Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1851-09-25
VOL. VI.

But the pleasures of absolutism are not un-
alloyed. Mr.. Wilson, like other despots, was
obeyed only from necessity, and whenever an
opportunity occurred of cheating him, it was
generally DONE His wife was quiet, timid
woman, with no pretensions to briliancy of in
tellect, but possessing what is far better, good
common sense, warm heart, and tastes and
feelings thoroughly domestic. With differ
ent husband-one who understood her DISPOSE
iion, and would have encouraged her to rely
upon her own judgment, and to act with ener-
gy and efficiency, she would have made use
ful and happy wife and mother: but as it was,
neglected and regarded as mere household
drudge-with all her warm affections chilled
and driven back upon her own breast-she be-
can silent schemer, an adroit dissimulator,
seeking only Tin selfdefence, as she believed)
to carry out her own plans as often as possible,
in spite of her lord and master.
Mr.. Bennett, the neighbor and friend of Mr..
Wilson, was shocked at the petty tyranny he
evinced, and thanked his stars that he knew
better than to follow such an example. Though
so long accustomed to consult only his own in
cliDations, (for Mr. Bennett married late in life)
he took pleasure in referring every thing to
the choice of his amiable companion, only re-
serving to himself the privilege of the ueto,
that indispensable requisite to proper balance
of power Let US intrude upon the conjugal
tete tete, the first year after marriage, that we
may better understand the meaning of the re-
served right The parties were about to COM
mence housekeeping, and the subject under
consideration was the renting of house.
Which of those houses to you intend to
take!' inquired the wife.
Just which you prefer, my dear. wish
you to please yourself in the matter
We'll then, if may choose, shall say the
cottage by all means--ihe other house is sadly
out of repair, much larger than we need, and
will require so much furniture to make it COM
fortable.'
i am rather surprised at your choice, my
dear-the rooms a: the cottage are so small
and those in the other house so large and airy
do as you please, but must say I'm surprised
Such nice airy rooms
But they are gloomy and dilapidated, and
will require so much expense to make them
comfortable. Still, if you prefer them
'Oh, that is nothing, you are to choose, you
know, but very much dislike small, confined
rooms, and the cottage is nothing but birds
nest'
Do you remember how we used to admire
it when Mrs. Murray lived there 2
'Oh, certainly, certainly, take it if you like,
but the rooms are SO small, and | never can
breathe in small room. Those in the large
house are Just the right size, and not at all
gloomy in my eyes, but of course do as you
please. rather wander at your choice how
ever
We'll, then, what do you say to the new
house upon the hill That is neither toe
large nor too small, and it is such a convent
ent distance from your Office, besides the
grounds are delightful could be very happy
! there
Really, Mrs. Bennet, you have singular
taste. The neighborhood is, l dare say, detes
table, and the dampness Of the walls, the smell
of new paint, and hundred other things woulc
be hard to bear-notwithstanding, if you say
the new house we will take it, but the rooms
in the other tenement are so large and airy
and do so like large rooms-well, what dc
you say!'
With suppressed sigh, the young wife an
swered-' / think on the whole, we had better
take the large house.
Il was sure you would come over to my
opinion was the husbands exulting reply
see what it is to have a sensible wife, and ar
accommodating husband.'
The large house was taken, and various
were the discomforts experienced by Mrs. Ben
net in her new abode. The chimneys smoked
the rain came in through several crevices in
the roof, and the wide halls, and lofty apart
ments, many of which were unfurnished, strucl
a chill to the heart of the lonely wife, who, il
| she visited them after sunset trembled at iht
sound of her own footballs echoing through the
house But she made few complaints, anc
Mr.. Bennett, even if aware of some trifing an
noyances, was happy in the consciousness tlla
he had magnanimously submitted to his wife
the choice of habitation. Fortunately fol
him, that his wife was woman of sense, firm
ness and principle, who studied her husband !:
peculiarities, that she might as far as possible
adapt herself to them, though it must be con
fessed the attempt was often fruitless, and sht
was compelled to acknowledge 10 her owl
heart, that the open assumption of authority il
not the only way in which domestic despotisn
manifests ITSELF
When Mr.. Bennet became father. in III,
first gush of parental emotion, he forget ever
the exercise of the ueto in reference to the ar
rangements for the comfort of the little stran
ger, SO that for few weeks, the happy moth
er carried out her own plans without any in
reference.
Have you decided on name for this dea
little girl = said Mrs. Bennett, as they sat to
gether one morning caressing the object of s
many hopes, and of so much affection.
Il wish you to name her, my dear,' he re
piled, 1T is your privilege to do so.'
Il should like to call her Mary, if you hav
no objection-it is the name of my mother
therefore very dear to me-