New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-08-19

with Mr.. Forbes's extreme Acknowledgment
ing tho condition Of the domestic relations III
France. IL is more likely to DO true of tn
highest and lowest ranks than Of the middle
class which he Processes TO describe Shrcvd
tradesmen are not apt to starve themselves
to dover children of whose paternity they are
more than doubtful. But even if his premiS.s
SEES were true, we do not believe that PEE
cuniary independence is likely to harden any
woman into miser induce her TO
prefer vicious passion to true love, or shrewd
speculation to self-sacrifce for her children.
A little money with ordinary women is mar
yelOus lubricator, not only of the grating
wheels of daily life, but of the springs of the
heart. The usual history OF a middle-class
wife in this country, outside Of the great
cities, is a slow narrowing aud closing in of
all her ideas, knowledge, and affections about her
husband and children. Want Of money is the
stringent, absorbing fact in her daily lie the only
remedy in her power is to save. The petty
economies of the arder, and the management
of scanty wardrobes, gradually assume the
place of all her maternal duties the minds
and souls of her children pass uncOnsci0usly
from under her guidance, and almost out OF
her recognition. We believe that if
such women as these were educated
so as to assist their husbands and sons in
their trades or professions, instead of saving
the crumbs and rags in domestic details, they
would become more liberal, efficient wives, ten
dcrer mothers, clearer-sighted, less morbid
Christians. Different work, and more of it, we
have always contended, is the present urgent
need of woman. AS the mess OF pOttage was
to starving Esau in the field, wifehood and
maternity are her God given birthright. There
is no reason why she should despise or sell
her birthright to appease her hunger.
There is little story OF the war, never pub
lished, which may have its meaning here. 1t
is of a young beautiful woman, the wife OF
the foremost civil engineer of his time, who,
when two sons were born to her, determined
to serve them better than as sempstress or
cook. She devoted herself to hard and severe
study, while striving still to keep the graces
and accomplishments of her youth. She be-
came friend and companion to her husband
and sons fitted the boys for the highest classes
in college in the languages and science; for
many years shared her husbands labors. g The
" most intricate calculations leave to her, as
"the better mathematician of the two." he
was used to say. Inc boys anu JheH ldIher
won place and name; she stood in the back
ground, unknown, watching, and satisfied.
At last her work was done; husband
and sons gave their lives for their country,
and when the last was gone, the woman, as
though hearing a sudden call in the midst OF
strength and health, died. She found no bet
ter use for her life, apparently, than to follow
with it over the dark river those whom she
had loved. Other women less weak and fond,
with her capabilities, would doubtless have
become professors or candidates for Presiden-
ces. But there have always been two kinds
of women, and will be to the end