"For my own part, my only wonder has been how a man, like Colonel
Hutchinson, could so kindly pity my infirmities, and correct them
after such a fashion that his blame has ever sounded sweeter in
my ears than the praise of the whole world besides. He has looked
upon my errors with an indulgent eye, and not suffered them to
detract from his esteem and love for me, while it has been his
tender care to erase all those blots which made me appear less
worthy the respect he every where pays me.
"One thing, although I hardly need recall it to a mind like
yours, is, above all else, necessary to be remembered--that a
maiden has only her own honour in keeping, but a wife has her
husband's as well as her own. It was a fine saying that of the
ancient Roman: 'The wife of Cæsar must not be suspected.'
Suspicion is too often, as the plague-spot, the intimater of a
disease, which may either break out, or be suppressed by care or
circumstances; but still the intimation has gone forth. Reserve
is the becoming garment for the wedded wife--that sweet reserve
springing from holy love, which the chastened eye, the moderated
smile, the elevated carriage--all betoken;--a something which a
pure heart alone can teach, and that a sullied woman never can
assume. Study the accomplishments your husband loves with
continued assiduity: he may delight in seeing the beauties of his
estate miniatured by your pencil, or the foliage of a favourite
tree doomed to perpetual spring on your obedient canvass; or,
peradventure, delight more in the soft touching of your lute or
harpsichord: whatever it may be, study to do it quickly, and
cultivate your taste unto his pleasure. I say, do it quickly, in
the early days of marriage, because habit is a most tyrannical
master. Then, when your affections and your customs tend to the
same end, and are, moreover, guided by the all-powerful hand of
duty, and under the especial control of godliness, I have little
doubt that you will make all that a wife should be.
"I would fain counsel you on the custom of a neat and becoming
attire; but I have observed that you ever habit yourself, from an
innate consciousness of what is just and becoming in your
station, and that not from any caring for occasion or love of
display. A tall and stately figure, like yours, becomes well the
rich satins of France, and the still richer velvets of Genoa; yet
I prefer to see a British woman adorned by the artisans of her
own land, and I have lately seen some articles of such
manufacture of most rare beauty. As to your jewels, consider your
husband's desire; if he care for them, deck yourself with much
attention, and wear those that please him best. Your mother's
diamonds were of the finest water, as befitted her rank, and I am
sure you will never carry counterfeits, whether of gems or of
gold. I have heard of those who affect the vanity of great
expenditure at small cost, and I hold them in contempt; for every
thing about a woman should emblem her own heart, and be pure,
even as she is pure. Simplicity in dress is ever in harmony with
beauty, and never out of place; yet are there state times when it
is expected that the high-born carry bravery, as the horses bear
high and waving plumes--to make the pageant grand; and though his
Highness, at first, deemed it expedient to lessen such
extravagance, yet my dear husband assures me that his children
lack nothing worthy the state of princes.