duty to show, by the most unequivocal expressions of attachment and of tenderness, his full approbation of her assiduity and faithfulness? But lives not he that has often returned to his habitation fully determined to requite the kindness he has constantly experienced, yet, notwithstanding, has beheld the wife of his bosom joyful at his approach without even attempting to execute his purpose?-who has still withheld the rewards of esteem and affection; and, from some motive, the cause of which I never could develop, shrunk from the task of duty, and repressed those soft emotions which might have gladdened the breast of her that was ever anxious to please, always prompt to anticipate his desires, and eager to contribute every thing that affection could suggest or diligence perform, in order to promote and perpetuate his felicity?

Brief absences may be the means of increasing affection, if, when absent, your letters to your wife be warm and affectionate. A woman's heart is peculiarly formed for tenderness; and every expression of endearment from the man she loves is flattering and pleasing to her. With pride and pleasure does she dwell on each assurance of his

affection: and, surely, it is a cold, unmanly thing, to deprive her virtuous heart of such a cheap and easy mode of gratifying it. I remember hearing a lady say, "When my husband writes to me, if he can at all glean out any little piece of good news, or pleasing intelligence, he is sure to mention it." Another lady used to remark, "My husband does not intend to give me pain, or to say any thing unpleasant when he writes; and yet, I don't know how it is, but I never received a letter from him, that I did not, when I finished it, feel comfortless and dissatisfied." I also really think, that as—

"Gifts are the beads of memory's rosary,

On which she reckons friends and fond affections,"

If

a husband, whenever he goes from home, should alway endeavour, if possible, to bring back some little present to his wife. ever so trifling or valueless, still the attention gratifies her; and to call forth a smile of good humour should be always a matter of importance.

Every one who knows any thing of the human mind, agrees in acknowledging the power of trifles, in imparting either pain or pleasure. One of our best writers, speaking

on this subject, introduces the following

sweet lines:

:

"Since trifles make the sum of human things,
And half our misery from those trifles springs,
Oh! let the ungentle spirit learn from thence,
A small unkindness is a great offence.
To give rich gifts perhaps we wish in vain,
But all may shun the guilt of giving pain."

CHAPTER VII.

ON EXPENDITURE.

IN pecuniary matters be particular, but not penurious. Your wife has an equal right with yourself to all your worldly possessions. "With all my worldly goods I thee endow," was a voluntary engagement; and if she be a woman of prudence, she will in all her expenses be reasonable and economical: what more can you desire? Delicacy and good taste should prompt the belief that a woman has innumerable trifling demands on her purse, many little wants, which it is not necessary for a man to be informed of, and which, if he even went to the trouble of investigating, he would hardly understand.

You regulate and prescribe the maximum of your expenditure by giving your wife a certain sum of money. If she be a woman of prudence, if your table be comfortably kept, and your household managed with economy and regularity,—leave minute details

E

to her. I really cannot see the necessity of obliging her to account to you for the exact manner in which she has laid out each penny in the pound. An undue interference in this matter has had a very bad influence on social morals. It is painful to think that women who would scorn to act with meanness or duplicity in money matters with a friend or acquaintance, are by the suspicions and vexatious interference of their husbands often taught the low vice of deception; a vice which, once engendered, withers the very root of confidence and dries up the spring of domestic happiness. Be cautious, therefore, not to tempt the wife you have vowed to cherish. You trust her with your honour; is your money so much dearer to you that dare not trust her with that?

you

I have often with grief and wonder remarked the indifference with which some men regard the amiable and superior qualities of their wives! I by no means intend to say, that every wife possesses those qualities: I only speak of a description of females who are, in truth, an ornament to their sexwomen who would go the world over with the husband they love, and endure, without shrinking, every hardship that world could