Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1835-06-25
From Turner'S saered History of the World.
MAIDEN LADIES.

politically uSeful QUANTITIES oI the ItudIc ch"i-
acter, our own experience and daily observa-
tion fully attest; but the female nature Is ad-
mrable, independent of these; and II has
been part of the divine system, that 1t should
have its beauties and benefits distinct from
those which result from its social position as
mother. 1t was foreseen by the Creator,
that large portion Of both sexes, and there
fore of women, would in every civilized state,
remain without the connubial assocation.-I
Few or none are willingly so Oh either side
but the artificial and very complicated con-
diton into which property, civilization, and
even enlarging prosperity lead to society,
caused considerable proportion Of every
existing population to live unalicd, in the
single state. This result is evidence, that
the fulflment ofthe purposes of our existence
is as attainable in one form as in the other,
and we may likewise add its happiness, al
though we might prefer to receive the boon
Of comfort rather in the one shape than in the
other. But all can no more command mar
rage than they can command wealth, rank,
or fame, or any specific object depending OH
others. The temporal blessings Of life are
generally to be earned and acquired by time,
and with uncertainty and inequality; so must
those subslsting means, the deficiency OF
which, according to the individual idea OF
comfort, is always the chief cause of any re-
naming unmarried in the young and active
period OF life.
But this single state is no diminution Of
the beauties and the utilities Of the female
character; on the contrary, our present life
would lose many of the comforts, and much
likewise of what is absolutely essential to the
well being of every part of society, and even
of the private home, without the unmarried
female. To how many father-a mother
"A brother, and not less, a sister, is she
both necessity and blessing. How many
orphans have to look up with gratitude to her
care and kindness! How many nephews
and neices owe their young facilities and
improvements to her /! Were every woman
married, the parental home would often, in
declining life, be solitary abode, when af-
fectionate attentions are more precious, and
but from such source not attanable. 1t is
the single class of women which supplies
most of our teachers and governesses; and
from the lower ranks, nearly all the domes-
tic four household come. What vast chan
ges, not promotive of the general happiness
would ensue in every station of life, if every
female married as soon as she was fully
grown! Certainly human life would, in that
case have a different aspect and must be
regulated on new principle, and would lead
to consequences which cannot now be calcu-
lated.
The single woman is, therefore, as impor-
tant an element of social and private happi- /
ness as the married one.-The utilities of
each are different, but both it is vulgar nom
sense, unworthy Of manly reason, and dis
|creditable to every just feeling for to depre-
ciate the unmarried condition.
a ,k,t g IL
glance to what is enteresting, the single lady
is in this respect, not surpassed by the we'd
ded matron. For no small portion OF her life,
think for the whole of it with judicions con-
duct, she is indeed, the most attractive per-
sonage. The wife resigns, or ought to re-
sign, always her claims to general attention;
and to conhne her regards, and wishes, and
objects, to her chosen companion, and domes
tic claims and scenes. She has quilted the
public stage; she has become part Of the
distinct and separated proprictary.-But the
unmarried lady remains still the candidate
for every honorable notice, and Injuries mo-
one by receiving it. Those of the male sex,
who are in the same condition, are at as full
liberty to pay her their proper attentions as
she is to receive them. Being in this posi-
ton as to society at large, she is always in
teresting wherever she goes; and, if she pre-
serves her good temper, her steady conduct,
her modest reputation, undmlnished, and
cultivate her amable, her intellectual and
her truly feminine qualities, she cannot go
any where, in any station of life, without be-
ing an object of interest and pleasurable
feeling to all those of her own circle, with
whom she may choose to be acquainted.
II is only by displaying undue solicitude
for changing her condition, or disappont-
ment at the change not occurring, or pee
vishness which is imputed to such feelings,
or unbecomng attempts to obtain or extort
notice, that she lessons her natural attrac-
tlveness.
1t is for US all never to regret or to covet
what we do not obtain and never to repine
that others have what we do not possess
1t is for us all to use and value, and cultivate,
the happiness which we are possessing, and
not to sigh or crave for those which DO not
come to us.
1t is for us all, to be at all times grateful
to our kindest Provlder, for the daily comforts
with which he is supplying US; and to resign
every thing else to his will and regulation,
and patiently and magnanimously to await
his direction of our state and fortunes.-Then,
every one of us would be enjoying greater
facility from our ordinary life, than we can ex
perience on any other plan.
lie arranges and administers life on this
principle. lie requires us to believe in his
invisible government and guidance of it; to be
always content with his dispositions aud dis
trbution of it, and to be assured, that if we
thus leave it to him, he will from time to time,
place us in condition, and in those crcum-
stances, which will be really the best and
happiest for us.--Let the single ofboth sexes
think, feel and act firmly and perseveringly