well-regulated, methodical system, is one which she should early endeavor to acquire. "Whatever is worth doing, is worth doing well." And to do things well, especially in household affairs, which consist of a multiplicity of varied occupations, they must be done in order. However trifling the employments may be, it is still important to proceed on a well-digested system. Unless the house-wife proceeds in a methodical manner, her affairs are liable to become confused and entangled-she herself is perplexed, loses temper perhaps, and, in consequence, falls out with her husband or domestics, makes herself and all around her unhappy, and toils harder to bring her occupations to a conclusion than she otherwise would; and then, more than probable, they will be but imperfectly executed. Such a one is almost invariably behind her affairs, and hurried by them; and whatever is done in a hurry, is generally ill done. But when the wife establishes a well-defined system in which all things shall proceed-when everything is done methodically and orderly-her affairs will proceed quietly and pleasantly. There will be no jarring, no confusion, no slighting, no losing of temper, no unhappiness. Every thing will be done at the proper time, and well done-there will be a place for each thing, and each thing will be in its place -and order, neatness, and comfort, will reign throughout the habitation. The discreet housewife will strive after this state of things; and she will be satisfied that the only way to secure it, is

by proceeding in all things upon the strict rules of
method. On arising in the morning, she will form
her plan for the day's proceedings, and she will be
careful to adhere to it as strictly as possible. She
will avoid procrastination, that "thief of time," as
her great enemy.
Whatever should now be done,
she will see that it is done now. She will have a
time for everything, and everything will be done
in its appropriate time. Nothing more facilitates
the despatch of business, than to have each partic-
ular duty done properly at the right time. The
poet seems to have entertained correct views upon
this subject, when penning the following distich:
"Let order o'er your time preside,

And method all your business guide.
Early begin and end your toil,

Nor let great tasks your hands embroil;
One thing at once be still begun,
Contrived, resolved, pursued, and done:
Nor till to-morrow's light delay

What might as well be done to-day."

There is one habit that some wives fall into, which I must beg leave briefly to notice. I refer to the habit of making confidants of certain visiters or associates, and spreading before them all their troubles in housekeeping, and all the faults of their husbands and families. There is an impropriety, an indelicacy in this practice, which is exceedingly reprehensible. That there will occasionally be perplexities and difficulties in the best regulated households, is to be expected-and that domestics, children, and even husbands, may pos

sess many faults, is not at all surprising, when we consider how frail human nature is. But I can conceive of no reason, and no apology, for spreading these things before another—and a small degree of reflection will show the impropriety of such a course. When it is pursued, I am inclined to attribute it, in general, more to an unthinking volubility of speech, which must have food for conversation, than to any inclination to do that which is improper. For were the same ladies to hear a stranger utter these complaints and accusations against their husbands or families, they would be exceedingly offended. The prudent and circumspect wife will guard against a habit so indiscreet and reprehensible. Sensible of her own foibles, she will be desirous to throw a concealing veil over the failings of others, and especially of those most dear to her, rather than to spread them before the world. She will have but one confidant, and that will be her husband. Towards all others she will exhibit that proper reserve which is requisite to her who is, in no small degree, the depositary of the happiness of the household.

CHAPTER IV.

CONDUCT TOWARDS HUSBAN; S.

"If 'twere not the sparkling light

That trembles from yon beauteous star,
How dark would be the form of night,
Careering in her gloomy car.

'Tis thus enlivening woman cheers
Man's gloomiest hours with fond caress,
When naught of kindred life appears
To sooth the pangs of deep distress."

How general is the impression, that when a young couple become united in matrimony, they will soon begin to exhibit less of those kind attentions and those tokens of deep affection towards each other, which were so manifest in their conduct previous to their union. I will not now tarry to show how discreditable it is to any young married pair, to justify this expectation-or to describe the nature of the love by which they have been attracted, or to depict how far and how different it is from that pure, elevated affection, without which there can be no happiness in the marriage state. I will only remark on this point, that the true love of the soul, which, proceeding from a congeniality of tastes and dispositions and brought into existence by be

holding meritorious and pleasing qualities, attaches those of different sexes together, increases rather than diminishes, after they have become one before God and the world. Nothing, in my estimation, throws a more gloomy cloud over the prospects of a youthful couple, than to behold coldness and indifference towards each other, speedily succeeding the marriage day. And few things can be more discreditable to a young wife, than to be the first to exhibit this indifference, or indeed to exhibit it at all,

That husbands and wives exercise a great influ ence in modifying each other's character and disposition, is a fact which admits of no dispute. And equally evident is it, that the influence of the wife in this respect is much greater than that of the husband. We see instances of this in the striking change which is frequently wrought by second wives in the habits and tastes of their husbands. I do not suppose a second wife produces any greater modification in the characteristics of the husband than the first- the change is only more apparent, The habits of a young man are not so fixed and manifest, as those of one more advanced in years; neither are his characteristics so much noticed as those of an established citizen and householder, surrounded, perhaps, by a family. Hence the change wrought in him by a wife, although entirely as deep and radical, is not as manifest to public observation, as that effected in one whose habits and tastes have long been known to the community. However, be this as it may, a second wife