Western courier. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1837-1838, 1837-06-29
From the Newark Sentinel.
THE MECHANICS WIFE.

In America every mechanic is sup
posed to have, or to be about to have,
wife. The many thousands of these
spouses are divided into sorts. Thus we
have good and bad; very good and very
bad unspeakably good and insufferably
bad and-as sort of par expression
tolerable. 1t is not every good woman
who is good wife nor is it every good
wife who is good wife for the mechanic.
A working man needs working wife;
but as to qualities of mind, manners, and
morals, she cannot run to high IN the
scale. There is an error prevalent con-
cerning this. Giles says, 81 do not want
a wife with tso much sense" Why not!
Psrhaps. Giles will not answer, but the
shrug Of his shoulders answers. "Be"
cause | am afraid she will be an over"
match for me-" Giles talks like sim"
pleton. The unfortunate men who have
their tyrants at home are never married
to women of sense. Genuine elevation of
mind cannot prompt any one, male or fe"
male, to go ont of his or her proper
sphere. No man ever suffered from an
overplus of Intelligence. whether in his
own head, or his wife's.
Hodge says, 81 will not marry girl
who has TOO much manners" Very well,
Hodge: you are right, too much of any
thing is bad. But consider what you say.
Perhaps you mean that fine lady would
not suit you. Very true. l should not de-
sire to see you joined for life to what is
called fine LADY, to wit, woman who
treats ySa as beneath her level, sneers at
your friends, and is above her business
But this is not good manners: Real good
manners, and true politeness, are equally
at home in courts and farm houses. This
quality springs from nature, and is the ex"
preston of unaffected good will. Even
in high life, the higher you go, the sim
pier do manners become. Parade and
fuss of manners are the marks OF half
bred people. True simplicity and native
good will and kind regard for the conven.
ience and feelings of others will ensure
good manners, even in kitchen; and
have seen many vulgar dame in an as"'
sembly, and many gentlewoman in an
humble shed. Nay, your wife must have
good manners.
Ralph declares, Il hope | may never
have a wife who is too strict and moral"
Now. my good Ralph, you talk nonsense.
Who taught you that cant! perceive
YOU do not know what you mean. Are
you afraid your wife will be TOO virtuous!
Bless mel no. Then you rather prefer
a moral wife to an immoral one? surely
Are you afraid then of a religious wife'
'Why something like that was IN my
head; for there is neighbor Smiths vile
who gives him no peace OF his LIE, she is
so reigious.' Let me hear how she be.
hayes herself. Why she is foreverte teach
ing the children out Of the Bible Indeed!
And you. Ralph. are an enemy OF the b,"
Bile? .Oh, no! but then-ahem there is
reason in all things Yes. and the rea-
son you have just given is made to do hard
service. But let me understand you -
Does Mrs. Smith teach the children any
thing wrong? 20 no, but plague 1t all! II
one of them hears Smith let fly an oath.
it begins to preach at him. Then you
wish, when you have children, to nave
liberty to teach them all the usual oaths
and curses, and obscene jokes that are
common. Dear me, Mr.. Quill. you
understand me- Yes, understand you
fully, it is you, Ralph, who do not under,
stand yourself. Look here. Mrs. smith
is so religious that if she proceeds as she