in certain classes of husbands. I do not pretend they are all the causes; but they are the principal, and the most evident to outward observation. And they show the necessity of great care and precaution, to see that we enter the marriage state with proper objects and emotions.

In looking about to select a wife, the young man cannot be too inquisitive in respect to the character, habits, and disposition of any lady who may strike his attention. He cannot be too particular in ascertaining the peculiarities of her inclinations and tastes, her general information, her literary acquirements, the strength of her intellectual capacities, and the nature of her religious belief.— There can be no reasonable objection, on the part of any young woman worthy of becoming a wife, to this strict scrutiny in relation to a subject of such important and lasting consequences. But when the selection has once been made-when the union is consummated, and "the twain become one"then all searching after imperfections should entirely and for ever cease. Instead of seeking for faults, the attention of the husband should be directed entirely to the good qualities of the wife. Let these be sought after with assiduity, and, if you please, magnified to any extent. I care not how blind a husband is to the faults of his wife, or how much he is disposed to multiply her excellences-provided he does not approbate any evil disposition, or uphold her in any wrong doing; for the more the husband and wife value each other,

the greater must be the enjoyments they experience in each other's society.

If, after marriage, the husband perceives some few faults in disposition or habits, which he had not before discovered as he undoubtedly will, even though his wife be the most perfect of mortals-he should immediately cast the veil of oblivion, or at least of forbearance, over them, and allow them to make no inroads upon the strength and fervor of that love, which he has hitherto cherished for her, To magnify these imperfections, or to dwell upon them, would not only be injustice to her, but would be deliberately undermining his own peace of mind, And to aid him in this work of overlooking the trifling faults of his wife, let him reflect that his own imperfections equal, and, quite probably, surpass hers-and that, if, notwithstanding all the failings which she daily perceives in him, her love not only continues unshaken, but actually increases, he surely is bound in duty and honor, not to allow her few defects to destroy his affection. Indeed, the love she continues to bear him, despite his very perceptible faults, and conscious as he is of their existence, should kindle to a still higher flame a returning love from him, so as to destroy all possibility of that repugnance which would otherwise arise from the exhibition of those trifling imperfections, which the best of our race sometimes exhibit. Young men frequently allow the imagination to fill the marriage state, in anticipation, with the brightest visions of happiness-flowery fields and

the fairest fruits seem spread out before them, and a long path strewed with roses and abounding with enjoyments on every side invites their approach! Now this is painting the picture far too high-it is imagining more bliss than falls to the lot of mortals in this existence. Hence, on testing the reality of matrimonial happiness, if they find it falls short of their high-wrought visions—if they find that thorns sometimes mingle with roses, that "there will be briers where berries grow”—and that with an increase of happiness there has also been an increase of cares and responsibilities-they should not allow this discovery to sour their dispositions, or render them testy or morose-and least of all, should it make them indifferent or unkind to her in whom these visions were probably all imbodied. This would but make everything worse-everything more disagreeable. True philosophy and plain common sense alike call upon husbands in this condition, to strive to overcome and rise above such unessential disappointments. Instead of sitting down to repine at the loss of imaginary enjoyments which were never found on earth, they should exert themselves to obtain those real, substantial advantages and pleasures, which can actually be found in the union of congenial and loving souls!

There are many considerations which call upon the husband to cherish a deep and lasting love for the wife, aside from its influence upon his own enjoyments. This love for wives is enjoined upon husbands by the Word of God. Many husbands

are fond of quoting the apostolic injunction Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord." But they seem to forget that there is another injunction, equally as imperative and binding. Let them listen to the words of St. Paul-"Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church.... So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies...... Let every one so love his wife, even as himself.”* "Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them." These declarations of divine inspiration are so plain and evident in their meaning, that comment is unnecessary. Love to wives is enjoined as a Christian duty from which no husband can be absolved. Hence, merely to maintain a wife-merely to afford her food, apparel, and shelter-is not all that is required of the husband. He owes her the deep and strong affection of his heart-the unsullied love of his soul-and no substitute can supply its place. If he fails in this, he violates one of the most plain and direct commands of Heaven, and is obnoxious to the reproaches of all the virtuous and good. Whenever the husband quotes the Scriptural injunction-"Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands," the wife is at perfect liberty to repeat, as an addendum, “ Husbands, love your wives."

Another claim which wives have upon the affections of their husbands, is found in the sacrifices

they have made for them. The wife gives her self and all that she has to her husband. She withdraws from the society of her former companions, and devotes her time and abilities to his happiness, and the advancement of his interests. In many instances, she leaves the home of her childhood, the scenes of her early enjoyments, the embrace of parents, brothers, sisters, and friends— she interrupts and destroys the dearest associations, and, sacrificing all for his sake alone, consents to go to some distant abode, to reside, perhaps amid many trials, " a stranger in a strange land!" Intrusted thus confidingly with all her treasure, with her whole store of happiness, that husband must be much less than a man, who would neglect this sacred deposite, or fail to feel and exhibit towards her that pure love of his heart, to secure which, she has hazarded the happiness of a life. Indeed must he be a very brute, who returns all this confidence, all this lavish love, by harshness, coldness, and neglect, even if by no worse treatment!

The deep affection which the wife bears for the husband, forms her strongest claim to a returning love from him. While men frequently marry to obtain riches, or secure power and influence, or through some other motive distinct from the pure affections of the heart, with women, matrimony is an affair of true and heart-felt love. There may be some few and lamentable exceptions to this remark, but as a general rule, it is strictly true. She lavishes the rich, undivided treasures of her affec