UNCLE IN ENGLAND. 163 



"Remember, that a drawing-room, though 

 elegantly furnished, is disgusting, if untidy. 



" It is no excuse for bad dinners and comfort- 

 less rooms, that the mistress is engaged in her 

 laboratory mixing gases } and trying experiments 

 that are known to every apothecary's apprentice. 

 Women, indeed, may store their minds with 

 knowledge, but then their homely duties must 

 not be neglected. 



''Let me hear, that when your husband returns 

 home, after a busy morning, he finds a cheerful 

 house, and a smiling wife ; or, as sweet Allan 

 Ramsay would say, 'a blazing ingle, and a clean 

 hearth stane.' ' : 



With heartfelt sorrow I quitted the place 

 where I had spent the happy beginning of my 

 married life. It seemed as if I was leaving every 

 thing that was dear, and that I never could 

 again enjoy the tranquil life Edward and I had 

 led for six years. Next came the parting with 

 my children and my parents ! But I will not 

 touch on the painful struggle between different 

 duties ; nor will I mention the distress of mind 

 which my dear father and mother suffered, in 

 consequence of my imprudence. I consigned 

 my dear boys, rosy, smiling, little, lively crea- 

 tures, to my good mother, and she has truly 

 done them justice. 



Our passage to Jamaica was most favourable. 

 Mr. P. took possession of the San Pedro planta- 



