The Ten Pleasures of Marriage: and the Second Part, The Confession of the New Married Couple — John Shaqi
The Ten Pleasures of Marriage: and the Second Part, The Confession of the New Married CoupleMarsh, A.
General
The Ten Pleasures of Marriage: and the Second Part, The Confession of the New Married Couple
Marsh, A.
Marriage
Therefore, if you meet with one or t'other of your Cousins, press him
to go home with you, to refresh himself with a glass of Wine; O it
will be extreamly pleasing to your Wife, and a double respect paid to
him; because you bring him to a collation among other Cousins, and
pretty Gentlewomen, where the knot of friendship and familiarity is
renewed and faster twisted. And who knows, if you bring in a
Batchelor, but there may perhaps arise a new marriage, which would be
extraordinarily pleasing to your Wife; for there is nothing more
agreeable to the female sex, then that they may be instrumental in
helping their Bridemaids to husbands. And thus you will see a double
increase of your Minions, and your Wife get more friends to accompany
her, and drive fancies out of her head.
If your Wife should fail in her choice of houshold-stuff, and other
sort of those appurtenances; doubt not but these will be prudent
School-Mistresses for her, if she be unexperienc'd, to counsel and
advise her to buy of the richest and newest mode, and what will be
neatest, and where to be bought. Oh these are so skilfull in the art
of ordring things, that you need not dispute with your Wife about the
hanging of a Picture above the Chimney-mantel! for they'l presently
say, there's nothing better in that place then large China dishes; and
that Bed-stead must be taken down, and another set up in the place
with curious Curtains and Vallians, and Daslles: And thus, they will
deliver themselves, like a Court full of wise Counsellors, for the
pleasure and instruction of your Beloved. Well, what could you wish
for more? D'ye talk of mony? Pish, that's stamp'd with hammers: give
it liberally; the good Woman knows how and where to lay it out. If
there be but little mony by the hand; be silent of that, it might
happen to disturb your Dear, and who knows wherein it may do her harm.
It is not the fashion that Women, especially young married ones,
should take care for that. 'Tis care enough for her, if she contrive
and consider what must be bought, and what things will be most
suitable together. For this care is so great, that she never wakens in
the night, but she thinks on't; yea it costs her many an hours rest;
therefore ought not to be so lightly esteemed.
And now, O young husband, since you are come to the first step of the
School to exercise your patience; it is not fit that you should
already begin to grumble and talk how needfull it is to be sparing and
thrifty; that Merchandising and trading is mighty dead; that monies is
not to be got in; and that here and there reckonings and bills must be
paid: O no! you must be silent, tho you should burst with discontent.
For herewith, perhaps, the whole house would be out of order; and you
might get for an answer, How! have I married then a pittifull poor
Bridegroom? This would be sad to hear.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account