John Cheap, the Chapman's Library. Vol. 1: Comic and Humorous / The Scottish Chap Literature of Last Century, Classified

by Dougal Graham

A GOOD WIFE

Should be like three things; which three things she should not be like.

First.—She should be like a snail, always keep within her house:—but she should not be like a snail, to carry all she has upon her back.

Secondly.—She should be like an echo, speak when she is spoken to:—but she should not be like an echo, always to have the last word.

Thirdly.—She should be like a town-clock, always keep time and regularity:—but she should not be like a town-clock, to speak so loud that all the town may hear her.