Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1819-07-20


softer Sex, and give such intrepidity and
elevation 10 their character, that at times
il approaches to sublimity. Nothing can
be more touching than TO behold soft and
tender female, who had been all weakness
and dependence, and alive to every trivial
roughness while treading the prosperous
paths of life. suddenly rising in mental
force, to be the comforter and supporter OF
her husband, under misfortune, and abid-
ing, with unshrinking frmness, the bitter
est blasts of adversely.
As the vine which has long twined its
graceful foliage around the cak, and been
lifted by il into sunshine. will, when the
hardy plant is rifled by the thunderbolt,
cling round il with its caresslng tendris,
and bind up its shattered boughs; so is it
beautifully ordered by Providence, that
woman, who is the mere dependant and
ornament Of man in his happier hours.
should be bis stay and solace when smitten
with sudden calamity, winding herself in
to the rugged recesses of his nature, ten
DERBY supporting the dropping head, and
binding up TIE broken heart.
was once congratulating friend, who
had around him blooming family, knit
together in the strongest affection. " can
wish you no better lot, said he, with en-
thusiasm, than to have wife and chill
dren-if you are prosperous, there they
are to share your prosperity if otherwise,
there they are to comfort YOU" And, in
deed, have observed that married men
falling into misfortune, are more apt to re-
trieve their situation in the world than sin
gle men partly because they are more
stimulated to exertion by the necessities of
the helpless and beloved beings who de-
pendupon them for subsistence {; but chief
ly because their spirits are soothed and re-
lieved by domestic endearments, aud their
sell respect kept alive by finding, that tho
all abroad is darkness and humiliation, yet
there is still little world of love, Of which
they are monarchs. y hereas single man
is apt 10 run TO waste and self neglect; 10
fancy himself lonely and abandoned, and
his heart to fall TO ruin like some deserted
mansion, for want of an inhabitant.
These observations call TO mind little
domestic story, Of which was once wit
ness. My intimate friend, Leslie, had
married beautiful and accomplished girl,
who had been brought Up in the midst of
fashionable life. She had, it is tgue, no
fortune, but that of my friend was ample
and he delighted in the anticipation of in
duiging her in every elegant pursuit, and
administering to those delicate tastes and
fancies, that spread a kind of witche:y
about the sex.-" Her life," said he,
" shall be like fairy tale"
The very difference in their characters
produced an harmonious combination be
was OF romantic, and somewhat serious
cas-; she was all life and gladness. |
have often noticed the mute rapture with
which lie would gaze upon her in company,
of which her sprishtly powers made her
the delight; aud how, in the midst of ap-
plause, her eye would still turn to him, as
If there alone she sought favor and accep-
lance. When lesning on his arm, her STEM
der form contrasted finely with his tall,
manly person. The fond, confding air
with which she looked up to him, seemed
TO call forth flush Of triumphant pride and
cherishing tenderness, as if he doated on
his lovely burthen for its very helplessness.
Never did couple set forward on the
Aowery path of early and well suited mar
risge with failer prospect Of felicity.
1t was the mishap of my friend, howe
yer, to have embarked his fortune in
large .pecuiations and he had not been
married many months, when, by success
sion OF sudden disasters, it was swept
from him, and he found himself almost re-
duced to penury., For time he kept his
situation to himself, and went about with
a haggard countenance, and breaking
heart. His life was bu, protraeted ago
ny and what rendered it more insup-
portable, was the necessity CT keeping up
smile in the presence of his wife tor
he could not bring himself to overwhelm
her with the news. She saw, however,
with the quick eyes of Affection, that all
was not well with him. She marked his
altered. looks and stiAed signs. and was