Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1829-04-06

ambiguous levi,y, instead OF showing manly
respec, and reverence for the place they are m
For my part, Mr. Editor, when l observe such
conduct in individuals, do not know whether
most 10 pity or despise them-since, in my OPT
MON, il argues strongly either a want OF undei-
standing, and proper sense Of whose pre-
sepce they are in, or ii exhibits depraved
mind and corrup, heart. When we consider
that happiness is the primary object Of the
pursuits Of man, and tina, all his energies and
talents are put in requistion TO obtain IL
when we consider, likewise, that we are mutu-
ally dependent upon each other, and that true
and solid eDjoyments, in the various relations Of
life, depend upon the just and proper adapta-
ton OF the qualities Of our hearts and minds 10
those which We may be called to sustain IN our
progress through life-we cannot but look up
on them either as wifully giving up the pur'
suit, or deplora5ly ignorant OF the way. lspeak
now Of that happiness which we are permitted
10 enjoy in this world, without taking into con-
sidera,ion that which is the peculiar offspring
Of religion.
The man or woman who Looks forward 10
happiness in the married stae-one OF the
mos, important relations OF life-can certainly
ground no reasonable expectations Of enjoying
il, upon a connexion with those whose minds
are monopolized by fashion and drrss-who re-
gard the adjustment Of apparel and the attrac-
lions Of beauty more than the cultivation OF the
virtues of the heart and the powers OF the un-
derstancing. They may, for season, and a
shsrt one, mistake the SHADOW. for The substance,
and cherish the phantom when real happiness
is beyond thei: reach Blazonry and show at
ford bu, ephemeral qualifications and when
they succeed most, are the most 10 be despised.
They may strike The eve, but can never reach
the heart and where the heart is not interest,
ed, no solid and permanent happiness con be
experienced, nor enjoymen, felt Are such
they who in affiic,on, can console, and, In The
dark hour of adversely, when dislresses thicken
and when friends are gone, can render The cup
Of bitterness supporisbie? Oh no. When
that beauty which they so highly priced shall
have yielded 10 the whitening touch OF Time,
and when propitious Fortune shall have re-
plumed her wings, and sped her flight beyond
their reach, they have nothing in store which
can soften affIic,ion or alleviate woe. That
principle Of lbe mind and The affections which,
a, first, with proper culture, might have pro-
duced the most bene6cent results, has been per-
yer,ed TO the worst Of purposes, aud, III the
rounds Of folly and dissi patton, completely an
initiated.
Virtue and sense are TO be priced Tor thern-
selves, because they alone can contribute to The
rational felicity Of man, Wills, in This state OF
probation. They do not require the aid OF or
nament and dress-on the contrary, they are
loveles, when seen through Natures garb. 1t
too often happens that they who give their at
,en,ion TO the adornmrnl Of the exterior, have
nothing within to recommend them. Like
gorgeous pageaJt, their worth is in their out
side show. The glitter Of the exterior may
dazzle, but cannot deceive, the man Of sense.
He will require something more, in the object
Of his affections, Than that which cat only at
tract the eye, and which the wealthy ideoi and
the poor wretch fom the brolhel, Ia common,
possess.
will close my observations by remarking.
that, Whatever men may say, and whatever their
conduct may be, provided they are what The
world calls meh Of intellect, a more charming
and attractive picture Of female character can.
not be presented TO them, than modest devotion
in beauty, and sensibiliity in loveliness-where
all the virtues Of the heart and powers Of the
mind spring up under the liberal and genial
influence Of religious instruction. y.