Milton, Dryden, Addison, and even Dr. Young, are proofs that those who reach great heights of intellect must often occupy them alone, none sharing in their joy.

Should your wife be a woman of sense, worth, cultivation, and gentleness, yet not very expert at domestic details, (though I would not by any means undervalue this necessary part of female knowledge, or tolerate ignorance in my sex respecting them,) yet pray, good friend, do not, on this account only, show discontent and ill-humour towards her. If she is qualified to be your bosom friend, to advise, to comfort, and to soothe you; if she can instruct your children, enliven your fire-side by her conversation, and receive and entertain your friends in a manner which pleases and gratifies you;be satisfied: we cannot expect to meet in a wife, or indeed in any one, exactly all we could wish without any drawback. "I can easily," says a sensible friend of mine, "hire a woman to make my shirts and dress my dinner, but I cannot so readily procure a friend and companion for myself, and a preceptress for my children." The remark was called forth by his mentioning that he had heard a gentleman, the day before, finding

fault with his wife, an amiable, sensible, well-informed woman, because she was not clever at pies, puddings, and needlework! On the other hand, should she be sensible, affectionate, amiable, domestic, yet prevented by circumstances in early life from obtaining much knowledge of books, or mental cultivation, do not therefore think lightly of her; still remember she is your companion, the friend in whom you may confide at all times, and from whom you may obtain counsel and comfort.

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There is no reason why these qualities of domestic skill and mental cultivation should not exist in one and the same character, little gentle counsel given early in married life, by a kind husband, would tend to induce many a young wife to aim at this

combination.

CHAPTER IV.

ON CONSTANCY AND FIDELITY.

IT has been an unfortunate circumstance for the moral purity of society that some vices which are properly deemed great crimes in woman, are treated as comparatively venial in man. The law of human opinion and the law of God are at issue with reference to the moral code adopted by young men in their intercourse with the female sex. And it must be confessed, that the culpable indifference, or assumed ignorance of woman, with respect to the moral purity of the principles of man, has in a great measure perpetuated the evil alluded to, and even sanctioned crimes of which multitudes of their own sex have been the victims. The seducer of female innocence is often a favourite of society, while his victim is the mark for scorn and contumely.

It is strange to notice the follies into which vanity will hurry its possessor. Young

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men without being actually guilty of sin, are not averse to have the reputation of gallantry; and assume manners foreign to and far worse than their real principles. Now, whoever has indulged prior to marriage in a light deportment, would do well to remember that the manner and conduct which in a bachelor was perhaps not culpable, is in a married man unbecoming and reprehensible: he who, among a party of females, as a young man, was admired for his thoughtless gaiety, will, most probably, be set down by the wise as a very flirting, careless husband, if he appears to prefer the company of every trifling, foolish girl, to the society of his wife. And be assured, however good sense and pride may conceal her feelings, this levity of manner never fails to give her pain: and a poor recompense indeed is the smile of a giddy girl, for calling forth any unpleasant sensations in the breast of a sensible and amiable woman.

When in the presence of others, let her laudable pride be indulged, by your showing you think her an object of importance and preference. The most trivial word or act of attention and love from you gratifies her feelings; and a man never appears to more

advantage, than by proving to the world his affection and preference for his wife. The tender deference which a man displays towards his wife, is in reality but a manifestation of his own proper self-respect, and it will be estimated accordingly, for in truth, there is scarcely a character which the world seems to value more than a good and tender husband.

Do not on any account let your wife suppose that she has not the first place in your admiration as well as affection. It often engenders uneasy feelings even in amiable women to hear their husbands run on in enthusiastic encomiums on other women. I knew a gentleman who was constantly in the habit of saying, "Oh dear, such a charming woman!-such beautiful eyes! such a fine turned shape! such elegant manners!" &c. And I have at the same moment glanced at his wife, and observed a degree of awkwardness on her countenance struggling with an effort to look pleased. And yet, had any one but her husband been the panegyrist, she would have listened most probably with pleasure, and heartily concurred in the encomium. You call this jealousy! No: in truth, I call it a natural feeling, which can