Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1804-08-25

any Fanl, iii ms M ess, much more 10
have The resolution to- reprove even her
most eccentric actions, But how often
does II happen, that ,he magic woe dis oncc
past, which are said 10 convert two into
one (though far my own par, much
douoi the intaliihli y oftheir power, unicss
mutual love aud similarity Of taste had
previously cvmen,:d their hsarts) but
say those talismatic words once past, how
soon does the scene change? For man
to be unwashed, unsha,ed undresscd at
home is nothing he will see NOBODY but
his wife, and she has promised TO love, ho-
nor and obey him; and Il is her duty so
10 do, whether he continues to deserve ii
or not. Now IS not this ridiculous! A
rose is undoubtedly sweet, but will any
person pre;end to argue that rose rs a
pleasant or desirable 0bIe6t, when wi,her.
ed, and in state of decay, it lies OH the
dirty pavement, or noisome dunghill: Yet
we all know that Il rose, Cat efully gather
ed, kept liz water, and that water frequent.
ly changed, will expand its beauties gra-
dually, retaining its sweetness and fresh
ness, until time shakes its leaves gently
from the stalk and even then they may
be gathered up, and though their beauty
is no more, their perfume still remains,
which will spread itself through every
thing with which they may come in Gun.
tact.
Thus it is with life. Time and the in
innate connection that must subsist be
tween married persons, will upavoidabiy
produce a change-but that change would
be gradual ard almost impercepilblc, did
they in general pay more attention to neat,
ness, delicacy of manners and converse
ton, and that necessary, habitua polite
ness, which never can be negie cled with
out danger of our manners deeeneratinp
into downright rudencss. What man will
dare SO far 10 offend against The rules of
politeness, as to contradict any other wo-
man, aid yet how common is it to hear
vile contradi6ted in the most rude and in
soient manner; nay. be called fool. and
be peremptoriiy babe 20 hold her tongue
Flow Illuminating must this be to a woman
OF any sensibilty how wounding to her
feelings, especially Gas is often the case) if
me wife has more sense than the husband;
with what contempt must she look on the
insignificant being who assumes these
airs OF consequence, only because custom,
and the law have dubbed him Lord and
Master. fe
III awoman were addicted to daily intox
rica,ion, would man be blamed ifhe treat
ed her with ths neglect and loa,hng such
conduct deserves, would he be expected
to allow her any thing more than decent
maintenance, and would any one be sur
piised should he prefer eating and sleep.
ing alone to sharing his bed and meals
with being SO brutalizcd as person mus,
be, whose animal Passions are kept in
continual ierment by habRial intoxication
NO, surely, SO lar from blaming him, the
wonder would be how he had patience 70
allow her 10 remain in his famiIy.-Bu.
reverse the picture. Let a man nirhtiv
frequent scenes Of the lowest debauchery.
ana return To "a delicate woman, in a ST ale,
little, II any, removed from brutality; let
him outrage her feelings by fits of rage at
night, and disgust her by sickness and
peevlshness in the morning; or what may
be more intolerable, make her suffer mar
tyfdom by submitting to his nauseous
loneliness; let him not only squander his
substance, but take from her the produce
oil her industry, to lavish on the most de.
grading pleasures. lfthat woman dares
assert her own rights and aGt like an in
dependent being, who will uphold her {?
Whereiis the law that can be called into
action for her defence? But have suf
Tered the Indignation which always arises
when think on this subject, to carry me
farther than intended / merely took up
the pen, with design of exhortinp nv
married friends to ncqtness, hoHteness, and
that deiicaey oflanguagcand manner, which
is indicative ofpurily ofthought and chas.
tity OF heart.
Women, in particular, should be care
iul 10 preserve that delicacy which is the
chief ornament of the sex; men are NO,
always TO blame for the unhappiness which
100 frequently takes place in married life.
lnattentIon, sluttshness, rudeness, vul9ari-
ty' Peevlshness, love of pleasure, and a
want OF decency, at all times, are perfect
and certain antidotes to love; and any
woman lDdulging in any one of them, will
be certain III the end to lose her husbands
affections. And though know and feel
The many degradations to which women
must unaVoiddbly submit, am equally
sensible how many man Of sense. delica.
CIV, and euDp rim educate. ....---'- r