The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-03-12

Ths Neral of paAF - Uteekings.
Msssas. Ep,roas: Presuming that you belong
to that portion Of the editorial cesps that fond OF
the sAssIs the inxenioss. and tbs bseultsjs have
taken ths liberty TO forward for publication In the
columns Of your journal the following communities
ton, Thich was written by distinguished literary
lady. Mrs w :, of Troy, and sent TO learned judge
of New Haven. on the eve Of his marrisgs.
The letter accompanied the present OF pair OF
blue stockings, knit by tho writer's own fingers,
and we recommend it TO the careful perusal Of all
married persons, well ~ commend 1t to all those
who hope to be numbered amongst them for the
Lesson which IL teaches may be learned by the old
and the young. IVooias may be all flowers even
whan marrying has only thorns But why should
We keep the reader any longer from tho perusal Of
letter which IL both impressive and ezpressUs Of
rsiation-which confers az much happiness by i'm
parting ~ by eracting we cheerfulIy retire in
der to let our fair writer speak for herself
d. C. r..
Dear Cousin. Herewith you will receive pre-
SAINT OF pair of woolIen stockings, knit by my
own hands; and be assured. dear coz, that my
friendship for you Il warm ~ the material, active
- the finger work, and generous ~ the donation.
But consider this present peculiarly appro-
pirate on the occasion of your marriage. You will
remark. in the first place, that there two indi-
by side, guarding against coldness, and giving
comfort a. long a. they last The thread of their
texture u mixed; and co. alas 10 the thread Of ife
In those, however, the white is made 10 predomi-
nate, expressing my desire and confidence that
thus it will BE- with the color your existence. No
black 10 used for believe your lives will be wholly
free from the black passions of wrath and jealousy
The darkest color here il blue. which il excellent
when We do not make il too blue.
Other appropriate thoughts rise in my mind in
regarding these stockings. The most Indifferent
subjects, when viewed by the mind in a suitable
frame. may furnish instructive differences, saith
the poet:
"The iron dogs the fuel and tongs,
The bellows that have leathern lungs;
Tho firewood, ashes, and the smoke,
Do all 70 Righteousness provoke"
But to the subject. You will perceive that the
tops of these stockings (by which suppose court
ship to be represented) ssamed and by means of
scanning are drawn into snarl; but afterwards
comes time when the whole il made plain, and
continues 30 TO the end and final toeing of. By
this wish to take occasion to congratulate your
self that you are now through with seeming, and
have como to plain reality. Again, as the whole
Of these comedy stockings was not made at once,
but by the addition of little stitch after another
put in with skill and discretion, until the whole
presents the fair and equal piece ofwork which you
see, life does not consist of one great action, but
millions Of little ones combined; and 90 may it be
with your lives. No stitch dropped when duties are
to be performed; no widening made where bad prin-
cipes arc to be reproved, economy is TO DO pre-
served; neither scanning nor Narrowing whore truth
and generosity in question. Thus every stitch of
life made right and set in the right place; mono
either too large too small, too tight or too loose;
thus you may keep your smooth and even
course, making existence ono fair and consistent
piece-until together, having passed tho heel, you
come to the very too Of life; and here, in the final
narrowing off and dropping of the coil of this en-
blematcal pair Of companions and comforting
sociates, nothing appears but white. the token of
innocence and peace, of purity and light May you,
like these stockings, the final stitch being dropped,
and tho work completed, go together from the place
where you were formed to happier state of exist
ence, present from earth to Heaven. Hoping
that these stockings and aduonitions may meet a
civil reception, remain in the true-blue friend
ship, seemly, yet without seeming,
Yours, from top to toe.