evils, which it is the part of social intercourse to correct. It is not as members of a privileged and happy family, but as members of society at large, that we shall learn rightly to estimate our relative importance. There is a knowledge to be gained, and an experience to be ac quired, which is not unfrequently dearly bought from the mistaken notions of the solicitous, but misjudging guardians of youth

By general, we do not mean, promiscuous society; it is not for that we are pleading. Select, yet varied, may be the intercourse, which pious solicitude may sanction. The term is rather used in opposition to that very restricted intercourse, which the notions of some Christian parents enjoin. They imagine their children should see nothing wrong, lest they should imitate it; they should hear nothing wrong, lest they should adopt it; and every possible influence, which in the least degree militates, not only against the opinions they maintain, but the precise system which they have observed, must be forbidden to approach the entrenched ground. But it should be remembered by such parents, that whatever be the influences of society, and however undesirable, they are such as must be met, at some time or other; and would it not be the part of wisdom, to seek to nullify their anticipated ill effects, not by shunning, but by meeting and opposing them? Would not the superior influence of the parent, his discrimination, his disapprobation, and his approval, be the best possi ble correctives to this undesirable influence? But a reference to facts will be more satisfactory than all the reasoning that can be urged on the subject, and

those who have had most to do with the young, and have been most accustomed to read the early history of the mind, know best how to estimate the effects of this seclusive anxiety.

I have been intimately acquainted for many years with a family, in whom has been very apparent the evils of restricted intercourse. They are now deprived of a mother's care, and their surviving parent, partly from a disinclination for general society, and partly from a conviction of its undesirable influence, has kept them almost entirely secluded. They have been educated at home, under a mother's watchful eye, by governesses of respectable attainments, and approved manners. Their education has been conducted much on the system that home instruction generally furnishes. They have not been unusually indulged, nor subjected to unnecessary restraint, during the years of infancy and childhood, and they are moreover possessed of respectable mental endowments. It was expected in the sequel, that the method of my friend would furnish a good specimen of the superiority which a home education can command; for, though many did not approve of the utter seclusion which characterized his plan, yet all imagined that great advantages must be connected with a system, which had its origin in so much solicitude, and was adhered to with such inflexible pertinacity. It seemed too much the result of thought and design, to fail of securing its end. The children seemed to improve; and, as children, were superior to many of their age, and promised fair to be an interesting family. For six years, circumstances divided our habitation, and suspended our intercourse. When we again met, though I recognized in my friend the same affectionate and solicitous parent, yet I looked in vain for the pleasing and interesting group I had left. Six years, at their age, I was aware, were sufficient to produce many changes. My renewed intercourse with them, soon gave me the means of detecting the cause, and the result of a few observations shall be subjoined,

Frivolous remarks, unmeaning talk, were exhibited among them. They turned upon each other that power of observation, which should have been exercised upon society at large, and which would have brought thence its disapproving opinions as a self-corrective; but now it was employed to discern, to magnify, and to ridicule, not only the faults and follies, but the little failings, and peculiar habits of each; each was possessed of her own little set of opinions and prejudices, fashioned according as the influences of education had met the bias of her mind. Those which the enlargening effects of society would have dispelled, were but food for sarcasm. Whatever each said or did, was sure to be the subject, directly or indirectly, of trifling remark. And yet they were far -very far, from being a disunited or unhappy family. They were too independent of each other fully to act up to the endearing relationship of brother and sister; but the voice of discord and angry opposition was rarely heard among them.

Another evil effect of this seclusion was, a disability and disinclination to do good. Contracted opinions will assuredly lead to contracted feelings; and the heart which is shut out from social sympathies will not be familiar with the glow of benevolence. This was evident in their case. The claims of their fellow-creatures were rarely presented to them, and then they obtained not ready admission to their hearts.

In one I perceived great indolence of mind, which needed excitement. The monotony and vapidness of the life she led, so adverse to the character of youth, had weakened powers, which required a stimulus; and which, if roused and well directed, would have produced a very different character. Another, of a more gay and lively turn, was deeply tinctured with enthusiasm. Extravagant expectations of life and happiness filled her mind; unfitting her for present duties, and laying up for her a store of disappointment hereafter. Works of fiction were her delight, and thence, aided by her imagination,

they are-but it is the condition they stand in that makes them so. When a gentleman finds his business more than he can manage, he takes a junior partner, because he knows a servant will not be equally in his interest. The mother who finds the education of her children too much for her own care, should take a partner and a friend, and consider her as such-a servant will never prosper the undertaking.

CONVERSATIONS ON GEOLOGY.

CONVERSATION XIII.

Adhesive Slate Old Red Sandstone-Grit-Stone-Anomiæ

Encrinites.

MRS. L.-We have much more to learn on the interesting subject of Fossils, but I do not mean to resume it now-it will perpetually recur as we proceed with the Transition and Secondary Strata; and I shall then have occasion to present you with many more specimens. Having in a former conversation given you as much information as we have, respecting the origin of the next class of Rocks, I may now proceed to show you what they are. But we have already encroached upon this new ground-for of the Transition Rocks, or those Secondary and Stratified Rocks, that repose immediately on the Primary, Clay Slate is ́among the first, and that I have already described to

you.

ANNE. I remember it. You called it Argillaceous Schiste, and described it as the common Slate of which we know so well the appearance and utility.

MRS. L.-I think we left nothing to be said upon the subject. This Slate contains no organic remains, except the frequent impressions of vegetables, and sometimes of shells. Here is a specimen of Slate I