tal powers: you will assist in narrowing that which should be expanded, and in weakening that which should be strong. All women are competent to manage their domestic arrangements if they choose to take the proper trouble, and it is a great degree of selfishness to thrust them upon the good-nature of a husband. One great source of discordance between husband and wife is expense. If a husband is lavish a wife is often obliged to be careful; and if, as the more frequently happens, a man considers it his duty to restrain, no small degree of irritation is sometimes produced in that effort. Men. of stern characters intimidate their wives on this point, and a woman sometimes rushes into difficulties because she dare not disclose that she has somewhat overspent the means allotted to her. But by a well-judging system all these harassing evils might be avoided. In the first place, although you need not be always talking on the subject, be perfectly open to your husband on these matters; if you have been betrayed into extravagance, open your heart to him, and however painful the disclosure, bear its effect. If you really see your error, and retrace your steps, your husband will generally forget all past indiscretions; but many a man has been betrayed to his ruin by the concealments of his wife, and by the total involvement of affairs before he was even conscious of embarrassments. I extol as one of the difficult and admirable virtues, that of economy. But never foster a man's meannesses; and even when that term cannot be applied to his character, do not, by being tied down to too small a sum for your expenditure, run a risk of being led into debt. If, after due consideration, a certain style of living, and a certain expenditure, have been decided on, you ought to have sufficient to support that arrangement, or your establishment should be reduced. You should not be driven into acts of meanness, which are discreditable both to yourself and your husband; but by a timely reduction in some main point, save yourself from so cruel an alternative. This should be your line of conduct, if it be necessary on account of circumstances; but if your husband is rich, let me recommend firmness in all matters which are right; endeavour to improve and to extend your husband's views, not to be swayed by his foibles, for such is not the duty of a wife. One part of the duty of a wife is, indeed, gently to combat all that is faulty and weak in her husband's character. Whilst her own mind may be strengthened by collision with his, she should endeavour to ameliorate his nature by the perpetual flow of her noiseless virtues; to show him how she can rise above selfishness, and to teach him, by the force of example, those minor virtues on which so much of the happiness of life depends. The influence of an amiable wife may often be traced in the great improvement of a man's character after marriage; the good feelings which are drawn forth, the improved tone of sentiment, the gentler language, the more correct religious notions. If women, laying aside controversial subjects, and avoiding all those extremes to which persons not seriously disposed apply the name of cant, would manifest a really religious spirit-if they would show the fruits of that temper in the ordinary intercourse of life, without disgusting all persons of good taste by adopting a peculiar phraseology-a great moral revolution would be effected in society. Men who have thought but slightly on such subjects would be led to reflect on their own motives, and the comparison would be in favour of that divine principle, those holy precepts, from whence alone can spring all that is pure and of good report. FORMATION OF A YOUTHFUL MIND. MEN glory in raising great and magnificent structures, and find a secret pleasure to see sets of their own planting grow up and flourish; but it is a greater and more glorious work to build up a man; to see a youth of our own planting, from the small beginnings and advantages we have given him, to grow up into a considerable fortune, to take root in the world, and to shoot up into such a height, and spread his branches so wide, that we who first planted him, may ourselves find comfort and shelter under his shadow. THE ANGEL OF PATIENCE. To weary hearts, to mourning homes, There's quiet in that angel's glance— Nor wounds with words the mourner's ear; He kindly learns us to endure. Angel of patience! sent to calm Oh, thou who mournest on thy way, "BLESSED ARE THE PEACE MAKERS." WHEN ancient Sabines, fired with vengeance, came And the fierce Roman bared his ready brand, See where they kneel! Meek daughters and fond wives! "Fathers," they cry, "oh, spare our husbands' lives!" The Sabines melt, the Roman lance sinks down; |