known a husband delighted with his wife's fluency and poignancy of speech in scolding her servants, and another who was not able to hear the least noise of the kind

with patience.

Having obviated this mistake, it will be proper to observe, that through all the lower and middle ranks of life, there is generally a good measure of matrimonial or domestic comfort, when their circumstances are easy, or their estate growing. This is easily accounted for, not only from their being free from one of the most usual causes of peevishness and discontent, but because the affairs of a family are very seldom in a thriving state, unless both contribute their share of diligence; so that they have not only a common happiness to share, but a joint merit in procuring it. Men may talk in raptures of youth and beauty, wit and sprightliness, and a hundred other shining qualities; but after seven years cohabitation, not one of them is to be compared to good family management, which is seen at every meal, and felt every hour in the husband's purse. To this, however, I must apply the caution given above. Such a wife may not appear quite killing to a stranger on a visit. There are a few distinguished examples of women of first rate understandings, who have all the elegance of court breeding in the parlor, and all the frugality and activity of a farmer's wife in the kitchen; but I have not found this to be the case in general. I learned from a certain author many years ago, that "a great care of household affairs generally spoils the casy manner of a fine lady;" and I have seen no reason to disbelieve it since.

Once more so far as I am able to form a judgment, wherever there is a great and confessed superiority of understanding on one side, with some good nature on the

other, there is domestic peace. It is of little consequence whether the superiority be on the side of the man or the woman, provided the ground of it be manifest. The contentions that are fiercest are generally where the just title to command is not quite clear. I am sensible I may bring ridicule upon myself here. It will be alleged that I have clearly established the right of the female over that species of husbands, known by the name of henpecked. But I beg that the nature of my position may be carefully considered. I have said, "Wherever there is a great and confessed superiority of understanding." Should not a man comply with reason, when offered by his wife, as well as any body else? Or ought he to be against reason, because his wife is for it? I, therefore, take the liberty of rescuing from the number of the henpecked, those who ask the advice, and follow the direction of their wives in most cases, because it is really better than any they could give themselves; reserving those only under the old denomination, who, through fear are subject, not to reason, but to passion and ill humor. I shall conclude this observation with saying, for the honor of the female sex, that I have known a greater number of instances of just and amiable conduct, in case of a great inequality of judgment, when the advantage was on the side of the woman, than when it was on the side of the man. I have known many women of judgment and prudence, who carried it with the highest respect and decency to weak and capricious husbands;-but not many men of distinguished abilities who did not betray, if not contempt, at least great indifference towards weak or trifling wives.

Some other observations I had intended to make upon this subject, but as the letter has been drawn out to a

greater length than I expected, and they will come in with at least equal propriety under other maxims, I conclude at present.

LETTER 189.

An ironical letter to a Slanderer.

I am, Sir, &c.

SIR,

The particular assiduity you have displayed in defending my character, when a middle aged, squint-eyed, short, impertinent fellow was practising every unjust means, and exerting all his feeble endeavors to sully it, deserves my thanks. I own myself your debtor so much that I am apprehensive that it will never be in my power to repay you; I wish every person would follow your example; how noble, how illustrious the pattern; you scorn to wound the reputation of your neighbor; you despise the poor, mean practice of calumny, which hurts, perhaps ruins, the name and character of a man, which it should be always his greatest care to preserve free from the least blemish.

You will be so kind, I hope, as to receive this poor acknowledgement of your great goodness, as a small token of my gratitude; and whenever I experience the same civility and benevolent interposition again, pardon me if I should be tempted to make my private thanks public.

I am, sir,

Your much obliged servant.

SIR,

LETTER 190.

A humorous letter from a friend to another on Wishes.

I must agree with friend Horace, that, notwithstanding all our possessions, we fain would be having; if a man had the whole world, I dare say he would wish for the other, and if he had that, perhaps, like Alexander, he would cry for more. In short, we are never to be content; though our right hand be full, we would hold out the left; and should Providence overload both, we should doubtless put the gifts in our pockets, and empty our hands for future favors. However, I presume that I am an exception to this rule; Heaven has given me a wife; I never desire to have two! I have three children, and never wish to have more! My friends, too, are so numerous that with gratitude I confess that I have enough. In short, I expect that I am about as contented as we poor mortals are allowed to be.

I am, dear sir,

Yours, &c.

SIR,

LETTER 191.

A Challenge.

The epithets which you were pleased to bestow upon my late conduct, being, in my opinion, illiberal and impertinent, I demand that satisfaction which is due to injured honor; and, therefore, insist upon your meeting me tomorrow morning, with whatever friend you may

think proper, in order to settle this business according te the laws of honor. The gentleman who hands you this is authorized to make the necessary arrangements.

I am, sir,

Your humble servant.

LETTER 192.

The Answer.

SIR,

You are a young man without a family; I have a wife and three children; my life being dear to them is consequently dear to me; nor do I think I could meet my audit with Christian fortitude, did I wilfully enter the road of death, and leave a widow and fatherless children to bewail my loss! And for what? Because a mere empty butterfly, as I must call you, thinks proper to fire a pistol or two; if you wish me to meet you, please to provide for my wife and children, in case of danger, and I will then prove my valor and courage. As your fortune enables you to perform this, if you refuse, the cowardice is upon your side; and you must accordingly expect to be publicly reproached, and forever despised by all honorable men, and particularly by

Your humble servant.

END OF THE LETTERS.