it never can or ever will work well. Such a man may profess that he is dotingly fond of his partner, but he has a very peculiar way of showing it, and it would be well if he would sometimes ask himself the question, "How should I like my wife to serve me in the same way ?" Married women have feelings and opinions as well as married men, although some husbands seem to forget that such is the case. Hence it is well to remember what Sir Walter Scott says:-" "Affection can withstand very severe storms of rigour, but not a long polar frost of downright indifference. will subsist on wonderfully little hope, but not altogether without it."

There can be no doubt that in large numbers of cases where the wife becomes dissatisfied, it is the fault of the husband from this cause alone. A woman who is subject to such treatment is very apt to grow moody, discontented, and perhaps sullen, as she realises how very different things are from what she expected, and was led to hope they would be. If you dare to ask the reason, the only answer you get is, "O that man!" She has had to endure his gloomy, cross, peevish, thoughtless ways without complaint, and always expected to be bright, happy, cheerful, and thoughtful, until she can bear it no longer. Do not be mistaken. You courted her with tender words and loving acts, and she is entitled to the same kind of treatment now you have secured her for your wife. You must not expect all the consideration and forbearance to be on her side; it is equally due from you. Remember she thinks instinctively about the past, and contrasts it with the present, and you gain nothing by such conduct in her esteem by the comparison, but run the risk of losing more than perhaps you can imagine.

A good wife is one of God's greatest earthly blessings to man; she should, therefore, be prized and valued as highly as it is possible, and the more the husband realises the preciousness of the boon he has secured, the more he ought

to be prepared to do all he can to show his appreciation, and to manifest his gratitude.

You must not, however, expect to find perfection in your wife. The best of women as well as men have their faults. Indeed, it is always safe to acknowledge that

"There's discontent from sceptre to the swain,

And from the peasant to the king again.
Then in whatsoever they will afflict thee,
Or in thy pleasure seem to contradict thee,
Give it a welcoine, as a wholesome friend
That would instruct thee to a better end;
Since no condition from defect is free,

Think not to find what here can never be."

Now we all know that every woman as well as every man is sure to find out by living with them that each has faults, failings, oddities, peculiarities, or some special marks which will be considered, even by the most considerate, as blemishes or shortcomings, and if you as a husband whenever you see them are to set up your back to resent them, or keep calling special notice to them, why you will soon discover that you will have plenty to do. Life itself will become a burden too heavy to carry in trying to do it. There is much sound sense in the old proverb which says, "None are so blind as those who won't see." Yes, love is blind to faults and failings. It learns how wise it is not to see some things at all, and also how important it is to try and throw the cloak of love over others, thus by "bearing all things, and hoping all things," expecting a change for the better will take place some day before long.

II.—A model Husband is one who cultivates a disposition to be pleased. We all know how acceptable it is to have a kind word or a look of pleasure given to us while we are engaged in any important task we have undertaken to do. Even the horse will draw his load with more vigour if he has a stroke upon the neck, or hears a cheerful word. It is so in human life. Many a wife is greatly helped by the thought that what she is doing will, she knows, be sure to give pleasure t

her husband when he comes home. It is, therefore, very discouraging when she has done her best if her efforts are not in some way recognised. Just a few words, such as "Well, this is nice," or "That does look well," cost but little, but they will be accepted by her as a great reward. Strive, therefore, to be on the look-out for every opportunity of showing how readily you recognise, and warmly appreciate your wife's efforts to please you, and if at any time you should happen to think that she has not been successful in her attempts, do not throw cold water upon it by pointing out its want of this or that, but notice specially that which you can admire, and pass the rest over as lightly as you can, or even with silence. Fight manfully against the spirit of being hard to please. Never allow it to exist for a moment. Don't believe those who insinuate

"A right-minded wife can make your life glad;

But the question of questions is where can you get her?
I admit that a strong-minded woman is bad,

But I fear that a weak-minded woman's no better."

A delicate attention to the little wants and wishes of your wife will tend, perhaps, to do more than anything else you could do to promote her domestic happiness. It may require a little sacrifice, but it will need but a small degree of attention, yet it will be found to be a fertile source of bliss. A wife who has such shown her will readily believe that you have her welfare at heart, because she will see in the frequency with which you perform such little acts, that you are evidently as precious to her as she ever was in the days of her courting.

It is of course presumed that your desire is to have a really good wife, and to attain this you have been careful in your selection of a partner. You have also ascertained that she possesses the requisite knowledge of domestic duties. upon which so much of the real happiness of home-life depends. She is possessed of amiable qualities of mind, cheerful in disposition, healthy in body, and in every other

respect you are satisfied she has all the qualities which go to make a wife in the highest and best sense of the term. But do not make the mistake in jumping to the conclusion that here the matter is to end. On the contrary, you will discover that you are only at the very beginning of a new experience which will require the same kind of care, and the same earnest attention to detail, if you are to have the joy and happiness of a harvest of pleasure during your married life. Some men, alas! we know are very hard to please. Indeed, they seem as if they would not be satisfied let the wife do what she may. Cowper, writing of such, says they

"Wince at every touch,

You always do too little or too much;
You speak with life in hopes to entertain,
Your elevated voice goes through the brain;
You fall at once into a lower key,

That's worse, the drone-pipe of an humble-bee.
The southern sash admits too strong a light,
You rise and drop the curtain-now 'tis night.
He shakes with cold-you stir the fire and strive
To make a blaze-that's roasting him alive.
Serve him with venison and he chooses fish;
With sole,-that's just the sort he would not wish.
He takes what he at first professed to loathe,
And in due time feeds heartily on both;
Yet still o'erclouded with a constant frown,
He does not swallow, but he gulps it down.
Your hope to please him vain in every plan,
Himself should work the wonder if he can-
Alas! his efforts double his distress,

He likes yours little and his own still less;
Thus always teasing others, always teased,
His only pleasure is-to be displeased!"

You would not like this to be said of you, and if you did
you
would never be able to secure the happy description of
a model husband. No! you must be ready to make the
best of things, and at times even be willing to be blind
with one eye and deaf with one ear, should occasion require
it. You will in this way show how true it is what S. T.
Coleridge says:-

A loving heart and a pleasing countenance should always accompany you whenever you enter

your home. They will give zest to your food and sweet softness to your pillow. You