Virtue, than her slight Opinion of her Husband. To be sure, this stands
to Reason, and is a fine Lesson.
    37. That a Wife should therefore draw a kind Veil over her Husband's Faults.
    38. That such as she could not conceal, she should extenuate.
    39. That his Virtues she should place in an Advantageous Light.
    40. And shew the World, that he had HER good Opinion at least.
    41. That she must value his Friends for his sake.
    42. That she must be chearful and easy in her Behaviour, to whomsoever he
brings home with him.
    43. That whatever Faults she sees in him, she never blames him before
Company.
    44. At least, with such an Air of Superiority, as if she had a less Opinion
of his Judgment than her own.
    45. That a Man of nice Observation cannot be contented to be only moderately
happy in a Wife.
    46. That a Wife take care how she ascribe supererogatory Merit to herself;
so as to take the Faults of others upon her. - Indeed, I think it is well if we
can bear our own! This is of the same Nature with the Third. And touches upon me
on the present Occasion, for this wholsome Lecture.
    47. That his Imperfections must not be a Plea for hers. To be sure, 'tis no
matter how good the Women are; but 'tis to be hoped, Men will allow a little.
But, indeed, he says,
    48. That a Husband who expects all this, is to be incapable of returning
Insult for Obligation, or Evil for Good; and ought not to abridge her of any
Privilege of her Sex.
 
Well, my dear Parents, I think this last Rule crowns the rest, and makes them
all very tolerable; and a generous Man, and a Man of Sense, cannot be too much
obliged. And, as I have this Happiness, I shall be very unworthy, if I do not
always so think, and so act.
    Yet, after all, you'll see I have not the easiest Task in the World. But I
know my own Intentions, that I shall not wilfully err; and so fear the less.
    Not one Hint did he give, that I durst lay hold of, about poor Miss Sally
Godfrey. I wish my Lady had not spoken of it. For it has given me a Curiosity
that is not quite so pretty in me; especially so early in my Nuptials, and in a
Case so long ago past. Yet he