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Literary
August 27, 1856
Star Of The Kanawha Valley
Buffalo, Putnam County, West Virginia
What is this article about?
Extract from Edmund Burke's description of his ideal 'perfect wife,' presented to Mrs. Burke on their marriage anniversary, portraying her beauty, temperament, virtues, and character in eloquent prose.
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A Perfect Wife.
Edmund Burke, the distinguished orator presented to his wife on the anniversary of their marriage, his idea of a "perfect wife," which is supposed to be a true portrait of Mrs. Burke. It is certainly a lovely picture, worthy of the pen of the author of The Essays on the Sublime and Beautiful. The following are extracts:
The Character of
She is handsome, but it is beauty not arising from the features, from complexion, or from shape. She has all three in a high degree, but it is not by these that she touches a heart; it is all that sweetness of temper, benevolence, innocence, and sensibility, which a face can express, that forms her beauty. She has a face that just raises your attention at first sight; it grows on you every moment, and you wonder it did not more than raise your attention at first.
Her eyes have a mild light, but they awe when she pleases; they command, like a good man out of office, not by authority but by virtue.
Her stature is not tall, she is not made to be the admiration of everybody, but the happiness of one.
She has all the firmness that does not exclude delicacy; she has all the softness that does not imply weakness.
Her voice is soft, low music, not formed to rule in public assemblies, but to charm those who can distinguish a company from a crowd, it has its advantage; you must come close to her to hear it.
To describe her body, describe her mind: one is the transcript of the other, her understanding is not shown in the variety of matter it exerts itself on, but the goodness of the choice she makes. She does not display it so much in saying or doing striking things, as in avoiding such as she ought not to say or do.
No person of so few years can know the world better; no person was ever less corrupted by knowledge.
Her politeness flows rather from a mutual disposition to oblige than from any rules on that subject, and, therefore, never fails to strike those who understand good breeding, and those who do not.
She has a steady and firm mind, which takes no more from the solidity of the female character than the solidity of marble does from its polish and lustre. She has such virtues as make us value the truly great of our own sex. She has all the winning graces that make us love even the faults we see in the weak and beautiful in her.
Edmund Burke, the distinguished orator presented to his wife on the anniversary of their marriage, his idea of a "perfect wife," which is supposed to be a true portrait of Mrs. Burke. It is certainly a lovely picture, worthy of the pen of the author of The Essays on the Sublime and Beautiful. The following are extracts:
The Character of
She is handsome, but it is beauty not arising from the features, from complexion, or from shape. She has all three in a high degree, but it is not by these that she touches a heart; it is all that sweetness of temper, benevolence, innocence, and sensibility, which a face can express, that forms her beauty. She has a face that just raises your attention at first sight; it grows on you every moment, and you wonder it did not more than raise your attention at first.
Her eyes have a mild light, but they awe when she pleases; they command, like a good man out of office, not by authority but by virtue.
Her stature is not tall, she is not made to be the admiration of everybody, but the happiness of one.
She has all the firmness that does not exclude delicacy; she has all the softness that does not imply weakness.
Her voice is soft, low music, not formed to rule in public assemblies, but to charm those who can distinguish a company from a crowd, it has its advantage; you must come close to her to hear it.
To describe her body, describe her mind: one is the transcript of the other, her understanding is not shown in the variety of matter it exerts itself on, but the goodness of the choice she makes. She does not display it so much in saying or doing striking things, as in avoiding such as she ought not to say or do.
No person of so few years can know the world better; no person was ever less corrupted by knowledge.
Her politeness flows rather from a mutual disposition to oblige than from any rules on that subject, and, therefore, never fails to strike those who understand good breeding, and those who do not.
She has a steady and firm mind, which takes no more from the solidity of the female character than the solidity of marble does from its polish and lustre. She has such virtues as make us value the truly great of our own sex. She has all the winning graces that make us love even the faults we see in the weak and beautiful in her.
What sub-type of article is it?
Essay
What themes does it cover?
Love Romance
Moral Virtue
Social Manners
What keywords are associated?
Perfect Wife
Edmund Burke
Marriage Portrait
Female Virtues
Character Description
What entities or persons were involved?
Edmund Burke
Literary Details
Title
A Perfect Wife
Author
Edmund Burke
Subject
Anniversary Of Their Marriage
Form / Style
Descriptive Prose Portrait
Key Lines
She Is Handsome, But It Is Beauty Not Arising From The Features, From Complexion, Or From Shape.
Her Eyes Have A Mild Light, But They Awe When She Pleases; They Command, Like A Good Man Out Of Office, Not By Authority But By Virtue.
To Describe Her Body, Describe Her Mind: One Is The Transcript Of The Other.
No Person Of So Few Years Can Know The World Better; No Person Was Ever Less Corrupted By Knowledge.
She Has All The Winning Graces That Make Us Love Even The Faults We See In The Weak And Beautiful In Her.