a striking illustration; and had not the mild policy, from which he never deviated, been violated by others under his command, the fatal affray in which he lost his life would never have arisen. More recent experience has added examples equally striking of the salutary effects of gentleness upon uneducated and unregenerated human nature.

I am persuaded that children through gentle treatment may be taught gentleness as well as the practice of any other virtue. No doubt, some will give infinitely more trouble to their teachers than others, for in some children gentleness appears to be an inherent quality, which, if not marred by over-indulgence and injudicious education, will grow up with them.

Gentleness is a fundamental law of our religion. We acknowledge it theoretically, but in our practice continually infringe it; indeed, I might almost say that every principle upon which we act, every principle by which society is governed, whether relative to the laws of nations, the laws of honour or of criminal jurisprudence, is diametrically opposed to it, yet is the authority which sets forth the duty of gentleness the highest recognized by mankind; we feel, moreover, that had not the divine Author of our faith known it to be practicable, he would not have enjoined it as necessary to our salvation.

66 "Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: but I say unto

you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: but I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also. And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you and persecute you; that ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven."

In the same spirit, our Saviour bade Peter put up his sword, when he had drawn it upon the High Priest's servant; and lastly, on the Cross, in the agonies of that dreadful death, Jesus prayed for his murderers, saying, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." Thus with his dying breath and dying act fulfilling that perfect law which he had descended from heaven to promulgate, and of which his life had afforded so sublime an example.

Before quitting this subject, I would address a

few words to that sex in whom gentleness is by universal consent held to be a virtue; and, in truth, gentleness, like a sweet voice, is an excellent thing in woman. Loveliness of face and form, when accompanied by harsh, unamiable manners, always appears to me like a flower, the splendour of whose colours attracts and delights the eye, but whose rank, repellent odour renders it impossible to approach it. If women, whether plain or handsome, knew how much they lose by giving way to snappish and repulsive dispositions, I think they would cultivate gentleness out of sheer feminine policy, as one of the fairest of the graces. Gentleness is a more valuable gift-or ought we not rather to call it an acquisition?-than either beauty or genius, and will distance both in making its way through the world.

CHAPTER X.

Courtesy-English Character generally, deficient in it-Conventional Manners Reprehensible Traits marking them-A few Simple Rules-Formation of Manners in Children-Courtesy to the Aged-Courtesy to Inferiors-Unreasonable Expectations in regard to Servants-Relation proper to be observed between Children and Servants-Importance of Parental Companionship.

COURTESY has been correctly defined "Benevolence in trifles," and it has been observed, with equal truth, that "Christianity is the best teacher of courtesy." Conventional politeness may vary so, that what was considered the height of goodbreeding at one period may be voted vulgar and intolerable at another; but the courtesy which arises from benevolence can never vary, or be subjected to the caprice of fashion, and this is the courtesy in the habitual practice of which we should bring up our children.

To seek to give pleasure, and to avoid as much as possible giving pain, may be considered the basis of courtesy. To accommodate our tastes and habits to the tastes and habits of those into whose society we are thrown, sometimes even to their whims, will shew not only our good nature,

but our good sense. Too great a display of elegance and refinement, for example, in circles where there is but little, would be both absurd and ostentatious; and though we may not seek such company from choice, the vicissitudes of life may occasionally throw us into it, when it will be both good policy and good morality to make ourselves agreeable to our companions, taking care to abstain from all allusions, all topics which admit of misconstruction. To act thus, is to observe what Lord Chesterfield correctly terms, "local propriety."

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It is precisely this sort of courtesy, this happy result of much good sense, some good nature, and a little self-denial," in which the English character is deficient. Great as a nation we unquestionably are, and, individually as well as collectively, capable of much magnanimity, much generosity; but in that no less important manifestation of benevolence, which is courtesy, that interchange of the "small, sweet charities," which are as necessary to make social life glide on smoothly and pleasantly, as the small coin of the realm is in the transaction of business, we are, I repeat, deficient. Of this our continental neighbours complain, and with justice; for though they may not be competent judges of other qualities which are hidden from them, they are competent judges of our manners, which are not hidden from them. They judge of us from what they see of us, both in relation to themselves and towards our