The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1841-02-17
From The Philadelphia Chronicle.
A Chapter for Young Husbands

"A Uhaplef I0r Young husbands.
Walking the other day with valued friend
who had been confined a week OF Two by sick
ness to his room, he remarked that a husband
might learn good lesson by being confined
occasionally to his house, by having in this way
an opportunity OF witnessing the cares and never
ending tolls of his wife, whose burdens and du-
ties and palen, endurance he might never have
otherwise understood. There is a great deal
in this thought. perhaps enough for an "edito-
nal Men. especially young men. are called
by their business during the day mostly away
from home, returning only at the hours for
meals. aud as they then see nearly the same
routine Of duty, they begin to think that it is
their own lOi to perform all The drudgery. aud to
feel all the weight Of care and responsibility
But such man has got a very wrong view Of
the case he needs an opportunity for more
extended observations, aud it is perhaps for this
very reason that kind Providence arrests him
by sickness. that he may learn in paiu wha, he
would fail to observe in health We have re-
Gently seen good many things said in the pa
pers to wives, especially 10 young wives. ex-
posing their faults, perhaps msgpiyiug them,
and expounding to them, IN none Of the kindest
terms, their duty and the Offices pertaining to
"woman's sphere Now we believe that
wives as whole, are really better than they are
admitted to be. We doubt II there can be
found large number Of wives who are disagree
aLlo and negligent, without some palpablc cold
ness on the part Of their husbands. So Gar as
we have had an opportunity for observation.
they are far more devoted aud faithful than
those who style themselves their lords. and Who
by the customs of society, have other and gen
orally more pleasant and varied duties to per
form. We pro,es, then against these lectures
so often and so obtrusvely addressed 10 the Ia.
dies. and insist upon it they must--most Of
,hem-have been written Sy some fus'y old
bachelors who knew no be,.t. or BY some IN
consideratc husbands who dssrIye TO have been
old bachelors TO the end OF lives. But is there
nothing to be said on the other side J Are
husbands so generally the perfect, amsble, injur-
beings they are so often represented Men
sometimes declare that their wives extravagance
have picked their pockets, and that their never
ceasing tongues have robbed them of,hcir peace,
and their general disagree eablcnsss has driven
them to the tavern and ,ming table but this
is generally the wicked excuse for most wiok-
ed life on their owa part. The fact is. men
often lose their interest in their homes by their
neglect 10 make their homes interesting and
pleasant. II should never be forgotten that
the wife has her righis-as sacred after marriage
as beforehand a good husbands devotion to
the wife afer marriage will concede 10 her quite
as much attention as his gallantry did while
lover. lit is otherwise he is mos, generally at
fault.
Take few examples. Before marriage =
young man would feel some delicacy about sc.
ccpiing an invitation to spend an evening in
company where his ladye love" h sd not been
invited. Aher marriage is he always as partc.
ular During the days Of courlship. his gal
lantry would demand that he should make him.
self agreeable to her after marriage it oGen
happens that ha thinks more Of being sgreea-
Bile to himself How often it happens that
married men. after having been away from
home the liye-long day, during which the wife .
has ,oicd Al her duties, go out at evening again 10
some place OF amusc ment. and leave her to toll
on alone, unchcered aud unhappy. How often
i, happens that her kndest Offices pass uneb.
served, aud unrewarded, even by a smile, and
her best efforts are condemned by the fauh-
finding husband. How often il happens. even
when the evening is spent at home, that it is
employed in silent reading. or some other way
that does not recognize the Wife's ighi 10 share
in the enjoyments even Of the hreside.
Look, ye husbands. a moment, and remem.
Der what your wife was when yoa took her. not
from conpuislon, but from your own choice
based, probably, on what you then considered
her superiority TO Ill others. She was young
perhaps the idol Of happy home she was
gay and bIiibe as the Isrk. and the brothers and
sisters at her fsiher's Greside cherished her as
an object Of endesrrneni. Yet sue left all to
JOIN her destiny with yours; TO make your home
happy. aud do all that ~omsns love could
prompt apd ~o,nan's ingenuity devise. to meet
your wi.he sodto enlis hten the burihens which
might press upon you in your pilgrimage
She, Of course, had her expectations too. She
could not entertain feelings which promised so
much. without forming some idea Of reeiproes.
ion on your part. and she did expect you would
'fer marriage perform those Xnd Offices Of ,
shich you were so lavish 10 the days Of betroth-
msu, She became your wife left her owu
nome for yoon burst ssueder. ss II were. the
,,ods Of love .h,h bad bsuni het % her f,,h.