Page:A Biographical Dictionary of the Celebrated Women of Every Age and Country (1804).djvu/629

Rh telling them, that if ever they became mistresses, the custom of drinking would remain; but they would then indulge it in wine, not water. Yet Monica, notwithstanding the care of this provident governess, when young, had learned by degrees to drink wine, having been sent to draw it for the use of the family; but one of the maids of the house, being in a passion, malignantly called her drunkard; and she, struck with shame that such a reproach should be addressed to her, gave up the practice for ever.

She was married to Patricius, a pagan, of Tagasta, in Numidia, and endeavoured by her amiable manners to win him to her faith, patiently bearing with his passionate temper, and hoping that as his heart was benevolent he would one day believe, and be a curb to himself. She bore with him when angry in silence; and when she saw him cool, would meekly expostulate. Many matrons in her company complained of the harsh treamenttreatment [sic] they received from their husbands, whose tempers were yet milder than that of Patricius; and, when they expressed their wonder that they never heard of their quarrels, she informed them of her plan, and counselled them to follow it; which some did, and were thankful to her for its success. Her mother-in-law, from unkindness and prejudice, was entirely won over by her obsequiousness; and she was never known to repeat any of the fierce things, which she heard from people at variance with each other, conscientiously exact in saying nothing but what might tend to heal and reconcile.

Though so implicitly obedient to her husband, she prevailed upon him to let her son be brought up a christian; but though he made great progress in profane learning, and seems to have had some idea