The Middlebury people's press. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1841-1843, 1842-01-11
ADVICE OF A FATHER TO HIS ONLY
DAUGHTER.

tTtfen immediately dtterher marriage.
The following letter is said 10 be from the
pen Of one of the hes, and greatest men that
Virginia ever produced
Ny DEAR DAUGHTER You have just enter
ed into that state which is replelc with happiness
or misery. The issue depends upon that Pru-
dent. amiable. uniform conduct, which wisdom
and virtue so strongly recommend, on the one
hand, or on that imPrudence which want of
reflection o. passion may prompt on the other.
You are allied 10 n man OF honor. OF talents,
and of on open generous disposition. You
have, therefore, in your power. all the essential
ingredients of domestic happiness 1t cannot
be marrcd, if you now reflect upon that system
Of conduct which you ought invariably 10 pur-
sue--if you now see clearly the path from which
YOU will resolve never 10 dcviate. Our conduct
is often The result Of whim or caprice. often
such as will give us many Pang, unless we
see. befo! chand, what is always the most praise
worthy, aud the most essential 10 happiness.
Tie first maxim which you sholld impress
deeply Oh your mind, is. never 10 attempt 10
control your husband by opposition by disPleas-
ure, or any o,her mark ofanger. man of
sensc. Of prudence, Of VAIN feelings, cannot,
and wall not, bear an opposition ofany kind,
,,h;ch is attended with an angry look or ex-
pIcssion the current Of his affections is sud
,ely stopped; his attachment is weakened; he
begins 10 feel modification the most pungen;;
he il bciiiied even in his own eyes; and be
assured, the wife who once cxciies these senti
mcnts il the breast Of 4 husband, VIII never
rerain The high ground which she might and
ought TO have retained. When he marrieS her,
if lie be good mamie expects from her smiles,
not frowns; he expects 10 fed her one who IS
not 10 control him-not 10 take from him the
freedom of acting as his own judgment shall
direct, but one who will place such confidence
in hm,as to believe III i his prudence is the best
gui5c. Little things. what in reality arc mcre
irlles in themselves, often produce chickering's,
and even quarrels. Never permit them to be
subject of dispute; yield them with pleasure,
with smile of affection. BE assured that one
difference outwcighs them all thousand or ten
thousand tinr's. 4 difference with your hus-
band ought 10 be considered as the greatest
calani'y-as one that is 10 be most siudiorfsly
guarded against 1t is u demon which must
never be permitted to enter habltailon where
all should BIZ peace, unimpaired confidence, and
heartfelt taection. Besides, what can woman
gain by her opposition or her differences ?
Nothing. But she loses her husbands respect
for her virtues she loses his love, and with
that, all prospect OF future happiness She ere.
aies her own misery, aud then utterS idle and
silly complaints, but u:ters them in vain. The
love of Il husband can be retained only ~ the
high opinion which he enerlains of his wife's
| goodness Of heat. of her amiable disposition,
| of the sweetoess other temper, Of her prudence,
of her devotion 10 him. Let nothing upon any
I 49, IN tbo
! irarv, il should augment every day; he should
| have much more reason TO admire her for those
excellent qualities, which will cast insture
| over a yirtuous woman when her personal al.
fractions arc no more.
Has your husband staid out longer than YOU
| expected? When he returns, receive him as
tine partner of your heart. Has he disappoln.
| ted YOU in something you expected, whether o.
ornament, or furniture, or of any conveniency
Never evince discomfort receive his apology
with cheerfuIness. Docs he. when you are
housekeeper, invite company without informing
you OF 1t, or bring home with him friend 2
Whatever may De your repasi, however scanty
it may be, however impossible it NAV be 10 ado
10 it,receive them with pleasing counrenance
adorn your table with cheerfulness give te
your husband and to your company a heart,
welcome it will more than compensate for ey
cry other deficiency; it will evince love for you
husband, good sense in yourself. and that pc
likeness of manners, which acts as the mos
powerful charm! 1t will give to the PLANES
fare zest superior to all that luxury can boast
Never be discontinued on any occasion of thi
mature.
In the next place. as your husbands success
in his profession viii depend upon his popular
ity. and as the manners of a wife have no littl
Influence in extending or lessening the respec
and esteem of others for her husband, yo
should take care to be affabIe and polite to tn