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truths that the value and glory of the literary profession are based; and these at the same time enforce the duty of conversation and ensure its reward. We instinctively act upon the assumption that speech doubles the gains and halves the losses of experience. The stricken heart soothes its own bitterness by the recital of its woe; and the cheerful spirit adds to the treasure of its happiness as it pours the welcome tale into the ear of a sympathetic auditor. The ethereal substances of which intellections are made will elude or defy us unless they are fixed in the gyves of language; and yet when they are thus fastened, unless we give them the liberty of the world, and share the dower which they have conferred upon us with our friends and neighbors, the royal captives will disdain our lordship; and with angry and yet sorrowful aspect will vanish into thin air and leave not a trace behind. Thoughts in the mind of the thinker often lie diffused and invisible like solids dissolved in the vessels of the chemist; the electric power of definite utterance, like the mysterious force of crystallization, erects the unseen substance of the thought into visible and permanent shape.

The vocalized thought, ready and obedient as a vassal, serves our purpose of enriching others, and at the same time adding to our own stores. "There is," says Solomon, "that scattereth and yet increaseth;" and of such processes this is one. The

inevitable tendency and conclusion of purposeful conversation is to generate, classify, and define thinking; to give fullness, accuracy, and simplicity of expression, and if used in a truly humane spirit, to nurse and develop the sweetest sympathies and most be- · nign attributes of our nature. Conversation constitutes one of the most important yet one of the most neglected branches of education; and at the same time, one of the most valuable and available means of usefulness. No one of us may possess the learning of Scaliger, or the epigrammatic force of Selden, or the grace and erudition of Ménage, or the overflowing fullness of Johnson, or the metaphysical acumen and boundless stores of Mackintosh, or the ceaseless wit and well-nigh unparalleled common sense of Sydney Smith; yet few are so barren or tongue-tied by nature that they may not yield amusement, instruction and delight to their companions. It is true that the highest style of conversation pre-supposes the largest range of faculties, culture, and experience; but while there can be but few great talkers, almost all have it in their power by cultivating selfacquaintance, honest endeavor and kind disposition, to minister in friendly converse to the well-being of others. The best and most beautiful service of this kind we have a right to exact from women. Their peculiar constitution, she greater delicacy of their sensibilities, their refinement and reach of sympathy, their

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arger and more genial social nature, their finer cr pa city to apprehend and interpret the characters of others, their ability more easily and gracefully to pu their notions into language, justify us in this requi sition. Added to all this, is the special fact that the right conduct and best interests of social life are intrusted to their guardianship.

As I urge this statement I am met by various apologies and complaints, such as-"we have no time; we have no opportunity to cultivate conversational power; we decline to admit the truth of your allegations in regard to our capacity or responsibility; for we are not so highly gifted, nor is our position one of so much worth and dignity."

I rejoin: if the mass of young women were to spend as much time upon intellectual culture, in acquiring the ability to talk well, as they devote to the lookingglass or toilet-table, we should witness an instant and rapid revolution in society; if as much interest were felt and pains taken in the cultivation of really good manners, and in the wise and graceful use of the tongue, as are expended upon dress, flippant young coxcombs would have cause to mend their ways, or to quit the society they now frequent; and sensible, cultivated men would have less compunction in attending evening parties. The stammering, incoherent style of speech, the breaks and pauses in which the mind seems to be summoning its rebel vassals to

do their office, the spurious coin of slang and vulgarity current in our best circles, alike testify to the wretched need and the prime importance of distinctive conversational training.

May I be permitted to suggest a few hints as to the method for training the tongue to fluent and ready exercise?

Let the story-telling habit so dear to children be continued, notwithstanding the awkward and uncomfortable feeling which self-consciousness so painfully imposes. You need never be at a loss for an auditory so long as children are numbered among your acquaintance; and if you exact a more appreciative hearer, you can easily arrange to listen as well as talk with your bosom friend-for every young lady has such. From anecdotes and tales you may proceed to narrations from your graver reading; and then to comments, discussion and criticism. You are thus acquiring the use of your lingual and mental abilities. Words grow tamed and flexible; ideas and illustrations yield their levies at command; animated, instructive and inviting speech becomes possible; and thus from small beginnings and in however limited a theatre, by patient continuance and earnest endeavor you gain one of the most beautiful accomplishments and at the same time one of the noblest agencies for good.

Let me here urge upon my younger readers the

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peculiar and pre-eminent importance of fully and exactly comprehending the meaning of words, "the counters of wise men, the coin of fools," and at the same time insist upon their studious perusal of two most admirable and fascinating little books, written by Richard Chenevix Trench; one on "The Study of Words" the other on "English, past and present;" than which I am acquainted with no books better calculated to awaken and foster in the popular mind a just and lively estimate of our noble English tongue. Never read without a lexicon at hand; if possible, Richardson's. Never pass a word of the significance of which you are doubtful. Carefully con its primary and derivative meanings; and you shall find the coffers of your mind filling with beautiful and lasting

treasures.

But leaving these didactic hints, which need only be considered as salient suggestions, I may briefly indicate some open doors to woman's generous social activity. It is true that our civilization may be haunted by such feminine monstrosities as Mrs. Jellyby and Mrs. Pardiggle; but is not its lustre brightened by such names as those of Mrs. Fry and Miss Dix? A beautiful lesson as to one of woman's spheres and her power to perform the duties it imposes, is taught in the unostentatious simple-hearted Christian labors of many of the Friends in this country and in England. Their schools for prisons, and among the

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