The native American., 1838-07-14


other natural scenery in the world.
From The Ladies Garland .'a
MORAL INFLUENCE OF TIE WIFE ON
THE HUSBAND.
Every wife has it in her power to make her
husband either better or worse This result is
accomplished, not merely by giving advice and
instruction alone Both these haze their inllu-
ence; and as means of improvement should not
be neglected But it is by the general tone and
tenor Of her conversation, manlesting the temp
er and disposition of the heart, that she makes the
most abiding impressions. These are modifying
his character daily and hourly; sometimes even
when absent.
1t has been said of the wife of Jonathan Ed
wards, that by enabling him to put forth his pow
er unembarrassed, she conferred greater benefit
upon mankind, than all the female public char
acters that ever lived or ever will live. similar
remark might be applied to the mother Of almost
every great and good man. Woman's true great
ness consists, SO it seems to me, in rendering
others useful, rather than in being directly useful
herself. Or in other words ii is less her office to
be seen and known in society, than to make others
seen and known, and their influence felt
might give numerous examples and illustra-
ions Of the principle am endeavorng to sustain,
4
speak of the mother and the wife of Washing
ton, of the mother of Dwight Franklin, Wilber-
force, Whiteteld, Timothy, and hundreds Of
Others; for it was by the exercise of the duties
not only Of the mother, but of the wife, that these
lfiustrious characters were brought forth to the
world; but | will conine myself to single in
stance; and that one in which the influence upon
the husband was direct. 81
The case to which refer, is that of Sir James
Macintosh, whose fame as a jurist statesman,
and writer, is well known, not only in Europe
and America, but in India; and whose efforts in
the cause Of science and humanity, have rarely
been equalled. Few men have done more.
through the progress of a long life, than he; and
few have, at any rate, been more distinguished for
extensive learning, large views, and liberal prn-
clples, in law. politics, and philosophy; but es-
pecally i'll his favorile department of the law It'll
was he ofwhom Sir Walter Scott said on GER
tain OCCASION that he made 8 the most brilliant
speech ever made, at bar or at FORUM Yet this
great man, if we may believe his own story, owed
no small share Of his greatness to the assistance
and influence Of. his wife. Ofthis, the following
extract from a letter of his, to friend. describ-
ing her character, after her decease will be mos,
abundant proof. The last clause Includes it will
be seen, passing tribute ~ another person-pro-
badly his mother--which doubles the value Of the
extract have made in exhibiting the influence Of
two females IN the formation of character instead
Of but one.
Allow me, in justice to her memory, to tell
what she was, and what | owed her. was eui-
ded IN my choice only by the blind affection Of
my youth. found an intelligent companion,
and tender friend, prudent moniress the most
faithful Of wives, and mother as tender as chill
dren ever had the misfortune to lose. I met
woman who, by the tender management of nv
weaknesses, gradually corrected the most PERM
cous OF them She became prudent from a1ec
ton; 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 life. |
she preserved order i'll my affairs, from the cares
Of which she relieved me. She gently reclaim
ed me from dissipation; she propped nv weak and
lrresolute natures she urged my incidence to all the
eXertlons that have been useful or crelitabe to
me, and she was perpetually at hand to admo-
nIsh my heedlessness and improvidence. TO her
owe whatever am; to her whatever | shall be
In her sollctude for my interest she never for a
moment forgot my feelings or my character
Even IN her occasional rescntmen,s, for which
but too often gave her cause, (would to God
could REGAL these moments,) she had no snlIen-
ness or acimony. Her feelings were warm and
lmpetuous but she was placable, tender and con
slant.
Such was she whom have lost, and have
loSl her when her excellent natural sense was ro
P'o,s improving, alter eight years Of strurple
a'u distress had bound MS fast to each other when
a knowledge Of her worth had refined nv you,h-
ui ,oVe INTO friendship, before age deprived il of
much OF It's original ardor. lost her. alas. nbe
cliolce ol my yoath and the partner Of nv misfor-
tlnes,) at moment when had prospect Of her
sharing my better days"
Who-What wiie, especialy--can read these
paragraphs without feeling desire enkinded with
in her to be distinguished iii the world. not SO
much in her own name as by her influence on her
husband and family, and through them on others,
ohe then becomes not so much the instrument of
human melioration, as the moving agent.
me memory fhc dedd.-The ancients had il that no
corpse nor even the ashes of he dead should be embark
81 on voyage with the living for fear Of the storms that
wouu pc sure 10 follow. We have learned better and
sow 'a' 10 De accompanied our voyage through life
p'eS ca'm' ana not storm. lie who always feels one
loss Is rendered by IL less