told that Madam
Gamarra, the wife of the President of Peru, is a "female Bonaparte, and
though her husband is nominally the head of the republic, she is the
real sovereign." How many smaller empires exhibit the same unnatural
picture. It is in vain to say that the wife is the more capable of the
two. This by no means exonerates her from blame, who deliberately
entered the marriage state with so little respect for her companion, as
to cherish a determined purpose of lording it over him, as her
inferior.

Ambition of power is always a dangerous principle of conduct. She who
consents to marry another, without love, esteem, or respect for him, and
merely to queen it over his life, can hardly possess the Christian
temper. She is assuredly destitute of that chief grace of her sex, deep
and sincere affection. Mrs. Phelps says, on this subject, that
"Submission and obedience belong to everything in the Universe, except
the Great Master of the whole. It is a law, that support and protection
demand obedience. Hence, the child is bound to yield this tribute to its
parent, and the people to the laws, and the wife to the husband." This
doctrine, although advanced by a female, is likely to meet with some
remonstrance at this day. Yet surely, none will contend that the reverse
of it, is a true one, that, contrary to the affirmation of Scripture,
"the woman is the head of the man." Let the maiden turn from such
thoughts in her earliest days.

"Now let a true ambition rise,
And ardor fire her breast,
To reign in worlds above the skies,
In Heavenly glories drest."

Some ladies exchange their single condition, in the hope of escaping
thereby the Toils and Cares of life. They picture to themselves the
felicity of having one constantly devoted to the supply of their wants,
and waiting to gratify their every wish. This looks all exceedingly
captivating, in prospect. They expect from their friend not only the
same attentions as he rendered during their engagement, but an increased
service, from his being ever near them and having nothing but their
happiness to occupy him.

But can a lady anticipate these rivers of ease and pleasure, without
securing the respect of her husband? No one, who reflects for a moment
on the future, can do this. Does our friend expect the idolatry of her
husband? She must recollect that "No respect,"--and, of course, no
love,--"is lasting, but that which is produced by our being in some
degree