and of so much physical comfort, and it may be, of so many means of social, intellectual and moral improvement, without a struggle, and without many sighs and tears. It is indeed right that it should `be thus ordered.

But when her decision is made, and the struggle is over, she should study contentment in her new situation. She is not indeed to forget her former home and its joys, but she is to lay the foundation of another, equally happy. That home was not formed by herself. It was the workmanship of others, for her. And has she nothing to do in return?

Suppose she and all other daughters were to cling for life to the old domicile, disregarding the virtual injunctions of the great Creator, and passively occupying seats or reclining in bowers prepared for them. Suppose they were to have no reference to the future-to those who should come after them? What, at this rate, would become of the world? And is it not manifestly—I repeat the sentiment-the duty of the young wife, to do her part in preparing for others, what has been, at so much expense, prepared for herself?

Besides, it is not only Bible doctrine, but the plainest injunction of common sense-elevated and rational common sense, I mean-that "it is more blessed to give than to receive"-that though we

may receive and enjoy much good in a passive state at home, yet such is the arrangement of Divine Providence, that we shall enjoy much more of happiness in action-in doing-than in mere receiving.

Perhaps some young wives will remember this. Perhaps they will try to recollect that though there is enjoyment in receiving, there is still more in giving;—yes, and more love, too-genuine, rational love of others. But I have explained and illustrated this doctrine in another chapter. All the use I wish to make of it here is, to apply it to the case of forming a new family, and creating, as it were, a circle or scene of new joys and attachments. Great as the pleasure is which we receive in a domestic circle prepared for us, that is unquestionably greater, which we derive from preparing one of our own. More than this, it is the very doing something for others, at least in part, which makes us love them. We love our friends, it is true, anterior to doing anything for them; but we love them much-I was going to say infinitely -better, when we have done our duty to them as parents, or husbands, or wives, through a long series of years.

It should also help to render the young wife contented, that, in leaving her native home, she is. conforming to the will of God. For it cannot, it

seems to me, be doubted what the will of God is, in this matter. Woman, like man, has a mission; and to exercise or fulfil it requires that, like Abraham and others, she should leave friends and kindred, and go out into the wide world, she sometimes knows not whither. But if she has been wise and careful and prayerful in her determination; if she has consulted duty, as a principal thing, rather than inclination, or at least, rather than fancy; and if she has that trust in Heaven which she needs in all situations, but especially in matrimony, she may and ought to go out into the world cheerfully; and after doing all she can to make her situation, external and internal, and the situation of those around her, as happy as she can, she ought to study contentment. No circumstances, without this quality, can long confer happiness, or even cheerfulness; and with it, no ordinary circumstances, however unfavorable, can long render us miserable.

CHAPTER XXVI.

Little things.

HABITS AND MANNERS.

Setting out in life. Important to set out right. Difficulty with some husbands. How to manage. Eugene and Juliet. General principles.

I HAVE more than once insisted, that the little things of life are, in their results, really the great and important things; and that it is therefore unwise to overlook them, as many are inclined to do. It is in the matrimonial state of life, however, that they are especially important. We cannot disregard them here, without doing it at our peril.

It will ever be the part of true friendship-and what is marriage worth without such an intimacy? -mutually to correct and reform each other. But by no friends can it be so well done as by husband and wife first, because no relation is so intimate; and secondly, because no friends have so good an opportunity of discovering each others' defects, in the smaller matters. Other friends see only a few of the larger failings; but in matrimony, unguarded as we are, all our smaller but more numerous

defects are brought to light, and rendered susceptible of correction.

It is therefore of the utmost importance, that the parties should set out with a mutual determination to perform faithfully, and in a proper temper and spirit, the task of correcting one another's evil habits and manners. Let nothing, to this end, pass unnoticed. If you pass over a thing to-day, because it is slight, or because you feel a delicacy of mentioning it, remember you will pass over something else of at least equal-perhaps greaterimportance to-morrow; and the next day, instead of one, you will omit two faults; the next day, three; and so on.

There are not a few husbands, whose general feelings are kind, and who will even engage in the work of mutual reformation with their whole hearts, who will, nevertheless, be greatly agitated, and sometimes, for the moment, almost angry, when certain things are mentioned to them as faults. They do not consider them worth minding; and sometimes, especially in the first moment of perturbation, will maintain that they are perfectly right.

With this sort of husbands, the young wife will be exceedingly tried. But let her not be surprised. Should impatience be manifested, at first, it will soon be regretted; and if they are conscientious