The native American., 1840-01-01

lFiend IN conversation, the 0her evening, - bUt
in sel~cting awife, should never think Of choos
ing woman of gcnnsH'
sAnd why not inquired. expecting to hca
him advance ,he usual list of objections 10 !tcrar,
womcn-!hcir want of domestic labi,s--ccccn;ri
cities, careeSsncss Of fashion, and the ,housan,
unjust charges urged against class of women as
!!le understood any upon tie face Of the earth
My friend was man of no inconsHerab!e talent
and from him the sentiment seemed strange IN,
ungenerous. II was probably the first time tha
lie had ever been called upon to think seriously
upon the subject. lie seemed puzzled how L
make fitting reply.
| WHY" he said, after moments hesitation
:, my beat< ideals somewhat like that Of Byron.s
My wife should have talent enough TO be able to
understand and value mine, bat not sufficient "a
shine herself. could never love woman WHO
was entirely occupied with literature. want
feeling, affection, devotion to mvsell--a domestic
woman who would think my appreciation suffi-
cient for hel happiness, and would have no desire
for greater admiration. !! could never be happy
with an ambitious woman"
On my return home, the in Justice Of my friend, S
speech haunted me. iIc wanted feeling, aflec-
tion domestic qualities in wife, and, therefore
would not seek one in woman Of genius By
ron's bcaH iReai was as purely a creature Of the
TO have forgotten that to understand and value
talent, is one OF the highest attributes Of genius ;
that no person ever thoroughly appreciated 4 feel.
ing or property Of the intellect which she did
not possess in degree, al least. less selfish
man, instead Of requiring mediocriy and wor-
shipper III the place Of ompanlon, would only
have wished that the beautiful delicacy which ma
ture has implanted in the female mind TO chasten
and refine her genius, should be preserved, and
that in her pursuits and feelings, she should be
romonly and true to her sex.
Pen and paper lay convenient, and in fancy, I
went on discoursing and putting questions, as if
the culprt had been present in person.
Have You been thoroughly acquainted with a
woman of undoubed Geniu5-one who stands
high in any department Of our literature ?--IIaye
you been domestica!ad with one-seen her at all
seasons--enered into the sanctuary CT her
thoughts have you been the brother, husband,
father, or even friend Of one? .......
You say no, and yet withont knowledge decide
that they not fit objects OF domestic affection;
that because certain uncommon powers are grant
! I'd to them by the Most High for his own good
purpose, the common attributes which form the
loveliress and beauty Of womanhood are with
| held. You would hedge them round with re-
spect and reverence, and yet fear to give them
The affection which is to Zone more precious, by
none more thIrstcd for, or more keeniy appgecia-
ted. You would smother the spark which must
kindle in all that is worthy Of love in the genius
of woman. You would build TO her an altar OF
marble, cold as the grave, and bow down youv in
tellect before it in the homage which mind rcn.
dcrs to mind, without one thought that beneath
| her mental wealth affections il proporonate
strength, which gush up at the call Of sympathy,
and nge the mind with hues Of beauty, rs the sun
forms rainbow b. weaving its gh: among The
watcr-drops Of summer shower. Deep AID
sensitive feelings alone give that delicacy and pa.
thos which will ever distinguish the creations OF
a truly feminine author from those ofmcn The
very word genius comprchcnds all that makes the
loveiness Of woman. 1t signifies but the power
to feel, deeply combined will! an intellect capa-
BILE Of embodying feelings into language. and OF
conveying images Of truth and beauty from the
writer TO the heart Of the reader. Why then
should you relue to gather the mantle Of dome s.
tic love about the woman of genius .,
Ambitious, they? Else why do they write
why publish?
| why do they write? Why does the bird snn
but that its little heart is gushing over with melo-
dy? Why does the flower blossom but that il
| has been drenched with dew, and kindled up by
the sunshine, till its perfume burst It's petals ant
/ lavishes its sweetness on the air! Why does the
! artist become reSNeS win yearning want as lht
creatures Of his fancy spring 10 life beneath Iii:
pencil? When his ideal has taken TO itself The
form of beauty, docs he rest till some kindred
EYE has gazed with lis upon The living canvass
His heart is full of a strange joy, and he woIIt
timrart something Of that joy to another. Is hi.
vanity? No, it is beautiful desire for sy,l pa
thy. no feeling may pcttake Of a love Of praise
but it is one which would he degraded by III.
lille Of ambition.
Ask any yomau Of genius why she writes
and she will tell you it is because she cannot he!
il; that there are times when power which sh
can neither comprehend nor resist, impe!s her /
the sweet exercise OF her intellect: that at sue
moments, there is happiness in the very exertio
IA thrilling excitement which makes the actio
OF thonght " its own exceeding rcwasd' - til;
her heart is crowded with feelings which pant fc
language and for sympathy, and thai IDEAS gus
up from the mind unsought and uncaed for, q
waters leap from their ount when the earth
deiugcd with moisture. am almost certain th;
the most bc#U,iIul things which enrich orr liter;
urc. have sprung to life from tic sweet, igrcsis
bic impulse for creation, which poryaded the l!ea
Of the author without motive and without ain.