Page:Original stories from real life 1796.pdf/106

Rh be allowed to fix virtuous affections in the tender youthful heart.

Of all the women whom I have ever met with, Mrs. Trueman ſeems the freeſt from vanity, and thoſe frivolous views which degrade the female character. Her virtues claim reſpect, and the practice of them engroſſes her thoughts; yet her clothes are apparently well choſen, and you always ſee her in the ſame attire. Not like many women who are eager to ſet off their perſons to the beſt advantage, when they are only going to take a walk, and are careleſs, nay ſlovenly, when forced to ſtay at home. Mrs. Trueman’s conduct is just the reverſe, ſhe tries to avoid ſingularity, for ſhe does not wiſh to diſguſt the generality; but it is her family, her friends, whom ſhe ſtudies to pleaſe.

In dreſs it is not little minute things, but the whole that ſhould be attended to, and that every day; and this attention gives an eaſe to the perſon becauſe the clothes appear unſtudily graceful. Never, continued Mrs. Maſon, deſire to excel in trifles, Rh