Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1862-05-26
miscellaneous
TIL TRUE WOMAN.

sible, pious mother and that he was the
subject of that mothers faithful, early
teaching and he having treasured her IN
structions in e grateful memory, recorded
the substance of them for the benefit Of
Others. We can scarcely avoid the conclu-
sion, that the characteristics of this estima-
BILE mother, were the model from which he
derived his beautiful portraiture of female
excellence.
Our attention is summoned to the con-
temptation of her character, by the abrupt
and startling question, "Who can find a
Virtueus woman?" a treasure not to be es-
'timated-"For her price is far above ru-
'biss." And then, as abruptly, and senten-
'%tiously, he replies to his own inquiry by
pointing out where she may be found, and
in what her worth consists. We do not
find her in the cloister we search in vain
among the sisters of charity !; nor is she
found selfshly winding herself in the web
of celibacy, from the mistaken idea OF
greater purity and usefulness. No, but
here she stands, in the very position assign
ed by the God of providence for the full de-
>velopment and exercise of all the feminine
graces. Here she stands the acknowl-
edged honorable head of a family-united
from proper principles to a man capable OF
approaching her worth, and estimating her
virtues, as more valuable than the most
costly decorations of beauty and fashion.
We at once discover her in the midst of
her ~conjugal and matronly duties-the
heart of her husband reposing all conf
dence ia her faithfulness; and leaving his
domestic arrangement without fear, or anx-
iety, to her wise, prudent, and skilful man
agement so that be has no need Of the
spells of unlawful gain, to keep up appear
ances in society, to maintain his seat in
the gates, or his responsibility among his
= compeers. Hers is no ftful virtue " she
will do him good and not evil all the days
of her life.'' "She looked aeU to the
ways of her household" understands her
own circumstances, and while she sup
ports the responsibility Of her family, it is
not at the sacrifice Of the interests of 9TH
ers, nor,by contracting debts she can never
liquidate. Her expenses and equipage are
graduated by the rule of right, and a wise
reference to her income. While her fine
linen, her girdles, and home manufactures,
the fruits of her ingenuity, industry, and en-
tsrprise, render her like the merchant ships
Of commerce bringing good things from
afar, and filling her house with plenty, and
all hearts with contentment and gratitude.
What beautiful simplicity there is in all
seripturai delineations of character! In
this instance, no mention is made of Su-
perior talents, education, intellectual or
moral training. She comes before us a
practical aUoman-the brightest star in the
domestic constellation fully competent
for the duties, cares, and responsibilities
imposed on her by the most interesting
relations of life her physical and mental
energies awake and active. We see at a
glance that she is educated, that she has
had intellectual and moral culture, but
whether by the instrumentality of others,
or the result of her own mental efforts, we
cannot tell. No matter she is %emphati-
cslly a ~virtuous woman, possessing those
sterling qualities which are the c%onstitu-
ents of "moral goodness" the good old
standard definition of virtue. With all her
energy of character, she is not self-impor-
tant, dictatorisl, and busting, imposing
burdens on others of which she is practi-
cically ignorant but cheerfulfy takes her
part in household labors ever mindful OF
the wants, happiness, and Interests of those
under her care; rising while it is yet night
to give meat to her household and a por.
ton to her maidcns. This is justice-bu'
she is not onlyjust, but benevolent, stretch
ing out her hand to the poor yea, sh(
reacheth forth her hand to the needy, thu
terms used or denote a " cheerful giver."
Wo 6isrpyor M ofnminato waoEnpcS II
her character, no morbid delicacy of per
son or feeling. She is not afraid of tn
cold or SHOWS of winter; against all thes
exigencies she has timely provided. He
family and 'domestics are clothed suitabl
for ohe climate and the season, In he
station and circumstance silk and purpl
are but suitable habiIiments for her ward
robe while mental strength and homo
add the only true dignity to her person.
With all her external superiority, all hC
internal endowments, she is neither ARC
giant, high minded, nor overbearing. 81
condescends 20 those of low estate-ope
ing her mouth with wisdom, in viii,
meekness is BLENDED, and in her tongue
the law of kindness. Her active duti
her labors of love, her watchfulness ov
the ways of her family; leave little til
for self-indulgencc or the bread ofidlene
And what is her reward Her hapI
Intelligent, well trained children, rising
to respectable maturity, call her blesse
her husband, also, he praiseta her, W