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44   Juvenile Letters.

I was so well entertained with the history of your southern tour, that I could hardly forgive you for discontinuing it. Letters, which relate to the geography and history of our own country, are peculiarly interesting to those who are attending to these subjects. I do not go to any school ; but I have been studying geography ever since I have been here ; and my brother has recommended Miss Adams' History of New-England, as very proper for me, after I am a year or two older.

I know not how to compensate you for the information and entertainment you have already afforded me ; yet I must still solicit your favours. And if you should accompany your papa in his journey, to the northward, as he hinted to my brother, pray do as you did before ; only be a little more prolix.

In a circle of ladies, a few evenings since, when the conversation turned upon the subject of book suitable to be put into the hands of children, I was so struck with the observations of a respectable mother of a large family, that
I

Juvenile Letters.  45

I wrote them down, the next morning ; and now copy them for your perusal.

"We all wish," said she, "that our young
"folks should love reading ; and the fondness
"for books is a mark of sense, and may be con-
"ducive to improvement. But how few books
"are fit for the perusal of the very persons for
"whom they are designed! Even of the few
"people, whose sentiments one would be will-
"ing they should imbibe, who will be at the
"pains to print? Those who have no children
"of their own, either do not concern them-
"selves about their principles and conduct, or
"have no knowledge of the avenues to their
"little hearts. They know not how very sim-
"ple a tale ought to be ; how very plain and
"short a moral ; nor indeed are aware of the 
"importance of supplying children with food
"for their curiosity, which will not vitiate
"their minds. And the married have but lit-
"tle leisure to make books."
Adieu.

CAROLINE COURTLAND.
Miss Sophronia Bellmont.

LETTER

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