2018م - 1444هـ
The Vicar of Wakefield

I was ever of opinion, that the honest man who married and

brought up a large family, did more service than he who continued single, and only talked of population. From this motive,

I had scarce taken orders a year before I began to think seriously

of matrimony, and chose my wife as she did her wedding gown,

not for a fine glossy surfaces but such qualities as would wear

well. To do her justice, she was a good-natured notable woman;

and as for breeding, there were few country ladies who could

shew more. She could read any English book without much

spelling, but for pickling, preserving, and cookery, none could

excel her. She prided herself also upon being an excellent contriver in house-keeping; tho’ I could never find that we grew

richer with all her contrivances. However, we loved each other

tenderly, and our fondness encreased as we grew old. There was

in fact nothing that could make us angry with the world or each

other. We had an elegant house, situated in a fine country, and

a good neighbourhood. The year was spent in moral or rural

amusements; in visiting our rich neighbours, and relieving such

as were poor.