Page:Advice to young ladies on their duties and conduct in life - Arthur - 1849.djvu/85

Rh classes of the community above what is rude, ignorant, and vulgar, adds to their happiness, because it makes them better and wiser; but this rudeness, ignorance, and vulgarity will prevail just so long as woman is kept down by the pressure of circumstances; for, in her influence upon the other sex, but mainly upon her children, lies the all-potent principle of social reformation. Let every young woman, if her lot be humble, and her advantages few, remember that she has a duty to perform to society as well as herself, and wisely seek to fulfil the obligations that rest upon her. At the same time, every young woman, who is blessed with the superior advantages of education and refinement, should as earnestly seek to lift up those below her, and inspire them with a love of what is useful, refined, and truly good.

Those whose external condition is very different from what we have been describing, who are blessed with all the comforts, luxuries, and advantages attainable by wealth, are in some danger of entertaining false notions in regard to themselves, and of valuing themselves more on account of their condition in life, than for the virtues they possess. This is of course a false valuation; and whoever makes it commits an error that will lead to unhappiness sooner or