Even the understanding of the best woman seems to work mainly
through her affections. And thus, though man may direct the
intellect, woman cultivates the feelings, which mainly determine
the character. While he fills the memory, she occupies the heart.
She makes us love what he can only make us believe, and it is
chiefly through her that we are enabled to arrive at virtue.
The respective influences of the father and the mother on the
training and development of character, are remarkably illustrated
in the life of St. Augustine. While Augustine's father, a poor
freeman of Thagaste, proud of his son's abilities, endeavoured to
furnish his mind with the highest learning of the schools, and was
extolled by his neighbours for the sacrifices he made with that
object "beyond the ability of his means"--his mother Monica, on
the other hand, sought to lead her son's mind in the direction of
the highest good, and with pious care counselled him, entreated
him, advised him to chastity, and, amidst much anguish and
tribulation, because of his wicked life, never ceased to pray for
him until her prayers were heard and answered. Thus her love at
last triumphed, and the patience and goodness of the mother were
rewarded, not only by the conversion of her gifted son, but also
of her husband. Later in life, and after her husband's death,
Monica, drawn by her affection, followed her son to Milan, to
watch over him; and there she died, when he was in his thirty-
third year.
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