the heart is
yet a novice and follows the impulse of youthful sensibility, and
bestows itself unreservedly upon the object of disinterested affection;
then, surely, friendship is not a name. Albert, during his abode in the
city, had associated with ladies of rank, beauty and accomplishments. He
was a general favourite among them; he had been flattered, courted and
caressed, but none had the power to fix his attention. Since his return
to the country, he had been frequently invited to assemble among the
artless villagers, decorated in their own native beauty, assisted
sometimes for ornament with the spoils of Flora. Health, pleasure and
naivette, was in the air of these charmers, and all that was pleasing to
win his regard and esteem. These scenes of rural pleasure, these social
parties, were adapted to his taste. In comparison of which the gay
assemblages of the city had been formerly uninteresting; and he had been
heard to say, that whenever his mind should become fixed, his choice
would be some lady who resided in the country.

Although Albert experienced a degree of happiness and contentment
unknown to many, in his present situation, yet he sometimes felt himself
very lonely.

Alida was anxious that her brother should look out for a suitable
companion; if he could be fortunate enough to find one that was amiable
and sensible, and whose actions should be under the influence of genuine
piety; one who would be ambitious to preserve domestic sunshine, by the
goodness and equanimity of her disposition; who would have a tear for
distress, a heart for friendship and love, exerted in benevolence and
charity, and in the mean time have a care to the good order and
arrangement of domestic duties and economy.

Albert often descanted in conversation with his friends, on the general
neglect of female education, which consisted of a few trifling
embellishments, while those of the more substantial order were left out
of the question. He thought that young ladies generally were not
sufficiently learned in the solid branches, to exercise their mental
powers to advantage, or to be agreeable, intelligent companions.

"If it be true," said he, "that our pleasures are chiefly of a
comparative or reflected kind, how supreme must be theirs, who
continually reflect on each other the portraitures of happiness,
whose amusements

"Though varied still, are still the same
In infinite progression."

"How tranquil must be the state of t