Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1859-05-04
THE INTELLIGENCER.

IN his own explanation of the fuses of the SDec.
tGt0T," (giVen to our readers a few days ago.
and, especially, in the intrinsic merits of the
extract itself. The PeruSal of it may interest,
in that it shows us the similarity between the
society of another age, and that OF our own
and that domestic troubles, refractory wives
and jealous husbands, were as common in those
days as they now are-in short, that the world
has not so far degencrated as some good people
would have us believe-and that if humanity
shows us now, as in all past times, some faith
less and fallen specimens. it also shows us, As
formerly, in the public defender as we'll as in
the private individual, the truth the beauty,
the power of virtue. The example here given
by the Spectator illustrates without positive de-
partures from virtue, love of the aIlurcmcnts
of fashion and gaiety, and above al, that the in
toxicating, dangerous love Of admiration, tends
so fatally to destroy forever the peace and har.
mony of domestic life
M. Spectator, l was this day looking over
your papers, and reading, in that of December
9th, with great delight, the amiable grief of
Astoria for the absence Of her husband, it threw
me into great deal Of reflection. | cannot say
but this arose very much from the circumstan-
ccs OF my own life, who am soldier, and ex-
-,
oblige me to leave behind me Il wife that is dear
to me, and that very deservcdly.
She Is at present. ! am sure, no way below
your Astoria for conjugal affection: bat see
the behavior Of some women so little suited to
the circumstances wherein my wife and | shall
soon he that it is with reluctance | never
knew before, ain going to my duty What
puts me to present pain is, the example of
young lady, whose story you shall have rs well
as | can give it you.
''lIortensius, an officer of good rank in his
majesty's service, happened, in certain part Of
England, to be brought to a country gcntcman's
house, where he was received with that more
than ordinary welcome with which men Of do
meStiC lives entertain such few soldiers whom n
military life, from the variety of adventures,
has not rendered Overbearng bat humane,
easy, and agreeable. Hortcnsius Staid here
some time, and had easy access at all hours, as
well as unavoidable conversations at some parts
of the day, with the beautiful Sylvana, the gen
tleman's daughter. People who live in cities
are wonderfully struck with every little country
abode they when they take the air; andiit is
natural to fancy they could live in every neat
cottage by which they pass, much happier than
in their present circumstances. The turbulent
way of life which HortensuS was used to, made
him reflect with much satisfaction on all the
advantages OF a sweet retreat one day; and,
among the rest, you will think it not impruba-
bic it might enter his thoughts that such a
woman as Sylvana would cOnSummate the hap
pineSS. The world is SO m:Sled by mean con-
Siderations, that Hortensius knew it would be
received an act of generosity, If he asked for
woman of the highest merit without farther
questions, of parent who had nothing to add
to her personal qualifications. The wedding
was celebrated at her fathers house. When
that was over, the generous husband did not
proportion his provision for her to the circum-
stance Of her fortune, but considered his wife
his darling, his price and his vanity; or, rath
er that it was in the woman he had chosen that
a man of sense could show pride or vanity with
an excuse, and therefore adorned her with rich
habits and valuable jewels. He did not, how
| ever, omit to admonish her, that he did his very
| utmost ia this; that it was an ostrntation he
could not be guilty of but to woman he had so
| much pleasure in, desiring her to consider it as
such; and begged Of her also to take these
matters rightly, and believe the gems the
gowns, the laces would still become her better,
if her air and behaviour was such that it might
appear she dressed thus, rather in compliance
to his humOur that way, than out of any value
she herself had for the trifes' 70 this lesson,
too hard Tor woman, Hortensius added, that
she must be sure to stay with her friends in the
country till his return.
As soon as HortensiuS departed, Sylvana saw
in her looking glass that the love he conceived
for her, was wholly attributable to the accident
Of seeing her; and she was convinced it was only
her misfortune that the rest of mankind had not
beheld her. or men of much greater quality and
merit had contended for one gentle, though
bred in obscurity; so very witty, though never
acquainted with court town. She therefore
resolved not to hide so much excellence from the
world; but without regard to the absence Of tho
most generous man alive, she is the gnyest
lady about this town, and has shut out the
thoughts of her husband by constant retinue
of the vainest young fellows this age has produ.
ced; to entertain whom, she squanders away all
Hortensins is able to supply her with, though
that supply is purchased with no less difficulty
than the hazard of his life"
Now, Mr.. Spectator, would it not be work
becoming your office, to treat this criminal as
she dcserv. :? You should give it the sevcrest
reflections you can. You should tell women
that they more accountable for behaviour in
absence, than after death. The dead are not
'IIshonored by their levities the living may re-
turn and be laughed at by empty fops who will
not fail to turn into ridiculc the good man. who
is SO unreasonable to be still alive, and come
to spoil good company.
] am sir, your most obedient humble servant
All structures Of behaviour are so unmerciiul.
ly laughed at in our age, that the other much
worse extreme is the more common folly. But
let any woman consider which of the two often