Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1872-01-18
a Moral Conveyed.

We received some time since copy Of the
letter which we subjoin. 1t was written by a
distinguished literary lady, Mrs w., Of Troy
and addressed to a learned Judge of New
Haven, on the eve of his marriage. The let
ter accompanied the present of pair of blue
stockings, knit by the fair writer own fingers,
and we commend it to the careful perusal of
all married persons as we'll as all who contem-
plate entering into that enviable and holy
state :
Dear Cousin Herewith you will receive
present of pair of woolen stockings, knit by
my own hands and be assured, COZ, that my
friendship for you is as warm as the material,
active as the finger work, and generous as
the donation.
But consider this present as peculiarly APP
propriate on the occasion of your MARRIAGE
You will remark in the first place, that there are
two individuals united into one pair, VINO are
10 walk side by side, guarding against coldness,
and giving comfort as long as they last. The
thread of their texture is mixed, and SO, alas,
is the thread Of lite In these. however, the
white is made to predoninate, expressing my
desire and confidence that thus it will be with
the color of your existence, No black is used,
for believe your lives will be wholly free from
the black passions of wrath and jealousy. The
darkest color here is blue, which is excellent
where we do not make it too blue.
"Otherappropriate thoughts arise in my mind
in regarding these stockings. The most inditf
creut subjects, when viewed by the mind in
suitable frame may furnisd instructive infer
cnces. AS saith the poet,
1.-The iron dogs the fuel and tongs;
The bellows that have leathern lungs;
The tirewood, ashes, and the smoke,
DO all to rig righteousness provoke
'.But to the subject You will perceive that
he teps of these stockings (by which | sup
pose .eeurtship TO be represented) are scanned ;
and by means Of scanning are drawn into a
>uarl but afterwards comes time when the
whole is made plain, and continues 50 to the
end and final toeing of. BY this wish to
lake occasion TO congratulate yourself that you
are now through with seeming. and have come
70 plain reality. Again, as the whole OF these
e.nmely stockings was not made at once, but by
the addition of one little stitch after another,
put in with skill and discretion. uutil the whole
presents the fair and equal piece OF work which
you see:so life does not consist OF one great action
but millions oflittle ones combined. And SO may
it be with your lives no stitch dropped when
duties are to be performed no widening
made where bad principles are to be reproV'
ed or economy is to be preserved ; neither
A.n,ing nor nurrotcinq where truth and gener-
osty are in question Thus every stitch of life
made right and set in the right place-none
either too large or too small too tight or too
loose--thus you may keep on your smooth and
even course, making existence one fair aud con-
,i>tent piece, until together: having passed the
heel, you come to the very toe OF life. AUD
here in the final narrowing off and dropping the
coil of this emblematical pair of companions
and comforting associates, nothing appears but
white, the token of innocence and peace, OF
purity and light May you, like these stock
ings. the final stitch being dropped and the
work completed 60 together from the place
where you were formed to happier state OF
existence present from earth to heaven
Hoping these stockings and admonitions may
meet cordial reception, remain iu the true
blue friendship, seemly, yet without seeming,
Yours, from t0p to toe 49, ---