Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1829-09-08
YD1o W
POETRY OF RELIGION.

hrs New Monthly, from whlch we nave
-,,oI 4 norton which we think will be
a \ with appreciation by our fair readers:-
,.Tb, most attractive of the lesser influence
.,Tgoo is that upon female character ana
,nG ifs effect upon the former is gene
M. Flowed, though still, rather as an abb
49,, ruth than a rule of practic but upon
a. LATER it is far from being properly appre-
.ol Il IS not TOO much to say that every
SHE manner and every cast OF feature Is
orpored by it. and that rot 10 the eye OF the
.sTrious enthusiast only, but to every eye that
an take pleasure in beauty From the vivid
.oyt Of the belle 10 the stunning eye and
E,f,,bing timidity of the school girl, and this
,i,beul changing or suppressing one essential
b,,,c,eris,ic, there is no form OF loneliness
IA, cl,a,ol does ct heighten and adorn /
nm far from referring now 10 any look Of sane
.mo,lousnc>s or unnatural gravity-larther
nm from commenting tina; entire forgetfuli
! oe,, of every other duty, and that ianatical
,yrlu,iycnesS to religion TO which the enthu-
,,ric nature of woman sometimes leads her.
/ would have no innocent feeling suppressed,
-,timely mirth checked, 10 garety, or motion
If impulse hat a young heart may lead TO
without awakening blush, iettered or stayed.
would have no restraint whatever pat upon
i ,e manner, save such as her own chas;ened
ceilings aud natural taste dictated and approx
4 Z: but leaving it entirely to is native and
,caqtlal impulses, would have sense of
| Col, presence seated in the heart-a mid
I'M, deep sentiment Of religious obligation per-
4 ,ldias every hour OF amusement as well as of
4 My-a remembrance that is neither posi-
i've thought Tor a possible iorgetfulness, 3
n ioltIng consciousness of religious obligation
\ -habllual and constant. do not know that
n can describe the effect Of such feeling =
\ ltdiers with the thousand differences Of man
4 aer and beauty Ii Soi;enS without suppress
( sing the hilarity OF the gay, and dlgni6es the
,imidity Of the young. without removing its
< winning grace. Female manner, itself, is of
all things the most Undesirable, and it would
be vain TO attempt minute description Of an
j influence 50 vanishing and rare upon its thou
sand changes. There is 4 namelcSS something,
however, running through female manner
4 iound wherever 1t is delicate and lovely
something that is not reserve nor coynesS, but
s. It's ike soft shadow in picture, or mist
4 upon still water, or half transparent drapc-
4 ~ upon figure OF graCc-Something. | know
not what, which brca,hes through every mo-
ton and sentiment OF its possesSor, and with
ont which, 10 a refined taste, there can be no
! .Oyeilne>S and no deiicacy-aud this, vanish
ing and rare and understandable as it IS, is he
nvaTab'c gilt OF religOn-the result. had
almost said the Test, OF It's inward influence.
II Hts through the expression of the face like
'>aadJw, aud comes at times over the bright
G2sS OF the eye, aud effects without checking
every change Of color and motion. 1t is nor
le'2aey, hut phantaSm of something like it
mat is purcr; II is not SottneSs, or cheerful
ae>S' or sweet temper, but refinement Of all
'nc>e-.an undehnable essence of grace as
o'ely as It Is nameeSS. How many women
ave seen, who, but for the want of this SIN
H' q4allty, wer' among the brightest and
'e'l OF their SEX. How many who, possessed
o, beauty aud talent and every polite accom-
P1Sanient, passed on unadmired, no one could
e'' though every one felt. why-denied the
meet winch others far less beautiful and tai
eh,cd and accomplished than themselves. were
"'oalnS, and totally unconscious Of defcien,
y which was too subtle to be explained, and
Fmch, when nature has denied it, religion
alone can supply!
And vet this Is but its outward show. 1t
elect upon the character is far more impor
ant and OF far severer beauty The hear
Of woman seems the natural home for reli
Slon, From the ven AMI secluded nature o
erpursuits there is much less to defile its ma
I'VE temple in the soul, and a reader opennes
% ITS entering light, 1t has peculiar ailinit,
with every quality that is desirable in her cha
'acter. ii is infused like a bright color int
2nher native virtues; and her powers of pleas
tnS as well as of usefulness are enhanced in
eomparably, That unwcaried patience, whic
makes sickness almost pleasure with its Ter
DER assiduities-that meek submission 10 sell
Ienlal and want-,hat strange tenacity of al
'eetlon that holds on through all sorrow, an
all adversely, and grows only brighter wit
T'aI-that up-bearing, cheerful. elastic ten
per- which, in JOY and sorrow, is alike read