The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-05-15
a-7H4 -
MISCELLANEOUS.
From The Knickerbocker
THE EVENING BEFORE THE WEDDING.

From The KniekerJocker
THE EVENING BEFORE THE WEDDING.
FROM THE GERMAN OF zscuoKKE.
We shall certainly be very happyn said
Lady Louise 10 her aunt, the evening before
her marriage; and her cheeks wore brighter
hue, and her eyes were radiant with inward
joy. Every one knows who young bride
means, when she says 'me'
do nj doubt il, Louise replied her aunt
and only hope that your happiness may be
enduring
Fear not for its continuance. know
myself, dear aunt, and know, that whatever
faults now possess, my love for him will
correct. As long as we love, we must be
happy; and onr love can never change
All" sighed her aunt, you SPEAK like a
girl OF nineteen, on the eve of marriage, with
the exhilaraiiDn Of satisfied wishes, the in-
toxication Of bright hopes, and fond expecta-
tons, But remember, my beloved child, that
even The hear, grows old. The day will come,
when the enchanlment will be broken, the
illusions Of love dispersed. When The beauty
and grace that charmed us is gone with the
freshness of youth, then is it first evident
whether we are truly worthy Of love- Sha-
dows are ever the attendants of sunshine,
even in domestic life. When they fall, then
can wife first know whether her husband is
truly estimable; then can the husband first
know whether the virtues of his wife are i'm
perishabIe. The day before marriage, all
anticipate ms and protestalions are 10 me
ridiculous
understand you, aunt; you mean that it
is only mutual virtue that can preserve mutual
affection and happiness. As for myself |
will not boast; but is he not the best, the
modest? Is he not possessed of every quail
~ necessary TO insure the happiness of life :
My child replied her aunt, acknow-
ledge that you are right; without nattery, |
lent But your blooming virtues have been
kindly nurtured in sunshine. No flowers de-
ceiye like these. We know not how they
can bear the storm; we know not in what
soil they take root neither know we what
seed is hidden in the heart
Alas dear aunt, you make me fearful
SO much the better, Louise; | would that
some good might result from this evenings
conversation | love you sincerely, and will
tell you what have prooea | am not yet an
old aunt an austere, bigoued woman. At
seven-and-twenty, | look cheerfully upon life,
| have an excellent husband, and happy
family therefore you will not consider what
say Us the splenatc illusions Of disappoint-
ment will tell you secret of something
which few speak to lovely young maiden ;
something which occupies lutte of The a'len-
ton of young men and yet something OF the
highest Importance to all, and from which
eternal love and indestructible happiness alone
proceed
Louise pressed the hand of her aunt,
she said : | know what you would say, and
| certainly believe with you, that continued
happiness and enduring love are not the result
of accidentor perishable attractions; but of the
virtues of the heart, the graces Of the mind.
These are the best marriage treasures that we
can gather they never become Old
'Ah, Louise the virtues can become old
and ugly, like the fading charms of the face
Alas, dear aunt say YOU so 2
Name me one virtue that cannot become
disagreeable or hateful with years
Surely, aunt, the virtues are not mortal z
Even son
Can mldness and gentleness ever become
odipus'
When, with time, they become weakness
and indecision
'And manly spirit?'
Becomes rude defiance
And modesiy-discre,ion 2
Prudery-reserve.'
And noble pride z
Arrogance and presumption
And wish to please ?
Becomes sycophanoy, and cringing for
the appreciation Of all men,
My dear aunt. you make me almost angry
My future husband, however, can n'per 50
degenerate One thing will keep him from
all by-paths his own noble mind, his deep
and indelIible love for all that is great, and
good, and beautiful. This delicate percep.
ton think | also possess and il Is to me
an innate security for our happiness
And when This changes to a vitions OIL
sickly sensibiIi,y! My child, believe me
sentimentalitv is the true marriage fiend.
speak not of your sentiment for each other
that may God preserve; but Of a sen'imen
tally which may make you a ridiculous %
quarresome woman. DO you know thu
Countess Slamnern ?
Who separated from her husband yea
or two aeor
Yes; do you know the true cause of ihei
separation
NO there has been so many contradictor,
reports
She told me herself; and as the story i
both amusing aud instructive, | will repeat
TO YOU
| Louise was all curiosity, and her aunt pro
| ceeded.