The Voice Of Freedom

A HAPPY COUPLE.

Pliny was one of the best husbands in the Roman Empire; but this is not wonderful, for as is the husband so is generally the wife. He did not think it beneath him to treat his wife as a friend and counsellor as well as a companion. In his letters to his wife Calpurnia, when absent from her, he breathes the most ardent, and, at the same time, the most delicate affection. How much he loved her, we find, as far as words can express, in the following letter to his aunt:

"As I remember the great affection which was between you and your excellent brother, and know you love his daughter as your own, so as not only to express the tenderness of the best of aunts, but even to supply that of the best of fathers, I am sure it will give you pleasure to hear that she proves worthy of her father and worthy of you. Her ingenuity is admirable; her frugality is extraordinary. She loves me, the surest pledge of her virtue; and adds to this a wonderful disposition to learning, which she has acquired from her affection to me. You would smile to see the concern she is in when I have a cause to plead, and the joy she shows when it is over. She finds means to have the first news brought her of the success I meet with in court, how I am heard, and what decree is made; she feasts upon my applause; she sings my verses, and accompanies them upon the lute, without any master, except love, the best of instructors. From these instances, I take the most certain omens of our perpetual and increasing happiness, since her affection is not founded on my youth or person, which must gradually decay; but upon the immortal part-my glory and reputation.

Nor indeed could less be expected from one who had the happiness to receive her education from you, and soon began to love me on your recommendation; for as you had always the greatest respect for my mother, you were pleased from my infancy, to form me, to commend me, and kindly to presage that I should one day be what my wife fancies that I am."