Herald Of The United States

ON MODESTY—BY A LADY.

An easy unaffected modesty, is a virtue not only graceful and excellent, but may be reckoned among the most durable beauties: it improves every look and feature, and gives a becoming dignity to a person's air: it atones for a mean dress, and sets off the richest with an additional lustre. The standard of beauty varies in proportion to the various opinions of mankind in different countries; but modesty like light, is the same to all. Beauty, like a flower, is slow in its growth, short in its bloom, and its decay raises in us a sort of an ill-natured compassion: but modesty in its dawn has its charms; & when it has stood all attacks, is entitled to our admiration. Beauty may please the eye, but modesty and delicacy engage the heart. To be possessed of those inestimable virtues, is almost an invariable proof of good sense, and a refined understanding, & is the strongest security a fine woman can give of making her admirer happy for life.