cares, in attending to his offspring, or preparing whatever can best administer to his comfort, and promote their mutual happiness? How his heart rejoices in the advantages he derives from such a helpmate, the influence of her virtues conveys a soft, but inexpressible rapture to his soul!'

• Whatever is delightful in human life is to be enjoyed in greater perfection in the married state, than in a single condition. On occasions of joy, the husband says to himself, how happy will this circumstance make my wife. As in seasons of distress and danger, he may sometimes comfort himself with the thought, that at the same time his wife and children are safe. There is something that doubles our satisfactions, because those who are dear to us partake of them; and dispels afflictions, because they are exempt from them.'

It has always been considered as one of the greatest advantages that a man can possess in any condition, to have a suitable companion; but no companion can be compared to a good wife she is a choice companion indeed.

When a wife proves capable of filling serious as well as joyous hours, she brings

happiness unknown even to friendship itself. For the highest degree of friendship and happiness that can be enjoyed, is when friendship takes place between two married persons.

Nothing can be more entire and without reserve; nothing more zealous, affectionate, and sincere, than such a friendship: nothing more content and constant, than such a couple; nor no greater temporal felicity, than to be one of them.

The advantages of the marriage state, are indeed innumerable; and this circumstance renders it impossible to do justice to the subject. However, I may safely affirm, that, A good wife is the greatest blessing, and the most valuable possession, that a man can possibly enjoy in this life. She makes the cares of the world sit easy, and adds a sweetness to its pleasures; she is a man's best companion in prosperity, and his only friend in adversity; the most careful preserver of his health, and the kindest attendant on his sickness; a faithful adviser in distress, a comfort in affliction, and a prudent manager of all his domestic affairs.'

What undissembled love she bears
To him who has her hand;
How does she soften all his cares,
And all his woes attend!'

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Oh what an inexpressible blessing, my dear Sir, to enjoy such an advantage, to be blest with the possession of such a Woman! Her price is above rubies, the heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, he knows that it is her great pleasure to do him good, and make him happy. ppy. Such a woman is worth a world.

O cherish her as a blessing sent thee from heaven; let the kindness of thy behaviour endear thee to her heart.'

She is the mistress of thy house, treat her always with respect.'

Oppose not her inclination without cause; she is the partner of thy cares, make her also the companion of thy pleasures.'

Trust thy secrets in her breast; her counsels are sincere: thou shalt not be deceived.'

When pain and sickness assault her, let thy tenderness soothe her affliction : a look from thee of pity and love, shall alleviate her grief, or mitigate her pain, and be of more avail than ten physicians.'

• Consider the delicacy of her sex, the tenderness of her frame; and be not severe to her weakness, but remember thine own imperfections.'

It is true, that there are many troubles and sorrows attending the marriage state, as we shall have occasion to notice in the proper place.

But say, without our hopes, without our fears,
Without the home that plighted love endears,
Without the smile from partial beauty won,
Oh! what were man?-a world without a sun

My station in life, has given me an opportunity of being acquainted with a considerable variety of families, in different classes of society, and I may say with propriety, that duty as well as inelination, has obliged me in some measure, to notice the advantages, pleasures, and sorrows, of the various scenes that have passed iu succession before my eyes; and truth obliges me to assert, that the marriage state, with all its cares and sor-rows, (and it has many) is incomparably preferable to that of a single life.

The great majority of mankind, are men of business. They are engaged all the day in following their different occupations. I have often noticed the case of the labouring man; I have witnessed him enjoying great contentment, and expressing much gratitude to God, for being able to provide for his beloved wife and family.

I have frequently observed, that even this, though in general a life of great hardship, is rendered tolerable, when a man is blest with a suitable partner. It greatly softens his toils, and sweetens his labours, to enjoy the pleasures of home.

It would be very difficult, if not impossible, to explain all that is implied in that common, but just proverb, Home is home, though ever so homely.' When the husband returns late and wearied home, the comfortable meal, the warm garment, a cheerful fire, and a more cheerful face smiling children gathering about him, eager to display their little stock of knowledge; or to show the improvement they have made, or to describe some exploit they have performed: these, and a variety of things minute as these, give the husband a thrill of pleasure that language cannot utter.

The enjoyment of a comfortable competence, is indeed very desirable; for there are, doubtless, many advantages connected with being freed from the necessity of a life of labour, or of business: especially when persons are capable of employing their time properly.

An elegant sufficiency, content,

Retirement, rural quiet, friendship, books: '