having paffed through the reftraints neceffarily impofed on youth, are ready to launch into the tempeftuous ocean of life, without any chart to fail by but their native innocence and unfufpecting chearfulness. WHILE they preferve the firft, they will not strike against the rock moft fatal to their peace; but grant they should efcape that imminent danger, there are a thousand hidden fhoals thoals within this formy fea, where female happiness may fuffer wreck. From these it is my moft earnest wish to fave them, and fend them floating down the ftream of Time loaded with days and honour. As it is generally supposed that a thorough knowledge of the art we mean to teach is indifpenfably necessary in every fcience, the Author of the following Effays, with the trueft gratitude gratitude to the Almighty for fuch an inestimable bleffing, prefumes to hope, that after thirty years of uninterrupted happiness in the marriage-state, fhe may be deemed qualified, at least as far as experience can direct, to speak upon the most interesting of all earthly fubjects to those who are but entering on that state of probation, wherein a strict adherence to its delightful duties. muft lead to the final reward of happiness here and hereafter. ESSAYS, |