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CHAPTER XXIII.

SCOLDING.

Many kinds of scolds. Internal scolding.

Intermittent scolds. Periodical scolding. Other forms of scolding. Hints over the husband's shoulder.

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THERE are many kinds of scolds, as well as varieties of scolding. Some forms of the "disease” are indeed worse than others, and some "patients' who labor under it less tolerable than others. But all forms of the disease are really intolerable, and render those who are "afflicted" intolerable too, for the disease's sake.

Some scold outright. Their fits of peevishness are like the desolating storm or tornado, that sweeps over us, and is then gone-leaving a calm behind, which we even seem to enjoy with greater zest from the contrast. The wise mariner, however, will prefer the steady good weather to the alternation of storm and calm.

Some scold internally. Perhaps they never utter a word which could be called downright scolding; and yet their eyes and countenances and actions tell the story. There are two sorts

of these internal scolds. One sort always exhibit the outward signs of an internal and spiritual misery-the depressed and wrinkled brow, the depressed angle of the mouth, and the peculiar turn of the sides of the nose, which indicate, that if the features have not actually grown into a scolding state, they are in great danger of it.

But there is another sort in whom the disorder has seasons of remission. Their countenances, though seriously injured, are not yet permanently contracted. There is yet space for repentance and amendment of life. These might be denomi

nated intermittent scolds.

There are also periodical scolds. Some of these always scold in the morning; and as the sun advances towards the meridian, gradually become cheerful. Others begin their song towards evening, and are most effectually cured by darkness and sleep. Some scold at particular seasons, especially in the spring. Others still, it is said—but I will not vouch for the truth of this--scold most at particular periods of the moon.

There are also many sorts of scolds which cannot be so easily classed. Some habitually scold when they want a new dress. Others scold still worse after they get it, because it is faulty. Some scold because their scolding produces no effect, as it is said the wife of Socrates sometimes did.

Some, in the last place, scold because they do not know any better. They were trained to scold at times at the servants, and would no more think of getting along wholly without scolding than without eating.

I counsel the husband who has married a scoldor would do so, if this were the place to counsel husbands-not to resort at once to the laws of divorce for relief from his unhappy situation; but, if he finds his wife's case remediless, to bear it as well as he can, as a just punishment on him for want of more foresight. And if his wife should fret herself to death early-for all fretting and scolding shortens life more or less-and a second should be resolved on, I counsel him to take a little pains to prevent that which he would afterwards give "a thousand worlds," if he had them,

to cure.

CHAPTER XXIV.

FORBEARANCE.

Perfection not to be expected. Maxim of a philosopher. Spirit of forbearance a pearl of great price. Cases where forbearance is required. Triumphing. "I told you so." Comparisons. Joking. Saying of Salzman.

No quality is more frequently demanded in the newly married, than mutual forbearance; and yet none, perhaps, are more liable to be disregarded, especially where little things are concerned. Many a wife as well as husband will exercise the spirit of forbearance in larger matters, and yet make most egregious failures, when smaller matters only are concerned. I shall therefore dwell principally on the latter.

Settle it, therefore, as a principle, that perfection is not a plant of terrestrial growth; and that it will therefore be in vain to expect it in a husband. Of the necessity of mutual concession, I have already spoken. But there is an allowance to be made daily, and sometimes hourly, for each other's failings, which falls far short of what we usually call concession.

I believe it was Epictetus who said that to bear and forbear was the perfection of humanity. Be this as it may, it is a pearl of great price; and to none is it more so than to the young wife. If her expectations of her husband's character and habits have been but moderately raised, she probably will not escape trials; if they have been high, she cannot. It will be the highest wisdom, then, to be prepared to meet them-and to meet them in a becoming manner.

You find your husband addicted to certain low, vulgar or awkward habits of conduct; and you find it next to impossible to break the force of them. You find him addicted, it may be, to bad language-or, at least, language which you would not prefer; and you are laboring to reform him. Sometimes you fear you make no progress, and are nearly discouraged—perhaps almost vexed. But in these circumstances, you should remember, consists your trial. Here it is, precisely, that you are called upon to exercise and to cultivate the spirit of forbearance.

Sometimes your trial is still more severe. There are wives to whom their husbands seem to saynot in words, perhaps, but by their daily practice— Now that we have you in our possession, we are resolved to make you submit to our own course. Nothing, perhaps, will more severely test your for

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