e out of Milton,[167]
and leave it as a lecture to those of my own sex, who have a mind to
make their conversation agreeable as well as instructive, to the fair
partners who are fallen into their care. Eve, having observed that Adam
was entering into some deep disquisitions with the angel, who was sent
to visit him, is described as retiring from their company, with a design
of learning what should pass there from her husband.

_So spake our sire, and by his countenance seemed
Entering on studious thoughts abstruse, which Eve
Perceiving where she sat retired in sight,
With lowliness majestic from her seat
Rose, and went forth among her fruits and flowers.
Yet went she not, as not with such discourse
Delighted, or not capable her ear
Of what was high: such pleasure she reserved,
Adam relating, she sole auditress;
Her husband the relater she preferred
Before the angel, and of him to ask
Chose rather: he, she knew, would intermix
Grateful digressions, and solve high dispute
With conjugal caresses; from his lip
Not words alone pleased her. O! when meet now
Such pairs, in love and mutual honour joined?_

[Footnote 165: Bacon, Essay viii., "Of marriage and single life": "It is
one of the best bonds, both of chastity and obedience, in the wife, if
she thinks her husband wise, which she will never do if she finds him
jealous."]

[Footnote 166: "Epist.," vi. 4, 7, 5.]

[Footnote 167: "Paradise Lost," viii. 39.]

No. 150. [STEELE.

From _Thursday, March 23_, to _Saturday, March 25, 1710_.

Haec sunt jucundi causa, cibusque mali.
OVID, Rem. Amor. 138.

* * * * *

_From my own Apartment, March 24._

I have received the following letter upon the subject of my last paper.
The writer of it tells me, I there spoke of marriage as one that knows
it only by speculation, and for that reason he sends me his sense of it,
as drawn from experience:

"MR. BICKERSTAFF,

"I have read your paper of this day, and think you have done the
nuptial state a great deal of justice in the authority you give us
of Pliny, whose letters to his wife you have there translated: but
give me leave to tell you, that it is impossible for you, that are
a bachelor, to have so just a notion of this way of life, as to
touch the affec