The Portage County Democrat. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1859-10-19

can be no true domestic felicity where there
is injustice on one side and its consequent
alienation on the other.
It may be said that if husband loves his
wife sincerely there is no necessity for these
little acts of politeness. They are triaes, we
are told. But life is made up of trifes. Did
the lover dispise them once because they were
triHes2 Was not something of his earlier sue
cess attributable to the .assiduity and deIicacy
with which he piled his gratified mistress with
these trifesf Had his wife ceased to like such
attentions7 Will she think the less of her
husband because he shows how thoughtful he
is of her comfort, even in these trihesf Be.
lieve US, If a womans affection is retained IN.
diminished. in spite of the rudeness of her
husband towards her, it would be vastly in
creased if he exhibited little of the lovers
courtesy-if he was considerate of her in tri.
fes. 1t seems the straugest and most incom-
prehensible thing in the world. if we look at
it dispassionately, that selfish men think the
only persons they can neglect with impunity
are'thoseaon whom their happiness principally
depends. They are too stupidity blind, to use
one Of their own pet phrases. to see that po-
liieDess to wives pays For it is only of sci
fish husbands that we speak. Those who re-
spect, love and reverence woman as true wo.
manhood ought to be respected. loved and
veuerated, need no incentives to be courteous
and considera,e to their wives -,......
So much for the men. And now let US add
a word -.-..
To the Women. -
Much of the neglect which husbands evince
towards their wives, is caused by the wives
themselves. There are many women who,
previous to marriage, take pride in personal
appearance. cleanliness and ueatness of appa.
rel; and who, after marriage, become negligent
of their charms, grow indolent in their parlors
and slip shod in their kitchens. No woman
can expect to retain the affections of her hus
band after she has ceased to make herself at
tractive and agreeable-when she neglects
her personal appearaBce--rises yawning from
her bed in the morning. goes to the breakfast
table unwashed, and with uncombed locks
has not the ambition to see the house kept in
order, becomes Indifferent whether her hus
band is at home or not, and neglects all those
little, but beadtiful arts which she used il
courtship to win him. Her love must be calm
and sublime--her devotion constant and ser
enc. If his income be limited, her de .ire.
above the, necessary home comforts of life
should be in proportion. IL he be wealthy
! LETT her be rather charitable than SNOWY
| When his spirit is yexed with outside cares
she should soo.he him. If SANDER touches
him. she should defend him. IF in petuleni
humor he uses harsh word, she should moi
reply with bitterness Many a man, who
would otherwise make an excellent husband
is driven from his home. and becomes neglect
full of his family, solely because his wife is in
different of himself and bis interesis-has M
word of cheer for him at any time. Wives
make yourselves agreeable and lovely to you
I husbands.
Odd Customs. a'7-= " II
The Moldavisn islanders eat alone. The,
retire to the most hidden parts oftheir house
and draw down the cloths which serve as blind
to- their windows. that they may eat uHobserv
ed. An absurd reason may be alleged 70
their misanthropicsl repast; they will neve
eat with one who is inferior to them in birth
in riches, or in dignity; and as it is dificul
matter to settle this equality, they are con
demned to lead this unsocial life. +
I On the contrary, the inhabitants of tn
Philippines are remarkably sociable. Wher
ever one of them finds himself without con
panionsto to, partake of his meal. he runs until b
meets with one; and however keen his appetit
may be, he ventures not to satisfy it withou
q guest. s-.9'i.1 a.otea
Il The tables of the rich Chinese shine with.
beautiful varnish, and are covered with sill
. carpets very elegantly worked. The maste
of the house absents himself while his CUES
regale at his table with uIdisturbed revelr
They do not make use Of the plates. knives, {
forks, but their food is served up in dishe
out Of which they eat in common; and ft
this purpose every guest has two little ivol
or ebony sticks, which he handles very adroi'
e Ily..'i''' r27' Il '3 7s ''-
The Otaheitans, who are lovers of societ
! and are very gentle in their manners. eat Sc
: arate from each other. At the hour of repa
the members Of each family divide; two br
. : theirs, two sisters, and even husband and vii
: parents aud children have each their respe
.ttiye basket. They place themselves at Il
= defiance of two or three yards from each othe
they turn their backs, and take their meals
e profound silence. {. ''.---< - -
:. Among the greater part of the Americ
Indians, the host is continually on the wat
= to solicit his visitors to eat, but touches not
!. ing himself In New France the host wear
himself with singing to divert the compa
: while they eat. fla sssa2 oa' a-e --aT
70 The Tartars pull man by the ear to pre-
,a him to drink; and they continue torment
!, a. him till he opens his mouth; they then cl
10 their hands and dance before him.
a Walter scotts youthful neglect.
te Sir Walter Scott, in narrative of his p
sonal history. gives the following caution
sh youth: e.
by : If it should ever fall to the lot OF youth
to peruse these words. let such readers rememl
IN that it is with the deepest regret that rec
nd lect in my manhood the opportunities of lea
of ing which l neglected in my youth, that. tt
of every part of my literary career, have
st pinched and hampered by my own ignoran
ex and would this moment give half the re-