and
I are, in point of disposition, as opposite as any two principles in
nature. In the first place, he is one of the most unsocial beings that
ever existed; when I was pleased and happy, he was always out of temper;
but if he could find means to overcast and cloud my mirth, though never
so innocent, he then discovered signs of uncommon satisfaction and
content, because, by this disagreeable temper, he banished all company
from his house. He is extremely weak of understanding, though he
possesses a good share of low cunning, which has so egregiously imposed
upon some people, that they have actually believed him a good-natured
easy creature, and blamed me because I did not manage him to better
purpose; but, upon further acquaintance, they have always found him
obstinate as a mule, and capricious as a monkey. Not that he is utterly
void of all commendable qualities. He is punctual in paying his debts,
liberal when in good humour, and would be well-bred, were he not subject
to fits of absence, during which he is altogether unconversable; but he
is proud, naturally suspicious, jealous, equally with and without cause,
never made a friend, and is an utter stranger to the joys of intimacy;
in short, he hangs like a damp upon society, and may be properly called
Kill-joy, an epithet which he has justly acquired. He honoured me with
constant professions of love; but his conduct is so opposite to my
sentiments of that passion, as to have been the prime source of all my
misfortunes and affliction; and I have often wished myself the object of
his hate, in hopes of profiting by a change in his behaviour.

"Indeed, he has not been able to make me more unhappy than I believe
he is in his own mind; for he is literally a self-tormentor, who never
enjoyed one gleam of satisfaction except at the expense of another's
quiet; and yet with this, I had almost called it diabolical quality, he
expects that I should cherish him with all the tenderness of affection.
After he has been at pains to incur my aversion, he punishes my disgust,
by contriving schemes to mortify and perplex me, which have often
succeeded so effectually, as to endanger my life and constitution; for
I have been fretted and frighted into sundry fits of illness, and then I
own I have experienced his care and concern.

"Over and above the oddities I have mentioned, he is so unsteady in his
economy, that he is always new-modelling his affairs, and exhausting
his fortune, by lay