LETTER XII.

CHOICE OF COMPANIONS AND FRIENDS.--SELECTION OF A PURSUIT IN LIFE.--COURTSHIP.--MARRIAGE.--HOUSEKEEPING.--PECUNIARY MATTERS.

RULE to be observed in the Selection of Associates--Advantage of the Companionship of Persons of more Experience than Ourselves--False Sentiments entertained by Lord Byron regarding Friendship--Self-Consciousness affords the best Contradiction to these Erroneous Opinions--Value of Friendship--Importance of the Judicious Selection of Confidants--Folly of demanding Perfection in one's Friends --Selection of Employment--The first Consideration in this Relation--Thorough Education should not be confined to Candidates for the Learned Professions--The Merchant Princes of America--Avenues for Effort--All Honest Occupations dignified by Right Conduct--The Pursuit of Wealth as an End--Freedom the Prerogative of the Worker--A Professional Manner Condemned--Individual Insignificance--Advantages of Early Marriage--Cause of prevalent Domestic Unhappiness--Each Individual the best Judge of his own Conjugal Requisites-- Health, Good-Temper, and Education essential in a Wife-- Accomplishments not essential to Domestic Happiness-- Disadvantages resulting from a previous Fashionable Career --A True Wife--Respect due to the proper Guardians of a Lady by her Suitor--Advantages of a Friendship with a Married Lady --Reserve and Respect of Manner due to Female Friends--Manly Frankness as a Suitor the only Honorable Course--Attachment to one Woman no Excuse for Rudeness to others--The Art of Pleasing--Presents, Complimentary Attentions, etc.--Nicety of Perception usual in Women--Power of the Law of Kindness in Home-Life--The Slightest Approach to Family Dissension to be carefully avoided--The Duty of a Husband to exert a Right Influence over his Wife--Union of Spirit the only Satisfying Bond--More than Roman Sternness assumed by some--Sacredness of all the Better Emotions of the Human Heart--Expressive Synonymes--Pecuniary Matters--The Pernicious Effects of Boarding--An Old Man's Advice--Household Gods--Propriety of Providing for Future Contingencies--Slavery Imposed by Pride and Poverty--Comfort and Refinement compatible with Moderate Resources--Books and Works of Art to be preferred to Fine Furniture--Importance of Cherishing the Esthetical Tastes of Children--"Keeping" a great Desideratum in Social and Domestic Life, 447

ILLUSTRATIVE SKETCHES, ETC.

THE MOOTED POINT.--A Morning Visit and Morning Occupations-- Macaulay and the Blanket Coat--Curate's Daughters and the Daughters of New-England--A Sybarite--A Disclaimer and a Witticism--Not a Gentleman--"Trifles make the sum of Human Things"--The Slough of Despond--A Gift--Reading Poetry-- A Soldier's Tactics--The "Unpardonable Sin"--A Fair Champion and a Noble Sentiment, 463

Anecdotes of a British Minister, an Ex-Governor, and an American Statesman, 470

Chief-Justice Marshall and the Young Man of Fashion, 472

Habits of Early Friends, 478

THE PROPHECY FULFILLED.--A Denouement--Cupid turned Carrier-- Wedding-Cards and Welcome News--A True Woman's Letter, 478

Uncle Hal's Farewell, 480

THE AMERICAN GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE.