charge at home, which cannot be carried elsewhere, or delegated to another. A steady adherence to this kind of arrangement will leave no moments for dulness, and no more than a moderate portion of leisure for the society of the dearest friends; and the intercourse, thus kept within its proper limits, will be enjoyed with a much livelier zest, and be much more productive of mutual improvement and mutual esteem, than the daily frittering or lounging away of hours in the houses of each other, without object and without plan. It is obvious that these remarks apply as well to the intercourse of the young married woman with her own family, if they reside near, as with that of her husband; but they were especially suggested by the expressed regret of a young female, that so much of her time was occupied in the manner above alluded to, which, nevertheless, she fancied herself bound to sacrifice, "for fear of seeming to slight her husband's relations."

Still less is it due to the family of her husband, or at all likely to cement a lasting and profitable intimacy with them, that a young wife should imprudently disclose the affairs of her own family, or attempt to gain the confidence of her new relatives, by betraying that of her natural kindred. It seems almost incredible, that such a course should in any case be pursued; and yet the instances are not rare, in which the principle of having no secrets between married people has been pushed by the one party, or carried by the other, to such an unreasonable extent, that it was considered treasonable to withhold the affairs of other

people, from either the partner or the family of the partner. A married woman may refuse to become the depository of any one's secret, who is unwilling to make her husband a sharer in the confidence ; but no subsequent connexion can justify her in divulging any matter which came to her knowledge in her previous character of daughter, sister, or friend, by which the interests of those relations could be injured, or their feelings wounded. A moment's consideration will convince any rightminded young person, that this kind of confidence reposed in her, or knowledge necessarily possessed by her, is a sacred deposit, over which her new relations have no more claim, than they would have to the participation or possession of any other kind of property intrusted to her care by an unconnected party. For want of a just and delicate discrimination in these particulars, some young wives have become incendiaries between the two families with which they were connected.

A prudent wife will endeavour so to regulate her intercourse with the family of her husband, as at once to cultivate mutual esteem and regard, without, in any degree, weakening her affection and esteem for her own family. She will avoid any invidious comparisons; and should either party refer to the other in her presence, they will at once perceive that both are esteemed and beloved; and that any disparaging remark on either would be to her most unwelcome and offensive.

Should the parents of either party be in circumstances of ability to assist the young people on their outset in life, it will be well to guard

against a selfish, engrossing disposition, that would lay claim to more than the parents think proper to bestow; or that would undervalue whatever was done not precisely in the way of their dictation; or that would murmur and grudge the assistance rendered to other branches of the family as an injury done to themselves. It is distressing to think how the peace and harmony of longunited families have been broken up, by the insinuations and complaints of a selfish and artful female introduced into it by marriage. Flee, my young reader, to the greatest possible distance from such meanness. Learn to acquire yourself, and to cultivate in your husband, a spirit of generous independence; not that spurns assistance freely offered, but that stands aloof from all selfish encroachments and mean jealousies, and looks for resources from the blessing of God on personal exertions. Remember, "Love envieth not ;-doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil," 1 Cor. xiii. 4, 5; and love is a well-spring of satisfaction to itself. Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a house full of sacrifices with hatred and strife, Prov. xv. 17.

But it is possible the reverse may be the case; the young married pair may be comparatively prospering in life, while the parents, on one or both sides, may require their assistance. Here, again, mutual good feeling and delicacy must be in constant exercise, that what ought to be done may be done promptly, with a good will and a good grace; that each should, in this particular, stimulate the other to love and to good works;

that there be no selfish engrossing or encroachment, no partisanship, no grudging. Mutual efforts for the comfort and succour of those who ought to be mutually dear and venerated, will be found one of the most effectual means of cementing and perpetuating conjugal affection, esteem, and confidence.

CHAPTER VII.

DOMESTIC MANAGEMENT.

IN whatever sphere of life a female may be placed, it is absolutely essential to conjugal excellence, that she should possess a competent knowledge of the principles of domestic economy, and a practical aptitude in applying them to the daily circumstances of life. But what is economy? "It is not," says a valuable author already quoted, "it is not the stopping of one hole in the sieve; it is not a particular retrenchment, an occasional saving; it is not the pinching of the servants, and stinting the family one week to give a showy dinner the next. It is a mode of regulation that eyes the whole detail of household expense. It is the art, not of sordid saving, but of making a little go a great way; it excludes meanness as well as waste. Stinginess is one extreme, profusion is another. There is a steering between them, but this is not easy; it requires the judgment and skill which some females seem to exercise by a kind of intuition or instinct; so that they always appear to advantage; unembarrassed, unconfused, ready, without haste; deciding, without design; and, while causing everything to move in its proper