Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1835-02-21
From the Ner Monthiy Magazine.
CHILDREN.

y. must be incorrigibly unamiable, who IS not
:, little improved by becoming father. some
there are however, who know not now 10 appre-
ciate the blessings with which PROVIDENCE mas
f;led their culver; who receive win co'oness
sons greeting or daughters kiss, who have
principle enough properly 10 ieeos anu Glo.ne'
md eJuc ate their children to labor Tor their sup
mort and provision, but possess not the a1ec-
hon which turns duty into delight; who are sur.
romnded with blossoms, but know not the art OF
Extracting their exquisite sweets How diHer-
ent is the effect Of true parental love where ma
tnre duty. habit and feeling, combine to con-
sti,ute an affection the purest, the deepest and
shs strongest. the most enduring, the least ex-
acting of any of which the human heart Is capa-
BILE! ..,,s5.r ,h., h.
thinks of the consequences Of family; he may
niciure 10 himself Uttered rooms and injured iur-
niture, imagine the noise and confusion, the ex'
hug himself in his solitude, and pity MS unior-
,nnote neighbor, who has half dozen squalilng
children TO torment and impoverish him.
The unfortunate neighbor, however, returns
the compliment with interest, signs over the
loneliness of the wealthy bachelor, and can ne
Yer see without feelings of regret, rooms, where
No stray plaything tells of the occasional pre-
sence OF a child, gardens where no tiny loot
marx reminds him Of his treasures at home
~. has listened to his heart, and learned from
!, precious secret; he knows how 10 con-
vert noise into harmony, expense IN selfgrati-
fication, and trouble into amusement anu ne
reaps. in one days intercourse win MS iamhy,
!, harvest oflove and enjoyment rich enough to
n.w years of toll and care. He listens eagerly
his threshold for the boisterous greeting he
;s sure 10 receive, feels refreshed oy the mere
Watering sound Of the darlings' feet, as they
hurry to receive his kiss, ana cures oy NOISY
game at romps, the WEAKNESS and neadache
whicb he gained in his intercourse with men.
Rut tits not only to their parents and near con-
nexions that children are interesting ana dehght-
FIJI. they are general favorltes, and their cares
SEES are slighted by none but the strange, the al
facted. or the morose. have indeed, heard
Sns ladv declare that she preferred puppy or
= L;,ten 10 a child, and wondered she had net
sense enough to conceal her want OF womanly
Ssel;ng and know another fair simpleton, who
considers il beneath her to notice those from
,yhom no intellectual improvement can be de-
derived, forgetting that we nave near.s 10 cus;-
uste as well as heads. But these are extraordl-
nary exceptions to general rules, as uncommon
nd astonishing as beard on a lady's chin, or a
pipe in her mouth .;.b .h;,
dren without fear of contempt: and for those
who like to shelter themselves under duthoiNy,
md cannot venture to be wise and happy their
own wav. we have plenty Of splendid examples,
sncient and modern, living and dead, TO adduce,
,vb;ch NAV sanction q love Tor these plgmy
nlavthings. Statesmen have romped with them,
orators told them stories, conQuerors submitted
A their blows Judges, divines, and philosophers
listened to their prattle, and Joined in their
sports.
notwithstanding the infinite rains taken to
.,o;l natures lovely works, there Is a principle
n resistance, which allows Of only partial sue
cass. and numbers of sweet children exist, to
del;ght and soothe, and divert US, when we are
weary and frettcd by grown up people, and TO
;nstify all that has been said or written OF the
Scharms of childhood. Perhaps only women,
their natural nurses and faithful protectresses,
can thoroughly appreciate the attractions OF the
6rst few months of human existence. The
recumbent position, the fragile limbs the le-
thargic tastes, and ungrateful indifference to no.
lice Of a very young infant, render 1t un'nterest,
ing to most gentlemen, except us iatner; ano
he h generally afraid to touch II, lot lear OF
breaking its neck. But even in this state, MOTH
ers, grandmothers aunts, and nurses assure you
that strong indications Of sense and genius
nav he discerned in the little animal; and
hsve known clatter Of surprise and JOY excit-
"a through a whole family and matter afforded
S,r twenty long letters and innumerable ANNA
,ed conversations, by some marvellous demon
.,rat;on of intellect in creature in long clothes,
~, could not hold its head straight
out az soon as the baby has acquired firm
- and liyeliness-as soon as II smiles at IA
,siI;ar face. and stares at strange one-as soon
u. . ar nlovs its hands and eyes in constant ex-
s.sa;,;ans Of discovery. and crows end leaps
49,. ths sxcesses of animal contentment-t
ssanrass an object of undefnable and powerful
;S,.rss, IN which MI the sympathes Of our nature
attsch n,.-an object st once OF curiosity and