bitrary towards his family, I am always led to look upon him with suspicion-there is something lacking either in his disposition or habits-something that needs correction, before he can have my confidence as a man of upright heart and pure intentions. It is a wise saying, that "those who would do well must begin well.” And as much depends upon habit, the young husband must look to it, that he establishes proper customs, when he first commences house-keeping, in regard to the spending of his leisure hours. When the business of the day has been concluded, and the period for relaxation arrives, he should remember that he has a home and a companion—and that a just appreciation of his duty will not allow him unnecessarily to absent himself from the one, or do anything to jeopardize the peace of the other. Instead, therefore, of seeking the society of his former associates, and mingling with them at the public-house, the readingroom, or any other lounging-place, he should make it a duty and a pleasure, to pass his leisure hours under his own roof, and in the society of his family. I do not say this should be an invariable practice; for it is neither possible nor necessary that it should be so. But I insist it is highly important the young husband should establish it as a general rule, and that he should strive to have it become a settled habit with him. Although it may at first interfere with his inclination, and break up some agreeable associations, yet a very little effort and perseverance will soon overcome his propensity to go much abroad, and make it both easy and agreeable to tarry at home. And I here repeat, that young men must expect, when they enter the marriage state, to make a material change in their nabits. Whoever becomes a husband with the expectation of still continuing in the associations and customs peculiar to the unmarried, will not only be mistaken, but will be peculiarly exposed to discontent and unhappiness in his marriage relations. It should be remembered by the husband, that propriety as well as custom requires his wife to renounce, to a great extent, the society of her youthful companions, and remain much of her time at that home to which he has removed her. When evening arrives, and she can consistently anticipate the pleasure of his society, is it proper, is it generous, to deprive her of this pleasure, and leave her perhaps in dreary solitude, while he is wasting his hours at some public resort? And is not this doubly ungenerous and dishonorable, when he has removed her from the circle of her relatives and friends, into the midst of strangers? Surely every man of principle-every husband who has a proper regard for his chosen companion-will not pursue a course so dishonorable and unmanly? He will rather adopt any consistent measure to make his wife's happiness as perfect as he can wish his own to be. The happiness of the domestic circle does not depend so much upon outward circumstances, as upon the disposition cherished towards each other, by the different members of the household. A gracious Father has so directed, that neither riches, nor honor, nor power, is necessary to domestic enjoyment. Without either, a man may be happy in his own family-with them all, he may be exceedingly wretched. Yea, it is an undoubted general truth, that while the sweet pleasures of unalloyed love flee the sumptuous palace, they more naturally take up their abode in the lowly cottage, among those in the humbler walks of life. Domestic bliss is to be found where the loud call of ambition has not been heard-where a miserly love of gold has not seared all the better feelings of the heart-where jealousy, strife, and bitterness are not allowed to prevail-but where mutual forbearance and forgiveness reign, and contentment and peace abound. "Domestic Love! not in proud palace halls Is often seen thy beauty to abide ; Thy dwelling is in lowly cottage walls, That in the thickets of the woodbine hide; With hum of bees around, and from the side Of woody hills some little bubbling spring, Shining along through banks with harebells dyed; And many a bird to warble on the wing, When morn her saffron robe o'er heaven and earth doth fling." Can a husband, and especially a father, want attractions to bind him to his home? When he returns from the labors and cares of the day, what can be more pleasant than to be met by the bright smile of his affectionate companion, who with care has seen that the board has been neatly spread for the evening repast, and that everything is made agreeable and pleasant for his reception-or to be hold his little urchins rush forward with shouts of childish glee, in eager and fond rivalry to see who shall first clasp his neck, or imprint the first sweet kiss? Oh! if Heaven grants to mortals a foretaste of its pure bliss, it is in moments like these!—if the benignant eye of eternal Love looks down with approbation to earth, it is to witness and to bless these fond scenes of domestic endearment! The husband whose disposition and habits are as they should be, will look upon home enjoyments as the most valuable the earth affords to mortals. I have often admired the natural simplicity and beauty of Cowper's lines in his "Winter Evening" "Now stir the fire and close the shutters fast, What pleasures can exceed those experienced in the family circle on a winter's evening, so beautifully described by this sweetest of poets? The day, with its labor, and care, and turmoil, has passed-night's sable curtains envelope the skiesand although storms and darkness may reign without, all within is smiling cheerfulness. The glowing fire sends forth its grateful heat, and sheds a mellow lustre through the apartment, while the happy family instinctively circle round the belov ed hearth-stone, with joy painted on each counte nance, and with a desire in every heart to give each other pleasure. Then comes the full flow of unrestrained conversation-the grateful interchange of sentiment-intermixed with the kind and lively repartee and the laughter-moving anecdote. The husband, perchance, reads aloud some instructive and entertaining work, with occasional comments suitable to the age and comprehension of his hearers or relates some little ditty of wondrous adventure, to satisfy the eager curiosity of the rosycheeked urchin who has clambered upon his knee, or listens, with all a parent's fondness, to his replying prattle, as he declares, under the promptings of budding ambition, the wonderful feats to be performed when "I get to be a man!" Oh! blissful scenes-sweet antepast of heaven! What husband, what father, will rob himself of these delights, these pure and holy joys, that he may go abroad to find that which has no substantial happiness! "O evenings worthy of the gods! exclaimed |