5. "On each return of your wedding-day, read attentively this paper, and the whole form of solemnization of matrimony. Consider well the solemn promise and vow you therein made, to obey and serve your husband, to love and honour him, and remember always that you freely and voluntarily took him for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, and that even until death. Let no one therefore persuade you that any human power can dissolve that contract, or that you ought to govern, who promised to obey.

6. "Good people are more liable to differ about trifles, than about more important concerns. Be on your guard against this; in particular, if at any time, you perceive your husband's temper moved, be careful not to add fuel to the flame, but rather abate it by a soft answer, a kind look, an endearing embrace.

7.

"If solid happiness we prize,

Within our breast this jewel lies,

And they are fools who roam;
The world has little to bestow,

From our own selves our joys must flow,
And that dear hut our home.'

"Let it be your constant care to make that hut pleasing to your husband. To this nothing will contribute more essentially than cheerfulness, neatness, and decorum. He will not readily return who expects to be received with silence and yawning; probably you have sometimes adorned your person in hopes to please your lover, take care that, by neglecting it, you do not disgust your husband. Time will abate passion, and diminish personal attractions; but neatness of dress, and elegance of manners, will in a good degree supply their place. Above all, avoid every thing which has the least tendency to indelicacy or indecorum.

Few women have any idea how much men are disgusted at the slightest approach to these in any female, and especially in one to whom they are attached. By attending the nursery, or the sick bed, women are too apt to acquire a habit of conversing on such subjects in language which men of delicacy are shocked at. In short, if you wish to preserve your influence, you must use the same means which you employ to obtain it. If good women took half the pains to secure their husbands' affections which bad women exert to seduce them, the latter would seldom succeed.

8." By marriage, besides the more immediate duties of a wife, you pledge yourself to the performance of all those which belong to the mistress of a family. For these, therefore, you should qualify yourself; to these you must not disdain to devote a considerable portion of your time and attention. If you despise or neglect them, you despise or neglect a positive duty, essential to the preservation of your husband's fortune, as well as to his comfort, and that of his friends and domestics. Never make a confidant of a servant, or be familiar with your maids. Be not harsh or severe towards them, and speak kindly to them, but keep them at a due distance.

9. "In these and in similar concerns be prudent but not

anxious.

"Let folk bode well, and strive to do their best,

No more's required, let Heaven make out the rest.' "Set not your heart on any worldly objects, and, least of all, on money. Learn from your husband what he can afford to spend, and be very careful not to exceed; but if you save any thing, let it be for the poor, and the stranger, and be sure to allot to pious or charitable uses as much as you can spare out of your allowance for your personal expences, for that only is your gift.

10. "Most wives wish to become mothers, and this wish, like many others, is innocent, if coupled with cheerful submission to the will of God. Children are anxious blessings, and bring with them numberless cares. Their lives are at first so precarious, that one-fourth of the number born die within the first year, and another fourth in the next six years; and, even after that, we know too well that they are mortal. But should they live, by sickness or imprudence (not to mention grosser misconduct) they may cause you many a heart-ache. If, therefore, you should have no children, be content; if you should be a joyful mother, be thankful; but remember, that he who gave you a child, may see fit to resume the gift, and probably will do so, if you suffer yourself to doat on it, or having more than one, show an undue partiality.

"Had I leisure I might still add to this long sermon, but by so doing I might defeat my purpose, which is, not to damp your spirits, but to prevent disappointment. In order to this, it is necessary to view things in their true light:

"To be resign'd when ills betide,
Patient when favours are denied,
And pleased with favours given.'

"And now,

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'Farewell! and Oh! may Heaven shed
Its choicest blessings on your head!
May rosy health, may peace be near,
And joy uncheck'd by guilt or fear!
May candour, piety, and truth
From every error guard your youth!
May gratitude your soul inspire
To equal every fond desire
Of her whose kind maternal care
Has planted every virtue there!

And by her bright example led,
May you that path securely tread,

Which, when all worldly cares shall cease,

Will guide your soul to endless

peace!'

"These lines appeared so apposite, both to you and to your mother, that I could not resist copying them. But lest borrowed rhimes should lead. you to doubt the seriousness of my concern for your welfare, I will add my earnest prayer, that the blessing of God may ever attend you, his power protect you, and his grace enable you to fulfil all the duties of that state of life to which it hath pleased him to call you.

"I am, with much esteem and affection,
"Most truly yours."

May one be permitted to add to these admirable rules one suggestion, namely, that a wife should prevail upon her husband to join with her daily in prayer, using some form which may be adapted to their peculiar situation and circumstances. Such a practice will greatly tend to strengthen and hallow their union, and bring a blessing upon it. It is also calculated to show them their mutual wants and mutual dependance on a higher power, and to stop the very beginning of difference and disagreement.

On the subject of private prayer, Mr. Bowdler put upon paper a few hints, which will probably be thought to show his usual good sense.

"Hints concerning Private Prayer.

"Use some form of prayer every morning and evening without fail; let nothing prevent you. And if, by some extraordinary circumstance, you have not time to use your usual form, yet at least fall down on your knees, and ask God's pardon and protection for Christ's sake.

"Say your prayers in the morning as soon as you can after you are risen, that worldly affairs may not get possession of your mind and distract your attention; and till you have said your prayers, endeavour to keep your mind fixed on God and his providential care of his creatures, or on some serious or religious subject. For this purpose, the repeating hymns, psalms, or the like, is very useful. And further helps may be found in Spinkes's Devotions.

"Say your prayers at night as late as you can before you get into bed; and after you have said them, endeavour to keep your thoughts from rambling on worldly affairs, and turn them rather to reflect on a future state. The repeating psalms or hymns will be of use in this also. And this practice will tend to prevent frightful dreams, and mote calm and quiet sleep.

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"If you find that by using constantly one form of prayer you repeat it by rote, without attending to the meaning, change your form; or use different forms on different days.

"If the forms you find in books are too long, leave out the parts which appear to you the least material, and change any thing you don't like. And whatever form you use, don't confine yourself strictly to it, but pour out your thoughts freely before God. If you have done any thing amiss, beg his pardon for that particular offence. If you have escaped any danger, return him thanks for that par