Randolph County journal., 1859-12-29

The following letter to his wife was
communicated to TIM TRIBUNE.
CHARrEsTowy, Jefferson Co., Va.
10th Nov, 1S59.l
Ny DEAR WIFE: = n
Now let me say word about the effort
to educate our daughters. | am no
longer able to provide means to help
towards that object. and it therefore.
become, me not to dictate III the mat
ter. | shall gratefully submit the di-
rection OF the whole thing to those
whose generosity may lead them to
undertake in their behalf, while give
anew little expression of my choice
respecting it. lou, my wife. perfect
iectly well know that have always
expressed decided preference for a
very plain but perfectly practical ed
ucation for both sons and daughters.
do not mean an education So very
miserable as that you and received
in early life; nor as some Of our chill
drcn enjoyed. When | say plain but
practical / mean enough of the learn
ing of the schools to enable them TO
transact the common business of life
comfortably and respectfully, together
with that thorough training to good
business habits which best prepares
both men IL woman to he useful though
poor, and to meet the stern realities OF
life with a good grace. Iou well
know that | always claimed that the
music of the broom. washtub, needle.
spindle, loom. AK. scvthe. hoe. fail
etc, should first be learned at all
events, and that OF the piano, etc.
afterwards. | put them in that order
~ most conducive to health OF body
and mind; and for the obvious reason,
that after life of some experience
and oi much observation, | have found
ten women rs well as ten men who
have made their mark in life right,
whose early training was OF that plain
practical kind, to one who had a more
popular and fashionable early train
ing. But enough of that.
Now, in regard to your coming here;
If you feel sure that you can endure
the trials and the shock, which will be
unavoidable Of you Gomez. l should
be most glad to see you once more;
but when L think OF your being insult
ed on the road, and perhaps while
here, AMI of only seeing your wretch
cdness made complete, | shrink from
it. Your composure and fortitu'le OF
mind may be equal to it all; but ! an
in dreadful doubt of it. If you dc
come. defer your journey till about the
9th or 2sth of this month. The
scenes which you will have to pas.
through on coming here will be any.
thing but those You now pass with
tender. kind hearted friends. aud kline
faces to meet you every where. Do
consider the matter well before yor
make the plunge. | think | had bet.
ter say no more on this most painful
subject. My health improves little
my mind is very tranquil. | may say
Joyous. and | continue to receive ever,
kind attention that have any posi-
BILE need of. | wish you to send cop
les of my letters to all our poor chill
dren. What | write to one must an
swer for all, till | have more strength
get numerous kind letters from friend
in all directions, TO encourage me Il
be of good cheer, and | still have. as
trust. 1.-THE peace of God to rule in m,
heart" May God for Christ's sake
ever make his face to shine on vol
all.
Your aflectienate husband.
JONI BHowS.
From a subsequent letter. dated No
veniber "A. we make the following ex
tract.
| have very many interesting visit
from Pro-Slavery persons. almost dai
ly. and | endeavor to improve then
faithfully. plainly. and kindly. / d
not think | ever enjoyed life bette
than since my confinement here. Fo
this am indebted to Infinite grace
and kind letters from friends fror
different quarters. | wish could on
ly know that all my poor family wer
as composed and happy as |. thin
nothing but the Christian religio
could ever make any one so composed
Ny willing soul would stay,
In such frame as this.
JoHS BRowN.