Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1816-04-24
4 her family. together with the mis-

r
Ter beauty, inclined her to hide hersei
rom the cav world, and to bestow he
attentions almost exclusively upon tbs
s,lucation of her children" 1t was he.
delight says biographer of Sir Phi
Iip. to form their early habits; to instii
INTO their tender minds the principles of
yelicion and virtue to direct their pas
sions 70 proper objects to snperintend
aot only their serious occupations, but
even their amusemenrs."
Had the loftincss~ of the house Of
Northumberland not been fallen, and
had Lady Mary, the eldest daughter of
that house, been a leader of fashion at
the reyal court-a distinction which her
rank would well have entitled her to !;
her Philip would not, in any probability
nave. been the exalted character that he
was.
To see mother herself highly accom-
piisheti. and capable of shining ia the
frst circles Of fashionable life to see
her forego the pleasure OF amusement and
the ambition of show, for the sake Of be-
stowing personal attentions upon her in
|iantilc blood !; to see her spend the best
of her days in fashioning thelrmlnds and
manners upon the estmotels, guiding
them with discretion, and allurlng them
TO the love of excellence alike by pre-
cent and example to see this is tn be-
hold one Of the most charming spectacles
that can be furnished any where In this
fallen world.
And what though it be not in the pow
er of such q mother to make Philip
Sidney of her son ? What though nature
have 2 fled her children with no uncom-
mon strength or highness of intellect 7
Yet with the divine blessing, can she have
such influence upon the moral frame OF
their yoans and tender minds, as that
shey shall be disposed To improve their
natural talents, whatever they may be,
and to employ them honorably. The
aenetits, in this respect, which highly
capable mothers might confer on their
children during few of the first years of
their earthly existence, are far beyond
the power Of calculation since those
benefits would likely descend from one
generation to another, down to distant
oosterity. $ Delightful task" In COM
parison of the pure and sublime enjoy
ment which the faithful performance
ives, poor and wretched indeed is the
whole sum of pleasure that can possibly
De extracted from the amendments OF
fashion.
LamentabIe. however, would be the
condition of things in this regard, il Ell.
ther wealth or rank, or superior talents,
or any great degree Of literary acqulr-
.nents. were Indispensable necessary. IN
mother to fit her for the noble and all iin-
oortant task which that relation devolves
lgon her. So far froD it a woman OF
nere plain sense, whose reading entends
but little beyond the divine volume that
contains our holy rel igion, and whose
worldly circumstances ave narrow and E.
ven Indignant. is capable vertheiess,
of comforting unspeakable benefits upon
her little ones. As she is the brst IN
their hearts, so, in their esteem, she IS
the first efwomsn. Her example is their
model they copy her ways they hang
upon her lips. The moral and religious
lore inculcated with material tenderness
by her, they never cutie forget /; and
not subsequently, it is the means OF form
ing their characters for life.
Precious is the mother, whether Of
high or of lev degree, who, in this res
pect. acts The real mother to the best OF
her abilities. Hardly can she tail OF
stamping upon the minds Of her young
fngs some salntary impressions that shall
never be quite effaced. Save the rare
instances OF most unnatural pervefse
aess, their hearts will ever cleave to her
They Will not forsake her when she Is
cid. Their hlial kindness vii sooths
and solace the in6rmitfes and decays OF
her age; and when she is called 40
nut OF the mortal and put on the immor-
tai c)Othing,' the genuine expressions Oh
aAeir hearts will. be, 6 We loved, but not
enough, the,gsntle hand that reared u.s.
Gladly would we recall that soltest friend,
A mother, who'd mild converse 8 faith
full counsel we in vain regret.Hs