Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1867-08-16
The Model Wife.

from the Cultivator and Country Gentleman.
The Rev. Dr. Willets delivered one Of the
series of lectures before the Young Mems
Association of this city, the past winter
His subiect-the Model Wife-was treated
in such a way as to excite the applause Of
all the large audience present. One Of our
daily papers furnishes the following abstract
af the lecture:
The modesty Of woman's nature causes us
cause they arc silent, like the moisture which
nourishes 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
presiding over the home, is an object Of rev.
efence It is significant fact that the most
complete picture in the Bible, is the portrait
ure of a model wife, which is beautifully
portrayed in the Book Of Proverbs. In that
picture, there is no mention Of idleness she
is Industrious; she not only attends to her
duties. but she sets the example of industry
A foolish and lernicious idea has crept into
society that work should be done only by
the common people. Nowadays young la
dies try to look like the lily and like the
lily, ''they toll not, neither do they spin, yet
Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed
like one of these" In ancient times, the
wives of Emperors brought to their husbands
the productions wrought by their own hands.
If our fair sisters would have their cheeks
glowing with health, let them be industrious
like the Expresses Of classic times. Iwould
say Buy broom > make yourself useful !;
make the bread, and be ready for the day of
mced Taste and neatness should be prac-
tised A neat wife will refine the toughest
specimen Of man. All these shiney-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 Le@d, like the one mentioned in the BIZ
bic, but probably they came from the other
place such women arouse all Of the asperi-
ties of mans nature. Some persons may
think that little matters of cleanliness and
neatness, are trivial; but neglect of them
is like a canker sore upon the life. BY this,
| do mean an extreme fastidiousness in
household matters, and superhuity of dress,
SO that one is compelled to agree with the
Yankee, who, on meeting one Of our fash
ionable dressed bellies in the street, exclaimed
ssWal, there may be some humanity in that
ar bundle of dry goods; but its mighty lee
tie! If men are gay deceiyers, I'd like 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 yet fail in
the essential elements Of a well regulated
household A learned Judge comprehended
the idea Of proper management in the ktch-
en-, when he had inscribed on his wife's
tombstone, sShe was an excellent woman
and good cook" And the old deacon who
attended religious convention, caught the
spirit of the same idea, for on being ques-
toned as to what kind Of time he had, he
said, every good; and such puddings." I
like to hear man brag about the manner
in which his wife can get up things for the
table. It shows that she has the faculty of
sumption, by which she can accomplish
wonders. A woman may have all the ozo-
oies and music, and French, and if she have
no gumption, she is not worth much A
good wife sees that her household are p1odu-
GERS and her husband does not have to do a
dishonorable thing to meet the expenses
which accrue from her carelessness. A des-
pondent man finds, in her cheerful co-opera-
tons, just the sympathy which he needs,
and he is not wise who does not counsel
| with her in matters Of Importance. If he is
threatened with reverses, why should he not
confide in her who can more fully under
stand him than any one else? She is but
his other half. Women have an instructive
judgment. God has given them an intui-
tive perception. Yet some men say, "what
do women know about business?'' Let them
attend to the babies y
A 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 re-