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36  Juvenile Letters.

I shall pay strict attention to your advice concerning the books which I read. "A Father's Legacy to his Daughters," "Fordyce's Sermons to Young Ladies," and "Bennet's Letters," are all the books I have looked into, except those which are studied in school. Indeed, my lessons take up the most part of my time. 

I have less reason to wonder, since I have been in this town, that you cautioned me so particularly against spending too much of my time in mere amusements. There are many things here which tend to dissipation. 

You permitted me to go once to the theatre; and that is likely to prove sufficient for me. My eyes were dazzled with the scenery, and with the dress of the actors.  And as I had often heard it called a school of morality, I expected to learn something good there; but, alas! how much was I disappointed! It would not become me to criticise upon the performance generally ; but this I think is obvious, even to those as young as I am, that such profane and indelicate language, as I there 
heard,


Juvenile Letters.  37

heard, its improper, at all time, and in all places.  And then, to see one of my own sex in man's apparel, O how disgusting! I am told that modest ladies are obliged to go many times, before they can learn to relish all they see and hear. At first they hold down their head,as I was obliged to do,then peep through their veils and fans,and finally attain assurance enough to applaud all things with boldness.  One thing puzzles me ; if the institution be good, why are parents so averse to having their own children become actors ?

I was very much pleased at the Museum ; though I think some of the wax figures might be dispensed with. I have heard the same observation concerning the Museum of Hartford.

I have visited the town library, which contains a choice collection of books.  There are also several circulating libraries; which Mrs.P---- says would do more credit to the taste of the inhabitants,if they contained fewer novels,and a greater number of useful books. 

I cannot conclude, without repeating what

D  Mrs.