Eastern times., 1855-10-04
eastern Gimes.
For the Eastern Times
Influence of the Female Character.

truth with the turbid waters of fiattery. |
never speak above my own convictions, and
whenever utter feeble panegyric upon any
matter, be assured that it comes not from a
sudden impulse which retires the next mo-
ment, but profound conviction matured by
deep and earnest thought; and when l speak
of the female sex in general, or of any lady in
particular, l mean what say, and do not give
utterance to my sentiments in the hope of OBJ
tanning favor.
Man owes to woman his present position,
however important it may be. 1t has been
through her instrumentality that man is ena-
bled TO tread in the upper walks of life. Her
whole energy seems to be devoted 10 the well
fare of the sterner part of creation, and often
when it would seem that her moments are
most needed for the cultivation of her own
mind, she bestows them upon those who are
rising up and are soon to become men.
The child in the cradle, the boy of Ten, the
youth of seventeen, are accustomed to look to
their mothers for advice and direction; con-
sequently their advice in most matters is pref
cradle to any other. Being familiar with hu-
man character, they are most competent TO
judge and direct. How carefully should the
mother watch over her boy, as slowly but
surely his mind and intellect (if he has any
begin to show and develop themselves !
How cautiously she watches every motion
How gently she reproves every wrong action
Her mind is wholly bestowed upon her boy,
and she almost entirely rears and cultvates
his mind. BY nature he is perhaps wild and
passionate is greatly given to anger-it is
greatly subdued by the gentle admonitions and
rebukes, and the melting voice of his mother
By her he is shown in touching language the
error of his way, and he heeds it while per-
haps, man to accomplish the same end,
would be harsh and rough, thereby making
ruls inevitable. 1t is by this means that the
mother obtains such an influence over her son.
All along through life, boy brought up in
this manner, has more respect and reverence
forwoman, than. one subjected to different
course Of training. In word, it is by care
ful attention to the precepts taught him while
sitting upon his mothers knee, that a mau ar
rives at stations of usefulness and eminence
Generally it is the case, that whatever the
character of the mother may be, so is the boy
the man. As intimated before, the mother
has unbounded influence over her children,
and upon her rests incalculable responsibility.
If her disposition be violent, quick to anger,
her general character far below what it should
be, she must expect her offspring to be like
her.
1t is often by the earnest, impassioned en-
treaties of devoted wife, as she in solemn
tones begs him to remember the sacred ties
which bind him to her and his family, that
many noble young man has been rescued
from the path of degradation and ruin. Look
into the world and behold the thousands of
young men who have left the paternal roof TO
seek their fortunes in the wide world. They
have left their mother, and she can no longer
point out the best course for them 10 pursue.
But their devoted wives are by their side-
Surrounded upon all sides by bad company,
which meets one wherever he may turn his
steps, perhaps one is strongly influenced to
resign the precepts taught him by his mother,
and adopt new code more congenial TO his
present feelings. Slowly but surely he is led
on in the path of ruin, until, almost uncon-
sciously he finds himself at the gaming table,
The intoxicating cup is raised to his lips.
Now is the time for action. A moment more,
and it will be drained to its dregs. His wife
beholds it; it must be arrested How earn
estly she begs and implores with him. Upon
her knees, with tears streaming over her face,
she appeals to his conscience. The young
man looks upon the gentle being before him !;
he thinks of his children in the cradle, and
those who are accustomed to gambol about
him. Evil companions exhorting him onward
in the career-of vice, are upon the one hand,
the fatal cup in the other-his wife before
him. To which will he yield He calls to
memory the hours of pleasure he has spent
with his associates, and everything relative
thereto. His thoughts are reverted His
present rio:ous living-,he day of terrible ret
ribution which will surely come if he contin-
ues in his evil career-the life of misery and
distress which must follow-the solemn oaths
which must be broken and then again, the
honors, the rewards which may be his if he
reforms-all these pass in rapid succession
through his mind. But such thoughts as
these are not sufficient to reclaim him. One
thing alone can. When his wife, with match
less eloquence, exhorls him to remember his
marriage. vow-begs him to think of her sole
ly dependent upon him for all she has, when
her unchanging devotion to him, notwith-
standing his depraved state, and her unfair
nished character reveal and show themselves
to him, he can no longer resist her appeals,
but, dashing to the ground the card and cup,
and calling upon high heaven 10 witness the
deed, solemnly swears never more to touch
the fatal draught or connect himself with his
miserable associates-an oath he carries out
Thus through the infuence-throueh the sup
plications of his wife, he is rescued from a
terrible death and drunkard's grave. How
many similar cases transpire, might.say al.
most every daV