The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1846-11-14
Vol. 10. No, H. Whole No. 4S5,

| tire change, before tho fathers duties cout
he fulfilled In tho first hours ofmy irrepai.
able bereavement was too much engrossed
by my hearts anguish, to recognize any ale
Walton in the fact ofmy daughters existence
But in the act ofseeking pardon for my past
offences, and supplicatlng some rays of the
peace which had cheered the last days of my
Alice's briefpigrimage, and illulnined her
passage TO the better land, TO dawnnpon my
soul my helpless infant rose before my maids
eye. waD strengthened aud encouraged 10
plead for grace, to rem her for the home of
angels, the companion ofthe pure in spirit
new affection was awakened in my bosom,
sweet, tender, holy and sublime. The moth
err had passed into the skies, but her child re-
NAMED, legacy of love, TO redeem the pow
erty ofa r1ed world, aud buy hack happiness
to my desoaie and melancholy soul. wept
in very gratitude to God for such precious
Request, and received it as pledge of his
readiness TO forgive aud save. ! had never
thought my chnstsement unjust even while
bowed beneath its weight. My incoaSiderd-
ton, as n husband, l felt deserved severe
rebuke, and, although the iron pierced and
lacerated, il broke the heart of stone, and
freed the imprisoned spirit from its petrifying
influence.
The wasted abiities,the abused privileges,
and the uuimproved opportunities of the
years that ] had told, were all confessed and
deplored but on no page of the dark record
did my tears so abundHnty fall as the mourn
tul episode ofmy married life! had heed
lessly and wifiIlly pledged myself in the
presence of God and human witnesses TO the
fulfillment of obligations whose character |
had never pondered, much less understood.
! had broken my vows Immediately on their
utterancc. had not once seriously inquired
ofmy own heart how they were 10 be faitl
fully kept. That they involved solemn du-
ties and responsibilities, and consequently, de-
handed appropriate qualifications, was the
last idea that nrruded itself, suve as a vague,
ndistinct inpalpahle speculation. / expect
ed to add TO my happiness, bur, beyond that
had no settled plan. Twas COR
tent to share the destiny and the practise of
those WI o preceded me at the atnr, aud only
when was about TO loose the title of hus-
band, realized its solemn and Interesting en-
gagemenis. No marvel, then, that ] should
lesire TO save others from such n fatal lethar-
~ and remorseful nwaking From the mo-
nent that religion shed its sweet and renova-
ing influence over my spirit, determined to
'ndeayor TO render my own faults productive
'fbenett III my fellow men, and if possible,
persuade them to profit by my experience. l.
lulC CDilStuUlll ana CLOSELY OtSerN-
ID the conducts of those around me. holding
he relation deem so fraught with the ele-
nents of bliss or wo. Much,alnsl have seen
o condemn 81 deplore & have sought to ex-
ract the drop of gall, insidiously mingling in
he cup of domestic happiness. have rea-
on TO believe that my efforts have been often
tfectual, aud iueXperience has been INSTRUCT
d and Reconsideration corrected by my coun-
el. But cases calling for adnloniton are
occurring throughout our land,
nj would have my voice sound its warning,
lonitory peal by every hearth-stone; there
're have traced my history here as be-
uest to husbands, when l shall have entered
~ eternaI rest. Methinks the consciousness
nat it is dispelling the shadows from one
arkened household, or removing the lhorns
om one aching bosom, will enhnuce my en-
yment even in heaven But in presenting
Iese pages 10 the world, wish to he nuder-
God as as addressing men of sense aud SEN
biIity only. / am well convinced that there
e husbands who would read my sad story
ithout one emotion of sympathy, and turn
way with sheer from the lessons it incul-
ties. There are Others so degraded hy vice
I'd hardened by seltishness, that they need
eruer and more fearful means than | com
and, TO tench them their violated duties
18th any one who tramplc wantonlv on the
lenn vows of the marriage covenant, and
ilfully abuse and torture those whose desti-
es they rule, | have no controversy. leave
EN- with an almost hopeless PRAYER, thar
me power may yet reclaim them, hut as
red an appeal from me would he worse
an lmpotent. My address is intended for
ose who desire to make the trusting hearts
ppy, that look 10 them, for veal or woe.
rough lito's checkered pilgrimage. Earth
Il, f.,,.r Il,
render tolerable. But wounded love caus-
shadow to come over the brightest and
rest lot Let then the husband. who
'ud gather flowers around his domestic al
cherish their growth aud watch, lest any
leterlous influence infect tire atmosphere
Il cause their whitening. To preserve
eerfuInesS and good temper in his wife, be
Ould exhibit them himself If he desires
It Others should treat her With respect, let
n in public us well as private, evinee n re-
rd for her sentiments and feelings. A con-
nptuous or careless word, n reproof before
theses, or an attempt 10 excite Laugh, AT
+ expense, has struck u dart to the bosom,
many a sensitive wife. GTd seems 10 have
signed woman as the refiner and sottenef
The harder nature of man, and therefore,
her with more delcacy mot more
Dth) of sensibility and kcener perceptfon
lle siidl courtesles winch SWeeten and
bellish withou. adding 20 the intrinsic val
OF social iIercourse. female, whose de-
'tmcnt is rude and unpublished, is disgust
even 10 n man who has not been acc,ts=
ned to regard manner as indicative OF
racter. lie CnnIlot or he will not believe
refinement of mind and lfeart can be o.
ted with such an exterior. Are not the
akersex, then excllsable, if with their
cker sense of deficiency in the minor NOR ,
OF life, they fail to discriminate between
indications offeelng and feeling irself?-
imam looks up TO man for protection, in
Iction and support; nd,when she becomes