Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1853-08-16
Written for the Evening Star. ]
NEEDLE WORK.


conducted, when the accomplishments of nee-
dle-work does not form a prominent part ?''
We think not. That accomplishment is of
great value to every female who prizes neat
ness, and would not be slavishly dependent on
others skill. Indeed, we deem it great
misfortune to any young lady to be deficient
in the art of plying the polished shaft with
activity, and many a one, who has looked on
needle-work as fitted only for the lower
sort, has been deeply mortified by accidents,
which little knowledge of the despised ac-
complishment would have enabled her to rem
edy in a moment. And how extremely de-
pendent must that lady be who has fostered
an utter dislike towards needIe-work We
pity her, and with the poet sing
The gay bellies of fashion may boast of eNc.Iling
In waltz or cotillon-at whist quadrr.
And seek admiration by vauntugIy telling
OF drawing. and painting. and musical skill:
But give me the fair one. in country or city
Whose Omr and it> duties dear to th,. heart
Nh0 cheertuly MARBLES some r,IStical ditiv
While plying the needle with exquisite arr
The bright little needle-the swift living needle
The needle directed by beauty and art
And beautiful and animated picture is
flashing with pleasure az bright as the little
needle in the light of the evening lamp The
contrast is great and ludicrous. when such a
group is compared with an idle family circle.
where the members are gaping and groaning.
and wishing that bedtime was near And
what sight is the wardrobe of that lady who
is no needle-wOman, and who has lost her
help, and in vain seeks for another Truly.
there is truth in the quaint remark of r para
Sraphist, that when he saw 4 lady send her
husbands coat or pants to the tailor to get
one OF two buttons put on, he wondered not
that young men were skittish about getting
married. They know not what they do, who,
IN seeking for a wife. gives no attention to
discover whether or not the one they admire
is needlewoman. Alas for the man who,
phrenologically, has large order, but whose
wife is no adept in the art Of needle work
Cultivate love of needlework in your falni-
ly. Whatever be the mental cultivation of
woman, she is made happier by this occupa-
tion. A young lady who superintends her
own and her mothers clothing, will have
sweet, cheerful thoughts spring up in her
mind, unless she is diseased, or actually courts
gloomy ideas. 1t is an odious sight to witness
a family idle of winters evening and a no
less beautiful spectacle when circle sur
rounds table, employing their needles. while
one reads aloud. Let one of the party provide
a map and dictionary for reference, and the
knowledge obtained in an evening will be
surprising. Looking out the meaning of
words, makes 4 good pause. and stimulates
thought and criticism
1t is not probable that sewing ever checked
the bright and thinking faculties. The dull
will be dull still, whether they read the con-
tents of libraries or ply the needle, and this
employment certainly gives zest for after
reading, to those who really love books. How
should women bless their needle for rescuing
them from temptations which assail the other
sex. Bright and innocent implement. whether
piled over tasteful luxuries, or gaining the
poor pittance of Il day, thou art equally
the friend of her whose visions tend TO wan
der amid the regions of higher distractions.
and of her whose thoughts are pinned down
to the treadmill of thy minute progress
Quiet rescuer from clubs and midnig ght revels.
amid the minor blessings of woman's lot, thou
shalt not be forgotten, Still come. and let
thy fairy wand shine on her: still lend an
ambitious joy to the playthings of the girl;
still move unconsciouSly under the gittering
smile of the maiden. planning thy triumphant
results; still beguiie the mother whose thoughts
rove to her boy on the distant ocean; or the
daughter, watching by the sick bed of one
who has heretofore toiled for her; still soothe
the long dreary moments of faithful love, and
though tear sometimes falling on thy shin
ing point, it shall not gather the rust of des-
pair. since employment is thy dover. B.