* * * * * Mr. Mortimer was married February 21st, 1812, to Miss Barford, a lady of pious habits and of amiable manners, and who proved herself a most useful and affectionate helpmeet to him. In the view of this event, he prepared, some months before it took place, the following resolutions for his government in the married state:— “Since it is very probable I shall soon be united with my dearest friend M. B., and since we are always in danger of overlooking the duties of each relation in life, while engaged in it, though, before we enter upon it, we may perceive them plainly enough, I would, therefore, now, in an humble dependence upon Almighty God, and as in his sight, set my hand to the following resolutions, which I would purpose never to swerve from upon any occasion, let it be ever so trivial:— “1st. Since the grand secret of domestic comfort depends upon the _regulation of our tempers_, I would, in the first place, endeavour to keep a strict watch over these; would avoid _pettishness_, of every description, and would guard against a degree of _pertinacity_, which has always been more or less troublesome to me: would never be _positive in argument_, and will strive to remove every appearance of _self-will_, and never to oppose my dearest friend in _any_ thing, excepting when duty _imperiously calls_; and even then, in such a manner as shall impress her more with an idea of my affectionate regards towards her, than of any wish to consult my own gratification. “In the 2nd place: will cultivate a _tender_ and _affectionate_ manner, always seeking out means of promoting her comfort, and lessening her troubles; sharing every _domestic_ and _maternal_ anxiety with _tender solicitude_. “In the 3rd place: will be completely _open_; will have no secrets; on the contrary, will consult her in everything; will give her the freest access to all my papers, letters, &c.; will also commit to her entire management all my money concerns; and will take no more for my private purse than we shall amicably settle between ourselves. “Fourthly. With regard to _company_, will make choice of those persons who shall be most agreeable to herself, and will be very attentive to those of her relations with whom she may wish to be connected—especially her mother and sister. “Fifthly. Being aware of the foolish trouble occasioned by fastidiousness in the _choice of food_, am determined never to express my partiality for any particular joint or dish, and never to make the smallest objection to anything which comes to table. Remember Duke Fortunatus, and the incessant squabbles occasioned by his fluctuating taste and pettish tempers.