Pamela, Or Virtue Rewarded

19. Few married persons behave as he likes. Let me ponder this with awe

and improvement.

20. Some gentlemen can compromise with their wives, for quietness sake;

but he can't. Indeed I believe that's true; I don't desire he should.

21. That love before marriage is absolutely necessary.

22. That there are fewer instances of men's than women's loving better

after marriage. But why so? I wish he had given his reasons for this! I

fancy they would not have been to the advantage of his own sex.

23. That a woman give her husband reason to think she prefers him before

all men. Well, to be sure this should be so.

24. That if she would overcome, it must be by sweetness and

complaisance; that is, by yielding, he means, no doubt.

25. Yet not such a slavish one neither, as should rather seem the effect

of her insensibility, than judgment or affection.

26. That the words COMMAND and OBEY shall be blotted out of the

Vocabulary. Very good!

27. That a man should desire nothing of his wife, but what is

significant, reasonable, just. To be sure, that is right.

28. But then, that she must not shew reluctance, uneasiness, or doubt,

to oblige him; and that too at half a word; and must not be bid twice to

do one thing. But may not there be some occasions, where this may be a

little dispensed with? But he says afterwards, indeed,

29. That this must be only while he took care to make her compliance

reasonable, and consistent with her free agency, in points that ought to

be allowed her. Come, this is pretty well, considering.

30. That if the husband be set upon a wrong thing, she must not dispute

with him, but do it and, expostulate afterwards. Good sirs! I don't know

what to say to this! It looks a little hard, methinks! This would bear a

smart debate, I fancy, in a parliament of women. But then he says,

31. Supposing they are only small points that are in dispute. Well, this

mends it a little. For small points, I think, should not be stood upon.

32. That the greatest quarrels among friends (and wives and husbands

are, or should be, friends) arise from small matters. I believe this is

very true; for I had like to have had anger here, when I intended very

well.

33. That a wife should not desire to convince her husband for

CONTRADICTION sake, but for HIS OWN. As both will find their account in

this, if one does, I believe 'tis very just.

34. That in all companies a wife must shew respect and love to her

husband.

35. And this for the sake of her own reputation and security; for,