Kentucky Gazette

DOMESTIC HAPPINESS.

If a happy marriage has given and ensures to man peace at home, let there be no dread of the caprices of chance; his happiness is sheltered from the strokes of fortune. A wife, gentle and affectionate, sensible and virtuous, will fill his whole heart, and leave no room for sadness. What will he care for the loss of property, when he possesses this treasure? Is not his house sufficiently magnificent, as long as she commands respect to it--splendid enough, as long as her presence adorns it? A cottage where virtue dwells, is far superior to a palace; it becomes a temple.

If he were deprived of a high and valuable office, he would scarcely notice it, for he occupies the best place in the heart of her he loves. If he be not separated from her, banishment itself cannot become to him an entire exile; for in her person he views an image of his country.

Through her exertions, order reigns in his household, as well as peace to the soul. If injustice or ingratitude irritate and grieve him, her caresses will appease and her smiles console him.

Her commendation is glory; she too is his conscience, he thinks himself good when he rises in her affections, and great when she admires him He sees in her, reason personified, and wisdom in action. for she feels all that the philosophers of every age have only thought.

As modest as the violet, she shuns display, and diffuses in the shades around her, the perfume of virtue and happiness.

Labors, pains, pleasures, opinions, sentiments and thought are in common between them; and as she never expresses more or less, than what she feels, he reads at a glance her thoughts, in her gestures; and even in her eyes, he can apply to her what used to be said of Pompey when young, "the thought was uttered before the voice had sounded."

If he be ill, the double balm of love and friendship comes to his aid; numberless delicate and affectionate attentions dispel uneasiness, and waken hope. Pain itself smiles upon tenderness, and again knows pleasure.

If poverty should compel him to labor for a livelihood: if the fatigues of war or State affairs, should have exhausted his strength, or enfeebled his health, she alleviates the toil by sharing it.

How easy and short does the voyage of life appear with such a companion!

As to the fortunate isles, buds, flowers and fruits! His summer has retained and preserved the charms of his spring--and old age has drawn near without his perceiving its approach.