Page:The Ladies of the White House.djvu/68

52 a nation as was she; and yet there is no single instance recorded of any act of heroism of hers, although she lived in times that tried men's souls, and was so intimately associated through her husband with all the great events of the Revolution. "Nor does it appear, from the documents handed down to us, that she was a very notable housewife, but rather inclined to leave the matter under her husband's control, whose method and love of domestic life admirably fitted him to manage a large establishment. They evidently lived together on very excellent terms, though she sometimes was disposed to quarrel with him about the grandchildren, who he insisted (and he always carried the point) should be under thorough disciplinarians, as well as competent teachers, when they were sent from home to be educated."

It was a source of regret that she bore no children to him, but an able writer has said: "Providence left him childless that he might be the father of his country." It is hard to judge whether or not it was a blessing; but it certainly has not detracted from his greatness that he left no successor to his fame. On the contrary, it is all the brighter from having no cloud to dim the solitary grandeur of his spotless name. (Few sons of truly great and illustrious men have ever reflected honor upon their fathers and many have done otherwise} When we consider how many representative men of the world, in all nations and ages, have been burdened and oppressed with the humiliating conduct of their children, let it be a