The Democratic pioneer. [volume] (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1845-1853, 1849-11-02

The following admirable passage is from Mrs.
Ehis's new novel Of "Hearts and Homes.
Will the young reader endure for mo-
ment a few grave hints on subject which
is too frequently placed beyond the pale
of reasoning; by some parties thought
too sacred by others too trlhing, by all un-
suitable for the exercise of the reasoning
powers? And consequently that which
forms at one time or another in the expe-
rience of every human being large por-
ton of the business of human lite--that
which, above every other tendency, i'm
pulse or passion, decides their destiny for
this world, and often for the next--that
which attaches them by in lissol lble ties
to relationship, home and society-that
which constitutes their bane or their bles-
sing, their happiness or their misery, which
en.ers alike into their success or their fail
ue, and is equally capable of acc elerating
both--that is not to be looked into with Sc
rous eyes, but is left for the gossipof the
young; the Jest of the vulgar, and the
scorn of the would-be wise.
One word, therefore, of serious earn
estness on this forbidden subject-ono
word Of quiet reasoning, and of simple
truth, may surely be born with, for the
sake of the variety which it presents in the
accustomed mode of treating somewhat
popular theme. One word--and it is this.
There are two distinct ways Of becoming
cntangled it what is called love affair
thcreis the love itself-a holy, and pre-
cious thing; and there is the love of be-
ING love Ia mean--a greedy-a dcvour-
ing passion where it exists without the act
of loving, and where it demands so costly
a thing as a human heart, with all its
warm and generous affections, to satisfy
the hunger OF selfish vanity.
1t is on these unequal grounds that the
young so often mix in society, and that
such fearful and fatal mistakes are conse-
quently made. The false passion eNhib-
its all the outward symptoms of the real
one, and what renders determinations be-
tween the two more difficult, is that it Of
ten, if not always is, in some measure
mixed with it; for to love and not to desire
to be loved in return, would be as little
in accordance with reason, as with-n
tlrc. -.I... ..... ..a.
1t is on these unequal, and false grounds,
tlat women sometimes dare to mary; and
oh! what an awakening to the truth comes
then The devoted affection which had
supplied abundant food for vanity in those
circles of society where it could be exhib-
ed as a trophy of conquest, or while the
freshness of the victory enhanced its val
ue, how does it pail and weary in the pri-
vacy of domestic life; or perhaps if still
valued for the precious insense it offers,
how is it drawn upon, and drained of its
sweetness, by that requiring and Unsuitable
love of being loved, which must be fed by
constant demonstrations of attachment,
at once degrading to the dignity of man,
and wearying to the patience of the most
devoted?
1t is this vanity of being loved, when
mistaken for the act of loving, which makes
so many fretful, teasing and requiring
wives. The character of the firt, is .pecu-
liarly marked by this propensity, and
might be warning, instead Of an attrac-
ton, as it too often is, to those who com
pete for her favors or her smiles. The po-
sition of 'hirt is that of person demand
ing of others costly and valuable treas
urc, for which it is impossible that any
equivalent should be returned. 1t is more
t odious even than this, for it implies the
use of deep articles to obtain by secret
means, what right reason and honorable
; feeling would alike blush to demand open
ly. Itimplies deception, too, for it makes
a scow of being able to return in kind,
some portion at least of the treasure de
manded. 1t promises nothing-it cannot
promise; because there would be living
witnesses to prove that others had shared
in the same, and all would know that the
heart in question, however large and boun-
tiful, could not be bestowed upon all. No;
the flirt is acquainted with safer course
than this 1t is the great business of her
: life to find out and practice such methods
of acting, speaking, and even looking, as
J shall convey the idea that she herself has a
heart to be won, when in reality the rcling
passion of her life is to win the hearts OF
others. r a1 a1
If the professed fiirt were the only one
addicted to this practice, or liable in this
way to be deceived herself while deceiving
others, there would be comparatively lit
tie mischief done to society; nor would the
individual injury be such as to claim any
large amount of sympathy or considera-
ton, But the evil to be deplored is one
which tries the foundation of human hap
] piness in widely different manner. 1t
arises in fact out Of that ignorance Of them