A grateful homage

From his First letter to his daughter DlANA after her marriage to Mr. S. W. Corbin, of Farhyvale (Virginia), May 9th, 1858.

I was speaking of the Christian graces and human virtues and those traits which you should cultivate, and which embellish and adorn the character.

The one great point which, after duty to God, you are to keep constantly in view is, to identify yourself with your husband, and strive mutually each to make yourselves the companion of the other.

There is but one way to do this, and that is by teaching yourself, my dear, to take an intelligent interest in those affairs and occupations which are from time to time employing your husband's thoughts and life.

The husband's affairs are, in the married life, the affairs of the State. He provides; and, to say the least, the wife who seeks to be posted up in everything that concerns him, especially in the every-day affairs of life, does nothing more than render a grateful homage.

Do you, my love, first set the example, and if you do not win tenfold, I have much mistaken the character of the man who has won your affections.

Source: A Life of Matthew Fontaine Maury