The Young Lady's Counsellor by Daniel Wise

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238 THE YOUNG LADY'S COUNfeELLOR.
man devoid of filial and fraternal ^ve, will not, cannot
make a good husband
Now all this advice is perhaps lost upon my almost
scornful reader. She thinks me a cold, calculating
adviser, and perhaps pronounces me heartless.
Be it so. Yet if she despises my counsel and mar
ries an unworthy man, she will often turn back to i*
with remorseful reflections. Lady, mine is not a
cold heart. I understand the ardor of youthful feel
ing, and comprehend all your difficulty in yielding
to my instructions. Passion is strong in a young
breast ; it is often delirious — mad !
It blinds the
judgment, steels the conscience, bewilders the imagination,
captivates the reason. Study its wild work
ings, as before a mirror, in the following words of
Basil, a military chieftain, who, enthralled by a sudden
affection for a beautiful woman, allowed himself
to be detained with his troops from the field of battle,
and thereby placed the fate of an empire in jeopardy.
Hear him debating the opposing claims of
duty and affection
•' Well, there is j'et one day ot life beuore me,
And, whatsoe'er betide, I will enjov it.