The Portland gazette. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1818-1824, 1820-05-23
MISCELLANY.



Having been pleased with many of the senti-
ments, expressed in the former essays of the
Bachelor, read his " notions upon loveo with
attention, but not porceiving, from first reading,
the point at which he aimed, read them a
second time. ] am not certain. however, that,
with all my attention, have been able perfectly
to understand him. Some of the most obvious
conclusions, to be drawn from his essay, seem 10
be, that he is in love Qove, in the sense in which
he uses the term); that the object of his affection
is a coquefte and the reason, that he continues
bachelor, his inability to follow the 4" excellent
moral'' contained in his motto.
1t is difficult to determine the Specification OF
the word lore, from the bachelors of it
unless he means by it that, which, MIR. Pope says,
- through esrfain sirainers usl rsfn'd
Is gentle lore-
For he says that love &C excludes reason from il,
precinct" and that it is an g impulse,o conse-
quently mere excitement of the animal spirits
Is the bachelor under the influence of this 'shot,
impetuous, thoughtless" passion Alas, how
unworthy of the honorable title Of bachelor he,
who yields himself to the dominion of this kind
of love.
File is supposed to be in love with coquctte.
because he praises persons generally praise what
they love) coquetry and fckleness. He con-
siders these - excellent barriers against the
ianaenfable effects of love, and the best prcserva-
tions Of the enjoyment Of our lives" How his
figure illustrates his idea, is not readily discover
ed. What are these lamentable effect. of love I?
and how do coquetry aud fckeness preserve the
enjoyment of life However, ifthey have re.
lieyed the gentleman from pain, (he probably
speaks Of their efficacy from experioncc) we
certainly ought not deny him the pleasure Of
praisng them. Being member Of the fraterni-
ty, J think myself justified 10 declaring that
bachelors most cordially detest coQuetry, and
consider those females. who delight to trine with
our " hon # hearts, deserving of our sovereign
contempt. We think, that coquettes ought to
live, as punishment for their I" unfeeling folly"
at least one century, in the bloom and vigour of
youth, with continual prospect Of obtaining a
husband, without ever enjoying the sweet. of a
married state, a :. consummation,n by them so
devoutly to be wish'd.o What the bachelor
calls The "worst consequence of coquetry, viz.
that it may be carried one step too far. is the
only good tendency it has, a tendency to correct
itself. Some. by too long INDUCING thi. propen-
'ty, fail to obtain husband. Cbagrined by dis
appointment, they yield themselves up to despair,
their dispositions are changed, and they,
" Abemipahle, unutterable and worse
Than fables yet have feign'd. or fear conceiy'd.
Gorgons, and hydras, and chmaras DIRE
remain monuments. TO deter others from like
course of consummate folly. Superannua,ed CO.
lin, described by Milton in the second book of his
paradize Lost.
The opinion has attained that bachelors have
an aversion to the social pleasures which the
society OF the fair affords and that they are in.
sensible to the emotions of love but this is erro-
neous. They are not incapable Of ratio al love.
While they scorn to he Influenced by love that
IS not founded on reason, they 8 feelingly a
i've" TO that, which arises from a consideration
Of noble qualities. Overlooking the beauties of
The surface. whether real or superinduced, they
with a critics eye" search for shining intellec-
'ual qualities, candour sincerity and domestic
virtues. Any female recommended by these, is
sure Of obtaining our highest regard and kindost
attentions.
But alas bachelors are not infallible hence
We find that one has swerved from the establish.
I'd principles of the brotherhood. He has yielded
10 the influence of a passion, IS with which prim
reason has very little to do - and when young
iady declined his suit, he could not boldly say,
nay, she love not me, care not for her."
we presume, however, when his mind shall have
turned to its former state OF sanity, he will at
re renounce the doctrine, which he has SO I'M
s'tingly advanced. If he should think, that
We erred IN my conclusions respecting himself,
Fopid refer him 70 his own noiions upon lore.
sia particularly 10 the concluding remark.
PHlLOs.