Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1838-10-03


The following extracts show that the American
Poetess is not altogether confined to poetry, atho
il contains some fine illusions rather poetic. Let
it be read thr ough and thoroughly digested by ev-
cry mother.
From Mrs Sigourney's Letters TO Mothers.
TO MOTHERS-ON HEALTH.
We have all of US seen, with pity and
regret, sickly mother, burdened with
the cares of Ter household. She has felt
that there were employments which no
one could discharge as well as herself,
notifications of duty, in which the inter-
est of her husband, the welfare of her
children, the comfort of the family, were
concerned, which could not be deputed to
another, without loss. Therefore she
continues to exert herself, above and be-
yond her strength.
Still her step is languid, and her eye
ioyless The Esprit indeed is willing,
but the flesh is weak" Her little ones
observe her detected manner and grow
sad. Or, they take advantage of her
want of energy, and become lawless.-
She, herself, cannot long persist in
course of labor, that involves expense Of
health, without some mental sympathy
The most alniabie temper will sometimes
become irritable, or complaining, when
the shrinking nerves require rest, and the
demands OF toll, and the claims upon pain
full thought are perpetual. Efforts, which
10 one in health, are like dew-drops shak-
en- from the eagles wing, seem to the in
valid, like the ascent of the Alps. or like
hesping Pelion upon Ossa.
Admitting that the sickiy woman has
sufficient sel:-control to repel the intrusion
of fretfulness, and preserve subdued e.
quanimity, this, though deserving of praise,
Is falling short OF what she would wish to
attain. The meek look of resignation,
though it may cost her much to maintain,
is not all that husband wishes, who
coming from the vexed atmosphere OF
business or ambition, would TAIN find In
his home, the smile Of cheerfulness, the
nlavful charm of mind at ease. Men
nrize more than we are aware, the health
bsaming countenance, the elastic step, and
all those demonstrations of domestic order,
in which unbroken activity delights. =
They love TO see woman equal to her
own duties, and performing them with
pleasure. They do not like to have the
principal theme of domestic conversation
detail of physical ills, or to be expected
to question like physician, into the varl
etv of symptoms which have superVenec
since their departure. Or if this is ocea
sionallv borne with good grace, where
III health is supposed to be temporary
vet the saddening effects of an enteeblet
constitution, cannot always be resisted, by
him who expected in his wife "yoke
fellow" able to endure the rough roads anc
sharp ascents of life. A nature possessing
great capacities for sympathy and tender
ness, may doubtless be improved b,
the exercise of those capacities. Still tn
good gained, is only from the patient, o
perhaps, the christian endurance Of dis
appointment But where those capacitie
do not exist, and where religious princl
rle is absent, the perpetual influence of
sicklv and mournful wife, is blight VI
ON those prospects which allure men
matrimony. Follies, and lapses into VIC
NAV be sometimes traced to those source
which robe him in gloom.
If 10 father, the influence of continue
i'll health to the partner of his joys is {
dispiriting. how much more oppressive
it 10 those little ones, who are by natu
allied to gladness. Childhood, who
richest heritage is its innocent Joy, mu
hush its sportive laugh, and repress
merry footslep, as if its plays were SINS
Or if the diseased nerves of the mothe
do not habtually impose such sacrifice
it learns from natures promptings TO fas
ion its manners, or its voice, or its coun
nance. after the melancholy model of I
sufferer whom it loves, and SO forfeits
beautiful heritage of young delight.
Those sicknesses to which the most rob
are subject, by giving exercise to self-t
NAL, and offices Of sympathy from all
members of household, are doubtless
ten blessed as the means of improveme
and the messengers which draw nj
closely the bonds of true affection.
But it must be sufficiently obvious, t
1 speak Of that want of constitutional v
or. or of that confirmed feebleness of h
il, which either create inability for the
\ ties. which IN our country devolve upc
"a wife, a mother. and the mistress of ia
", or cause them to be discharged in
guor and wretchedness. And speal
them. that the attention OF those, who {
duct the earliest physical education OF
males, may be quickened to search
evils Of such magnitude may be obvia
Mothers, is there any thing we can
10 acquire for our daughters good co
luton! Is there truth in the sentir
sometimes repeated, that our sex is bee
ing more and more effeminate Are
as capable of enduring hardship as