The Winchester home journal. [volume] (Winchester, Tenn.) 1857-1858, 1858-05-20

ternal love is too selfish to make a
good, congenial companion. But most
ladies nowadays are not Of the same
material of which our Grandmothers
were made. Had we more Marys
Ike Washington's mother, we should
have more Washingtons. 1t was her
hands which moulded his character
to symmetry and moral beauty; it was
her prayers, her influence and her in
structions which repressed and re.
strained the growth of evil qualities,
and cultivated that divine life in his
soul which led him to take counsel of
the God Of battles-the Governor of
nations. Did not she as truly help to
achieve the Revolution as if she had
led armies to battle? True, she did it
through her heroic son but she did it
no less--and this is just as God would
have every woman win her honors and
rewards, through her brother, husband
or child.
But think you that such spirit as
that which Washington's mother pos
sessed would stoop to ask--"Is he rich
lis he handsome!" Think you she
would measure his worth by the
broadcloth which he wore or the
gold headed cane which he sported!-
Think you such woman would mar.
ry man for his pretty face or pro-
fuse whiskers! The beauty which
such a soul would crave, would be
pure-mindedness, sincerity and spot
less moral character. She would care
very little for the dandy Appollos of
the present age, with their faultless
forms in perfect coats, small white
hands in Paris gloves, and diminutive
feet in French boots. She would I'M
derstand that where so much time was
expended in brushing up and beauti-
flying the outworks, they must neces.
sarily have neglected to fortify the ci-
tadel within. She would argue that
as an untrod path may lead to a de-
serted house-so smooth forehe ad
may point to an empty brain.
Let US hear less Of this foolish ban
tering about beauty and wealth; this
despicable quizzing-"Is he rich-is
he handsome!' and let US see more
homage paid to real merit. We are
always sure to place that lady much
below par who is constantly praling
and gibbling about handsome faces
and well-flled purses. She never ex-
poets to be a help.meet, but rest as
sured she will be prodigious help-eat.
She will no doubt be as helpless and
dependent as the most fastidious could
desire. But we would not give five
cents for all the self-reliance she
possesses; she is in truth the tender
ivy twining itself about the oak, but
let the lightning rend that oak and the
frail ivy is trailing In the dust. 1t is
the duty of every woman to acquire
an inward principle of self-support.-
Then, if the rock of their earthly
strength be smitten, or the proud oak
on which they lean, with the fondness1
of first affection be blasted, they
may, nevertheless, stand erect in
mournrul but triumphant superiority,
amid the hapless wreck.
Some may, no doubt will, turn
very dcr;sive face to this picture
They lave friends and circumstances
in their favor. But what if fortune
has home in your fathers halls, and
the ease and elegance of fashionable
life are at yo.r command. Suppose,
even, that you are already the bride Of
a scholar, a genius, a merchant or u
statesman. What ifyou are so sur
rounded by strong hands and loving
hearts. that to human eyes it seems
impossible you could ever fail of either
friends or external resources? What
security have you for the permanency
Of these? Inquire of ten thousand
living daughters of misfortune and let
them answer. Curl not that beautiful
lip in proud contempt, though you are