The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-09-28


Lockd up in woman's love. | scent the air
vi blessings when come but near the house.
What delicious breath marriage sends forth!
4 The violet bed 9 not sweeter.
MIDDLETON
/ | have often had occasion to remark the forti.
tude with which women sustain the most over
wheming reverses of fortune. Those disasters
winch break down the spirit Of man, and pros
traie him in the dust, seem TO call forth all the
energies of the softer sex, and give such ntre-
pdity and elevation 10 their character, that al
times il approaches to sublimity Nothing can
be more touching than to behold soft and ten
der female, who had been all weakness and de-
pendence, and alive to every trivial roughness,
while treading the prosperous paths of life, sud-
denly rising in mental force 10 be the comforter
and supporter of her husband under misfortune,
and abiding with unshrinking frmness the Bit
terest blasts of adversely.
As the vine, which has long twined its grace
full foliage about the oak, and been lifted by il
into sunshine, will, when the hardy plant is rift
ed by the thunderbolt, cling around il with its
caressing tendris. and bind up its SCATTERING
boughs; so il is beautifully ordered by Provi-
dence that Woman, who is the mere dependant
and ornament Of man in his happier hours
should be his stay and solace when smi,ten with
sudden calamity winding herself into the rug
ged recesses of his nature, tenderly supporting
the dropping head. and binding up the broken
heart.
Twas once congratulating friend who had
around him blooming family, knit together in
the strongest affection. i can wish you no
better lot" said he, with enthusiasm, ethan to
have wife and children. If you are prosper
Gus, they are 10 share YOU prosperity. If other
wise, they are to comfort you. And, indeed
have observed that married man falling into
misfortune is more apt 10 retrieve his situation
IN the world than single one ; partly because
he Is more stimulated TO exertion by the neces.
sites Of the helpless and beloved beings who
depend upon him for substance but chiefly, be-
cause his spirits are soothed and relieved BY do
nestle endearment, and his self-resrect kept
alive by finding that, though all abroad is dark
ness and humiliation, yet there is still little
world OF love ut home, of which he is the mon
arch. Whereas, a single man is apt to run TO
waste and self-neglect-to fancy himself lonely
and abandoned, and his heart to fall to ruin, like
some deserted mansion for want Of an inhabit-
ant.
Thes g., 9QbsegYatjQps call to mind LIN De.
NV intimate friend, Leslie, had married beau
tiful and accomplished girl, who had been brought
up in the midst Of fashionable life. She mad, 1t
is true, no fortune, but that of my friend was
ample; and he delighted in the anticipation Of
indulging her in every elegant pursuit. and adj
ministering to those delicate tastes and fancies
that spread kind of witchery about the sex.
Her iife,n said he, shall be like fairy tale"
The very difference in their characters pro-
duced harmonious combination; and was OF a
romantic and somewhat serious class she was
all life and gladness. | have often noticed the
mute rapture with which he would gaze upon
her in company Of which her sprightly powers
made her the delights; and how, in the midst of
applause, her eyes would turn to him, as If there
alone she sought for favor and acceptance
When leaning on his arm, her slender form con-
trasted finely with his manly person., The fond
confdng air with which she looked up to him
seemed to call forth flush of triumphant pride,
cherishing tenderness, as II he doated on his
lovely burthen for its very helplessness. Never
did couple set forward on the fiowery path OF
early and well suited marriage with fairer pros
pect of felicity.
1t was the misfortune of my friend, however,
to have embarked his property in large specuia-
tons and he had not been married many
months, when by succession OF sudden DIS
asters il was swept from him, and he found HIM
self reduced to almost penury. For time ne
kept his situation to himself, and went about
with haggered countenance and breaking
heart. His life was but a protracted agony and
what rendered il more insupportabe was the
necessity of keeping up smile in the presence
of his wife; for he could not bring himself to
oyerwhelm her with the news. She saw, how
ever. with the quick eye Of affection, that all
was not well with him. She marked his alter
ed looks, stifed sighs and was not to be deceiv-
ed by his sicky and vapid attempts OF cheerful
ness She tasked all her sprightly powers and
tender Establishments to win HIM back 10 happi-
ness but she only drove the sorrow deeper into
his soul. The more he saw cause TO love her,
the more torturing was the thought that he was
soon 10 make her wretched. A little while,
thought he, and the smile will vanish from that
cheek-that song will die away from those lips
the lustre of those eyes will be quenched
with sorrow-and the happy heart which now
beats lightly in that bosom, will be weighed
down, like mine, by the cares and mIseries Of
the world.
Atlenpth he came to me one day, and related
his whole situation in tone of the deepest des-
pair. When I heard him through, inquired,
.sDoes your wife know all this2 AT the ques-
| ton. he burst into an agony Of tears. For
| Gods sake p cried he, If you have any pity on
me, don't mention my wife; il is the thought OF
her that almost drives me TO madnessp
sand why not ~ said !. .'She must know
il sooner or later you cannot keep It long from
her, and the intelligence may break upon her IN
a more startling manner than II impaired oy
Yourself; for the accents Of those we love soft
| en- the harshest tidings. Besides, you are de-
priying Yourself Of the comforts OF her sympa-
| tby and not merely that, but also endangering
the only bond that can keep hearts together-an
unreserved community Of thought and feeling
She will soon perceive that something IS secret,
ly proving upon your mind; and true love VII
not brook reserve; il feels undervaued and out
ragged, when even the sorrows OF those 1t loves
are concealed from II"
..Oh but nv friend to think what blow
/, am TO give to all her future prospects-how an
TO strike her very soul to the earth, by telling
: her that her husband is beggar that she IS U
foreoo all the elegances Of life-al the pleasure
of society--to shrink with me into indigenc'
and obscurity To tell her that have dragge'