most toilsome to follow out the hieroglyphic even to the foot of page the first. Nor does the grievance rest here few of these diligent scribes appear to take into consideration the fact that a pen, particularly if it be a quill, loses somewhat of its delicacy and point in its rapid progress over a sheet of paper; occasioning the latter part to appear much coarser than the commencement. Consequently, the direct lines of each page are considerably finer than those which afterwards cross them; and how severely this aggravates the punishment of decyphering, I appeal to the judgment of my fellow-sufferers.

However to obviate the indignant rebukes that so bold an attack may provoke from my fair and talented young friends, I must acknowledge that it would be exceedingly cruel to restrict to the limits of one sheet their delightful effusions-or to lay a tax of double postage on their privileged correspondents-or to overwhelm with solicitations every hapless wight who can append the magical M. P. to his name. I would therefore only suggest to each fluent scribe, that, when taking pen in hand, she should bestow a moment's consideration on the age and optic powers of the person whom she addresses. There can be no objection to this mode of dealing out double allowance to those whom she knows to be blessed with quick sight; but there is a discourtesy in imposing such a task on a stranger, of whom, in that respect, she knows nothing-downright cruelty in forcing it on one who must, perhaps, pay the penalty, not only of a headache, but of real injury sustained by the tender and invaluable organ thus heedlessly trifled with. Why-if the matter to be detailed cannot, by a little management, be legibly written on a sheet of

letter paper-why not have recourse to material of a larger size? Why indulge in what may be deeply injurious to another, when a moment's thought would suffice to obviate the necessity, real or imagined?

It is generally a mere habit: I have not only twopenny post letters,—where a dozen sheets of paper may pass as freely as one,-crossed throughout, but also little notes, conveyed by hand from neighbours just by, the reading of which is rendered so distressing by the practice complained of, that I have been tempted to send my thoughtless tormentors a quire of paper, as a sort of civil rebuke for unbecoming chariness in that article. However, I have taken the more honest and Christian course of frankly stating the grievance to them, and requesting a cessation of the custom, so far as I am concerned. This appeal has succeeded where opportunity was afforded to make it; but being favoured with an extensive · correspondence, and frequent communications from strangers, the evil is only in part removed. I have now bethought myself of this mode of bringing it before a considerable number of Christian ladies, hoping it may induce some of them to form themselves into a society for the protection of weak eyes, than which a more benevolent project could hardly be started in these inventive days; or more valuable in the sight of those who see no better than

R. H. F.

[WE feelingly acknowledge the justice of our correspondent's remarks; and anticipate no small share in the benefit to be derived from a general acquiescence in them.-ED.]

ON INTEMPERANCE.

"Neither be partaker of other men's sins."-1 Tim. v. 22.

IT is a wonderful peculiarity of the word of God, that although the injunctions it contains were appropriated to the particular cases which called them forth, yet they comprehend an application to the circumstances of every individual, unto whom the Holy Spirit has revealed the fulness of the assurance that "All scripture is given by inspiration of God; and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works," 2 Tim. iii. 16, 17. Perhaps this view can only be understood by those who have experienced its truth-by those who deeply and perseveringly dig at that fountain, which ever yields an increasing supply of wisdom, in proportion as the hand of expectant faith seeks for guidance and instruction. Under a full conviction of the justness of this position, I would venture to apply the inspired words, "Neither be partaker of other men's sins," 1 Tim. v. 22. to a subject which has assumed a fearful-an appalling importance, and calls aloud for every effort within the compass of possibility, to stem the torrent of iniquity it involves. I allude to Intemperance, the heart-rending and heart-sickening consequences of which con

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tinually meet the eye and ear of all who are not willingly deaf to the recital of their fellow-creatures' miseries, or willingly blind to the almost countless incitements to this sin, held forth in our lanes and streets, with every degree of fatal attraction, up to the splendid gin-palaces which disgrace our metropolis, and swarm with men, women, and even children, eagerly treading the path of ruin, heedless alike of present calamity and future destruction of soul and body.

In the evidence furnished to the Parliamentary Committee on drunkenness, by fifty persons, of fortyfive professions, in different parts of the kingdom, it is stated, That in one gin-shop in Manchester not fewer than two hundred persons, chiefly females, enter each Saturday evening, from five until twelve o'clock. There enter weekly into fourteen of the principal gin-shops in London 142,453 men, 108,593 women, and 18,301 children, making a total each week of 269,437. The number of places for the sale of distilled spirits in London exceeds that of bakers, butchers, and fishmongers added together, and in nine gin-palaces, within a circle of 150 yards, in London, 50,000l. a-year are expended in spirits. In Glasgow alone, there are expended annually in spirits above 450,000l. a sum equal to that contributed to all the religious and charitable societies in the whole three kingdoms. In Ireland, from 1820 to 1830, the consumption of distilled spirit increased six millions of gallons; in 1828, it amounted to 9,772,390 gallons.' Are not these awful calculations?

It may be objected that this subject is unsuited to a Lady's Magazine-it is most unsuitable! That

the name of woman should ever have been allied to the degrading vice of drunkenness is most humiliatingly unsuitable. But, is it by voluntarily hiding our faces from the reality of danger, that we can escape the threatened injury? or is it by rejoicing over our own fancied security, that we can avert the evil with which our neighbours are encircled? Ah no! the real Christian cannot be passive under such circumstances, and though no other weapons could be wielded in the warfare, so long as influence and example can claim the rank of talents for which we are accountable, so long must they be employed to check the progress of transgression, whatever form it may assume, lest, by indifference, we be found guilty of partaking in other men's sins. Never shall I forget the indescribable horror I experienced, on first discovering that a woman could be intoxicated: the most distant idea of such a possibility had not once occurred to me, until a few years ago. It was on one of those lovely Sabbath mornings when all nature seems to respond to every holy feeling which that blessed day so peculiarly inspires; I was speeding my way to the parish church, intent upon the instruction designed for the class of Sundayscholars committed to my care, when, within a few yards of the sacred spot, I met, supported by two companions, a very respectably-dressed female, so dreadfully under the influence of liquor, that, though unprepared for the entertainment of such a thought, I could not be mistaken as to the awful truth, which then for the first time was presented to my mind, with undeniable force of ocular demonstration. The thrill of horror and disgust which accompanied this sad discovery long, very long retained