Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1867-07-30
MISCELLANEOUS.
From the CuItivator and Country Gentlcmsu.l
The Model Wife.

ne 1NeV Ut W llIetS delivered one OF the
series of lectures before the Young Mems
Association Of this city, the past winter
His subject-the Model Wife-was treated
IN such way as to excite the applause of all
the large audience present. One of our daily
papers furnishes the following abstract of the
lecture
The mOdesty of woman's nature causes US
to overlook her influences on mankind, be-
cause they are silent, like the moisture which
nourshes the flower and the tree. And how
the world fails to see this. Mankind only
looks at that which makes noise and fuss
In the world and too few recognize the worth
Of a good woman. That sweet spirit pre-
siding over the home, is an object of rever-
euce. 1t is a significant fact that the most
complete picture in the Bible is the portrait
ure of a model wife, which is beautifully nor
trayed in the Book of Proverbs In that
picture, there ls no mention Of idleness; she
Is industrious; she not only attends to her
duties, but she sets the example Of industry.
foolish and pernicious idea has crept into
society that work should be done only by the
common people. Now.a days young ladies'
try to look like the lily; and like the lilv.
"they toll NOT. neither do they spin. vet Sol
ONION in all his glory was not arraved like one
Of these" In ancient times. the wives of
EmperorS brought to their husbands the pro.
ductIons wrought by their own hands If
our fair sisters would have their cheeks glow
ing with health, let them be industrious like
the EmpresSes OF classic times | would saw
Buy Broom > make yourself useful make
the bread, and be ready for the day of need.
Taste and ncatneSs should be practised 4
neat wife will refine the toughest specimen
ot man. All these shIncy faced fellows have
model wives. The men who have all the
lines around their mouths drawn down, have
wives who did not come from the Lord like
the one mentioned III the Bible. but probably
they came from the OHter place such women
arouse all Of the asperities of a mans nature.
Some persons may think that little matters of
cleanliness and neatness, are trivial; but a
neglect OF them is like cauker sore upon the
life. BY this, | do not mean an extreme fas-
tidiousmcss in household mutters, and super
fluffy Of dress. SO that one is compelled TO
agree with the Yankee, who on meeting one
of our tashlOnahIy dressed bellies in the street.
exclaimed: ''Wail. there may be some hu
manity in that ar bundle of dry goods; but
it is mighty leetle! If men are gay deceiv>
ers, d Ike to know what the women are ~
There is such thing as industry without
good management There are those who are
busy from morning to night, and vet fail in
the essential elements of a well regulated
household. y learned Judge comprehended
the idea of proper management in the kitch-
en-, when he had Inscribed on his wifes tomb
stone "She was an excellent woman and a
good cOOE." And the old deacon who attend
ed religious convention. caught the spirit of
the same idea, for on being questioned as to
what kind Of time he had, lie said, ..Verv
good; and such puddings." l like to hear a
man brag about the manner in which his wife
can get up things for the table. 1t shows that
she has the faculty of yumpfion, by which
she can accomplish wonders. A woman NAV
have all the otogies, and music and French,
and it she has not gumption, she don't
amount to much. \ good wife sees that her
household are producers; and her husband
does not have to do dishunorable thing to
meet the expenses which accrue from her care
iessneSs. n desPoudent man finds. in her
cheerful corporations, Just the sympathy
which he needs. and he is not wise who does
not counsel with her in matters of import
ance. If he is threatened with reyerses
Why should he not confide in her who can
more fully understand him than any one else?
She is but his other half. Women have an
instructive judgment. God has given them
an intuItive perception. Yet some meu say.
what do women knowabou: business? Let
them attend to the babies!''
y good wife stretches out her hand to the
afflicted poor. This diamond of mercy is the
central jewel in the coronet OF goodness. The
most unnatural thing in the world is a woman
who, having the means, does not relieve the
poor. In this sphere of charity she can COM
pare with man. 1t was not woman who slert
in the garden Of Gethsemane it was not yo-
man who refused to follow Christ to the cross:
but 1t was woman who poured out her tears
and washed his feet with the hair Of her
head.
It is important to take care of the tongue
and humor. We should see twice as much
as we say. Some wives tongues, however
are like race horses,th lighter the load the fast
er they run. and by this continual fretting
they make mems lives burdens to them anC
when death puts the seal OF sileLce upon them
husbands can say with the bereaved clergy