Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1816-05-10
To the Ladies
From the French Of Mons. dc 81. FrrE
moad.

moad.
k1aaR1AGE does not always, as is
~ep eFally imagined, diminish or desiry
!tba nassion ofloye. The little discrus
Isiion with which We hui band our astec-
ltions ; a possession to absolute and too
Uninterrupted; these are the sources Of
those meanings and disgusts by which
love IS SO frequently followed.
When we surrender ourselves without
reserve to al! tile excuses OF a passion
|! these transports cannot fail to subside,
Ito leare safety upon the mind; to ex-
pnse the Heart 70 a chilling vacuIty Of
sentimenf, ard suffer tito teela decay Of
latlection. Ip vain DO We seek beyond
ourselves the causes of that calm which
follows our strongest emotions nor do
we see thai slore equal and durable hap
Ipiness had been the consequence OF mo-
liberation.
IF we analyze our minds, we shall find
that a tondness for variety is tbe source
sf our desires. The love of Grange is
the very diastole Of tho heart. Satisfy
curiosity and cur wishes faint. Whoey-
Ter then. would fix an husband or lover
should always leave him something to
expect. Each day should promise some
novelty fer the succeeding. Divertlne
his pleasures (; procure him in the saaie
foblect the enliyening charms Of variety
land we may answer for his fidelity and
Iconstaucy.
We must acknowledge that marriage
|which is styled your defects is commonly
the sspulcIre Of love. Puttben it is less
to, The lover than to ti,e fair one who com
PLANTS, that we should inppte this NOR
falitv. She attributes to the corruption
Of tn heart what is only the consequence
Of her ma|adlress and profusion. She
has squandaredin q dav what would have
maintained passion for life. She has
reserved nothing 10. amu,e the curiosity
iofher lover. Always the same statue
she excites no desises. and her who!a
role he has already by heart.
But ma rage, with a woman Of 4 ccre
Zion and address, is the dawn of fail
summers Gay; not The transient rapturC
|of a moment, but the prelude 10 pernia
Inept pleasures to those disclosines o.
tie heart, those Gutal condolences which
lcharm the soul those Ingenious cnh'es
sions wh,chcscape our lips Those trans
lports which arise from the ccnsci usnes'
lof constituting The happiness and merit
ling tie affection of tire person belov
led.
| This tiav, in short is an era when ;
Imam ofrefnement discovers ireyharsfih''
treasures, which, till then. Lad beer no
destIv concealed. The liberty a woma'
thereby ACQUIRES, enables her 10 display
that viii, That sense and those talents t;
(which restraint and reserve rad keep
him stranger. Her soul now takes
flight. hut still scars under command Of
| the lure. Time, Far from inducing indii,
ference or disgust, only multiFlies rea
sons for loving.
Rut then we mist suppose tAie woman
has sufficient sclf-ccntrol 10 keep her at
Elections ever under conmand for TO fiz
an hush nd or lover, it is TOT enough
or rather II is TOO much to love him tt
1axcess. She must love with prudence &
moderation she must parcel out he'
ifcndneas, not heap Il upon him !: Ant
for this purpose, Modesty is, perhaps, hi
Imost ingenious device that the wit ait
jaeiicaay Of mankind could lave suggest
led.
| Put 10 sleliver herself Up to the vic
Hence Of her passion, TO annihilate her
|seif in TIE presence Of her lover. is to &C
1.-The rart ofa voice; it is rot to love:
lis loving Tor moment only, and render
ling him sroiled child.
I A woman should conduct with NOR
prudence and discretion. The excess o
her love BY no means justifes her. III
Heart is ferv courser, whose yivacit.
tsaould be restrained. If we m anae
jnot his forces with Craftsmanship, HI
Isririt will the sooner exhaust him. ih
Esame indifference displayed By her bus
band or lover, after,these violent emo
tons. shewil' perceive in herself, & bot
will soon feel equally inclined to reln
Iquish the fraitless pursuit. Ina wore
|itrequires more genius than isgenera'',
ssupposed to love and toprolong the hap
spiness Of loving.
| TiIlthe moment Of the fatal YES, O
!whsfever terms pronounced, a woman
Ireau;res no artifce. Curiosity excites
ldesire imrels. hope sus'ains. But ~her
1once success has crowded the adventure
his preservation requires all her ineenu
lty: the desire OF fixing him should ia
IsJpire all her policy Tor the heart is lik'
l. ~ nnfnrfified fnMn. easier TO be take