Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1829-08-17
From the Boston Bulletin.
A serious inquiry into the causes " the alarming d.
minuiion among Hid3Wsrs.

A serious inquiry into the causes IF the alarming d.
minuiion among Hid9Vsfs.
MEssRs. Eprrous,-I am one Of that numer-
Gus and much illuminated classoi mortals, VINO
having little business Of their own TO manage,
kindly volup,eer 10 ascertain that of others, and
chari.ably assist in its prosecution by volunteer
ing pure and disin,.rested admonitinn. What
can have rendered these people so odious TO the
great mass of this community, is IN enigma
whose solution leave 30 sub,ier brains than
mine. Proceeding as they unqueslionaby do,
upon that universally approved principle-a
,hirs, for Knowledge-it might reasonably be
supposed BY the unsophistoc ated, that they
would meet the appreciation Of the public FOR
laudable and preserving research; but this la
men, 10 say, is not the need Of their exerlions;
opprobrious epilhets and con'emp'uous gibes
being too frequently the reward Of their ind,ta
iigable labors.
Fully aware, gentlemen. of the unhappy light
in which must appear before the majority oil
pour readers, ard deeply lamen'ing the prurient
philanthropy which irresislably impels me TO
ask for information that may perchance rem.
der service, present myself to you, trusting
that the importance of my inquiry will plead
somewhat in excavation with The quaralous
multitude aforesaid. Fearing les' fancy may
have taken the reims fIom sober reason, shall
indulge in d course Of deduction from appear
ances without venturing upon round assertion;
aud put il TO you as rational and celebrating
individuals, whether there is not great cause 10
fear, or good ground TO indulge in suspicion OF
matured and extending conspiracy among the
ladies of this metropolis f'r-the universal
subsection and probable destruction Of The hon
orabIs fraternity of Widowers y! Doubtless
the blum, mauuer in which this question Is sub.
mitled % your sensibility will produce an a.
farming nervous affllclion for the moment; but
implore you 10 give the subiect dlspassion
ate consideration, employing, Should you think
proper, some Of The eminent counsel now con-
gresa,ed in this city, and drawing for their fees
upon The treasurer Of the" Society Tor the EN-,
ployment OF Female Poor" who will doubtless
honor your drafts with pleasurable alacri'y.-
Gentlemen, have long been Of opinion that
the female ladies Of our country generally, and
Of this city in particular, have strong consul
tutional tendency TO revolution, and monarch-
cal principles 1t may be discovered in their
coz tnual changing fashions, in The despo'ical
size of their founces and bonnets, and in their
gradual but sure encroacbnen,s upon thu right
and territories of the male ladies and gentle
men. Sirs, The FIRST step towards The subjusa-
ton of people i, the subjngation OF the press,
aud how is il with us?-All our periodical her
azure is Under the on,rol OF lad'es-(of one sex
or the oher) We ave TOO ladies' reading
room; fitted, no doubt, with petnicious ,niumes
upon political economy, and, like enough, new
addition OF the Rights Of Women" for the
espe, ial use of lis frequen,rrs. Pulprs, pres
ses, and tneatres, acknowledge their female au-
,ocrat, and Mrs. RoyaR Eliminates, and Miss
Wright iighens over The land in unres'raiued
magnih, ence These are signs of the Zines "
Of The most threatening mport-runblings oil
the volcanic lava that must soon bur,, forth,
sweeping away The landmarks IF the age, 18th
a power resislrss and overwhelming Bu' The
latest and deadiest stroke ever aimed at tive IL
berries Of free people, is now descending in
the attempt Tor ,he subjuga,on Of Widowers.
Messrs. Editors, have for long period beer
strangling in The moose of matrlmoBy, and whe-
. Their shall ever agaih enjoy the indescribable
blessings Of celibacy, is question | dare not
pu, to my feelings; but have come to the de
termiu alton, which, now put mo practice, OF
I'm parting secret to the rising and ripenng
gs nera,ion The sole end and aim for which
the married live, is Dominion. Marriage is the
grand struggle for power, aud he or she who
has the bes, constitution has the best chance Of
SURVIVING tlS CONulCt, W NhC
cia observer, this may seem new view OF the
business Perhaps it is a light with which the
subject has never been illuminated before; but
wha, Of thai? Is this not the age OF iutellecsu-
al advancement? Is it not great epoch in the
j march Of mind?-May it no, be called the men,
tai millennium? why when should we be started
by any proposition, however novel or grand, or
mystical, or ineomprehensible' 81 II we have
arms in our hands let US do battle ere we flre."
maintain, gentlemen, that great contest
is al hand ;; and see the proof Of my assertion
in the alarming and increasing diminution Of
Widowers IA dead set appears to have been
made by the ladies at them. and they are fas,
disappearing from among US. Why does this
extravagsnt partia'ity exist for widowers? Is
it, ,ha, they are more fascinsIng, more accom-
pished, or richer than the bachelors? No sirs!
The truth is this: II is well Known that hus-
bands are usually led by the nose-tha, the