The New Hampshire Gazette And Historical Chronicle

Rules and Maxims for promoting Matrimonial Happiness.

Addressed to all the Widows, Wives, and Spinsters in AMERICA.

The likeliest Way, either to obtain a good Husband or keep one so, is to be good yourself.

Never use a Lover ill whom you design to make your Husband, lest he should either upbraid you with it or return it afterwards and if you find at any time an Inclination to play the Tyrant, remember these two Lines of truth and Justice:

Gently shall those be rul'd who gently sway'd,
Abject shall those slave who haughty lustre obey'd.

Battle of the Sexes,

Avoid, both before and after Marriage, all Thoughts of managing your Husband. Never endeavour to deceive or impose on his Understanding; nor give him Uneasiness, as some do very foolishly to try his Temper; but treat him always, before hand with Sincerity, and afterwards, with Affection and respect.

Be not over sanguine before Marriage, nor promise yourself Felicity without Alloy: for that's impossible to be attained in this present State of Things. Consider before hand that the person you are going to spend your Days with is a Man, and not an Angel; and if, when you come together, you discover any thing in his Humor or Behaviour that is not altogether so agreeable as you expected, pass it over as an human Frailty; smooth your Brow, compose your Temper; and try to amend it by Cheerfulness and Good Nature.

Remember always, that, whatever Misfortunes may happen to either, they are not to be charged to the Account of Matrimony, but to the Accidents and Infirmities of human Life, a Burden which each has engaged to assist the other in supporting, and to which both Parties are equally exposed: Therefore,-instead of Murmurs, Reflections, and Disagreement, whereby the Weight is rendered abundantly more grievous, readily put your Shoulder to the Yoke, and make it easier to both.

Resolve every morning, to be good natur'd and cheerful that Day; and if any Accident should happen to break that Resolution, suffer it not to put you out of Temper with every thing besides.--and especially with your Husband.

Dispute not with him, be the Occasion what it will; but much rather deny yourself the trivial Satisfaction of having your own Will, or gaining the better of an Argument, than risque a Quarrel, or create a Heart Burning which it is impossible to know the End of.

Be assured, a Woman's power, as well as Happiness, has no other Foundation but her Husband's Esteem and Love, which consequently, it is her undoubted Interest, by all Means, possible, to preserve and increase.-- Do therefore, study his Temper, and command your own: Enjoy his Satisfaction with him, share and soothe his Cares and with the utmost Diligence conceal his Infirmities.

Read frequently, with due Attention, the Matrimonial Service: and take care, in doing so, not to overlook the word Obey.

In your prayers be sure to add a Clause for Grace to make a good Wife; and at the Same Time resolve to do your utmost endeavours towards it.

Always wear your Wedding ring; for therein has more Virtue than is usually imagined. If you are ruffled unawares, assaulted with improper Thoughts, or tempted in any Kind against your Duty, cast your Eyes upon it, and call to mind who gave it you, where it was received, and what passed at that solemn Time.

Let the Tenderness of your conjugal Love be expressed with such Decency, and Prudence, as that it may appear plainly, and thoroughly distinct from the delighting fondness of a Harlot.

Have you any concern for your own Ease or for your Husband's esteem? Then have a due Regard to his Income and Circumstances in all your Expences and Dresses; for, if Necessity should follow, you run the greatest hazard of being deprived of both.

Let not many Days pass together without a serious Examination how you have behaved as a Wife: and if, upon Reflection, you find yourself guilty of any Foible or Omission, the best Atonement is to be exactly careful in your future Conduct.