Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1891-03-26
In W0MAN'S BEHALF.
HELPFUL WOMEN.
How Some Wives aud Sisters Have Aided
I'm the Success OF Their Loved Ones,

and helpmate for man, She can assist
him in the affairs of humble home, or
in the. duties of public life. She is no
less womanly when she enters the vari-
GUS arts, sciences, trades and profess
sions than when she graces only the
domestic circle. Successful men in
public or private life often owe much
of their success TO the assistance rem
dered them by their wives, mothers or
sisters
DIR. Franklin once observed me-
chanic at work, who seemed very
happy, and had good word and
cheerful smile for everybody. He in
quired as to the cause of his constant
and happy flow of spirits The man re-
piled: I've got one of the best of wives,
and when go to work she always gives
me kind word of encouragement and
blessing with her parting kiss; and
when ] go home she is sure to meet me
with smile and a kiss of Welcomes and
then tea is sure to be ready; and as we
chat in the evening, / find she has been
doing so many little things during the
day to please me that | can not find it
in my mind to speak an unlSind word
or give an unkind look to anybody"
Such is the helpful and benefcent in
huence OF woman over man. 1t soft
ems the heart, refines the manners, in
spires the energies, and renders life
happy.
In the field of literature, successful
men are often indebted to their wives
for the help without which they never
could have succeeded. Robert j. Bur
dette, the well-known humorist and
lecturer, says: Whatever of earnest
ness and high purpose there is in my
life, / owe to the gentlest, best and wis
est of critics and collaborators, low
ing, devoted wife" When Hawthorne
was removed from Office in the custom
house at Salem, Mass, he went home
with heavy heart, on wintry day,
scarcely knowing what to do next, and
told his wife. She kindled bright fire
with her own hands; she then brought
pen, ink and paper, and placed them
before him; and with the light of hope
and love beaming in her countenance,
she said: 'Now you can write your
book" His face lighted up, he took
courage, went to work with renewed
energy, and wrote 1.-The Scarlet Let
ter" his first popular work, whose mar
vclous success abundantly rewarded
him. When Sir William Hamilton was
chosen professor in the Edinburgh
university, he began to write his lectures
to the students, and by hard work was
enabled to keep few hours in advance
of his class His wife sat up of nights
to write out fair copy of the poorly
written pages he had hurriedly scrawl-
ed; and the next morning he would go
before his class with her legible sheets,
instead of his own.
Great statesmen have likewise been
materially assisted in their labors by
woman's grace, judgment, and fertility
of thought. The wife of Gen. John A.
Logan relieved him of many details, at
tended to his correspondence, did a
good deal of copying for him, and
| NOulu tAdLlluC anu
authorities upon which he was going to
speak. Gladstone, the great English
statesman and parliamentary orator,
depends much upon the advice and help
of his wife. She is always mindful of
his comfort and careful of his health;
she takes care of his books, papers and
magazines, and attends to much of his
public and private business, She is a
careful student of public affairs, and
her opinion is often of great value.
Prince Bismarck said of his wife: "She
it is who has made me what am. y
Burke, Disraeli, and many others have
acknowledged with gratitude the help
of their wives, to whom the credit for
their success is largely due. In the
American revolution, Lady" Washing.
ton and Abigail Adams did much to aid
and encourage their husbands in Their
labors.
In the domain of scientific investiga,
ton, discovery and teaching, woman's
help has been no less valuable vii.
liam Herschel, the great astronomer
never could have reach his high attain
ments and executed his grand achieve
ments but for the help of his sister Car
oline While he took his seat at the great
telescope to watch the heavens, she sa'
in the nearest room, pen in hand, to re
cord his observations. James Parton
the well known biographer, says: 81
William Herschel was one of the mos
successful astronomical explorers, HI
owed very much of his sue
cess to sympathy and intelli
gent cooperation of his sister Car
oline," When Huber, the celebrate,
Swiss naturalist, became blind, ne con
Quoted his observations and gathere,
his facts by the aid of his wife's eyes
Henry Fawcett, another blind man, b,
the help of his cultured wife became
professor of political economy at Cam
bridge, an able member of parliament
and successful postmaster-general O
England.
Not few cases have been known il
which women have mastered variou
arts and sciences for the purpose of be
ing companionable and helpful to thei
husbands in their chosen pursuits
When Gen. Charles E. Ellet was eng
neer of the suspension bridges acros
the Ohio and Niagara falls, his wife
at mature age, studied the highe
mathematics, in order to assist her hus
band and sons in their work. Whe
Roebling, chief engineer, had sacrifC
ed his health in the construction of tn
bridge between New York and Brool
lyn, and could no longer carry on tn
vast and intricate calculations necessar
to the work, his wife fitted herself 70
the task, performed the duties, an
completed the job.-Rev B. w. Wi
liams, in Woman's journal.
Sensible Little Woman's Advice,