Miss Lydia, when her Mamma first began to write down an account of her behaviour throughout the day, was so much alarmed, lest the story should not be to her credit, that she never went to sleep, without endeavouring to recollect how she had passed the day, and whether she had been good or not. When her conscience told her of any fault, her concern for it naturally led her to consider how she might have avoided that fault, and how she ought to have behaved. In the morning, likewise, when she awoke, the journal was the first thing that came into her mind; and she used to think what business she had to do that day, and what faults she was in the most danger of committing; particularly if she had done any thing wrong the day before, she always considered how she should conduct herself so as not to have the same sad story told of her again.

Her Mamma, when she found those faults thoroughly corrected, which were her first motive for writing an account of her daughter’s conduct, discontinued her journal; but Lydia had so accustomed herself to the above mentioned inquiry, that she still continued so excellent a practice; and nothing so much assisted her, in her wish to be good, as this habit; for by such a frequent review of her behaviour, she discovered many little faults, which she would not otherwise have noticed; and by correcting them in the beginning, she escaped falling into many vices and bad habits, which, though very easily checked at first, become, after they are long indulged, very difficult to break. I very affectionately recommend this practice to any young persons who desire in earnest to be good: and if the little anecdotes I have written shall persuade any one little boy or girl to correct their faults, and become more happy in themselves, and a greater comfort to their parents, I shall be abundantly recompensed for my trouble.

The End.