young married woman."
Elizabeth blushed, and was attempting to speak, but Mrs. Adair checked
her. "You receive your friends, and return your parties in bridal
finery; one excursion takes place of another, and gaiety upon gaiety
succeeds; this passes over, and with faded dresses, faded looks begin.
At least, care sits a little heavy on your husband's brow; he perceives
that you are deficient in all the requisites for a good wife; and when
he looks round the uncomfortable apartment in which he is seated, his
thoughts naturally revert to the home of his youth, and his prudent,
excellent mother; you are too much the lady to attend to domestic
concerns. 'Servants receive high wages: and they must do their duty.'
And what is their duty? Just to please themselves; and tease you for
money for trifles, and to go to market. You supply all their wants,
without considering what is wasted, and what is really wanted.

"Next we will suppose that a young family demands your aid: nay, your
constant care. 'But the fatigue, and the bustle, and the noise of
children distract you,' Poor, helpless little things; they have not
reason to take care of themselves: additional servants must therefore
be engaged. And they are constantly with nurses, who sometimes coax
them, sometimes beat them, and sometimes scold them; so, through their
mother's idleness, they learn many vicious tricks. Evil grows upon evil.
Through your extravagance, and your husband's misfortunes, you are
brought to beggary. How do you like this picture?"

"O, mother! you do not think so ill of me! I would do every thing, and
submit to every inconvenience, rather than involve the man I should
marry in misery."

"Depend upon it, Elizabeth, people live in an ideal world, when they do
not think of proper ways and means to provide for a family. The word
liberal, in its modern sense, means profuseness to needy adventurers,
and idle friends; indifference to the nearest and dearest ties,
originate in this misapplied term. A liberal spirit runs into debt to
honest tradesmen, and with an unruffled countenance hears of their
bankruptcy. The liberal treat as lords, when they know they are only
beggars. Believe me, the most estimable characters are those with whom
there is the least tendency to this overflowing prodigality of kindness.
It is, however, my wish to serve Miss Damer. She shall be educated for a
governess. But let us not neglect the old despised adage: 'Be just
before you ar