wife to realize that, in taking upon herself the marriage relations, her being, her happiness, her destiny for life, become merged, as it were, in that of others her husband and her offspring. She should remember that she can no longer with propriety act solely in reference to self-that all personal and selfish considerations must be banished from the soul, and every action, every wish, and, if possible, every thought, should have reference, not only to her own happiness, but to the interests, the enjoyments, the general good, of all those connected with her by the most intimate ties of our nature. The woman who thus seriously scrutinizes the path she is about to tread-who strives to foresee and understand, and be prepared for, the complicated duties of married life, is wise, and considerate, and worthy of one of the best of husbands. She will prove a loving, faithful, and trustworthy wife, a prudent, discreet, and kind mother, an obliging neighbor, and a good Christian. And most assuredly she will prove a blessing to her husband and her family, and an ornament to her sex.

CHAPTER Il.

DUTIES OF THE WIFE.

-To study household good,

And good works in her husband to promote."

As the duties of the wife are extensive in com. pass and complicated in their nature-as they vary in accordance with the station, circumstances, and disposition of the husband-a minute illustration of the whole circle might be extended to a wellfilled volume. Hence, in a single chapter, I shall be able only to glance briefly at a few of the most prominent of those duties which are incumbent upon wives in all ordinary circumstances.

The Deity has designed every creature for a particular sphere of action-the characteristics of which depend upon the nature and capabilities of each being. It is the operation of this general rule, that the young lady, on becoming a wife, finds (or should find) a new class of duties, obligations, and responsibilities devolving upon her-all growing out of the peculiar station she is called to occupy. She is not the husband, nor the master, nor the domestic, nor the child, but she is the wife, the companion, the mistress of the household; and, as such, she has a sphere of action different from

others, and peculiar in itself—a sphere of another character from that occupied by her husband, yet no less important, no less responsible, and no less necessary to be prudently and faithfully filled. If the husband does not properly discharge his duties, the fountains of all family prosperity and happiness are destroyed. But though the husband may be industrious and faithful in all that pertains to him, still, if the wife fails in discharging her obligations, his efforts will all be in vain-neither prosperity nor enjoyment can attend the family. Hence the responsibility resting on the wife to discharge her duties faithfully, is as weighty, and calls for as perfect fulfilment, as that which binds the husband.

The first and most obvious duty of a wife, is to strive to promote her husband's happiness. This, it is true, is a reciprocal duty, equally binding on both parties in the marriage contract. But from the tenderness and affection which dwell in woman's heart, and from her greater ability to be attractive and pleasing, it seems more directly within the province of the wife, as it is certainly more in her power, to set the example in those pleasing and reciprocal attentions, which so highly conduce to the enjoyments of married life. And there is no other possible manner in which she can succeed in making her husband kind, agreeable, and pleasant, than by striving to promote his enjoyments by assiduous and unwearied attentions. Hence the necessity which calls upon the wife to make her husband's happiness an object of para

mount importance. When the husband is happy, his wife necessarily participates in his enjoyments. But when the husband is unhappy, can the wife fail to be unhappy also? If she can-if his troubles are not troubles to her-if his discontentment or despondency does not interrupt her enjoymentsshe possesses not the love and attachment which rest in the heart of a good and virtuous wife. The truth is, where real reciprocal affection exists between a married couple, the happiness or unhappiness of one must be the happiness or unhappiness of the other. Therefore, in urging the wife to be studious to promote her husband's happiness, I am but urging her to secure her own peace and enjoyment.

In reflecting upon this subject, the wife should ever bear in mind, that the origin of that union which has given her a provider and protector for life, was not in herself, but in her husband. She did not seek him out and propose herself to him, but he sought her-he selected her from all the throng by which she was surrounded-he bestowed upon her his heart's undivided affections-he made her his bride, and promised, before God and the world, to "love, cherish, and protect her," while life should continue. He has provided for her a home, and he toils, and is willing to toil in his business, to obtain all things requisite to her enjoyments. These attentions and favors demand an adequate return, and make it the solemn and imperious duty of the wife, to strive, as far as pos

sible, to promote her husband's happiness. And the wife who overlooks or neglects these obligations, not only fails in duty, but pursues a course which must invariably be productive of disappointment and wretchedness. The woman who has a kind and affectionate husband, cannot prize him too high, nor do too much to keep him so. If she will but call to mind the thousands who are united to unkind, selfish, harsh husbands, she will realize the value of one who has a good disposition, and who is disposed to be generous, peaceable, and affectionate. And she will perceive that she cannot be at too much pains to promote the growth and stability of these valuable traits of character-nor too cautious to avoid doing anything which would have a tendency to weaken his affection or sour his feelings.

In promoting her husband's happiness, the wife should endeavor to ascertain his disposition and habits. Every man has his peculiarities. A wife, by exercising proper discernment, can soon become acquainted with those pertaining to her husband; and her conduct towards him should have direct reference to his peculiarities, and should be of such a nature as to allow those of an unpleasant character to sleep in embryo, and those that are valuable to be brought into due and constant activity. "It is impossible to enumerate all the little incidents which frequently annoy married men, or the little unobtrusive pleasures which it is in the power of the wife to give; but throughout her