single life. The secret influence a sensible and right-thinking wife has over her husband, let him be "master" as he pleases, is beyond all belief; it does not show itself to the world, but in time it effects the extraordinary change, which the man himself wonders at, and is frequently ignorant of the means by which it has been caused. The married woman has more to answer for than the single; her example is more followed, her admonitions and advice of more weight, and her domestic duties of a higher nature. Where practicable, no household should neglect the daily practice of family prayer; and, in Eastern lands, in India particularly, the natives, who are most particular in their daily religious ceremonies, wonder and express their surprise, that Europeans never seem to think of their God but on one day in seven, and then only for a very brief time in their churches. They hear of no part of the day set apart for devotional exercises. The servants see their masters and mistresses rise in the morning, watch them through the day, and find them retire for the night, without the slightest appearance of outward adoration.

Although we should not obtrude our religious exercises on the notice of the public, as the Pharisees were wont, yet we should not be ashamed in our domestic circle, or even to the world, if necessary, to show that our conduct is regulated, not by the formal, heartless principles of mere mora

lity, but induced by a feeling of entire dependance on an Almighty Power, which can only be kept alive in the heart by a daily and continual intercourse with our God. The custom of family prayer dates as early as Abraham's time, and every master and mistress of a house should say with Joshua of old, as "for me and my house, we will serve the Lord;"-it is a custom becoming very prevalent in England, and is necessary every where. Your native servants, of course, will never attend, but they will respect you the more; they will perceive the effect it will have on your temper, your actions, and your words. If the Christian religion is to be propagated in our Eastern possessions, no quicker, no safer, no surer method will ever effect it than by the example, the general conduct, and prayerful watchfulness of individual families. If your husband decidedly opposes it, yield to his commands, but do not give up hopes of succeeding-you are not to do evil that good may come. A word in season will effect more than all your opposition; shew him that attention to your religious duties makes you cheerful, happy, and contented; disposes you to bear patiently with his wishes, humours, or even unjust restrictions, and he will yield his opinion to yours. A wife so disposed, will naturally feel even a deeper interest in the future happiness of her children; her exertions to bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, may be

in a great measure counteracted by an irreligious father, but do not despair, persevere in your determination to point out to them the way to heaven; and, although you are placed in a most trying situation, vigorous and judicious exertions may accomplish much; whatever may be the faults of your husband, teach your children to be respectful, obedient, and affectionate to him; let his home be made cheerful and happy, and it may induce him to enter more freely into its enjoyments, and eventually draw him away from scenes which have been, perhaps, the temptations to wrong; such faithful exertions on your part, "attended with God's ordinary blessing,"-to make use of the sentiments of a writer, whose work every young mother should have by heart,*— "will open to you daily new sources of enjoyment, in the unfolding virtues and expanding faculties of your children. You will be rewarded with the affection and respect of those whom you are training up to usefulness and happiness. And when old age comes, your children will welcome you to their homes, and rejoice to give you a seat by their fire-side; and, by unremitted attentions, will do all in their power to prove how deeply they feel that debt of gratitude, which can never be fully repaid. Such joys will oblite

* "The Mother at Home," by Jacob Abbot, edited by W. L. Newton.

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rate the remembrance of all present toils and sorCare and labour is necessary in training up a family; but no other cares are rewarded with so rich a recompense. No other labours insure such permanent and real enjoyment." Again, I cannot but advise every young mother attentively to peruse "The Mother at Home."

Some well-disposed and truly Christian characters, unfortunately, by their outward manner, conversation, and appearance, frequently impress the young with the idea that the innocent laugh, the bounding step, the gaiety of thought and expression, are all incompatible with true religion. They must mortify the flesh-their thoughts should be ever on their sins; and that a long solemn face is a necessary index to the feelings of the heart. Although I respect and admire the principle which moves them to mourn for their transgressions, I cannot believe it is this outward result which our Saviour wished should arise from his doctrine-he condemns the appearance of seeking man's applause, like "the hypocrites of a sad countenance; for they disfigure their faces." The man who mortifies his flesh; that is,-refrains from indulging in those sins of which the body more particularly partakes, such as intemperance, excesses of any kind, and who also curbs the passions of a wilful spirit, and does so because it is his CHRISTIAN duty; and, on the same principle, "does unto others what he would they should do

unto him;" such an one, if he believes his Saviour's words, ought not to wear the semblance of one who serves a hard task-master. The tone of society in India, as in all other places, is assuming a more rational character than in former days, when persons were obliged to adopt either the manners of the severe ascetic, or the gay and demoralizing customs of the mere worldling.

If you become the wife of a civilian, you, of course, will not be exposed to the numerous privations and worldly vexations that attend the marching officer's lady. But, in either case, you will find some difficulty in bringing the establishment of the one or the other into anything like economical habits, for poor bachelors are in general woefully preyed upon; and, in nine cases out of ten, the mistress of the house no sooner shews her determination of keeping her own accounts, and ordering her own servants, than the sirdar, the headkhaunsamah, and two or three others of the higher servants, find their "vocation gone," and quickly look out for some other victim in the shape of a bachelor. In marching, the lady rides either on horseback or in a palanquin, the former I should recommend-the fine fresh cool breezes of the morning air will, together with the healthy exercise of riding, give you a wholesome appetite for your breakfast, and enable you to bear the heat of the day with greater comfort. You should take saddle and bridles out with you.