14
in an ill condition who is obliged to borrow everything she wants.
Now, if she would be finer than the rest of her< neighbours, it is the husband’s reputation, and that must give him pleasure. Good housewifery and right management make things last long. It is indeed the honour of men to see cleanliness, nor do they love holes in there stocking heels, nor that their ruffles shold hang like bell ropes: and yet they scorn to set the least stitch in them themselves. So, therefore, to have a wife that will take care to have every thing done for him, must needs be a pleasure to him: and what if she wants a Venetian carpet or a little china ware, surely no man in his wits would quarrel with his wife about such trifles, when all should redound to his reputation: nay suppose she has a mind for a silver coffee or teapot, or a pair of silver sconces, where is the harm of it? Certainly, the more plate a man has, the richer he is: this ought therefore to be a pleasure to him. And I can assure you, of my own knowledge, there are several husbands would be glad their wives had such things. Besides such things set out a room, and make the kitchen, if the house be kept clean, have a reputation among the neighbours. There’s such a one’s house looks like a paradise, says one — It would do one’s heart good to look at it, cries
