Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1818-09-25
ALEXANDRIA,:
Friday. SEPTEMBER 25. 1878.

red yesterday, in the definition gwen OF Tue
word representative. For" one exercising
the yicarious powergiveD to another, read
"one exercising the vicariors power given
bv another" -Vide Johnson's Dictionary.
The defence of old maids, which appear
ed in your paper Of Wednesday last, is de-
serving of commentator ;--it called TO my
mind one Of the most pleasant productions
in our language, Haley's Essay on oid
Maids''-the best, in nay opinion, OF al
that gentleman's works, whether in verse
or prose; aud which strongly recommend
TO the perusal OF every man of taste. II Is
asserted, by more than one or Two oil the
best tourists and writers on the manners
and character OF the people Of England, that
some Of the most pure and exuberant ioun'
tains of charity and bene6cence in that
country. are the rich widows. and maiden
ladies of fortune, with which that opulent
island abounds. Nothing, indeed, but lg-
norance and the maliciouslless OF the worst
part of our species could preserve to this
time in circulation prejudices SO absurd
and so contrary to truth and justice as those
entertained against unmarried ladies'; tor,
OF hose who entertain them, Twill venture
to affirm that they possess no knowledge,
indeed nothing bat the coarsest conception
of those they pretend to cehsure-that they
cannot understand or even distinctly guess
at their misunderstanding from their
own feelings, they consider old maids the
most unfortunate and miserable OF human
beings for it is an idea very common
amongst the illiberal, that to want hus-
band is to want every thing; and SO high
is the opinion of vain and ignorant men OF
their own importance, and so low do they
regard the female understanding, that they
hatter themselves it is not possible for wo-
men to live happy without their blessed So
ciety. Too generally they estimate the
whole sex by that part of it with which
they have been best acquainted; and can
not conceive a women 10 find happiness
which is net Of their contribution. An old
maid serves them as butt for their ridi-
Guile, and is used as a bugbear TO excite the
apprehensions of foolish girls.-Nor, in
deed, does an old bachelor experience much
better treatment. Old nurses and other
knoving ones do all they can to excite
hearty contempt for them.-lt is probable
that many of the readers of this will reeol-
Iect those sententious lines:
"There was an old bachelor, and he liv'd
all by himself,
Sand all the bread and cheese he had, be
put it on shelf
But as cannot think that there are so many
allowances to be made for them as for the
other sex, shall leave The lords Of creation
TO make their own defence.
The worst OF these prepossessions against
old maids is, the unfavorable influence they
have on the fair sex, giving them unreason-
able horrors OF a single life, and thereby
urging them to hasty engagements, and Of
ten to fatally precipitate marriages, in or
der TO secure themselves against the shame,
as they are taught 10 think it, Of antiquated
virginity. To boarding school girls the
condition Of an old maid appears the most
dreary and ridiculous upon earth; and 10 in
sinuate that such dreadful destiny awaits
her, is thought the highest affront magma
BILE TO young lady. By the indulgence OF
these bad opinions, the mi.udging mind is
gradually beguiled into the injustice Of as
cribing to old maids the most detestable
feelings envy, malignity, hardness OF
heart, niggardlness, and adherence of.the
young, are supposed TO be the constant at
PENDANTS on a single life, and there are
many who will not believe you when you
tell them that you NOW an old maid who is
cheerful, generous, alfectIonate and bene-
VIOLENT. Or il they are compelled to ac-
knowledge the existence Of such one, will
cry out, well, this is a wonder! who would
have thought of ever seeing such an old
maid p
For my part, have, in my life, met
with SO many instances Of pure excellence
in unmarried ladies advanced in life-so
much tenderness, humanity, unaffected be-
nevolence, generosity, and goodness OF
heart-as well as 50 much sound sense and
prudence, that | cannot help considering,
that if that state is in some respects objec-
tionabIe. and has in MANY others advan-