Economy of Character [pp. 275-280]

ECONOMY OF CHIARACTER.
incidental to humanity. But, as they made it a
practice to be as well conformed to propriety as
might be, so they were not in the way of betraying all the weaknesses to which they might naturally plead guilty. In this way they not only concealed, but they repressed them.
They were much alike in the point ofrboth possessing a genuine independence of action and feeling. But this carried no assumption with it, and
never sought to aggress. All who were worthy
were treated by them with fairness, and consideration, and complaisance. Urbanity was no doubt
the distinguishing trait in the disposition of the
husband. And the wife, whilst she possessed a
spicery of keenness and discrimination, was yet
nobly just.
This entire freedom from either jealousy or fear
of the opinions of others, was also not interfered
with by any relative form of dependence, either
direct or contingent, upon them. They considered
their ideas of duty as drawn from higher authority
than that of society or of neighborhood-though
owning obligation to both-yet paramount to their
dictation. They made no false pretenses, affected
no undue elevation, nor owed any pecuniary obligation-they lived upon certain means-they lived
within their means, and were fully above-board.
Ill the course of my narrative I may, perhaps,
recollect some trait of reprehension in their conduct. But at present I aver that not one presents
itself. This will not seem surprising to the reader,
when it is recollected that, in their economy of character, it was the principle of both to guard the
"heart," whence are "the issues of life." This
method they had probably assumed by compact,
after they became parents, as presenting some example in themselves of the conduct which they
exacted of their children.
The lady, I think, possessed the greater share of
moral prudence; and with her, probably, this discipline, as an established method, originated. And
she, of the two, having the children always about
her, would reap more comfort from this culture at a
second growth. It was not hl, as in many families, that the children, from their greater familiarity
with their mother, respected her less than their
other parent. Whilst their confidence in her was
complete, she yet ever retained that salutary com mniand that insured the well-being of both parties if parties they may be called, where, in love, all
vere willing to lay down their lives for each other.
This lady did not think herself very wise-she
only essayed to pay a living homage to such as
were so. She used to say that her authority was
the best on record, adding, "In the book that I
consult, I find whatever I look for; and none so
bold to gainsay it." She was substantially relig ious. Judge C., also, was of the faithful. Upon
first establishing himself in a home, he said, "As
for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."
As an industrious man of business, he was much
absent from home; so that the charge of the family fell more upon the wife.
I remember once seeing her under some anxiety to clear the house of some guests, who were
with her by invitation. She at first essayed some
little address in doing this, but finally came out
with characteristic candor, saying, "My husband
has just got the information that he has lost his
office. This is not only a disappointment to him
in the way of business, but, also, his feelings are
rather mortified. He has been so great a favorite
with the public," added she, "that perhaps he will
not bear it very well at first; and so, dear ladies,"
continued she, "if you should visit Miss D. for the
next week, and return to me after that time, I
shall be entirely at leisure to enjoy your company.
You do not nmisunderstand me; and do return, I
pray you, when I shall send for you, and let me
claim the whole of your promised visit." She was
not misunderstood; for they should be captious persons, indeed, who could have taken offense at this
high-minded appeal.
Judge C., after all, had no cause of personal
chlagrin. His removal from office had been effected
by the usual play of party intrigue, in a time of
strong political excitement. HIc had still his profcssion as a resource whereby to live. And he had
ever at hand this kind friend to soothe and shield
him, as it were, from himself.
They had six children to train up. They thought
it not enough to feed, and clothe, and educate them
at school, or at college; but they were vigilant over
them, that corrupt ideas should never gain a footing within their hearts or their practices. They
were "instant in season and out of season," to direct them to that propriety and those well-grounded principles of action, that should render them
competent to whatever station of life they might
eventually fill. They took care early enough to
train them to the use and exercise of their faculties; so that they should never be averse or dis couraged by employment. They insisted on their
being fond of reading; and this they rendered in tcresting to each, by conforming, as much as was
proper, to their particular tastes in the choice of
books. Books they wcrc supplied with in plenty.
With toys only sparingly; for which, by the way,
they wcrc much better relished by them, than if
they had been indulged in more. They inculcated
self-dependence and independence upon tlm in the
best sense of the words.
*With some of their children they found it mat'ter of vigilant attention to repress that sort of self importance, which the very young, if possessed of
a good deal of character, are apt to carry along
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