The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1837-09-12
THE Welded LEE.
RY MRS. STANFORD.


eyuerieuces. However intensely we may nave
studied the character of our afianced, however
well VIC may have imagined we know it in all
its narrow wndngs, still shall we find when we
become wives, that we have yet something 10
learn. BY sections is the affection on either sde
shown, and although it is in the power ana ma
mre of woman to manifest her devotedness
and tenderness by thousand little attentions
she must not repine if she receive not the Ike
The feelings of the other sex arc not so soft
and exquisite as those Of orr own; if they were
we might possibly be happier, and we may tor
moment wish they were so, but we should re-
strain so selfish desire, if we reflect how much
more unfit they would be by such constitution
to bear the crosses and bullets of the world; and
we should rejoice that they do not possess our
keener sensibilities, and rest contented with our
lot, refusing to increase, at their expense, hap
pnoss which, if not quite meeting our ideas OF
perfection, does so sufficiently 10 make us blest.
1t is said that lovers Quarrels arc but the re-
nowa of love, but it is not so in truth. Contn-
ued differences and pickering will undermine
the strongest affection, and wife cannot be
too careful TO avoid disputes upon the most trivial
subjects: indeed, it is the every day occurrences
which try the love and empers of married life
great occasions for quarrels seldom occur. Eve
ry wish, every prejudice, must meet with atten-
ton, and tho first thought of woman should be
the pleasing and providing for her husband. 1t
is impossible TO cnuneratc all the little incidents
that may annoy married men, or the little unob-
trusivc pleasure which it is in the power OF
wife to give but throughout her life, in her en-
ployments and in her amuscmcnts, she must ever
bear his pleasures on her mind. She must act
for him in preference TO herself, and she will
be amply rewarded by Witnessing his delight in
her at home. To a woman who loves her hus-
band with all the devotedness of her nature, this
will be pIeasure---not u task; and to make hi n
happy, she will never. grudgc any sacrifice of
self.
The greatest misery woman can experience
is the changed heart and alienated affections of
her husband, but even in that painful cnse she
must not relax in the performance Of her duties.
She must not upbrad she must bear with forti-
Jude and patience her great disappointment; she
must return good for evil to the utmost, and her
consolation will be the consciousness that her
trials have not their rise or continuance in any
dereliction of affection or duty on her part
Some women, in order TO win back the hus-
bands wandering love, have recourse to attempts
to arouse his jealousy, but they are much mis-
taken in pursuing such method. A man, how
ever debascd his conduct, never forgets the love
he once bore the pride of his youth; there are
moments when feelings of tenderness for her
will return with force to his heart and to reap
the benefits of such moments the injured, for
| giving wife must still be enshrined in the purity
of former times. A husband will excuse his falt
to himself and in some measure also stand ex-
honorated to the world if the wife relax in the
propriety of her conduct, while, on the contrary,
the gentle torbearance, the accomplishing pa
tiencc, and unobrusive rectitude of the wo-
man he injures will deeply strike to his heart,
and do much to win him back TO his former love-
and to the observance of the vows he breathed
at the altar when his heart was devoted to the
being from whom it has wandered. A kind
look, an aff9ctionate expression half uttered must
bring his wife to his side, and she must, with
smiles of tenderness, encourage the returning
affection, carefully avoiding all reference to her
sufferings, or the cause of them.
This will not he difficult for vlrtuous women
to perform. Our love, which, before marriage
is constrained by the modesty and reserve natu-
raj to our sex, increases i'll lervency and depth
afterwards:-lt enables us to bear unfet the
worlds scorI,-all is swallowed up in it. An
atfectlonate wife clings to her husband through
poverty and riches; and the more the world re-
codes from, the more firmly will she stand bv
him; she willbe his friend when no others come
near hm.-she will be his comforter when MI
other worldly comforts have slid from him. Her
devotedness will be his rock when he has M
other support; she will smile at the frowns ofthe
world; she will not heed its censllres-he is her
all, and in love are all other feelings forgotten or
absorbed. No sacrifice will be too great--tbe
taintest smile will be a reward too little; Quick
at feeling unklndness, we are also quick at feel.
ing tenderness and very triling circumstance
is s"ihcIent to awaken or to still the pain of our
hearts, ana bring us misery or happiness