, 1842-05-14

happiness and independence. Legs
lation, to be beneficial, must be dis
pensed on these principles; but the
certain remedy, without which all
else will be Of no avail, must be
found 10 the reformed habits Of the
people. 1t does not require much
sagacity 10 perceive this.
What | wish particularly to speak
of now, is, that women have done
much, both by rrecept and example,
in bringing our affairs to their present
depressed condition. At the advice
and solicitation OF wives & daughters,
how many husbands and fathers have
been induced to assume a rank fan
above their means. 10 indulge
in those fashionable follies and vani-
ties that have brought wreck and
ruin upon the land! How many
splendid entertainments have been
given. elegant and costly furniture.
carriages, dresses. jewels. &c. &C.,
purchased by those who,e real in
conc would not in justice lave afford
ed any OF them, merely 10 crafty
female vanity and love OF false grand
eur! Such having been the case.
il now becomes us, n and nii, vhan
our airy castles have vanished into
thin air, to make amends by an oppo-
site course of conduct. Instead of
endeavoring 20 rival each other in the
cos,liness and ~splendor Of our dress,
furniture and fine things, we must
endeavor 10 excel in the prudent
management of our domestic affairs.
We mist consult carefully u means
before soliciting orr fathers or hus-
bands to buy this, that or the other
thing.
Living beyond our means is an un-
likely method to gain respect or ad-
miration, and a sure one TO bring Is
to poverty and discomfort. SimpH-
ciigi is more esteemed by sensible
people, those only whose esteem is
desirable, than show or gaudiness.
Bright and clean furniture, such as
comfort and convenience demand, is
a better evidence'of good taste. good
Judgment, and good housekeeping.
than that which is elegant and expen-
sive; a few well cooked dishes are
better and more credi,abie than a ue-
rygreat rariety, and thus it Is through
out the whole range Of domestic
management. We must attend more
to the useful and less TO the ornamen-
,al. We must devote but 4 very
small portion Of our time 10 the max.
ing OF bead work, bags, net work, and
such like, while other more impor.
tan, duties are neglected. We should
spend few Of our mornings or after.
moons riding or walking in search o!
healtaful exercise, while the flower
garden, with its ten thous;n nd charms.
Graves our spare hours, and offers IN
return health and the purest & sweet
est Of human enjoyments. ln fine,
we should remember that we are ac-
countable beings. accountable for the
time, the talents and the influence
which Con has kindly given us. Our
hours and days should not be permit
ted 10 pass unproductlvely away,
while so much embarrassment pre-
walls and the means of living are so
scantily enjoyed BY many of our fell
low beings. Not a day nor an hour
scarcely passes, but affords us an OPP
p~ortunity Of extending Il charitable
and, if we could afford it, and whyh
then should we be SO foolish, SO IRA
: t,ona,, asst spend so much as We have
done on mere bauhles, comparatively!
| am not DESTROYS Of ~curtailing the
pleasures Of life, or Of boarding up
riches for their own sake; no such
thing; but would recommend such
true economy as will promote perma-
nent and rational happiness; and en-
able us 10 do good where the oppor.
tuni'y presents itself. For any 9th
err purpose, the acquisition Of wealth
is scarcely worth a thought.
This subject, doubt not, will be
deemed by some quite inappropriate
for the femle pen; but | only regret
that | can not bestow more talent on
it. 1t is as well deserving Of female
attention as an elegant poem or a ro-
mantle story. 1t is now time TO treat
of the realities Of life, stern though
they be. hope the subject will find
many and able advocates.
Yours, sc. ZELEA.