Godey's Lady's Book, Vol. 48, No. XVIII, April, 1854Various
General
Godey's Lady's Book, Vol. 48, No. XVIII, April, 1854
Various
Fashion -- 19th century -- Periodicals; United States -- Social life and customs -- 19th century -- Periodicals; Women's periodicals, American
Stop for a moment and list to the murmuring of the streams as they skip on
joyfully; watch the pearly bells which dance upon their brow all sparkling
and bright. Look above, and view the thousand birds on gay wing, singing
so merrily, welcoming the dawn of Spring, and chanting a lay as a requiem
to the departure of Winter. Look around still, and view the myriads of
insects sporting in the sunlight or sipping nectar from flowers. Oh, is
not beauty there?
When Night comes forth with spangled robes and diadem of gems upon her
brow, while each planet and star with tiny harps welcome her coming,
touching those gentle chords, the echo of which glides like a bright
meteor to earth, charming the very soul--is this not beautiful? Or, when
spirits from dream-land watch by our couch during the hours of repose,
painting scenes to enchant us--are they not beautiful?
Nor are all these scenes alone lovely. There is that which hath greater
beauty: it is woman. She stands forth, like some brilliant star, to guide
man through the path of life and cheer his way. Whether she be in the
lofty or lowly walks of life, if she possess certain mental qualifications
and traits of character, she is beautiful. Her beauty does not consist
alone in the bright flashing eye, which seems to speak the sentiments of
her heart; it depends not upon the graceful form or gorgeous equipage;
it is her mind, well cultivated and endowed with all those intellectual
qualifications, which will make her a brilliant star, and which will
enable her to enlighten those with whom she may become conversant. It
may be found, also, in her heart, one which possesses all those fine and
exquisite feelings whereby she can sympathize with the sufferings of
others and minister to their wants. Woman holds a dignified position in
life, and she should cultivate all those traits which will cause her to be
the very pillar of the society in which she moves. Yes, woman is truly
beautiful; she is earth's greatest ornament; of her too much cannot be
said. In whatever light we view her, she is lovely.
Although Nature possesses so much beauty, Art has also her share, for she
endeavors to copy her works and invest them with beauty, as one has said
of man--
"He plucks the pearls that stud the deep,
Admiring beauty's lap to fill;
He breaks the stubborn marble's shape,
And mocks his own Creator's skill."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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