The New Hampshire Gazette And Historical Chronicle

NEWPORT, Rhode-Island, December 28.

WHENEVER Chance brings within my Observation a Knot of Misses busy at their Needles, I consider myself (says the Rambler) as in the School of Virtue: and though I have no extraordinary Skill in plain Work or Embroidery, look upon their Operations with, at least, as much Satisfaction as their Governess, because I regard them as providing a Security against the most dangerous Ensnarers of the Soul, by enabling themselves to exclude Idleness from their solitary Moments, and with Idleness her attendant Train of Passions, Fancies, & Chimera Fears, Sorrows, and Desires. Ovid & Cervantes will inform them, that Love has no Power but over those whom he catches unemployed; and Hector, in the Iliad, when he sees Andromache overwhelmed with Terrors, sends her for Consolation to the Loom and the Distaff: And, says a Friend to this Town and its fair Inhabitants, with as much Truth, though not with the Rambler's Elegance of Diction. Whenever I have the Pleasure of seeing a Knot of Misses busy at their Spinning-Wheels, I consider myself as in the School of Industry; and regard the most beautiful Part of the Creation not only as providing against the most dangerous Ensnarers of the Soul, but as contributing a Part to the Support of the Families to which they belong; & taking the most effectual Step to conciliate the Esteem of the considerate, sensible Part of our Sex.

The airy Flirt, and, the insidious Coquette, may catch, and, for a while, engage the Attention of the superficial Coxcomb; but the shortest and surest Way for the Fair to obtain and secure the Lasting Approbation and Love of the wise and prudent, is to figure in every Relation of social Life.

The present impoverished State of this Town induces every Man of common Prudence, who may be in Pursuit of a Companion for Life, to attend to those Qualifications which are substantial and really useful, not to shadowy Ornaments, and the Parade of Dress; and the great Reason why many of our Sex drone away Life in a stupid State of churlish Celibacy, and many of the other rust away in frumpish Old-maidhood, is because the former, by Calculation, have discovered that, to support the latter in their accustomed Pride of Dress, and Dissipation of Idleness, will require as much Money, at least, as to maintain the other Branches of a well regulated Family. Besides, we do not greatly abound in female Fortunes, and there are but few Men among us who can afford even to Settle Pin Money on a Wife. If Money cannot be found in a Wife, in vain will it be look'd for with one. It is no Reproach, however, to either Sex to be destitute of Riches: but to consume that Money in superfluous Ornaments, and unnecessary Habiliments, and that Time in endless Idleness, which might be usefully employed, is really one of the greatest Crimes.

Ye Batchelors; if ye have any Regard for your Country, and mean to taste the undisturbed Enjoyments of a married Life, renounce your dissolute Courses, and practice Industry & Frugality: And ye Fair, if you would experience the Joys of connubial Love, lay aside every Gewgaw, (simple Neatness is your highest Ornament) lay your Hands to the Spindle, and let your Hands hold the Distaff; let your Fingers embrace the Needle, and the Knitting-Needle be your Delight; then shall ye be praised, then Shall it be said of you, Many Daughters have done virtuously, but the Daughters of Newport excel them all.

Where Scandal and Detraction now prevail,
And noxious BOHEA sheds a pois'nous Stream;
There let balsamick LABRADORE regale,
And Wheels and Needles be the Fair Ones Theme.