The following hints were originally designed for the benefit of a few individuals, for whom the author had a particular regard, and also felt himself under obligations to give them all that instruction which might be deemed necessary to guide them in the paths of virtue and morality, and to shun those vices which often ruin the female sex, and are too predominant in the world.
But as all young people are in one predicament, and instructions that are suitable for one, may be equally applied to the whole; therefore, for the benefit of the present, and future rising generations, these few lines are made public.
And although the Author would not blush to own this piece of work, yet, for certain reasons, his name is concealed.
TO
YOUNG FEMALES, &c.
The most critical time of youth, especially of the female sex, is while they are in their juvenile years. At this age, when they are entering as it were upon the borders of life, to act in some degree for themselves, the greatest care and attention ought to be paid to them. And from the age of puberty, until they arrive to maturity, and are settled in the world, they ever ought to be considered as under the care and protecting eye of their parents, guardians, or masters.
How can parents, guardians, or masters, feel as though they had discharged their duty towards their children, and those under their care, in this respect, when they see them, entering on the wheels of time, exposed to all the temptations of an alluring world, and scarcely or never give them one check or caution!
And as it is to be feared that some parents, &c. are guilty of too much neglect on this hand, so others govern with too much restraint on the other. If you mean that your children should learn to govern themselves, you must learn it to them by experience; that is, by giving them a little lenity, together with your good counsel and advice, and according to their improvement, give them more and more, until they learn the art of self-government. But if you endeavor to keep them wholly under restraint, and never let them learn from experience the different manners and customs of people abroad; if they should happen to break out of your reach (as most likely they will, at certain times) they will (according to the vulgar expression) behave more like hogs let out of the sty; than like ladies; and not knowing the art of self government, they will be likely to break over all rules of decency and decorum.
But although parents, &c. may pay the strictest attention to their children, &c. unless there is the greatest degree of caution and circumspection attended to, on the part of the children, it will avail but very little.