All your observations, my dear friend, are perfectly just. It is very true, that the world is infinitely more dangerous now, than it was in our day: but I think a young woman well born and educated may very easily avoid all the rocks it presents. The greatest is certainly, as you remark, the excessive liberty which custom has granted to all young women for some years. But when my daughter enters into company, she will certainly possess a clear understanding, sound principles, purity of heart, discernment, noble sentiments, and a great desire to distinguish herself by her conduct and virtue. I will then give her this picture of the world, which you have drawn so correctly, and will say to her, ‘Remember that the liberty young women now enjoy, prejudices their reputations much more, than it can assist their pleasures: never avail yourself of it, if you would wish to be esteemed irreproachable.’ But, you will ask me, are you very sure, that in spite of fashion and example Adelaide will have the courage to follow this advice? Doubtless she will; or all I have done for her, will be lost and useless. I will go farther and assert, that she will follow this advice without constraint, and even with delight. When one is truly virtuous, and firmly resolved to continue and at exhibitions, with their naked throats, hair flowing on their shoulders, disordered and without powder; that dress at once so negligent, and so studied; and all this after spending three hours at a toilet. – I think the men ought to be less attracted by these affectations of negligence, and abandoned airs, than by those noble and decent dresses we were obliged to wear in our youth. Oh, my dear friend! what a cruel thought it is, that Adelaide and Constantia are on the eve of entering a world so full of dangers! How shall we arm them against all these perils, or how prevent them from availing themselves of the ready path to error and destruction?