her humours, will be attended with the keenest úpbraidings and invectives; the most cordial repentance that she threw herself away on one so insensible to the honour he had received.

But do not, for these reasons, wholly despise harmony of shape, or elegance of features. Women are called the fair sex, and, therefore, some degree of beauty is supposed almost indispensable. No doubt, it is the first object of desire, and what greatly contributes to continue it fresh and undecaying. It is, likewise, often to be derived from the mother to the child; and, therefore, as an accomplishment universally admired and coveted, to be esteemed worthy the caresses of the wife, as well as the pursuit of the libertine for a prey.

Of Good nature.

What we call good nature, is another ingredient of such importance in a matrimonial state, that, without it, the concord can never be complete, or the enjoyment sincere. On which account, it is both allowable, and expedient, to make some experiments beforehand, on the temper that is to blend or ferment for life with your own. If you find it fickle and wavering, she will sometimes storm like March, and sometimes weep like April; not only with cause, but for want of it: if sluggish and insensible, her whole life will be a dead calm of insipidity,

without joy for your prosperity, concern for your misfortunes, or spirit to assist in preventing the one, or forwarding the other. If testy and quarrelsome, you will cherish a hornet in your bosom, and feel its sting every moment in your heart: : or, if morose and sullen, your dwelling will be melancholy as a charnel-house; and you will be impatient for a funeral, though almost indifferent whether her's or your own. But you must not be too scrupulously exact in this scrutiny: there are none of these jewels without flaws, and the very best method of enduring their faults, is to remove your own.

Of a good Manager.

This, however, bear always in mind, that if she is not frugal, if she is not what is called a good manager, if she does not pique herself on her knowledge of family affairs, and laying out money to the best advantage, let her be ever so sweetly tempered, gracefully made, or elegantly accomplished, she is no wife for a tradesman; and all those otherwise amiable talents will but open just as many ways to ruin. I remember, on the wedding night of an acquaintance, where I was a guest, a motion was made to pass an hour at an old game called Pictures and Mottos: the manner of which is, for every person in turn, as he is called, to furnish out a device for the painter, with a short sen

tence by a way of explanation. The bride began it, who addressed herself first to her husband; who readily gave for his conceit, A yoke of oxen, and for his motto, Let us draw equally. This is the only true condition of matrimony; and nothing is more reasonable, than that, as one has the whole burden of getting money, the other should make economy her principal study, in order to preserve it. In short, remember your mother, who was so exquisitely versed in this art, that her dress, her table, and every other particular appeared rather splendid than otherwise, and yet good housewifery was the foundation of all; and her bills, to my certain knowledge, were a fourth less than most of her neighbours, who had hardly cleanliness or decency to boast, in return for their awkward prodigality.

Of religious Dispositions.

It would not be amiss neither, if she you choose, had rather a religious turn, than otherwise. Her conduct will be the more exemplary, her life more rigidly exact, her authority more punctually revered: she will be less at leisure to follow, and less disposed to admire the vanities that bewitch the rest of her sex. But if her piety should degenerate into superstition or enthusiasm, she is, from that moment, a lost creature ; either the domineering spirit of holy

pride will turn your house into an inquisition, or the absurd terrors of a hurt imagination make it resemble the cell of a penitent convict.

Of Portion.

In the affair of portion, as, on the one hand, your conduct ought to be provident and wary; so, on the other, it ought to be genteel and noble. Nothing can be more sordid, than to bargain for a wife as you would for a horse, and advance or demur in your suit as interest rose or fell; and if she you solicit, should betray too strong an attachment to the like mercenary motives, be assured, she is too selfish to make either a fast friend, a decent wife, or a tender parent. Fly from such, therefore, the moment the Smithfield genius breaks out! But do not fly to one who has nothing but beauty, or, if you please, affection to recommend her. A fair wife with empty pockets, is like a noble house without furniture, showy but useless; as an odious one, with abundance, resembles fat land in the fens, rich, but uninhabitable. Let an agreeable person, then, first invite your affections, good qualities fix them, and mutual interest tie the indissoluble knot.

Of the two, though as reasonable happiness is the end of life, if your circumstances will bear it, rather please your fancy in one you like, than sacrifice your domestic peace to the

possession of wealth you will never be able to enjoy. But, if the narrowness of your fortune will not allow you such an indulgence, tremble to think of the unavoidable consequences! for, if happiness does not consist in abundance, be assured it flies from necessity; and though the protestations of unextinguishable passion make a very good figure in poetry, they have very little relation to common sense. Beside, though many have flattered themselves, that, by taking a wife out of the arms of affliction, the condescension, the obligation, would warrant a suitable return of gratitude and affection. I have known such as have been miserably disappointed. Few minds are strong enough to bear prosperity is it a wonder, therefore, that it should turn a weak woman's brain, and that she should make her demands in point of figure, prodigality and expense, not according to her own birth, fortune, or expectations, but yours?

Of poor Relations.

However, if all this is not sufficient to deter you from such a choice, at least take care that she is not surrounded with hungry relations.

But take this along with you: there is not a perfection, either of body or mind, to be met with in low life, which is not to be as easily attained in high; and this is certain, that a great fortune gives no adamantine quality to the