both exemplary and unfortunate. She could estimate its joys and sorrows, for she had felt them both, and therefore she thought, perhaps, that the wisdom gained even by her disappointments, might be useful to others, particularly in directing attention to those minutiae of detail, those apparently subordinate but really important daily duties on which the permanent happiness of wedded life materially depends. Of no other condition of human association can it so truly be said, "Think naught a trifle, though it small appears," for daily life is made up of matters which, in the detail, are but trifles, a mosaic, in which the perfection of the whole depends on the nice arrangement of minute parts.

It may be proper to state that the following pages are in some extrinsic matters extensively altered from former editions. The opinions of the esteemed writer have not been interfered with, but modes of expression have been changed or modified, and some quotations struck out, and others substituted that appeared more suitable. In particular, the quotations from the Apocrypha, which the author gave as authoritative, have been

generally expunged. Merely as records of ancient opinions in reference to the subject discussed, these quotations were doubtless valuable, but they possessed no claims to the reverence she seemed to demand for them, and their value as advice was further neutralized by the fact of their applying to a state of society having little in common with modern domestic institutions.

It is hoped that these alterations will not render the "Whisper " less distinct and less potent for good, than it was designed to be by its afflicted and estimable author.

A WHISPER

TO THE HUSBAND.

"Art thou my wife ? Is this kind Heaven's decree ?
Then let me prize what Heaven design'd for me!"

CHAPTER I.

INTRODUCTORY REMARKS.

ONE of the most honourable distinctions that can adorn the character of a man, is the appellation of a good husband; and he who deserves a contrary designation proclaims, in the strongest terms, his want of religion, his want of feeling, and his want of understanding. He cannot be a good man; because he violates one of the most sacred commands of God. He cannot be a brave man; because a brave man scorns to use with tyranny the power with which he is invested.

And he cannot be a feeling man. Oh, no! a man of feeling will never draw tears from those eyes that look on him with affection, or voluntarily pain a heart that relies on him for earthly happiness.

Remember, your wife has left her home, her parents, and her friends, to follow you and your fortunes through the world. She has unreservedly committed her happiness to your keeping; and in your hands has she placed her future comfort. Prize the sacred trust; and never give her cause to repent the confidence she has reposed in you. It was not mere poetic declamation that a female writer used when she exclaimed

"Oh, 'tis an anxious happiness,
It is a fearful thing,

When first the maiden's gentle hand

Puts on the wedding ring!

She passes from her father's house

Unto another's care,

And who can tell what anxious hours,
What sorrows, wait her there!"

In contemplating her character, recollect the materials human nature is composed of, and do not expect perfection. Do justice to her merits, and point out her faults; for I do not ask you to treat her errors with blind indulgence: by no means; but en

deavour to amend them with wisdom, with gentleness, and with love.

It is assumed, that in making her your wife, you have ascertained that there is congeniality of feeling and temper. Many characters, excellent in themselves, are unsuited to each other; before marriage is the time to ascertain whether sympathy exists. When this harmony is felt it has the effect of giving prominence to every real or fancied agreeable attribute, and throwing into the shade all others. To be willing to be pleased is often the great secret of being so. Allow me here to introduce a few lines taken from an admired little book, "The Economy of Human Life:""Take unto thyself a wife, but examine with care, and fix not suddenly: on thy present choice depends the future happiness of thee and thy posterity. If much of her time is destroyed in dress and adornments; if she is enamoured with her own beauty, and delighted with her own praise; if she laugheth much, and talketh loud; if her foot abideth not in her father's house, and her eyes with boldness rove on the faces of men; though her beauty were as the sun in the firmament of heaven, turn thy face from her charms, turn thy feet from