writer has therefore neither hope nor wish of exercising any
influence over the minds of those who are not her 'Unknown Friends.'
There may, indeed, be a variety in the character of these friends; for
almost all the following Letters are addressed to different persons; but
the general intellectual features are always supposed to be the same,
however the moral ones may differ."

"One word more must be added. All of the rules and systems recommended
in these Letters have borne the test of long-tried and extensive
experience. There is nothing new about them but their publication."

The plan of the writer of the Letters enables her to give specific and
practical advice, applicable to particular cases, and entering into
lively details; whereas, a more general work would have compelled her to
confine herself to vague generalities, as inoperative as they are
commonplace.

The intelligent reader will readily appreciate and cordially approve of
the writer's plan, as well as the happy style in which it is executed.

To the "Letters to Unknown Friends" which are inserted entire, the
editor has added, as a suitable pendant, copious extracts from that
excellent work, "Woman's Mission," and some able papers by Lord Jeffrey,
the late accomplished editor of the Edinburgh Review.

Thus composed, the editor submits the work to the fair readers of
America, trusting that it will be found a useful and unexceptionable
"Young Lady's Mentor."

Contents

Contentment 7

Temper 31

Falsehood and Truthfulness 52

Envy 61

Selfishness and Unselfishness 74

Self-Control 93

Economy 117

The Cultivation of the Mind 137, 164

Amusements 193

The Influence of Women on Society 218

The Sphere of Woman's Influence 227

Education of Women 233

Love--Marriage 244

Literary Capabilities of Women 256

Ennui, and the Desire to be Fashionable 267

The Influence of Personal Character 270

On the Means of Securing Personal Influence 276

LETTER I.

CONTENTMENT.

It is, perhaps, only the young who can be very hopefully addressed on
the present subject. A few y