Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1809-09-22

and habit, have long since formed their cha
racters.
rae idea oe waiting to make fortune and
marrying s.fterwards, with which many am,se
themselves, is mere delusion Are they sure
rhat tn " shall have it ever i'm their power 10
get rich AID all taar, is necessary is aeon
ortable subsistence. Beyond this neither pro
fideHoe nor the laws OF society. should pay any
Regard To The imaginary wants of individu-
rs And he who can command the necessaries
sif life by MS ev rtinns owes it duty to his
creator aud his countryto contribute by MARI
AYE 10 its population.
THE Expectation ofgctting rich before mar
rage, disapponts its very object The adyen-
Surer in lottery might as reasonably sit at
home idle and trus, for his support to the for
t',nate results of the wheel. He could even
do it with greater probability Of success, as
the chances in his favor are m ore in ma nbcr
and the issue is sooner determined. The for
tune hunser forgets- tha' many have been ruin
ed, by similar conduct: and even allowing that
he shalt succeed, What is the reality Of his ST.
At an advanced age, without the physical or
moral powers Of enj Iymeat- wi h. a frame de-
bilitate by disease aud q mn corrupted by
impure abits with low i'll a OF the sex, be-
cause he is a quanted only with its outcasts
perhaps with number ofilegitinate children );
the frightful source of jealousy on the part of
MS wife, and disgust on that of her relations
amidst such an accumulation Of evils AMI at a
period in life when he is leass qualified either
for business or reflection, he has to atteAd to
the maintenance and education or ms obs lr =
AMI make provision for their future settlement
IN the world.
We have here supposed him blessed with
children and the possession of an aniahle wa
m N. whose habits, propensit es anil feelings
are not d'scordsnt to her condition. Blt let
srU 81 Y
she has married h,rn from mercenary motives :
that beth are endless, with I'll any nledce for
mutual attachment or enlearm mt 4. Do su n
marriages obtain one of the objects of their
arst institution eith 81 of the pop iiation Of the
country. o. the happiness of the parties
Ottlc regeneration of pers rns from the ef.
fects OF habitull in lulgence and Confined pro
pensi Y, there can be little hope Oar business
Is 20 discourage others from similar practices by
II. king at the root Of the evil.
Two remedies present them eiye eth er one
or both should be adopted: the severity OF
law. or the Influence of public opinion
For the efficacy of the foCser, no p,litician
viii ans YER Laws are o. little av,ii when the
opinions Of people are in hostility to the let.
ter Of statute. AMI such laws besides heng
tlscl SIS, would have this b,d fleet: that by &C.
c.isominls the people to violate them in sin lie
ms ance, door is thus opened for their viola
ton in ochers; and 4 precedent becomes es
tablished
Perhaps, however, it may be wise
in the laws of some countries which i'm.
pose a tax upon bachelors beyond 4 erain
age; that men who do not contribute 70 the
population Of the country might at least contri
bu;e to the support of its Cover ment
But will the Influence of publ c opinion be
more eifectual towards the prevention Of those
abuses than the sword Of the civil magistrate
Much more So The laws themselves have
their sanction in public opinion. aud he expert
ence of mankind has demonstrated that it is
easier to overturn government by force than
to Grange the approved usages of people
These n ave remained to every people suhse
quent to all the great revolutions Of the World.
and had written monuments entirely Dari5hed,
these would afford proofs enough, ofthe con.
mon and deiiva'ive origin Of mankind When
we, therefore, have recourse 10 pebhc opinion
rs a remedy against future abuses ofthis sort
we apply principle, that which is most eifec-
tual. because it is founded in human nature.
The question then returns, does public OPT
Mon in this country strongly counteract prac,i-
ces which are so detrimental in their co lsequen-
ces to the individual and general happiness
Or does it by cOnnivance or perhaps by til.
favorable reception given, encourage its AL hors
in their perseverance,
Do not many young women perhaps through
a thoughtless and habtual giddiness, pay little
regard to the moral character of their m ale
friends and acquaintances With many the Ro.
mantle idea of reformed rake becoming a
good husband, is favoritc do -trine and these
too, not like the philosophers of the other sex,
are often found upon trial To have no objection
to test the truth Of their principles by their
practice. Others who have outstrippcI the
bellies of Their cOferis in fashionable opinions,
boldly assert, that they love rogue. To these
pretty fellow celebrated for couple of in.
trigues, would surely find him self more vel :
Come than dozen of letters Of introduction
could make ham.
The wonder. therefore, is not that so many,
but 50 few are ruined when such numbers lay
themselves open TO deception. 30 tut we
must attribute it TO the goodness of wise po
violence hat has been so sparing in graces 10
their persons, which. had he granted, ihey
must have long since been ruined.
Were women bred up with proper know
| ledge Of the dignity Of their character: with a
| proper respect for the laws Of morality and a
reverence for the precepts ofreligion holding
their character in proper estimation, would
! they associate with known proAiga,es With
n knowledge Of the value of the treasure they
bestow, would they unite with men whom
they have reason to imagine would neither
make them an equal return or set any regard
| upon their favors ,
is not the delcscy Of men superior to wo
mems m this respect The most abandoned