Year: 1862

gelerte1 Misrellany.


From Washington Irving's Sketch Book.


THE WIFE.


have often had occasion to remark the
fertitude with which women sustain the most
overwhelming reverses of fortune Those
disasters which break down the spirit of a
man. and PROSTATE him in the dust. seem to
call forth all the energies of the softer sex
and give such intrepidity and elevation to
the character that at times it approaches to
sublimity. Nothing can be more touching
than to behold a soft, tender female, who
has been all weakness and dependence,
alive to every trivial roughness, while tread
ing the prosperous paths of life, suddenly
rising in mental force to be the comforter
and support of her husband, under misfor-
tune, aud abiding with unshrinking firm
ness, the bitter blasts of adversity.


AS the vine which has long twined its
graceful foliage about the oak, and been
lifted by it into sunshine, will, when the
hardy plant is rifted by the thunderbolt,
cling around it with caressng tendrills and
bind up it's shattered boughs; so it is beau
tifully ordered by Providence. that woman,
who is the mere dependent and ornament of
man in his happy hours, should be his stay
and solace, when smitten with sudden ca
lamity, winding herself into the rugged re-
cesses of his nature tenderly supporting the
dropping head, and binding up the broken
heart ,----


was once congratulating friend. who
had around him blooming family, knit to-
gaAbar e.seA1
wish no better lot" said he, with enthusi-
asm, ethan to have wife and Children
If you are prosperous. there they are to
share your prosperity: if otherwise; they
are to comfort you" And, indeed. have
observed that a married man falling into
misfortune is more apt to retrieve his situa-
ton in the world than single one, partly
because he is more stimulated to exertion
by the necessities of the helpless and beloved
beings who depend upon him for subsistence,
but chiefly because his spirits are soothcd
and relieved by domestic enaearments, and
his self-respect kept alive by finding that,
though abroad all is darkness and humilia-
tion, yet there is still little world of love
at home, of which he is the monarch. -
Whereas single man is apt to run to waste
and self-neglect; to fancy himself lonely and
abandoned, and heart to fall to ruin, like
some deserted mansion, for want of an in
habitant..


The observations call to mind little dc
mestic story of which was once a witness
My intimate friend Leslie. had married {
beautiful and accomplished girl who had
been brought up in fashionable life. She
had, it is true, no fortune, but that of my
friend was ample; and he delighted in thu
anticipation of indulging her in every ele
CANT pursuit, and administering. to thos
delicate tastes and fancies that spread kline
of witchery about the sex. 'ITcr life,
said he, ''shall be like fairy tale


The very difference of their character pro
duced an harmonious combination he wa
of romantic aud serious cast, she was al
life and gladness. have noticed the mutt
rapture with which he would gaze upon he
in company, of which her sprightly power
made her the delight; and how in the mids
of applause her eye would still turn to hin
as if there alone she sought favor and accep
tance. When hanging on his arm her slen
NCI lOI III dSlCO uutly WILL HIS Cdll
manly person. The fond, confding al
with which she looked up to him, SCENE,
to call forth flush of triumphant pride an
chcrishing tenderness as if he dotted on hi
lovely burden for it's helplessness Neve
did couple set forward on the fowcry patl
of early and we'll suited marriage with fair
er prospect of felicity.


1t was the misfortune of my friend, how
ever, to have embarked his property in larg
speculations he was not married man
months, when by a succession of sudden dis
asters it was swept from him and he foun
himself reduced almost to penury. For
time he kept his situation to himself an
went about with haggard countenance an
breaking heart. His life was but a protrac
ted agony and what rendered it more in
supportable was the necessity of keeping u
smile in the presence of his wife; for h
could not bring himself to overwhelm he
with his news. She saw, however, wit
the quick eye of affection, that all was nc
we'll with him. She marked his alterc
looks and stihed sighs. and was not to b
deceived by his sickly and vivid attempts a
cheerfulncss. She tasked all her sprightl
power and tender Establishments to win hin
back to happiness: but she only drove tn
arrow deeper into his soul. The more Ii
saw cause to love her, the more torturin
WIS thc thourht that he WIS soon f., max