The Daily Herald

Correspondence of the Newark Daily Advertiser.

I am astonished, Mr Editor, to see such a piece in your paper, as that sent to you by Oliver Oldschool. I thought you knew human nature better, and that you took your ideas from things as they really are, and not as they are written in books.- Why, if you had such a wife as Mr. Oldschool portrays, you would soon find fault with her. Let us consider some of the qualifications required for a good wife, according to his notions. No opinion of her own-no wish-no will. She must never advise—never request-never disapprove-never suggest. Mr. Editor, would you like such a woman for a companion; a friend; a helpmate; a wife? It sounds pretty well, in writing, and you may imagine it would be pleasant; but think for a moment how exceedingly tired you would become of mere echo! You no doubt remember the tale of the Fairies you used to read in your school days. A young Fairy had committed some misdemeanor which provoked the Queen of the Fairies, and she ordered her punishment according to her offence, which she considered great. It was, that she should be condemned to walk on a green and grassy lawn, perfectly smooth and even; without a single impediment in her path. The sky was as ever clear, and bright and blue above her; the sun forever shining. and without a single cloud. The young one thought this was but pleasant past-time, and was delighted to receive such a command. But soon, very soon, she entreated the Queen, with tears, to send clouds, or even stones or rocks, or rugged roads, or any thing to relieve the tiresome sameness of the way.

Does a man marry a woman, merely to have a flatterer? " Never wound his vanity, even in the most trying instance." Why, cannot man, with all his boasted superiority of intellect and sounder sense; with all his vast powers of mind, cannot he bear such a little thing? If he cannot, woman is above him; beyond him; for woman is said to have more vanity than men, and yet such a rule is not prescribed to husbands. " How old you look, my dear," said Mr. B. to his wife; " how pale, you have lost your bloom; you don't look half as well as when you were first married; why don't you try, and look better?" This is a common observation; though it is for him her cheek has become paler, and her light step more slow ; and yet she can turn and smile, though not only her vanity is offended, but her heart wounded.

I am an old woman-I have seen a great many husbands and wives, and I know your theory wont do. Many and many a young wife has tried it, and it fails; it fails in practice. The wife does her part, but the effect upon her husband is exactly contrary to what she expected. Her mildness he wearies of—her silence, he calls indifference-her patience, want of interest; her good example, setting herself up to be better than her neighbors. I have seen it, and it is time you were enlightened on the subject. Touch a new string--don't be harping on the one that has snapt and broken so often. I have four daughters, all happy wives; and they don't go by written rules. They have good husbands-reasonable men, who don't expect perfection in any human nature. and who are willing to contribute their part towards domestic happiness. They do not think a woman should forbear always, and they never.— They are noble minded men and are not willing always to be out done in generosity.

This is a serious subject, Mr. Editor. I wish you would try your influence with the husbands. Let them learn to be a little self-denying too; let them give up their wants and wishes, when necessary for the happiness of their wives. Sometimes let them impart as well as receive comfort. Sometimes let them grant a kindness, as well as expect one. In short, let them love their wives, as well as they expect to feel better than Mr. Oldschool. There is too much written that is never felt, and can never be practiced. People don't tell the truth; they write what will sound best; not what will be the best.— My grand children shall study human nature from real life, and from the Bible-read there the windings of the human heart, and learn lessons of wisdom from what is true history, not speculation and theory. Does the bible tell a woman always to flatter? "Submit yourselves one to another,"&c.- read the story of Abigail and Nabal in 1st Sam. 25th chap. See what she did. There are a great many Nabals in the world; and if your friend's counsel were followed, there would be but few Abigails.- Hoping you will see your error, I remain

Your friend,
AN OLD WOMAN,
Of the New School.
* The grief and surprise of our venerable old friend will abate, when we tell her that Mr. Oldschool is an old bachelor.

Ed.