The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1826-11-09
MtoeeIldmp.
FRoa THE " SKErcK Book"
THE WIFE.

Inc trea5ufc6 OF the deep ara not 80 prOCIouB
As are tho concealed comforts Of a man
Lock'd up in woman's love / scent the air
Ofbossngs, when come but near the house
What adolicious breath marriage sends forth
The violot's bed not sweeter .MiddlCton.
have often had occasion TO remark the for.
titude with which women sustain the most o.
vorwhcming revorscs Of fortune. Those dis
astcrs which break down tho spirits of man,
and PROSTATE him in the dust, sOom TO call
forth all the energies Of the soitor sex and give
such intropid;y and elevation TO their charac-
ter, that at times approaches TO sublirnity.
Nothing can be more touching than 10 behold
a soft and tender female, who has boon all
weakness and dependence, and alive TO every
trivial roughness while treading the prosper.
Gus paths Of life, suddenly rising in mental
force to DO the comforter and supporter of her
husband, under misfortune, and abiding, with
unshrinking firmness, the bittorest Blasts of
adversely.
AS the vine which haslong twined its grace
fu foliage around tho oak, and been lifted by
IL into sunshine, will, whep the hardy plant is
rilted by the thunderbolt, cling arouud IL with
its carcssng tcndrils and biad up it's shstteT-
cd boughs so it is beautifully ordered by
Providence, that woman, who is tho mere de.
pendant and ornament of man In bis happier
hours, should bo his stay ard solace when
smittcn with sudden calamity, winding herself
into the rugged rccosscs of his nature, tender
~ supporting the dropping head, and binding
up tho broken heart
was once congratulatirg friend, who had
round him a blooming family, knit toget ther in
the strongest affection. can wish you no
better lot" said he, with enthusiasnI, "tlan to
have a wife and childrcn--if you are prosper
ous there they are TO share your prospo rity T;
II otherwise, there they are 20 comfort you ="
And, indeed, have observed that married
man falling into misfortune, is more apt TO re-
trieve his situation in tho world than single
man partly, because he is more stimulated TO
oNortion by tho necessities of the helpless and
beloved beings who depend upon HIM for sub.
sstence but chiefly, because his spirits are
soothcd and rcliovedby domestic endcarmonts,
and his self respect kept alive by finding, that
though all around is darkness and humiliation,
yet there is still little world of love, of which
hc il the monarch Whereas n single man is
apt TO run to waste and self neglect to fancy
himself lonely and abandoned, and his heart to
fall to ruin like some deserted mansion, for
want of an lnhabitant.
These observations call 10 mind little do
mcstic story, of which was once witness
NV intimate friend, Leslie, had married a
beautiful and accomplished girl, who had been
brought up in the midst of fashionable life
Sho had, il is true - fortune, but that of my
ticipaion of indulgng her in every elegan,
pursuit, and administering to those delicate
tastes and fancies, that spread n kind of witch.
CRY about the sox. |" Her life, said he, "shall
be like fairy tale"
The very difference in their characters pro-
duccd an harmonious combination he was OF
u romantic, and somewhat serious cast she
was all life and gladness. have often motto
cd the mute rapture with which he would
gaze opon her in company, of which her
sprightly powers made her tho delight and
how in tho midst OF applause her ego would
stlll turn to his, as if thore alone she sought
favor and acceptance. When leaning on hes
arm, her slender form contrastcd finely with
his tall, manly person. The fond eouiiding air
with which she looked up 20 him secuted 10
call forth flush of triumphant pride and cher
ishing tenderness, as it he doated on his love
ly burden for its very helplcssnoss Never did
couple set forward on tho iowcry path OF
early and wcil snitcd marriage with iiIifer
prospect Of felicity.
II was the mishop ofmy friend, however, Ia
have embarked his fortune in large spccula-
tlons and he had not been married many
months, when by succession Of suddc disas-
tcrs il was sweptfrom him, and he found him
sell reduced almost tn pcnury. For time hO
ke'' his situation 10 himself, and went about
with n haggard countenancc, and breaking
heart Ills life was but a pro,racted agony
1na wha, rendered IL more nsupportablo, was,
the necessity of Keeping up smile in the pre-
sence Of his wife for he could not bring him
sell W overwhclm her with the news. She
saw however, with thc quick eye ofaffcction.
TINT an was not well with him. She marked
his altered looks and sliflcd signs, and was not
10 be deceived by his sickly and vapid attempts
al cheertunosS She tesked all her sprigbily
powers aud tender Establishments to win NJ :
back to happiness bu, she only drove the
row deeper into his soul Tho moro he st..
nausc 10 1--we her. the more ,oriuring was a..
thought thai hc WAS soonto make her wretch.