The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1867-03-08
CHE 9edford Gazette.
A MODEL LETTER.


TO please the ladies we publish few
extracts from letter of Patrick Hen
ry, the statesman and christian, to his
only daughter. We know that our Ia
dy readers will be edited by the peru
sal:
My DEAR DAUGHTER You have
plete with happiness or misery. The
issue depends upon the prudent, amia-
bic, uniform conduct, which wisdom
and virtue so strongly recommend, on
the one hand, or on that Importance
which want of reflection or passion
may prompt on the other.
You are allied to man of honor, OF
talents, and of open, generous disposi-
ton. You have, therefore, in your pow
er, all the essential ingredients of do
mestic happiness; it cannot be marred,
if you now reflect upon that system of
conduct which you ought invariably to
pursue; if you now see clearly the
path from which you will resolve new
er to deviate. Our rconduct is often the
result of whim or caprice, often such
as will give us many apang, unless we
see beforehand what is always most
praiseworthy and the most essential
to happiness.
The first maxim you should follow
is never to attempt to control your hus-
band by opposition, by displeasure, or
any other mark of anger. A man of
sense, of prudence, of warm feelings
cannot, and will not, bear an opposi-
tion of any kind, which is attended
with an angry look or expression. The
current of his affection is suddenly
stopped; his attachment is weakened !;
he begins to feel modification the
most pungent; he is belittled even in
his own eyes, and be assured, the wife
who once eXcites those sentiments in
the breast of the husband, will never
regain the high ground which she
| might and ought to have retained.
When he marries her, if he is good
man, he expects to find in her one who
is not to control him-not to take from
him the freedom of acting as his own
Judgment shall direct, but one who
will place such confidence in him as to
believe that his prudence is his best
guide. Little things, what are in re-
ality mere trifles in themselves, often
produce chickering's and even quarrels.
Never permit them to be a subject Of
dispute, yield'them with pleasure, and
with a smile of affection. Be assured
that one difference outweighs them all
a thousand or ten thousand times. A
difference with your husband ought to
be considered as the greatest calamity
as one that is to be studiously guarded
against; it is demon which must nev-
er be permitted to enter a habitation
where all should be peace, unimpaired
confidence, and heartfeltaffection. Be
sides, what can a woman gain by op-
position or indifference? Nothing.
But she loses everything she loses her
husbands respect for her virtues; she
loses his love, and, with that. all pros
pect of future happiness. She creates
her own misery, and then utters idle
and silly complaints, but utters them
| in vain. The love of a husband can be
retained only by the high opinion
which he entertains of his wife's good
ness of heart, of her amiable disposi-
ton, of the sweetness of her temper,
of her prudence, of her devotion to
him. Let nothing, upon any occasion,
ever lessen that opinion On the con-
trary, it should augment every day !;
he should have much more reason to
admire her for those excellent qualities
which will cast lustre over a virtuous
woman when her personal attractions
are no more.
| Has your husband staid out longer
than you expected? When he returns
receive him as the partner of your
heart. Has he disappointed you in
something unexpected, whether of or
nament or of furniture, or of any con-
veniency? Never evince discomfort; !;
receive his apology with cheerfulness.
Does he, when you are housekeeper,
invite company WithOutinforming you
of it, or bring home with him friend?
Whatever may be your repast, hoWev
er scanty it may be, or how impractical
bic it may be to add to it, receive them
with a pleasing countenance, adorn
your table with cheerfulness, give to
your husband and to your company a
| hearty welcome; it will evince love
for your husband, good sense in your
self, and that politeness of manners
which acts as the most powerful charm! !!
1t will give to the plainest fare zest
superior to all that luxury can boast.
Never be discontented on any occasion
of this nature.
In the next place, as your husbands
success in his profession will depend up
on his popularity, and as the manners
of a wife have no littleinf1uence in ex-
tending or lessening the respect and es-
TEEN of others for her husband, you
should take care to be affable and polite
to the poorest as well as the richest.
A reserved haughtiness is sure indi-
cation of weak mind and unfeeling
heart.