"For my own part, my only wonder has been how a man, like Colonel

Hutchinson, could so kindly pity my infirmities, and correct them

after such a fashion that his blame has ever sounded sweeter in

my ears than the praise of the whole world besides. He has looked

upon my errors with an indulgent eye, and not suffered them to

detract from his esteem and love for me, while it has been his

tender care to erase all those blots which made me appear less

worthy the respect he every where pays me.

"One thing, although I hardly need recall it to a mind like

yours, is, above all else, necessary to be remembered--that a

maiden has only her own honour in keeping, but a wife has her

husband's as well as her own. It was a fine saying that of the

ancient Roman: 'The wife of Cæsar must not be suspected.'

Suspicion is too often, as the plague-spot, the intimater of a

disease, which may either break out, or be suppressed by care or

circumstances; but still the intimation has gone forth. Reserve

is the becoming garment for the wedded wife--that sweet reserve

springing from holy love, which the chastened eye, the moderated

smile, the elevated carriage--all betoken;--a something which a

pure heart alone can teach, and that a sullied woman never can

assume. Study the accomplishments your husband loves with

continued assiduity: he may delight in seeing the beauties of his

estate miniatured by your pencil, or the foliage of a favourite

tree doomed to perpetual spring on your obedient canvass; or,

peradventure, delight more in the soft touching of your lute or

harpsichord: whatever it may be, study to do it quickly, and

cultivate your taste unto his pleasure. I say, do it quickly, in

the early days of marriage, because habit is a most tyrannical

master. Then, when your affections and your customs tend to the

same end, and are, moreover, guided by the all-powerful hand of

duty, and under the especial control of godliness, I have little

doubt that you will make all that a wife should be.

"I would fain counsel you on the custom of a neat and becoming

attire; but I have observed that you ever habit yourself, from an

innate consciousness of what is just and becoming in your

station, and that not from any caring for occasion or love of

display. A tall and stately figure, like yours, becomes well the

rich satins of France, and the still richer velvets of Genoa; yet

I prefer to see a British woman adorned by the artisans of her

own land, and I have lately seen some articles of such

manufacture of most rare beauty. As to your jewels, consider your

husband's desire; if he care for them, deck yourself with much

attention, and wear those that please him best. Your mother's

diamonds were of the finest water, as befitted her rank, and I am

sure you will never carry counterfeits, whether of gems or of

gold. I have heard of those who affect the vanity of great

expenditure at small cost, and I hold them in contempt; for every

thing about a woman should emblem her own heart, and be pure,

even as she is pure. Simplicity in dress is ever in harmony with

beauty, and never out of place; yet are there state times when it

is expected that the high-born carry bravery, as the horses bear

high and waving plumes--to make the pageant grand; and though his

Highness, at first, deemed it expedient to lessen such

extravagance, yet my dear husband assures me that his children

lack nothing worthy the state of princes.




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