-He is one of Dr. Dronish's hearers, and takes every opportunity to tell every body that he belongs to the rational Dissenters and conceits that he has received a considerable addition to his consequence in being lately appointed a clerk to their meeting; but it will be some time before I hear him exhibit from their abominable garbled perversion of Dr. Watts's Psalms and Hymns. Loveg. I dare say it will, Sir, but this beggarly pride is the worst of pride. But how does he treat the poor young woman?

Consid. Why, in language like this. If she asks a question, he answers, "Child, I'll tell you by and by." If she humbly repeats it, "Child, don't be troublesome" if she ventures to speak in company, "Child, don't expose yourself;" or "How should you know, child?" If she proposes to do any thing, his answer is, Child, I shall think of it." If he wants her to do any thing, it is, "Child, do this," or "Child, do that;" in short, he scarcely treats her with the respect due to an upper servant.

Far. Old Betty Bustle, who has lived in our house these five-and-twenty years, would run away from us, if I and my dame were to talk to her as Master Lofty, the gingerbread-baker, talks to that poor creature.-Well, the Lord be praised, that he has a little humbled my proud nature! but to my mind, I had once such noble blood in my heart, while I was living without God in the world, and while I was blustering with my big looks about the market.

But now for an abridgment of the subject. It was much lamented, during the same evening's conversation, that Mr. Lion should have been married to Miss Pigeon, who treated her with an abundance of austerity, though it caused some laughter, when they conversed about the

marriage of Mr. Blunt to Miss Prudish; while the plainness and simplicity of the one were contrasted with the unmeaning affectation of the other: though it was a much less laughable concern, when Mr. Smart, who was all vivacity and wit, married Mrs. Dorothy Dull; and no wonder that soon after their marriage, he treated her with sad neglect.

A counterpart of the same sort of unhappy matches took place between Mr. Consequence and Miss Nobody, who never could find out her stupidity, till after he had married her, and then treated her with cruel contempt.

After this Mr. Lovegood had to improve the subject. He very wisely remarked, that our infinitely merciful God has so regulated the government of the human race, that they should be helpmates to each other; that thereby, a bond of general union might be created for the good of the whole. That the poor, though in servitude, should find guardians and supporters in the rich, who have it in their power to make even their situation a blessing to them, by their merciful and kind deportment towards them. That parental authority was most mercifully instituted according to the laws of nature, so that the care needed by children, and the respect and honour due to parents arising from it might create a bond of union between families through life. And that the foundation of this originated in the marriage contract, which civilized nations had universally adopted, and which, when broken, rendered mankind a set of barbarians and brutes.

He next observed, all duties of this sort were reciprocal. Masters are to command with mercy; while servants are to submit and perform their office with fidelity. Parents are to educate with the tenderest affection; children are to obey with the purest simplicity and love. So, as it respects the marriage union,

"the

-minds differ. It was certainly determined that the wife should submit and obey; she was "the first in transgression;" but then the husband's duty is not the less to "love, cherish, and respect her," as weaker vessel." And while the divine mind has determined that she should be in subjection, yet such husbands as are blessed with the mind of Christ, will re member that they are directed to "love their wives, as Christ also loved the church and gave himself for it, that he might sanctify and cleanse it by the washing of water, by the word. For, that no man ever yet hated his own flesh, but nourisheth it and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church."

This excellent moralist, next asked the question, on evangelical principles: Will such Christians act as tyrannic lords over their wives, because it is said "the man was not created for the woman, but the woman for the man;" that "the man is the image and glory of God, but the woman is the glory of the man?"

I once knew a pretended boaster of religion, who was ever quoting against his poor wife, that "the husband was the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church ;" and that "as the church is subject unto Christ, so wives are to be subject to their own husbands in all things :" and oh! how he used to bore the poor woman on these words, "in all things!" But let all these jarring-strings, be reduced into holy harmony and order, and let the wife learn, as the scripture has directed her, "to reverence her husband;" and let her distinguished ornament be that "of a meek and quiet spirit, which, in the sight of God, is of great price;" and each of them will find in that happy union their paradise regained.

Mr. Lovegood, at the same time, gave it as his opinion, that nothing is more beneficial to the good of

society, than that young persons, blessed with the fear of God, should thus unite themselves to each other on an early day. That it was the duty of parents, not wantonly to thwart, though to regulate, the inclinations of their children, and that also in the mildest manner, as circumstances might require. But that, from the instances which had been before them in conversation, a similarity of disposition above all things, should be first sought for, yet not with rigid exactness. A good man may be over-generous: can he do better for himself than to seek for a partner, who is frugal and attentive, without being covetous and mean? Should another be hasty and rapid, what can he do better than to unite himself to one who is dispassionate and calm? And if the young woman has an unhappy tendency to that which may be frivolous and indiscreet, who knows but that she may be much corrected, should she meet with the man who may be cautious and reserved! In short, that it is not so much the dispositions themselves, as their evil tendency, through the corruption of mankind, against which we should be put upon our guard; as it was evidently not the disposition itself, but that disposition being under a corrupted influence, which was the cause of every calamity that had been the subject of their present conversation.

Mr. Lovegood also said a little equality as it respected money matters, might not be an improper consideration, as from the want of it many unpleasant reflections and disputes frequently arise. And with regard to age, he observed, that although many inconveniences often occurred from the disparity of years between the husband and wife, yet that doubtless many old and young fools, or good-natured creatures as they may be termed, have been very happy together.

Mr. Lovegood lastly urged some very impressive ideas respecting the sad perturbation of mind, created among

all those of every rank whose tempers were completely contrary to the holy mind of Christ. That even heaven itself would bear the semblance of hell, could such minds surround the holy throne above; as perfect holiness and infinite happiness are inseparably united.

Thus Mr. Lovegood went on well in moralizing. So also my young readers would determine, had I time further to transcribe his wise and good advice; and for their sakes, thus much is presented before them on this most important subject. There is something very engaging in the undisguised simplicity of unpolluted youth. Oh! that my dear young friends had the advice of a Lovegood always sounding in their ears; and the like grace, which is the delightful theme of his preaching, constantly dwelling in their hearts! Such will not only be graciously protected from the evils of life, but as mercifully directed into every path that is wise and good. And under such regulations, how happy shall I be without fee or reward, so far as I can gain the permission of the Dolittles of the day, (while a denial from the Lovegoods is scarcely to be apprehended,) to tie the bond of union that makes the parties so happy in each other.