The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1893-09-13
Some Mems Wives.

1t was a man of most astute intelli-
gence who said, AS a rule it is safe to
say every public nan of prominence
owe his position largely, perhaps
chiefly, to his wife. There are excep-
tons, of course, which occur to every
one, but this is the rule" And this
man is generous enough to believe, aud
gallant enough to say, that Martha
Washington is as worthy of a monument
as the immortal George or his mother.
Woman is beginning to realize that
there is no gift or grace of mind or
manner, nc logic in the realm of phi
losophy, no language dead or living, no
data known to the savant, which may
not be of service to her in the fulfill
ment of her simple, wifely duty to the
man of her choice.
To the influence, the wealth and never
failing interest of ;his wife, the great
premier who made the Queen of Eng
land Empress of India acknowledged
that his political success was largely
due; and an impertinent questioner
who asked him "What feeling could
bind him to a wife older than himself?"
was answered by Mr.. Disraeli with,
" A feeling unknown to your nature
that of gratitude" Very easily dis
turbed was this great man by any di-
verting incident occurring before he
delivered a speech in the House, and it
is said that his wife, who always ac-
companied him when he spoke, rode
the entire distance from her home to
the House of Parliament with her fin
gers caught beneath the carriage win
| dam rot 1n thnn 70 ~,t a. a,.Lt IL,
carefully prepared period by telling
him of the crushed and aching men,
bers. Very pleasant it is to read Glad
stones tribute to the wife who is the
closest friend, the best adviser. and the
severest critic of the Grand Old Man,
where he says, mo words that | could
use would ever suffice 10 express the
debt | owe her in relation 10 all the
offices she has discharged on my be.
half, and on the behalf of those who are
nearest and dearest TO me; not only is
she the dearest OF companions, but the
most devoted of helpmates, but for
whose self-consecratiUn to the service
of her husband and her children my
own pubic work must Rave been seri-
ously fettered and hindered." Over
all the domestic comfort of the house
hold she exercises untiring watchful-
ness, feeling herself responsible to the
nation, as well as to her own happiness
to preserve the health and prolong the
life OF the famous statesman. a bright,
entertaining cOnversatiOnalist, il is in
her CHEEKY companionship that he seeks
rest and forgelfulness from cares oil
state. Whenever he makes a great
speech she is present TO share his
triumph, and when the speech is owe
she it is who wraps him in warm gar
ments and brings him hot tea, in loving,
wifely ministration, which has never
failed since the then beautiful Gather
inc Flynne, more than fifty years ago,
Joined hand with his at the altar.
And Nine. Carnot, wife of the
French president, who acts as secre-
tary to her husband, has the care of his
private correspondence, and during his
absence takes his place and transacts
all current affairs with a perfect know
edge of business routine. In addition
to this she deputies to no one the care
of overlooking the menus for her house
hold, designating the apartments to be
occupied by her guests, and the general
supervision of all domestic details.
There is the patient and amiable
Countess Tolstoi, who has acted as
amanueusis 10 her erratic and gifted
husband in all these years, copied anG
~recopied his manuscripts, brought up
large family of children, and los
neither her reason nor her good humor
She declares without contradiction in
the presence of her husband that h,
changes his social views every TIVE
years, and that M of his disciples hal
madeIhimseli Ian idiot following Tolstoi'I
teachings.
1t was Philip Gilbert Hamerton VIII,
wrote, in THE Intellectual Life" o
his wife, 1--WE have shared togethe
many hours of study, and you hav,
henn willing at the cot of nnunh M