out it, without being a great trouble to her:
besides her sences cannot now bear it therefore you must let it alone
till another time.

Do you your self but observe, & you'l quickly see that a lying-in
requireth so much trimming, that she hath really care enough upon her!
the Child-bed linnen alone, is a thing that would make ones head full
of dizziness, it consists of so many sorts of knick-knacks; I will not
so much as name all the other jinkombobs that are dependances to it.
Therefore, ought you to be so compassionate with her, as not to speak
to her about any other thing; for all her mind and sences are so
imploied upon that subject, that she can think upon nothing else but
her down-lying. Hear but deliberately to all her lying-in, and of what
belongs to it. Tis no wonder neither for there is not one of her
acquaintance comes to her, either woman or maid, but they presently
ask her, Well, Mistris, when do you reckon? And that is a Text then,
so full of matter that there is oftentimes three or four hours preacht
upon it, before any of the Auditors be weary. O that all Ministers
were so happy, as to have alwaies such earnest and serious hearers. In
the mean while there is no body happier than the maids, for they are
then free from being the Town-talk; for at other times, the first word
is, How do you like your maid? which is another Text that the women
generally preach out of, and make longest sermons in.

But methinks, I should happen to fall here from the Mistris upon the
Maid.

To go forward then. See how serious your dearest is, with _Jane_ the
Semstress, contriving how much linnen she must buy to make all her
Child-bed linnen as it ought to be! how diligently she measures the
Beds, Bellibands, Navel clouts, shirts, and all other trincom,
trancoms! and she keeps as exact an account of the ells, half ells,
quarters, and lesser measures, as if she had gone seven years to
school to learn casting of an account.

Let this measuring and reckoning be pleasant to you, because the
charge thereof will fall costly enough for you. To morrow she goes to
market, to buy two or three pieces of linnen, one whereof must be very
fine, and the other a little courser. And you need not take any notice
what quantity of fine small Laces she hath occasion for, by reason it
might perhaps overcloud this sixth pleasure of marriage, which you now
possess.

Why should you not be merry? you have now above all things a Wife to
your mind;