Delaware State journal and statesman., 1861-10-04
PARENTAL LOVE.

Who does not love a childf Certainly not tho
man who has ever had one. And who that has
ever had one has not loved the whole race, for
the sake Of his own little pet at home? There
is something strangely bewitchng in the paren-
tai passion. With most persons it is, Of its
kind, the strongest of all passions. And 1t is
so, naturally enough, because II has in il large
element Of self-love and pride. We see in cur
offspring reflection of ourselves, Indeed, We
might more correctly say, reproduction of
ourselves, as we were in the best, purest and
happiest part of our lives. Then there is a
peculiar fascination in the thought that crea-
ture which is only brief remove, in innocency
OF character, from IN angela creature Of
whom Christ saij " Of such is the kingdom of
heayen"-calls us continually by those tender
est of all names, "mother," " father" whose
love is altogether ours; whose life is an cifshoot
OF our own, and is, possibly, to perpetuate our
name and memory, when the grave has closed
over our ashes, and we should otherwise be for
gotten. But this is not all. Whatever we be-
stow special care and affection upon, which is
daily in our thoughts and in our sight, which
we first bring into being and then nurss and
cherish with such exclusive concern as to make
us feel that, whatever goodness it has, is due to
| our devotion, becomes to us an object of the
keenest and gentlest solicitude. The commonest
experience attesta this truth. We love dog
if we have raised him from birth. No one can
tell the love with which girl regards the bird
she has fed and caressed for months, or the
| flower which she has daily refreshed with water
and nurtured with sunshine. But how much
deeper and stronger aud higher is the love for
ones child 1t is sensible of our kindness, it
gives us, every moment, the most touching eyi-
dences Of its gratitude, Of its yearning trust in
cur fondness, and it takes our whole heart cap
tive by thousand winning ways. There is no
| N ~ W a m NJ of
the little feet on the stairs, or the CHEEKY, crow
| ing voice which salutes our ear as we enter the
door OF home after long, weary day of toll,
and care, and struggle in the rough tug and
tussel with all that lies outside Of that quiet and
secure haven of rest. And then, when the little
arms arc wound about your neck as if they
would cling there forever, and the dear little lips
are pressed to your cheeks in that unsehshness,
that purity of affection, with which no lips but
child's can ever press them, what rapture of
feeling thrills all your body aud soul Then
indeed, the crosses Of the day are forgotten
The rough words spoken, the mean acts DONE
the evil returned for good and the hard strife
for bare subsistence, aIe all, for the moment
blotted out of memory, and in their place comes
sense that there is one spot, at least in all the
earth, where we are supremely loved, loved for
ourselves alone, and where we can repose in the
midst OF perfect faith and peace. Oh what a
heaven that man enjoys who has q home that is
happy happy, not in affluence of that comfort
and luxury which wealth can purchase but in
| that which love alone can bestow, and above all,
home in which child creates a felicity and
harmony which only his presence can afford =
Alas for the wretch who goes through life
without child's love and the love he elicits.-
The strength of the affection is most marked by
its expansiyeness. 1t is distinguished by u
sympathy that takes in oil children. The man
| who has bady has sort of involuntary inter
est in and affection for, every other baby. The
very right of it, anywhere recalls the image Of
his own little baby, and he cannot pass it with
out caress. 1t reminds him of home, of all
its blest peace, and trust, aud love; and he can
not resist patting the little rosy checks and say
ing volume of tender things, in baby dialect
out of the very passion he feels to fondle and
prattle with his own little cherub at home
But we have made long Introductory to very
pretty little anecdote of natural emotion, which
is related in the following paragraph, taken from
an exchange paper. The writer says:
"While standing, few days since looking at
the debarkment of that splendid company, the
Lafayett Light Infantry. preparatory to their
march TO the military camp, II stawart soldier
passed by, and looking at two little children
standing near me, said TO their father, Let me
kiss these children, If you please / left two
just like them at home let me kiss these FOR
THEM and tear stole down his bronzed cheek.
The little ones quietly submitted 10 his fond
embrace, and all the bystanders felt that soft
spot in their hearts had been touched by the
tender little scene. There was noble, aifec-
tionate heart thtobbing beneath the crimson
vesture, and the sight of these little ones stirred
up the tendefest emotions Of his patriotic soul
do not know who he was, but there and then
sent up prayer for his safe return to the loved
ones left behind"