The Cadiz sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 184?-1851, 1845-01-22
ADVICE OF A FATHER TO
HIS ONLY DAUGHTER,
WRITTEN IMMEDIATELY AFTER HER MARRTAcE
by PATRICK HENRY.

misery. The issue depends upon that prudent,
amIable, uniform conduct, which wisdom and viz
Tue SO strongly recommend, on the one hand, or
on That lmprudence which a want of reflection
or passion may prompt on the other.
You are allied 10 a man Of honor, of talents,
and of an Open generous disposition. You have
therefore in your power all the essential ingre-
dents OF domestic happiness; it cannot be mar
red, Ii you now reflect upon that system of con.
duct which you ought invariably TO pursue
IT you now see clearly, the path from which you
Will resolve never 10 deyiate. Our conduct is
often the result of whim or caprice, often such
as will give US many a pang, unless We see, be-
iorehand, what is always most p~raiseworthy, and
the most essential to happiness.
The first maxim which you should impress
deeply upon your mind, is, never to attempt TO
control your husband by opposition, by displea.
sure, or any other mark of anger. A man of
sense, of prudence, ofwarm feelings cannot, and
will not, bear an opposition of any kind, which is
attended with an angry look or expression.
The current of his affections is suddenly stop
ped; his attac hmcnt is weakened; he begins 10
feel a modification the most pungent; he is be-
Titled even in his wi eyes; and be assured, the
wife who once excites those sentiments in the
breast Of Il husband, will never regain the high
ground which she might and ought to have re-
tanned. When he marrjes her, ii he be a good
man, he expects from her smiles, not frowns; he
expects to find i'll her one who is not TO control
llln--nOt TO take from him the freedom Of acting
DIS his W judgment shall direct, but one who
will place such confidence in HIM, as 10 believe
that his prudence is the best guide. Little
things, what in reality arc mere triaes in them
themselves, often produce chickering's, and even
.quarrcls. Never permit them 10 he u subject OF
dispute; yield then with pleasure, and with a
smile Of affection. Be assured that one differ
ence outweighs them all q thousand or ten thou
sand times. A difference with your husband
ought 10 be considered as the greatest calamity ;
as one that is to be most studiously guarded a.
gainst; is a demon which must never be permit
led to enter IL habitation where all should be
peace, uninpa red confidence and heartfelt aE
lection. Besides, what can a woman gain by
her opposition or indifference? Nothing. But
she loses every thing; she loses her husbands
respect for her virtues, she loses his love, and
with that, all prospect of future happiness.
She creates her own misery, and then utters idle
and silly complaints, but utters them in vain.
The love Of a husband can be retained only by
the high opinion which he entertains Of his
'Wlle'S goodness of heart, of her amiable dispO-
%s,tlon, Of the sweetness Of her temper, Of her
prudence, OF her devotion TO him. Let nothing
upon any occasion ever lesson that opinion.
On the contrary, it should augment every day;
he should have much more reason TO admire her
for those excellent qualities which will cast a
lustre over a ~virtuous woman when her personal
attractions are no more.
Has your husband stajd out longer than you
expected? When he returns receive him as the
partner Of your heart. Has he disappointed you
in something you expected, whether OF ornament,
.Or Of furniture, Or Of any conyeniency? Never
.evinco discomfort; receive his apology with
cheerfulness. Does he, when you are house
keeper, invite company without informing you Of
1t, OF bring home a friend? Whatever may be
your repast, however scanty it may be, however
impossible it may be 10 add to it, receive them
with a pleasing countenanCe, adOrn your table
with cheerfulness. give to your husband and your
company a hearty welcome; it will more than
compensate for every other deficiency; it will
.eyincc love Tor your husband, good sense in your
self, and that politeness Of manners, which acts
as the most powerful. charm! 1t will give TO the
.plainest fare a zest superior TO all that luxury
can boast. Never be disconnected on any occa-
sion Of this nature.
In the next place, as your husbands success
in his profession will depend upon his popularity,
and as the manners of a wife have no little iu-
aucnce in extending or l~essoning the respect
and esteem of others for her husband, you should
take care to be alabIe aud polite to the poorest
as we'll as the richest. A reserved haughtincss
is a sure indication of a weak mind and an I'M
feeling heart.
With respect TO your servants, teach them to
respect and love you, while You expect from
them a reasonable discharge of their respective
duties. Never tease yourself, or them, by scold-
ing; it has no other effect than to render them
discontented and importinent. Admonish them
with a calm frmness.
Cultivate your mind by the perusal of those
books which instruct while they amuse. Do not
devote much Of your time to novels; there are a
few which may be useful and improving in Civ
ing a higher tone 10 our moral sensibjlity; but
they tend to vitiatc the taste, and to produce u
disrelish for substantial intellectual food. Most
plays are of the same cast; they are not friendly
10 the delicacy which is one Of the Of
the female character. History, geography, poe
try, moral essays, biography, travels, sermons,
and other w%ell-written religious productions,
will not fail TO enlarge your understanding, to
render you a most agreeable companion, and
to exalt your virtue. A woman devoid of ra-
tional ideas of religion, has no security for her
virtue; it is sacrificed to her passions, whose
voice, not that ofGod, is her only governing prin-
ciple.--Besides, in those hours of calamity TO
which families must be exposed, where will she
find support, if it be not in her just reflections
upon that a%ll-ruling Providence which governs
the universe, whether inanimate or animate.
Mutual politeness between the most intimate
friends is essential to that harmony which should
never be once broken OF. interrupted. How i'm
portant then is it between man and wife! The
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