She was a sinking vessel, with no freight in her to throw over lighten ship withal.

Why, even one or two little bad habits could have saved her, but she was just a moral pauper.

When she could have acquired them she was dissuaded by her parents, who were ignorant people though reared in the best society, and it was too late to begin now.

It seemed such a pity; but there was no help for it.

These things ought to be attended to while a person is young; otherwise, when age and disease come, there is nothing effectual to fight them with.
When I was a youth I used to take all kinds of pledges, and do my best to keep them, but I never could, because I didn't strike at the root of the habit--the desire; I generally broke down within the month.