Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1845-04-07
SHORT SER MON.

Fran new periodical called Inc "Sem-
ic,lon,v published at Cincinnati, we extract
n short sermon on Vrtuous Women. II IS
very m /. IN the style Of some of the old
dyines, who thus covered up ccnsure IN
mock Iaudaton.
Trxr:-Who can find virtuous woman! for her
urire is far above ruoIes. SoLoMoN.
As virtuous WON hive in our days be-
come as plenty as they were rare 10 The
DAYS Of Solomon, we can easlly ties; the ac-
curacy OF his description, dete citing his in
accuraces, and observing how they are To-
term ngled with correct descripton-of
which we subjon the following instances;
She seckeh wool and flax, and workch willing
" with her hands.
Hired Iaborers arc technically denomi-
naled "hands," and SO are slaves on The
other side of the Ever. The inaccuracy in
the above account consists in the use of the
term "hands," far servants of both sexes,
it being generally confined 10 the males
The correct portion Of the description is,
that the virtuous weman is willing that her
"hnnds," or servants, should do her work.
She is like the merchan, ships--she brlngeh her
food from atar.
This smile has generally been consid
cred very correct. Merchant ships usual
Iy carry small burdens in proportion rs
they IRE swift sailing and stylishly rugged,
and The more expensive and beautiful they
are, the less profitable are they. Her
food is brought from arar;" that is 20 say,
her tea comes from China. her sugar from
the Wesi-lndics, and her other Iuxures
from all parts OF the world.
She rseth also while it is yet night, and giveth
meat to her household, and portion TO her maid
There is a little incorrectncss here, which
may, perhaps, be III the translation, ! he
true meaning Of tho verse robably is,thal
The virtuous woman, WHEN she gives par
ty, sits up all night, and gives supper TO
her visitors, allowing her maidcns 10 eat
portion after them.
She considcreth field, aud buyeh it; with the
fruit OF her hands she panteth vineyard
That is 10 say. the vriuous woman being
occasionally tired Of he town, pcrsuades
her husband te buy country seat, and by
the labor Of the hired hands, to ornament
il with vines and fruit trees.
She girdeh her loins with siren 9Th, and strength
enelh her arms.
This is strictly correct. The vjrtuou,
woman requires strong gitde around he
loins, in order to make her waist as smnl
as fashion requires; and she mus, strength
en- her arms in order 10 draw her girile as
tight as is necessary.
She perceiveth that her merchandise il good; her
candle goeth not out by night.
That is, when she goes ont a shopping,
she examines an immense quantity oil goods
for the purpose OF be ng sure that they are
of the best quality, before she makes . pur-
chase. Her candle. Of conr>e, C nnot 60
out by nj hit whether she gives Il party or
goes to one.
She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her
hands h. ii the dstalf
This S a very obscure passage, and it
isn't easy 10 determine that The terms
spindle" and diStatf" mean, when used in
the above connection. 1t is generally I'D
mted that they mean something eAciu-
srcly used by women; but whether they
were articles ;bal have gane out OF use nd
ere forgot n, or are / e n mes OF some.
thinJ now n use, is n matter of Great con
troyersy. Some persons are the !ormo,
op Mon, while others :hjuk they must have
been musical i9sirem. MS, like the plan,
and guitar. Others imagine that they
were articles OF household uGnilurr, sucl
rs Il handbcll, or puIl-hel, to which ii
vir,uouS woman has frequent occasions tC
lay her hand Upon the whole; the d, els
ion of the question is so difficult, that we
leave il 10 our readers.
She make;! herself coverings of tapcs;ry-her
clothing is of silk and purple.
Thar is 10 say, the vir'uous woman is
dressed IN the most expensive style, anc
the richest materials are used Cor her clio
thing. This test Of a virluous woman be
ing easy to the public, it is not cXtraord
nary that il should be n favori;c one.
But without proceeding rurlher, ii is ev
ident that, al the present day, virluous we
men, instead Of being as scarce as in the
days oil Solomon, are quite as plenty as il
necessary and convenient for the supply o
the wants Of the community, ard an inqui
~ like that at the head of this chapte
would not now tend 70 increase apy man.
reputation for wisdom.