Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-01-10

IL
must know, that with tolerable person, very
cood fortune, aud lovers in abundance, | have
particular humor to live and die maid. This
way of thinking, protest. does not arise from
disappointed love; but, Oh the contrary, from my
never having seea any one man, who has been
possessed Of ,hose accomplishments which think
necessary f,r husband.
I proceed now to give You description Of one
whom. not wi hstanding my present humor, would
willingly marry. and reward with fortune OF
ten thousand pounds. To silence the preten.
sions of hose who may suppose that am easily
to BE- carried of, here follows the description Of
the only man in the world that will consent to
marry; and whom shall beg leave to entitle
The Maids Husband
He msst have person graceful and engasng
The features of his face must be regular and
tho regular agreeable; which as yet hard!yre
member TO have seen, having generally observed
that where nature is most exact. she is least En-
gazing. His eyes must be lively, sparkling,
and afiectins; and over the whole face there must
be clear complexion. health, cheerfulncss and
spnsbity. Iii, stature must BIZ inclinins TO The
tall; his motion easy aud genteel, free from the
pert trip of the affected beau, or the naughty
tragic step of the more solemn fnp. His behavior
serious. but natural; ne'rher TOO open, nor too
reserved His look. his laugh, his speech aud
his whole manner must he just without affecta
ton. aud free without leviiy.
Thus much for his person. ! now come to tue
endowments of his mind; without which. grace
beauty. and agreeableness must avail him nothing.
His genius must be fancful: his knowledge ex.
tensive. Men. as we'll as books. must be his stu.
dy. Learning, freedom, and gaiantry must be
50 blendid in lin, as to make him always the i'm.
proving friend, the gay companion. aud the en-.
tertainng lover. In conversation he must say no.
thing with study. nor yet sny thing at random.
His thoughts must flow from him naturally, vet
not without that deicacy Of expression, which is
necessary to give them genteel turn. To the
talents of his mind let me add. iii | may De al.
lowed the Distinction. the qualities Of his soul.
H. must be generous without prodgality: hu
name without weakness; just without severity,
and fond without folly. To his wife he mus be
endearing, to his children affrcionate; to his
friends warm; and To mankind benevolent. Ma.
tnre and reason must juin their powers. and to
the openness Of the heart add the virtue of gro.
nomy; making him careful without avarce. aud
giving him kind of uncOncernedness withpu,
negligence. With love he must have respect;
and by a continued compliance always win upon
the inclination. He must take care to retain his
conquest BY the means he gained it, and eternal.
y look and speak with the sane desires and al.
fectons. thong with greater freedom.
1t has been observed by experienced people, tina.
the soul contracts sort Of blindness by loving;
but the man am speaking OF must derive his sen.
timen,s from reason; and the passion, which in
Others is looked on as the mark Of folly, be in
him the true effect Of judgment.
To these qualities must add that charm, which
is to be considered before all the rest, though
hard to be met with in this libertpe age religion.
He must he devOut without superstition, and pr.
ons without melancholy: far from that infirmity
which makes men uncharitablc blgots. InIusingin.
to their hearts morose contempt Of the world,
and an antipathy even to ITS innocent pleasures
He must not be such lover of society AS I" mix
with the assemblies of knaves and blockhead:,
nor yet of an opinion that he ought to retire from
mankind to seek God in the horror Of solitude;
on the contrary, he must think that the Al nigh.
ty is to be found among men. where his goodness
is most active, and his providence most employ
ed. There it is that religion must enishten. and
reason regulate his conduct, both in the cares Of
salvation, and the duties Of life
With such man woman must enjoy those
pleasures in marriage, which none but fools
would ridicuIe. Her husband would always be
the same, and always pleasing. Other "ives
are glad. if they can now and then find with their
husbands one agreeable hour; but with this a dis
agreeable minute will be impossible. On what
ever occasions We should see or speak to each
other. it must be with mutual pleasure and as
sured satisfaction
Now, sir, let your dressing. scrbblins, hand
some young fellows, whether Of town or country,
Of the law, of trade, or Of whatever honorabs
vocation, who would be glad of woman OF live
and twenty, not disagreeabIe 10 her person, add
with ten thousand pounds in her pocket, read ms
character; and if any Of them will assert and
prove IT to belong to himself, my heart, hand,and
fortune are at his service.
But believe. sir. that instead Of mar. >
have been describing monster Of the imaglna'
ton; thing that neither is, was, nor ever "IIi
be; am therefore resigned to my condiIlon;
and can think, without repining, Of dying mad
land hope an old one.) since am not TO eA'