melancholy, how will you be able to perform your duty towards me,
in cheerfully obeying my commands,and endeavouring, by your lively
prattle and innocent gaiety of heart, to be my companion and
delight? Nor will you be fit to converse with your brother, whom
(as you lost your good papa when you were too young to know that
loss) I have endeavoured to educate in such a manner, that I hope
he will be a father to you, if you deserve his love and
protection. In short, if you do not keep command enough of
yourself to prevent being ruffled by every accident, you will be
unfit for all the social offices of life, and be despised by all
those whose regard and love are worth your seeking. I treat you,
my girl, as capable of considering what is for your own good; for
though you are but eleven years of age, yet I hope the pains I
have taken in explaining all you read, and in answering all your
questions in search of knowledge, has not been so much thrown
away, but that you are more capable of judging, than those unhappy
children are, whose parents have neglected to instruct them. And
therefore, farther to enforce what I say, remember, that repining
at any accident that happens to you, is an offence to that God to
whom I have taught you daily to pray for all the blessings you can
receive, and to whom you are to return humble thanks for every
blessing.

'"I expect therefore, Jenny, that you now dry up your tears, and
resume your usual cheerfulness. I do not doubt but your obedience
to me will make you at least put on the appearance of cheerfulness
in my sight. But you will deceive yourself, if you think that is
performing your duty; for if you would obey me as you ought, you
must try heartily to root from your mind all sorrow and
gloominess. You may depend upon it, this command is in your power