to overcome the repugnance they excite. How much more fatal than even folly they are to all domestic felicity, you have probably already seen enough of the matrimonial state to judge. Many of the qualities, which fit a woman for a companion, also adapt her for the office of a helper; but many additional ones are requisite. The original purpose for which this sex was created is said, you know, to have been, providing man with a help-mate; yet it is, perhaps, that notion of a wife, which least occupies the imagination in the season of courtship. Be assured, however, that, as an office for life, it's importance stands extremely high to one whose situation does not place him above the want of such aid; and fitness for it should make a leading consideration in his choice. Romantic ideas of domestic felicity will infallibly in time give way to that true state of things, which will show that a large part of it must arise from well ordered affairs, and an accumulation of petty comforts and conveniences. A clean and quiet fire side, regular and agreeable meals, decent apparel, a house managed with order and economy, ready for the reception of a friend or the accomodation of a stranger, a skilful as well as affectionate nurse in time of sickness-all these things compose a very considerable part of what the nuptial state was intended to afford us; and, without them, no charms of person or understanding will long continue to bestow delight. The arts of housewifery should be regarded as professional to the woman who intends to become a wife; and to select one for that station, who is destitute of them, or disinclined to exercise them, however otherwise accomplished, is as absurd, as it would be to choose for your lawyer or physician a man who excelled in every thing rather than in law or physic. Let me remark, too, that knowledge and good will are not the only requisites for the office of a helper. It demands a certain energy both of body and mind, which is less frequently met with among the females of the present age than might be wished. How much soever infirm and delicate health may interest the feelings, it is certainly an undesirable attendant on a connexion for life. Nothing can be more contrary to the qualification of a help-mate, than a condition, which constantly requires that assistance which it never can impart. DR. AIKIN. THE COUNTRY FAVOURABLE TO HEALTH. That from a thousand lungs reeks back to thine The spoil of dunghills, and the putrid thaw It is not air, but floats a nauseous mass While yet you breathe, away; the rural wilds A kindly sky! whose fost'ring pow'r regales ARMSTRONG. ADDRESS TO THE DEITY. GOD of my life, and Author of my days! Permit my feeble voice to lisp thy praise; And trembling take upon a mortal tongue That hallow'd name, to harps of seraphs sung: Yet here the brightest seraphs could no more Than veil their faces, tremble, and adore. Worms, angels, men, in ev'ry diff'rent sphere, Are equal all, for all are nothing here. All nature faints beneath the mighty name, Which nature's works, thro' all their parts, proclaim. I feel that name my inmost thoughts control, And breathe an awful stillness through my soul: As by a charm, the waves of grief subside; Impetuous passion stops her headlong tide. At thy felt presence all emotions ce ɑse, And my hush'd spirit finds a sudden peace; Till ev'ry worldly thought within me dies, And Earth's gay pageants vanish from my eyes; Till all my sense is lost in infinite, And one vast object fills my aching sight. But soon, alas! this holy calm is broke; His grace descends to meet the lifted eye; He reads the language of a silent tear, Accept the vow, and bid the suppliant live? If the soft hand of winning Pleasure leads Where briers wound, and thorns perplex my way, Thy hopes shall animate my drooping soul, Then when the last, the closing hour draws nigh, MRS. BARBAULD. |