it, therofore, justice will ever be respected, if not admired, by mankind. In conversation, then, be just to all. Kindness will exclude severity, justice will prevent slander and detraction, and both will lead you to avoid inuendoes and deception, and incline you to candor and frankness.

3d. Understand the difference between de

served praise and flattery. "Never speak of a man's virtues to his face, nor of his faults behind his back," is a pernicious precept, thrust into our heads before we know right from wrong, and which has done more injury to mankind than my essay will ever do good. This maxim is philosophically and morally wrong. If right, it was often violated by our SAVIOR himself, Just praise is not flattery; yet the utmost discretion should be exercised in its employment. To withhold it when obviously due, will be likely to be interpreted into an indifference to the merits of our friends, or into a feeling of envy at their success. To bestow it with discretion when merited, or to withhold it with kindness when undeserved, will not fail to serve the interests of all concerned. Flattery is false praise. No one who entertains a high regard for truth will venture to employ it on any occasion.

Praise where we can, and censure where we must; To friends and foes, to rich and poor, be just. Parody on Pope.

"An honest fellow," says Mr. Todd in his Students' Manual, "was introduced into the most fashionable circle of a country village, and though he was neither learned nor brilliant, yet

he passed off very well. But he had one incorrigible fault: he always stayed so as to be the last person who left the room. At length, he was asked, categorically, why he always staid so long. He replied, with great good nature and simplicity," that "as soon as a man was gone, they all began to talk against him; and, consequently, he thought it always judicious to stay till none were left to slander him."

4th. "Keep cool." Cold steel makes the impression. Composure of mind is essential to dignity. But calmness does not preclude feeling, lively, and impressive conversation. The aim should be self-command-that the intellect may lead and govern the passions. This will enable you to avoid, as we ever should, all profanity, levity or coarseness in our expressions; for no deliberate man will shock the ears of a company with any such outrages upon propriety and decency.

5th. Endeavor to diversify conversation with a good variety of subject and remark; but avoid any effort at singularity. The reputation of an 'odd fellow" is no enviable notoriety. Sprightly and pertinent anecdote is not only agreeable, but useful. It awakens the attention of all, and interests the indifferent. They should not be so modified, in order to suit the occasion, as to violate truth; nor should they be given as original unless they are so. Care should be taken that none present should feel an anecdote at their expense, directly or indirectly.

6th. The voice is to thoughts what the vehicle is to travellers. Try, then, to send out

your ideas on smooth going carriages. Let them not come creaking and groaning to the door of the ear. How few think of this; and yet how much more agreeable is a sweet voice than a harsh one. To the other charms of the fair, nature has added, as a general characteristic, a smooth, clear, and musical voice. This is one source of the peculiar pleasure felt in their conversation. A voice may be smooth, clear, and melodious without being feminine. Yet for conversation, a voice which approximates the feminine is far more agreeable than a hoarse base. The voice of a refined woman is the best model in all nature for the field of conversation.

7th. Over all, as a shield for every defect, and a grace for every excellence, cherish a lofty social generosity. View the company in which you are in the best possible light. When we visit a gallery of portraits, we see the most faithful works of the pencil, distorted and deformed, or otherwise defective, when we look at them from certain angles, or when we see them by a wrong light. But no generous visitor would pronounce judgment against the artist till his work had been seen to the best possible advantage. So every truly generous man will form the most favorable opinion he can of the company he is in. This will insure a suitable estimate of ourselves. Never assume your superiority as a reason why you should be heard in preference to others. Generously acknowledge. your obligations to others for what you learn of them; and courteously answer or dispose of the inquiries they may make of you.

8th. Good nature is the sunshine of life. It sheds a lustre upon all things under its light. It always feels welcome, is easily pleased, and it shares an exquisite satisfaction in the humor and delight of its associates. To please and be pleased is its element. With good nature in your heart, you can smile with affection as you condescend to the young; or you can receive with dignity the attentions of your superiors. An easy compliance with the settled customs of your company, and a willing acquiescence in their harmless wishes, will enable you to appreciate the value of your privileges as social beings; while you may exert all your ability to raise the standard of conversation, by commending and promoting the "Social Lyceum System." On something of this nature we must rest our hopes, that the time will come, when the members of society may find something truly rational and useful to converse about, whenever and wherever they may meet.

POETRY.

THE FALL OF JERICHO.

Now the gates of the city no longer unfold,
For the tale of the spies unto Joshua is told;
And not one may now enter or one from it go,
For the camp of JEHOVAH lies near Jericho.

And its songs were all hush'd and its streets were all still'd,
For a dread of the mighty had each bosom fill'd;
And wakeful and fearful was each matron and maid,
And Jericho's warriors and her king were afraid.

And the valiant of Israel were streaming around,

With the ark of the LORD and the trumpet's shrill sound, While through the still'd city peal'd each blast that they

blew,

And still louder on each day the strange echoes grew.

Till the sixth day was number'd e'en once on each day,
Did the trumpeters' loud blast resound with dismay;
But the dawn of the seventh came wildest with woe-
With the doom and the downfall of proud Jericho.

For when seven high peals on the trumpets were heard,
Then the shouts of all Israel convulsively stirr'd;
All the strong-laid foundations of fair Jericho,
And her walls and her towers laid prostrate and low.