Year: 1860

From Washington Irving's Sketch Book.


The treasures of the deep are not so precious
AS are the concealed comforts OF a man


Locked up in woman's love. l scent the air
Of blessings, when come but near tne mouse. a
What delicious breath marriage SENDS forth
The violet beds not sweeter.


MIDDLETON.


have often had occasion to remark the
fortitude 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 intrepidlty and
elevation to the character, that at times it
approaches to sublimity. Nothing can be
more touching than to behold soft, tender
female, who has been all weakness and de-
pendence, and alive to every trivial rough.
ness, while treading the prosperous paths OF
life, suddenly rising in mental force to be
the comforter and support of her husband,
under misfortune, and abiding with unshrink'
ing firmness, the bitter blasts of adversely.


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 its caressing tendrlls,
and bind up its shattered boughs so is it
beautifully ordered by Providence, that wo-
man, who is the mere dependent and orna-
ment of man in his happy hours, should be
his stay and solace, when smitten with sud-
den calamity; winding herself into the rug
ged recesses of his nature, tenderly support
ing the dropping head, and binding up the
broken heart.


was once congratulating friend, who
had around him blooming family, knit TO-
gether in the strongest affection. g. can
wish you no better lot," said he, with en-
thusasm than to have wife and children.
If you are prosperous, there they are to share
your prosperity, if otherwise, there they are
to comfort YOU" And, indeed, l have
observed that married man falling into
misfortune is more apt to retrieve bis situa-
tion 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 bis spirits are soothed
and relieved by domestic endearments, and
his self respect kept alive by finding that,
though all abroad is darkness and humlia-
tion, yet there is still little world of love
at home, of which be is the monarch.
Whereas single man is apt to run to waste
and self neglect; to fancy himself lonely ard
abandoned, and his heart to fall to ruin like
some deserted mansion, for want of an in-
habitant


These observations call to mind little
domestic story of which l was 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 the
anticipation OF indulging her 10 every elegant
pursuit, and administering to those delicate
tastes ard fancies that spread kind OF
witchery about the sex. Her life, said
he shall be like fairy tale"


The very difference of their characters
produced harmonious combination (; he
was of a romantic and serious cast she was
all life and gladness. l have often noticed
the mute rapture with which be would gaze
upon her in company, Of which her sprightIy
powers made her the delight; and how iu
the midst Of applause her eye would still
turn to him as if there alone she sought
favor and acceptance. When hanging on
his arm her slender form contrasted foely
with his tall, manly person. The fond, con-
fding air with which she looked up to him,
seemed to call forth flush of triumphant
pride and cherishing tenderness, as it he
dotted on his lovely burden for its heIplessness.
Never did couple set forward on the flow
cry path of early and we'll situated marriage
with fairer prospect OF felicity.