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CHAPTER VI.

DUTIES OF HUSBANDS.

"Man is born to be a doer of good."

THE field which opens before me, upon this subject, is one of great extent-so wide, indeed, that in the limits to which I must confine myself I can but glance at some of the general and more prominent features of the subject.

To enable him to discharge his duties in a proper manner, the husband must realize the responsibilities which rest upon him as the guardian of the family. The same laws of necessity and propriety, which place him at the head of the domestic circle, and commit its interests, in a great degree, to his keeping, impose upon him certain weighty and important duties, which he cannot neglect, except at the expense of the happiness of all connected with him. I would not, by any means, have the husband uninterested in the welfare of mankind at large, or hesitate to co-operate in all laudable measures for the benefit of the community in which he resides. All subjects of this character should receive a proper share of his attention. But still, I would have him realize that his family should be the chief object of his solicitude and care, and that

to them and their interests, he is bound to devote whatever power, ability, or skill he may possess. I have heard noisy politicians and open-mouthed declaimers profess great love for the people, and deep solicitude for the public welfare, who, at the same time, were negligent of their own private affairs, and inattentive to the wants of their families. But I always doubt the protestations of such men. There is good reason to suspect that their love for "the dear people," rises and falls in proportion to the ability and willingness of the people to bestow honors and emoluments upon them. An individual who is really interested in the public welfare, will exhibit a still deeper interest in the welfare of his own family-for the former feeling, when cherished to any considerable extent, is but an emanation, or rather an enlargement of the latter. It is well known to agriculturists, that a small farm well cultivated, is more profitable than one of large dimensions with imperfect cultivation. In like manner, let every husband devote his care and attention more particularly to his own family—let him there sow the seeds and cultivate the plants of pure religion, morality, and republicanism and he can do for the public more goodmuch more—than by directing all his efforts to a larger circle of operations. And yet he need not neglect a due attention to public affairs.

The primary duty devolving upon the husband, is to provide for the comfort of his household. This is peculiarly his province. His constitution,

habits, education-as well as law, custom, pro priety, and the whole frame-work of society—make it obligatory upon him to procure for his family, shelter, food, raiment, and all that pertains to their enjoyment, their improvement, and general welfare. To neglect this natural demand upon his protection, is to overlook one of the chief obligations of matrimonial union-is to violate one of the most sacred duties of life. I know of few human beings more despicable, than the husband who, through sheer indolence, or the worse evil of intemperance, so neglects the affairs of his family, as to compel his wife to labor and toil in the service of others, to procure subsistence for herself and children, and, perhaps, even for her unworthy companion himself. Yet many such have I seen, who have thus shown themselves destitute of all the promptings of propriety, generosity, and manhood!

To provide for his family in a proper manner, the husband should pursue some stated occupation. This is necessary, even though he may have inherited great wealth. To say nothing of the manifold advantages in respect to health of body and mind, which would accrue through some profession or occupation, he is constantly liable to lose his possessions, and become so reduced as to depend upon his own personal exertions for a livelihood. I need not state the advantages which a husband enjoys in such circumstances, who has some profession or business skill, over one who is deficient in these important qualifications. The world is

full of instances illustrative of this subject, in both respects. But where no wealth is inheritedwhere the individual is dependant upon his own exertions the advantages of a distinct occupation or profession are very manifest. There are those who endeavor to get along through the world without adopting any particular business, but who trust to chance and circumstances, to secure the means of support for themselves and families. But this is adopting a hazardous and unwise course. Where one of this class succeeds in obtaining wealth or even a competency, a hundred toil along in a life of poverty and want. Prudence as well as duty, calls upon the husband to pursue some definite, stated employment, upon which he can depend for an adequate income, such as the comforts of those depending upon him may require. The particular nature of his business is a matter of minor consequence, so long as it is honorable. All occupations that are actually useful to mankind, are alike honorable and respectable in the sight of those whose estimation is of any value. The wise and the candid allow their respect for men to be guided, not by their occupation, but by their moral character. The divine, the legislator, the lawyer, the physician, the merchant, whose conduct is immoral and unprincipled, they will condemn, and disapprobate, and despise, while they will approbate and respect the poor, but honest and industrious mechanic or wood-sawyer. Hence a certain young lady of good standing, who consented to wed

a respectable mechanic, exhibited more pride than wisdom or reflection, in remarking—“It is a great misfortune that Mr. is a mechanic, but he does not associate with other mechanics!" Now, what this lady considers a misfortune, is one of the most favorable circumstances connected with her husband's condition. For, being a man of industry and good habits, he will undoubtedly afford her a much more comfortable maintenance, than he could in any other occupation—and it is quite probable that in a few years he will acquire a good degree of wealth. His occupation being a useful one, all the unhappiness which the lady gives herself in respect to it, arises from an entire misconception of the true origin of gentility and respectability. Wives should endeavor to entertain proper views upon this subject. They should never, through the promptings of vanity, allow themselves to urge their husbands to abandon a useful pursuit, simply because they apprehend it is not as genteel as some others. Many individuals, in endeavoring thus to step higher, as they imagined, have mis-stepped, and fallen from comfort to want, from riches to poverty! I repeat, a useful occupation is an honorable one. "Pin-making is a minute affair, but will any one call the employment a mean one? If so, it is one which the whole civilized world encourage, and to which they are under lasting obligations daily. Any useful business ought to be reputable, which is reputably followed."

While there are many husbands who fail in

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