PREFACE. THE author does not know how, better to introduce this book to her friends than by telling them its short history. The nouvellettes that form the collection were writteneach to illustrate that distinct principle of Christian ethics or social philosophy, indicated by the text of Scripture selected as its motto. That they were the very first productions of the author's pen-composed in the midst of sickness, privation, toil, and great sorrow-is her apology for their numerous imperfections. That they were, nevertheless, warmly welcomed, and extensively copied by the literary and Christian journals, and that their publication in book form has been called for, is her excuse for now collecting and presenting them in this manner. PROSPECT COTTAGE, November 30th, 1854. THE WIFE'S VICTORY. The husband is head of the wife, even as Christ is head of the Church; Therefore, as the Church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything.—Ephesians, v. 23, 24. Such duty as the subject owes the prince, Even such a woman oweth to her husband.-SHAKSPEARE. Unargued I obey; so God ordains. God is thy law; thou mine.-MILTON. "I WOULD not have him, though he owned all the mines of Golconda," said bright Kate Gleason to her sister, Mrs. Lindal. "And why not, pray?" said gentle Mary Lindal. "Oh! because he has got such a horrible temper." "How do you know that?" "By a great many signs; by the shape of his head and the colour of his hair, the glance of his eye, the curl of his nose, and the set of his mouth "Oh! stop, stop, stop; of whom are you speaking? That incomparable man, in philanthropy a Howard, in wisdom a Newton, in patriotism a Washington, in "Temper a Bluebeard." "Kate! I will not hear another word of this. You are speaking of-of-" and Mary Lindal blushed. |