happiness by a union with a man of questionable sobriety. Some few tippling husbands may yield to the skilful treatment of a fond and affectionate wife: the majority of cases are, I believe, irretrievable afterwards. Besides, what man possessing the slightest claims to gallantry would not be prepared to sacrifice a single vicious custom, and especially when his own happiness is thereby increased, for the sake of the girl who has won his affections. There is no man in the world deserving of a wife, who is not willing and ready to give up the use of intoxicating liquors to indulge her wishes. If the young women of Brandiport, and of England, would unanimously resolve to give no heed to applications from young men who were not decidedly temperate, we should soon see an altered community, we should soon see our country thickly studded with cheerful happy homes.

I think it right to mention that if I have discovered some of my swain's besetting propensities, I shall take good care that he does not remain ignorant of mine. It is better that we should have a mutual understanding of each other's failings before we enter upon a union of such long duration. If he despise me for my openness and candour, it is well that I should know it in time. If he do not choose to venture on me with all my imperfections, and their name is legion,-he must leave me alone, and seek for one that will come nearer to his wishes; for this is not the time to practise dissimulation. But such honesty of purpose cannot lower us in each other's esteem. It will only tend to endear us to each other by stronger and more lasting ties. Those who will

deceive each other at a period so critical, ought never to be joined together in the bands of matrimony. With what feelings do we regard even the stranger who pretends to be what he is not, and tries to make us suppose that he is more deserving of our favours than he really is! If we are to take each other for worse as well as better, it is but rational and proper that we should know each other's weaknesses in time, and be prepared to accommodate ourselves to the existing circumstances. But I fear I am wandering from the subject under consideration.

To return to my motto, "Prevention is better than cure." If I may be permitted to employ a few rather hackneyed but appropriate illustrations, I would observe that everything must have a beginning. If we trace the mighty Thames to its source we shall find it to be an insignificant little fountain at the side of a little hill. But on it flows, gradually acquiring strength and volume by every tributary stream until it becomes a great and navigable river. If we look at one of those venerable and stately oaks in Windsor forest, with its wide spreading boughs, that has borne for centuries the peltings of the storms uninjured, we must remember that once it was only a little acorn. Or if we look at St. Paul's Cathedral, or any of those magnificent edifices with which the British metropolis abounds, we cannot fail to reflect that there was once a time when only a single stone of such a splendid building was deposited. It is the very same with intemperance. It must have a beginning. No man is born a drunkard. So far from it, that the first drop of intoxicating

liquors which enters our lips is always disagreeable. "Oh that is horrible stuff!" is something like the exclamation of every young person who tastes spirituous liquors for the first time. Even the domestic animals, if it be placed before them, will turn aside with disdain from the pernicious drink. The thirst, therefore, that some men acquire for it, is quite artificial. There is much significance in the foreigner's reply when asked to have a glass of ale-"No thank you, I have but lately come to England-I am not sufficiently civilized yet to drink liquors." The process is gradual. Drunkenness is alarming to every body at first.

It is a monster of such frightful mien,
That to be hated, needs but to be seen;
But seen too oft, familiar with its face,
We first endure, then pity, then embrace.

The plan I adopt with my two junior brothers is never, under any pretence, to allow them to taste any liquid of an intoxicating nature. A habit is soon formed. Then the danger is begun. After that, the progress is downward. The habit acquires fresh strength as it proceeds, until at length all attempts to stay its progress are unavailing. I attribute it in no small degree to these precautions, that neither my father nor one of my brothers are ever absent from home, except upon urgent and unavoidable occasions. Our home is indeed all I could desire in point of happiness.

Should I ever have the honor of presiding over a home of my own, I am determined to act upon the same principle" Prevention is

better than cure." The young must acquire habits of some sort or other. It has been well said, "Man is a bundle of habits." A bad habit is easily created, and it soon becomes so interwoven with his very being, so completely a part of himself, that it requires great effort to shake it off. If mothers would be sufficiently careful to instil good principles into the children's minds early, and especially, to arm them with an abhorrence of this accursed beverage, the love of which steals so insidiously and imperceptibly upon its votaries—if they would only follow out nature's simple directions in this important particular-they would prevent much misery and greatly enhance the comfort and happiness of English homes.

I shall conclude by reiterating my favourite sentiment-" Prevention is better than cure!"

Ou Cheerfulness and Vivacity.

MRS. JONES.

MUST say that I did not expect to be so much instructed and entertained as I have been by the remarks that have fallen from the ladies who have just favored us with their sentiments. There is more talent among the female population of Brandiport than I ever thought there was. I begin to feel proud of our town. I have always been so much noted for levity, that I know very well it is great presumption in me to attempt speaking on a subject so important and so grave. Light-hearted as I have always been in my junior days, I believe I have been still more so since I have had a husband to manage. I am not exactly one of the merry wives of Windsor; but I am a great lover of jocularity and cheerfulness at home. I never think of introducing a dull or heavy topic of conversation in my husband's presence. I am fond of a good laughnot that loud boisterous laugh that shows the vacant mind-but a good, hearty, sensible one that is indicative of inward satisfaction and delight.