NO ATTENTION WAS
PAID TO THE CHARACTER OF THE FATHER." (4)
It has also been observed that in cases where the father has
turned out badly--become a drunkard, and "gone to the dogs"--
provided the mother is prudent and sensible, the family will be
kept together, and the children probably make their way honourably
in life; whereas in cases of the opposite sort, where the mother
turns out badly, no matter how well-conducted the father may be,
the instances of after-success in life on the part of the children
are comparatively rare.
The greater part of the influence exercised by women on the
formation of character necessarily remains unknown. They
accomplish their best work in the quiet seclusion of the home and
the family, by sustained effort and patient perseverance in the
path of duty. Their greatest triumphs, because private and
domestic, are rarely recorded; and it is not often, even in the
biographies of distinguished men, that we hear of the share which
their mothers have had in the formation of their character, and in
giving them a bias towards goodness. Yet are they not on that
account without their reward. The influence they have exercised,
though unrecorded, lives after them, and goes on propagating
itself in consequences for ever.
We do not often hear of great women, as we do of great men. It is
of good women that we mostly hear; and it is probable that by
determining the character of men and women for good, they are
doing even greater work than if they were to paint great pictures,
write great books, or compose great operas.
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