Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1836-08-18

BEAUTIFUL TRIBUTE TO THE MEMO
RY OF A DECEASED WIFE.

The following was addressed by Sir
James Mcintosh, one Of the first men
Of the age for intellectual greatness, to
friend. The instance which he so
touchingly describes does not stand a.
lone. but will find many a parallel a.
mong mankind, not alw avs in the par
ticular character of the improvement
effected, blu, still an improvement which
has most important influence upon
the whole life Of the individualt to whom
it is impaired.
ALLOW me, in justice to her memo.
ry. to tell you what she was. and what
owed her. Twas guided in nv choice
only by the blind affection of my youth.
found an intelligent companion, and
tender friend, prudent moni,ress,
the most faithful of wives, and a mother
as tenoer as children ever had the
misfortune to lose. met a woman
who. by the tender management of nv
weaknesses, gradually corrected the
most pernicious of them. She became
prudent from affection; and though Of
the most generous nature, she was
taught frugality and economy by her
love for me. During the most critical
period OF my liie.. she preserved order
in my affairs, from the care OF which
she relieved me. She gently reclaim
ed me from dissipation; she propped
my weak and irreSolu,e nature; she
urged my Incidence TO all the exertions
that have been useful or creditable TO
me, and she was perpetually at hand TO
admonlsh my heedlessness and impro-
violence. To her | owe whatever
am; TO her whatever ] shall be. In
her solicitude for my interest, she ne
yer for moment forgot my feelings or
my character. Even in her occasional
resenrments, for which but too often
gave her cause would To- God I could
recall those moments) she had no sui
lenness or ac:imony. Her feelings
were warm and impetuous, but she
was placable, tender and CONSTANT
Such was she whom | have lost: and |
have lost her when her excellent natu-
raj sense was rapidly improving. after
eight years Of struggle and distress had
bound Us fast to each other-when a
knowledge OF her worth bad refined nv
youthful love into friendship, before
age had deprived it Of much of its orr
ginal ardour. | lost her, alas (ihe
choice Of my youth and the partner Of
my misfortunes) at a moment when I
bad prospect of her sharing my better
DAYS.
1.-The philosophy which | have learnt.
only teaches me that virtue and friend
ship are the greatest ofhuman blessings,
and that their loss is irrepsrable. II
aggravates my calamity, instead Of con-
soling me under il. Ny wounded heart
seeks another consolation. Governed
by these feelings which have in every
age and region OF the world actuaied
the human mind, seek relief. and
find 1t, in the soothing hope and consol-
atory opinion, that benevolent wisdom
inflIcts the chsstisement, as we'll as be-
slows the enjoyment Of human life; that
experimenting goodness will one day
enlighien the darkness which surrounds
our nature, and hangs over our pros
poets; that this dreary and wrstobed
life Is aot the whole of man: that an
animal so spacious and proyident,
and capable Of such proficiency in
science and virtue is no. like the beasts
that perish; that there Is a dwelling
place prepared for the spirits Of the
just, and that the ways Of tod will
yet be vindicated TO man. The sen.
timents Of religion, which were implant.
ed IN my mind IN my early youth and
which were revived by the awful scenes
which | have seen passing before my
eyes m the world, and trust deeply
rooted IN my heart by this great Gala
NIFTY"