The following Observations on the Boston Female Asylum were first published, as a Communication, in the Boston Gazette, April 1, 1802. "Let not the Orphan cry, Be Father to me, Heaven! But bid the cold A mercy for thee, when thyself shalt need it!" THE Female Orphan A ylum, originally projected, and now honourably established by the Ladies of this town, is undoubtedly among those institutions, which do high honour to the human heart, as imitating an attribute of divine benevolence, "in tempering the wind to the shorn lamb;" but it is also among those inventions of policy, which are marked by historians, as features of the times, characterizing human society, and evincing the state of civilization. To the Ladies of Boston, most exquisite must be the reward of their munificence. But their praise is not of words. When I was young, some of the sex persuaded me to believe myself a Poet; but I cannot recollect a moment, either lucid or delirious, throughout the frolick season of my youthful vanity, when Fancy was bold enough to attempt their panegyrick on such an occasion. But in their closets they will often unexpectedly meet a silent Commentator, sitting in the judgment-seat of memory, penning reflections on Female virtue, and writing fairer lines of Eulogy, than ever flowed from the lips of "Bard inspired." In their excursions too, among the walks of wretchedness and innocence, relieved and protected, they will often be compelled to see and to feel, how eloquent is Nature. Theirs shall be the pearly offering of humble, yet proud thankfulness. The tear, which trickles down the little Orphan's cheek, glittering with the reflected smile of its benefactress, is a pearl of more worth than rubies. It is one of nature's hieroglyphicks, and speaks in a language, which the confusion of tongues did not corrupt; though embellished and beautiful, it is without rhetorical ornament; and though its address is to the eye, where its mystery is not decyphered, yet it rapidly glides to another tribunal, and dissolves into gratitude at the heart. To the fair founders of this Institution will such oblations be frequent. They will flatter not, and yet they will flatter most truly; for they will meet the consciousness of all female hearts, to which they appeal; and acquire new sentiment and pathos, from that recollection of good deeds, which inhabits those mansions of peace. To complete the benevolent plan, which the Ladies of Boston have so zealously espoused and promoted, a few Gentlemen of the metropolis have lately offered their assistance; and their attention has been very honourably directed to the erection of an Orphan House. To men, ranging in spheres of active life, and who ought not, without motives of poignancy, to "shake off the busy coil" of commerce, a brief explication of the views, contemplated by the founders of the "Asylum," seems to be due; as it is confidently believed, such a disclosure will insure their cordial co-operation. Female Orphans, from three to ten years of age, are admitted into the Asylum, and are the only objects of its institution. They are here placed under the tuition of a Governess, and are instructed in all the useful branches of domestick education, nurtured in habits of decorum, order and morality, accomplished only in the graces of female modesty and virtue, regularly convened in the House of Divine Worship, and snatched from the adulterations of modern philosophism by the hand of religion, "Pointing through Nature, up to Nature's God." At the age of ten years, these children are placed in proper families, chosen by the Trustees of the "Asylum," to continue for the term of eight years; and, though here removed from their immediate controul and inspection, they are still under their parental protection. If the family, in which an Orphan is placed, is unsuitable, either by reason of improper management, or ill usage, the Trustees will remove the girl to a proper situation, till the completion of her probatory term. During this period of her service, the providence of the institution still hovers over her. Sensations of gratitude prompt her to obedience. Reared to be respected, and to be loved, she, in return, respects her liberal superiours, and loves those |