some years ago, that a young man, who was courting one of three sisters, happened to be on a visit to her, when all the three were present, and when one said to the others, ’I wonder where our needle is.’  Upon which he withdrew, as soon as was consistent with the rules of politeness, resolved never to think more of a girl who possessed a needle only in partnership, and who, it appeared, was not too well informed as to the place where even that share was deposited.

103.  This was, to be sure, a very flagrant instance of a want of industry; for, if the third part of the use of a needle satisfied her when single, it was reasonable to anticipate that marriage would banish that useful implement altogether.  But such instances are seldom suffered to come in contact with the eyes and ears of the lover, to disguise all defects from whom is the great business, not only of the girl herself, but of her whole family.  There are, however, certain outward signs, which, if attended to with care, will serve as pretty sure guides.  And, first, if you find the tongue lazy, you may be nearly certain that the hands and feet are the same.  By laziness of the tongue I do not mean silence; I do not mean an absence of talk, for that is, in most cases, very good; but, I mean, a slow and soft utterance; a sort of sighing out of the words instead of speaking them; a sort of letting the sounds fall out, as if the party were sick at stomach.  The pronunciation of an industrious person is generally quick, distinct, and the voice, if not strong, firm at the least.  Not masculine; as feminine as possible; not a croak nor a bawl, but a quick, distinct, and sound voice.  Nothing is much more disgusting than what the sensible country people call a maw-mouthed woman.  A maw-mouthed man is bad enough:  he is sure to be a lazy fellow:  but, a woman of this description, in addition to her laziness, soon becomes the most disgusting of mates.  In this whole world nothing is much more hateful than a female’s under jaw, lazily moving up and down, and letting out a long string of half-articulate sounds.  It is impossible for any man, who has any spirit in him, to love such a woman for any length of time.

104.  Look a little, also, at the labours of the teeth, for these correspond with those of the other members of the body, and with the operations of the mind.  ‘Quick at meals, quick at work,’ is a saying as old as the hills, in this, the most industrious nation upon earth; and never was there a truer saying.  But fashion comes in here, and decides that you shall not be quick at meals; that you shall sit and be carrying on the affair of eating for an hour, or more.  Good God! what have I not suffered on this account!  However, though she must sit as long as the rest, and though she must join in the performance (for