The Southern Literary Messenger, Volume I., 1834-35 — John Shaqi
The Southern Literary Messenger, Volume I., 1834-35Various
General
The Southern Literary Messenger, Volume I., 1834-35
Various
American literature -- 19th century -- Periodicals
The mother of Washington, has been pronounced a model of the true
dignity of woman. She seemed to combine the Spartan simplicity and
firmness, with the lofty characteristics of a Roman matron. With a
heart of deep and purified affections, she blended that majesty which
commanded the reverence of all. At the head of a large household,
whose charge, by the death of her husband, devolved solely on her, the
energy of her tireless superintendence preserved subordination and
harmony. The undeviating integrity and unshaken self-command of her
illustrious son, were developements of her own elements of
character,--fruits from those germs which she planted in the soil of
his infancy. To the inquiry, what course had been pursued in the early
education of one, whom not only America, but the world, regarded with
honor almost divine, she replied,--_"his first lesson was to obey."_
It was her dignity of manner, courteous, yet rejecting all
ostentation, and content to array itself in the "plain and becoming
garb of the ancient Virginian lady,"--that elicited from those
accustomed to the pomp and gorgeous costume of European courts, the
high praise, that _"it was no wonder that a country which produced
such mothers, could boast such a man as Washington."_
He therefore, who has been likened to Fabius,--to Cincinnatus, and to
other heroes of antiquity, only to show how greatly he transcended
them by being a christian,--he who has made the hallowed shades of
Mount Vernon, as sacred to the patriot, as the shrine at Mecca, to the
pilgrim,--shares his glory with her, who wrought among the rudiments
of his being, with no careless or uncertain hand. The monument which
now designates her last repose,--which her native clime should have
hasted to erect,--but which private munificence exulted to
rear,--speaks strongly and eloquently to her sex. It bids them impress
the character of true greatness upon the next generation. It warns
them to prepare by unslumbering effort, for this tremendous
responsibility. It reminds them that in their appointed ministration,
they stand but "a little lower than the angels." And let her who is
disposed to indulge in lassitude, or to trifle away the brief season
of her probation,--or to forget that she may stamp an indelible
character either for good or evil, on some immortal mind,--go and
renounce her errors, and deepen her energies,--and relumine her hopes,
at the tomb of the _Mother of Washington_.
L. H. S.
For the Southern Literary Messenger.
SERVILITY.
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