reputation for her prudence?

Is not the space from sixteen to twenty-one that which requires this
care, more than at any time of a young woman's life? For in that period
do we not generally attract the eyes of the other sex, and become the
subject of their addresses, and not seldom of their attempts? And is not
that the period in which our conduct or misconduct gives us a reputation
or disreputation, that almost inseparably accompanies us throughout our
whole future lives?

Are we not likewise then most in danger from ourselves, because of the
distinction with which we are apt to behold particulars of that sex.

And when our dangers multiply, both from within and without, do not our
parents know, that their vigilance ought to be doubled? And shall that
necessary increase of care sit uneasy upon us, because we are grown up
to stature and womanhood?

Will you tell me, if so, what is the precise stature and age at which a
good child shall conclude herself absolved from the duty she owes to
a parent?--And at which a parent, after the example of the dams of
the brute creation, is to lay aside all care and tenderness for her
offspring?

Is it so hard for you, my dear, to be treated like a child? And can
you not think it is hard for a good parent to imagine herself under the
unhappy necessity of so treating her woman-grown daughter?

Do you think, if your mother had been you, and you your mother, and your
daughter had struggled with you, as you did with her, that you would
not have been as apt as your mother was to have slapped your daughter's
hands, to have made her quit her hold, and give up the prohibited
letter?

Your mother told you, with great truth, that you provoked her to this
harshness; and it was a great condescension in her (and not taken notice
of by you as it deserved) to say that she was sorry for it.

At every age on this side matrimony (for then we come under another sort
of protection, though that is far from abrogating the filial duty) it
will be found, that the wings of our parents are our most necessary and
most effectual safeguard from the vultures, the hawks, the kites, and
other villainous birds of prey, that hover over us with a view to seize
and destroy is the first time we are caught wandering out of the eye or
care of our watchful and natural guardians and protectors.

Hard as you may suppose it, to be denied to continuance of a
correspondence once so much approved, even by the venerable