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to domestic happiness. Is it just or decent for such an indolent parent to be calling them blockheads and rude children, after such negligence? and that too at an age when the first impressions of right and wrong should be carefully instilled?

19. Next to this early negligence of temper, I consider that a great portion of domestic unhappiness is owing to the precipitancy with which a large majority enter on the marriage state. This defect may arise out of the nature and constitution of things, and is not to be easily remedied in a world so void of reflection. The evil may be charged, on the one hand, either to the remissness of parents with respect to sober advice, or their unreasonable interference, where the case does not properly call for it; or, on the other hand, it may be charged wholly to the self-will and vain folly of the children. It is ridiculous to see boys and girls, just entered on their teens, assuming the consequence of adults; and, full ten years before they arrive at the commonest sense, enter on a state which requires the maturity of discretion,-sanctioned too, or at least, not checked, by their parents. Moreover, many parents are so arbitrary, that, under a false pretention of ruling, they actually sour and harden their children, and give them an utter distaste of home; and hence it can be no wonder that they should take the earliest opportunity to relieve themselves, by any expedient: albeit a premature marriage is perhaps the most unwise step they could take. It is equally indiscreet in parents to attempt to force their union to objects, which, though wealthy or respectable, are the most unsuitable, because unbeloved. No such discordant union can bring

any equivalent for the lack of that mutual affection and esteem which are so indispensable, and which no money can purchase.

20. There is yet one temper which I scarcely know how to name or where to place. I cannot class it with the good nor yet the bad tempers. You may call it the squeamish, the odd, or what you please. A very happy couple whose chief amusement, I dare say, rested on their own mutual resources, rising one morning from their slumbers, the husband, who had risen first, had his attention arrested by a deep drawn sigh from his beloved spouse, and instantly inquired what was the matter, when, in the affecting pathos of a Lancashire witch, she replied with an-Oh! dear, I'm very poorly.' "What's the matter with thee, my wench?' 'Oh! dear, I've got a terrible pain!' 'Well, tell me what's the matter?' 'Oh! I am so ill.' 'Do tell me, I say, what is the matter?' 'Oh! I have such a tight pain.' 'Do tell me, my dear wench, where is thy pain?' 'Oh! I scarcely know, but-I-think-it is-in-my temper.' 'Oh then if that's all, I recommend a little cane sauce,' pointing to a cane which accidentally lay in the

room.

21. Think not that I have introduced the above as a farce to a concluding scene; for though it were child's play, and developes nothing important, it at least reminds one of certain individuals whose only real pain is in their temper. It brings to my mind a Mrs. Tarquin who evinced a very unhappy temper. Judging from the sallowness of her countenance, and apparent weakness, a stranger would have supposed she was in a bad state of health. But in reality her symptoms were not

ease.

so much those of indisposition as ill-disposition. The glistening eye, knitting of the brow, compressed mouth, absorbed mind, abstinence from colloquy, short and studied answers, oblique look, listless gazing at the fire, nibbling and fingering of the lips, &c. were among the positive indications of some inward broodings of a temper not at I well recollect, though now twenty years past, calling at the house, when the servant, instead of announcing, introduced me at once into the sitting-room, which visibly proved a most disagreeable surprise, as madam was evidently in her mumps, though her beloved husband was in the room. Now had the servant, as she ought, given but a moment's notice, appearances would have been reversed. I have ever regretted the circumstance on account of its creating a pain in the temper. Many, on the least crossing of their will, instantly receive a pain in the temper, and have a quick recourse to tears.

22. I trust I have advanced sufficient to establish a plea for a more fixed regard to the cultivation of a proper temper among all classes. And while I have in some degree exhibited temper as we find it, my readers may easily form their own ideas of

TEMPER AS IT SHOULD BE.

Oh! blessed with temper, whose unclouded ray
Can make to-morrow cheerful as to-day.-POPE.

PART III.

HOW TO IMPROVE AND REGULATE THE

TEMPER.

Could but our tempers move like this machine,
Not urg'd by passion, nor delay'd by spleen;
And true to nature's regulating pow'r,
By virtuous acts distinguish every hour.
Then health and joy would follow as they ought,
The laws of motion and the laws of thought.
Sweet health to pass the present moments o'er,
And everlasting joy when time shall be no more.
WATCH PAPER.

CHAPTER I.

PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS.

2. THE great Reform bill was not obtained till a manifest and indubitable cause for its adoption was fully made out. I flatter myself that I have clearly established a plea for the reform of temper ; but I apprehend this lies beyond the reach of par

liamentary enactment. I have however amused myself with a few remarks on such a measure in a subsequent chapter. My province is only to tender such advice as I conceive the case requires. Every consideration involving our interest in this life, at least calls loudly for the better regulation of temper. For what is life, or what its enjoyment, where disorderly and oppressive tempers are allowed to dominate? I would say to all then, Curb your tempers by all means; do it, if only for the sake of your personal comfort; yea, do it for the sake of common justice and common courtesy. I may remind those who profess the religion of Jesus Christ of higher and more inspiring motives: for how can we adorn that sacred name with tempers at utter variance with his gospel? We are repeatedly and solemnly enjoined to follow peace, meekness, patience, longsuffering, and whatsoever is lovely and of good report.

3. Though I believe, with Luther, President Edwards, and our tenth Article, in the absolute bondage of man's will touching divine things, I regard him as a morally free agent, capable of doing or not doing what properly comes within the scope of his power, and no more. I do not in this remark embrace that deep point of divine sovereignty acting on human agency, the agent yet being free, as in the case of Pharaoh, Judas, and many others. With this premise, I can entirely agree with the following sentiment of Dr. Johnson: That a man has always the same firmness of mind, I do not say, because every man

1 Chap. viii. 17. infra.

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