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whom he had chofen for his Friend and Partner through life.

In the prefent age, when the rights of Individuals in Society, and the relative domeftic duties are better understood, than they were in past times, the fituation of Women, in the rank of Wives, is held in much higher efteem. In former Periods, as well amongst civilized as barbarous nations, they were confidered more as the Servants, than as the Miftreffes of the Houfe-as defigned for menial employments, than as the companions of their hufbands. This change of opinion, so confonant both to reafon and urbanity, having thus taken place; the Ladies of this Kingdom enjoying, befides, more freedom, than what is allowed to thofe of fome countries; how incumbent is it on your fex, to cherish the liberal fentiments now entertained in your favour; and prove, by a fuitable conduct, in that character we are now confidering, how much you are deferving of them! To fupport the equality of domeftic friendship, a feeling heart, and an intelligent mind are requifite endow

ments.

The Wife is alfo to fhare in the fortune as well as the affections of her hufband. She is, therefore, to contribute her part towards the improvement of the former, by her difcreet management in the affairs of the house; and fhe

is to preserve the latter, by her agreeable manners. Though there ought to be a reciprocal interchange of kindness, civility and respect, yet St. Paul has made fome difcrimination betwixt the refpective duties of each. He has cautioned the Hufband against that fault, which he seems most likely to fall into-the want of tenderness and affection. Hufbands, fays he, love your Wives-Wives, on the other hand, are exhorted not to ufurp, a tyrannical authority; nor be too fond of rambling abroad. Let Women, he adds, be dif creet, chafte, keepers at home, good and obedient; a meek and quiet fpirit being, as he also obferves, the proper ornament of the female Sex.

This apoftolic Writer recommends, likewife, to Wives, a chafte converfation, coupled with fear. The first part of this exhortation, relates to the purity of their thoughts, and to the modefty of their behaviour. Such a conduct muft inspire their husbands with confidence, and with the moft refined affection: Neither will any occafion be given to - others, to cenfure the freedom of their manners. It is a falfe notion, which fome Ladies have adopted, that when they have once entered into a state of Wedlock, they are free from those restraints of decorum, which were

before

before observed, in order to secure an unsullied fame.

The last part of this exhortation, coupled with fear, implies, that the dread of offending him, to whom all fecrets are known, is the best means of preferving purity of heart; and that the apprehenfion of fhame or ill report is another fecurity for a chafte conversation and prudent behaviour. To avoid the appearance of evil is as expedient as to avoid the evil itself; because a levity of manners, though the mind be perfectly innocent, will often create jealoufies and diftrufts; and the Hufband feels himfelf difgraced, even by the breath of rumour, where the reputation of his Wife is concerned.

Married Ladies fhould be particularly attentive, by their exemplary conduct, to render the nuptial ftate, honourable and of good repute; that fo, the younger part of their Sex, might be thereby induced to qualify themselves for a condition of life, fo refpe&table in itself, and fo useful to the community; and the juvenile part of the other Sex, might have no reafon to think unfavourably of it.

Having proper ideas of its importance, young Women will not make engagements of this kind precipitately and unadvifedly. They will neither be compelled by Paffion nor prompted by Intereft. Not any diffimulation

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fhould be practised, in order to gain an affection, which no ftudied arts can preferve, when once it is discovered, as it' fhortly must be, that the real difpofition has been disguised. Thofe, who have been duped by the artifices of infincerity, will foon be difgufted with the deceiver; who will be unable to keep a conqueft, fo ingloriously obtained. What appeared before as charms will now be confidered as blemishes; and every good qualification will lofe its value and influence.

If, then, Sincerity be fo requifite to the happiness of the married ftate, you ought to begin betimes, to pratife this Christian, this ufeful Virtue; that, in confequence thereof, all your actions may be guided by it; particularly thofe, on which your future felicity fo much depends. If you would procure a permanent efteem, you must adorn yourselves with thofe accomplishments of mind, and acquire thofe happy difpofitions, which are attractive and durable. Beauty will fade, and Drefs may lofe its power of pleasing; but a fenfible and cheerful converfation, a meek and quiet fpirit, tenderness, good-nature and affability, are those agreeable Qualities, which no change of Time or Circumftances can obliterate; but which will be, on the contrary, ever charming, ever new.

An obftinate temper, on the male fide, may be corrected by patience, on the female; a paffionate

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paffionate one, by mildness. The inconftant may be reclaimed by a thousand nameless civilities, which it is in the power of your Sex to practife. But if perverfenefs be opposed to obftinacy; wrath to anger; and upbraidings to infidelity: If, likewife there fhould be reproach, instead of forbearance; and fullennefs and indifference instead of good humour and kindness, there can be no hopes of effecting a change either in the habits or difpofition of the offender; but he may proceed to greater exceffes and behave with the moft mortifying contempt; whereas all thefe, at first, by prudent management and condefcenfion, might have been prevented, and domeftic cordiality eftablished. Though it is the duty of both fexes, to be as indulgent as poffible to the failings of each other, and to avoid recrimination, yet the exercife of this discretion may be required, perhaps, more frequently of the female; because the houfe is their proper department; the peace and harmony of which, it fhould be their particular ftudy to promote.

Economy is also a very requifite Virtue in married Women. I call it a Virtue, becaufe, as Extravagance, or profusion in expence, has been branded by the name of Vice, an opponte conduct furely deferves fo honourable an appellation. We are too apt to be deceived by appearance. A Man who spends his Money lavifhly, is often praised for being gener

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