1829.) Spoiled Children. 623 
“ I meant to do so, Madam,” returned the knight; “ and I shall sur- 
prise you more. Know then, Madam, that from this day the firm of 
Lady Pimento and Sir Peter Pimento, in which I have hitherto appeared 
to be little more than the sleeping partner, ceases, or rather is re-modelled 
—the oldest partner in the house resuming his right and power to govern 
and direct its affairs.” 
“ Never!” said Lady P., who could no longer restrain her rising 
spirit: “ I will be mistress in my own family !” 
“ You shall be, Madam!” continued Sir P: “ but the partners not 
agreeing as to who is the head of the house, the partnership must be 
dissolved.” 
This he said with such a cool air of settled determination as stunned 
his good lady into wondering silence. Lady P. bit her lips, bit the 
initials out of the corner of her handkerchief, and then, bouncing from 
her chair, would have fled the field, and left the resolved husband to 
enjoy in peace the honours of the war. But Sir Peter, expecting this 
manceuvre, had cut off her retreat, by previously locking the door, and 
putting the key into his pocket. 
« Resume your seat, Lady Pimento.” 
And in this one instance the lady was certainly obedient. Sir Peter 
then proceeded to deliver himself as follows, but to no very attentive 
audience :— 
* You are my wife—it is a sacred title, and imports a sacred obliga- 
tion. Itis not a mere empty distinction between women, but one con- 
ferring an office of most solemn duties. A wife should be a crown to her 
husband—her children its jewels. Her virtue should be his pride and 
pleasure, not his pain and punishment: for virtue in a wife is not the 
only thing necessary to make a husband happy ;—there are other quali- 
ties—temper, cheerfulness, patience, forbearance—all essential. Her 
nature should soften the sternness of his, where it is stern—not stub- 
bornly resist it where it is gentle. Her hand should gently detain him, 
when he would take the wrong path—not rudely pull him back, when 
he has made choice of the right. Her children should be as the apples 
of his eyes, the wine and honey of his heart, the grace and ornament of 
his house. They should be to him as the second spring of his own youth 
—the pride of his summer—the fruitfulness of his autumn—and the 
light and warmth of the winter of his manhood. Such should be the virtues 
of a wife :—I am not prepared to say, Madam, that I am the possessor of 
such a woman. Such should be the virtues of the children.” 
Here Sir Peter hid his face in his hands: Lady P. sat silent, and 
apparently ashamed. He resumed, after a moment— 
“ No, Madam! Ihave a wife who would endanger the fortunes of 
her husband for the poor ambition of moving in a circle to which the 
industry and success of that husband may have lifted her, but to which 
her birth, and habits cannot entitle her. And Ihave sons, who, imbibing 
her precepts and influenced by her example, plunge headlong into 
fashionable pleasures, that they may be named among the fools of For- 
tune to-day, only to be pitied by the wise, and laughed at by the fools 
they court as their companions, to-morrow. But the reign of Folly I am 
resolved shall cease, in my family, at least. My wife shall be a real orna- 
ment to me, or nothing: my children shall serve and enrich their country, 
and themselves, by their industry as merchants, and be an example of 
prudence, not profligacy—or they are no children of mine. Having 
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