Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1836-12-08
MISCELLANY.
ON DOMESTIC EMpLOyMEYTc
By MAS. siGnuRSgv

By MAS. SiGnuRSEY
we have been amongst the admirers
oil Mrs. Sigourney as poe,ess, and her
productions as "a prose writer have heioh-
tened our respect. The suLioined ex-
tract Is taken from all essay Of this really
philosophical writer. The essay is adj
dressed to her own sex. but the general
conclusions apply, if possible, with much
more force to the opposite sex, upon
whom The sierner duties Of life depend.
In Soi'ehlng and sweetening the duties
OF private lite, are the obligations less
Binding on men than on women. The
iact is, that it demands exactly the same
amiabie qualities liz every member of
idmiiy, TO make the domestic hearth the
heaven OF happiuess.-Narional Inteili.
gencer.
81 have even thought it desirable that
young ladies should make themselves
the mistresscs OF some attainment, either
III art or science. by which they might
secure subsistence, should thew be re.
duced TO poverty. Sudden and entire
reverses are not uncommon in the histo-
rs OF affluence. To sustain them with
out the means of lessenins the evils of
dependence. when health aud intellect
are at our command, is adding helpless
ness to our own affection and increasing
| the burden of others. When the Illus.
trisns Henry Laurens, by the fortune
OF our war OF revolution was held pris-
oner ~ the Tower OF London. she wrote
to his two daughters, who had been nur.
tured In all the tenderness and luxury of
Carolina wealth ''It is nv duty TO warn
you to prepare for the trial of earning
your daily bread 10y your daily labor.
Fear not servitude; encounter it, if il
shall be necessary. withthe spirit becom-
ing woman of an honest and pious
heart, one who has been neither fashion.
able nor atfectedly religious"
The accomplished Madame de Gen!is
pronounced herself to be in possession OF
thirty trades or varieties Of occupation,
by which she could, if necessary obtain a
livelihood. Ii was wise law Of some
OF the ancient Governments which COM
PEELED every parent to give his son some
trade or profession adequate to his sup
port. Such is now the variety of depart
ments open to females as instructors in
schools and seminaries of their own sex.
that they may follow the impulse OF their
genius in the selection of a study or ac-
complishment, and, while they pursue Il
as pleasure, can still be prepared to
| practice it as profession. Among the
pleasant employments which seem pc.
culiarly congenial TO the feelings of our
sex, the culture of flowers stands conspi-
cuous. The general superintendent of
a garden has been repeatedly found ia
vorable to health, by leading to frequent
exercise in The open air, and that com
mun'Eg with Nature which is equally
refreshing 10 the heart. 1t was labor
ing with her own hands in her garden,
that the mother of Washington was
found by The youthful Marquis de La
iayette, when he sought her blessing, as
he was about TO commit himself to the
ocean, and return 10 his native cline.
Milton, who, you recoliect, was a
great advocate that women should "stu.
dy household good has few more elo-
queht descriptions than those which re-
present our first mother at her floral Toll
amid the sinless shades OF Paradise.
The tending Of flowers has ever an-
peared to me TO be fitting care for the
young and beautiful. They then dwell
as II were among their own emblems.
and many voice of wisdom breathes on
their ear from those brief blossoms TO
which they apportion the dew and the
sun beam. While they eradicate the
weeds that deform, or the excresepces
that endanger them, is there not per-
petoal monition uttered of the work TO
be done in their own heart, From the
admiration ofthese ever-varyng charms,
how naturally is the tender spirit led
upward 10 devotion TO Him, whose
hand nerfnrncr IL. Z %