American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1827-07-17


come over her, as il only to mock her parched and
weary spirit. She recalls the ar lent loves, whose
graces won her from the home of her infancy
the ehraptnrcd father, who bent with such deli.ht
over his newbarn children--and she asks If 5his
can really be him this sunken being, who has no,
thing for her but The tsdisgusting brutality moth
ng for those abashed and trembling children bu; the
sot.s disgusting example! Can we wonder that AMID
these agoaizlng moments, the tender cords of vi
o!ated affection should snap asunders that the
scorned and deserted wife should confess, that
there IS no killing like that which kills the heart ~
that though it would have been hard for her to kiss
to. the last time the cold lips Of her dead husband,
and lay his body forever in the dust, il is harder
to behold him 80 debasing life, that even his death
would be greeted in mercy: Had he died III the
light Of as goodness bequeathins to biz family, the
inheritance Of an. uutarnished name, tile example
OF virtues that should blossom for Ills sons and
daughters from the tomb though she would have
wept bitterly indeed, the tears of grief would net
have been also the tears Of shame. But to behold
him, fallen away from the station he once adorned,
degraded from eminence 20 ignominy--at home.
turning his dwelling to darkness, and its holy en-
dearments to mockery-- abroad thrust iron, the
cninpa:ilonship Of the worthy, a self branded out.
laW--ths IS the woe that lie vile feels Is more
dreadful than death--that she moulns over as
worse than widowhoodan
So lar the picture of the broken hearted wife
The next IS a sadder end darker sketch of soilcJ
loneliness and degraded sweetness.
There is yet another picture behind, from the
exhibition OF which would uillingly be spared. |
have ventured to paiEt these who daily force them.
selves before the world, but there is ore whom
the world does not knoW of--who hides herself
from prying eyes, even in the inncrmos sanctuary
lot the domestic temple Shalt | dare to reni!
the veil that hangs between, ard draw her forth :
the prestess dying amid her u.loy rites.-tba sa.
cr,icer, and the sacrifice o. we compass sea ami
land. we brase danger and death, to snatch the
poor victim Of heather superstition from the burn
ing pie-and It Is well--but shall we not also save
the lovely ones Of our own household, from ilnmo
ating on tins foul altar, not alone the perishins
body, but all the worshipped giaces OF her SEX
the glorious attributes Of hauWed womanhoud
Imaglnation's gioomlest reyerie never cUnceiv-
e, oil More revolving object tnan that OF wife an.
mother sietiing in her own pelsnn the sarest work
OF her God. and setting al naush the holy engage.
ments for which he created her. Her husband
who shall heighten his Joys. ami issipate his
and alleviate his sofrowsg She, who has robbed
him OF all joy, who's the Of his deepest care
who lives his sharpest sorrow ?--These are indeed
the wfe's delights but thes are not hers. He,
chiidren--who shall watch over their budding viz.
tues, ard pluck up the young weeds OF passion and
vice. She IN whose bosom every thing beautiful
has withered, every thing vile grows rank Who
shall teach them to bend their little knees to deyo
ton. and repeat their Saviour's prayer against
$ temptation ~ She, who is herself temptaslon's
fettered slave p These are truly the mothers la
bours-but these are not hers. Connubial love
and maternal tenderness bloom no longer for her
A worm has gnased into her heart. that dies cnl,
with its prey--the worm, Intemperancs."