The Northern star, and farmers' and mechanics' advocate. [volume] (Warren, R.I.) 1830-1834, 1830-08-07
THE LIBERTINE.

Fathers--have you daughters! Shut
your doors and your courtesies from the
enjoyment of libertine. The midnight
robber is not so dangerous to the peace OF
our family---the one will deprive you OF
that which again may be recovered--the
other robs you Of fame, of honour, and OF
happiness. The assassin is less to be
dreaded-the one takes away your life;
the other deprives you ofthat which is dear
+, or than life-reputation. Woman! gen.
tie and lovely woman, would you preserve
an unsullied chastity and untainted name
would you have no eye look upon you
with the glance of suspicion, and no
tongue to pour fourth its slander upon
you-shun, ! beseech you, the society OF
libertine; for she that can find pleasure
in such society, lays herself open to SLAM
der, and silently confesses that even a
midst impurity she can discover enjoy
ment. Shun him, beseech you, as you
would start from viper that was crossing
your path; for the human heart is web of
mystery; the brightest, the wisest and the
loveliest have fallen into the fangs Of the
spoilor, and she who places herself In the
path of serpent, exercises more pre-
sumption than prudence. The CONVERSE
ton of sensualist Of this kind partakes of
his general character. AT every oppor-
tunity he will introduce covert and lewd
observations; his glances will be kindled
by unchaste thoughts, and his whole man
ner will partake ofthat artificial, yet easy
voluptuousness, which was the distinguish
ing characteristic of Ovid. Young te-
males have but faint idea of the infu-
ence, which knowledge of their male
friends produces upon the minds Of sensi-
BILE and thinking men. 1t is almost the
lot of every female to have been on terms
of brotherly intimacy with at least one
male previous TO becoming eighteen years
of age-and scrutiny into the character
of that individual, is almost a sufficient cri-
terion, as to her own disposition and char
acter. Ifhe is man of much mental
wealth--ef gentlemanly appearance and
manners, and of sound morality; we have
at once favourable impression Of the fc-
males taste. If, on the contrary, he is a
fop or foo, ,Ia braggadocia, or a black
guard, knave or libertine; most won
deriully will our opinions prcponderate a
gainst communicable estimate Of her
character. 1t is therefore, besecch you,
my young friends, to be most especially
careful in all your intimacies, whether J
they be those of pleasure seeking, transit
tory friendship, or those where the heart
is deeply interested, and the affections are
the ties which bind you. Beware of the
bastard and the knavc; the trif1er and the
conncxin. with neither
will be found conducive to your happiness.
Place personal beauty entirely out otl
The, question. Intellectual strength and
knowledge OF the world; habits Of indus
Try and disposition not readily depressed
at the trifling bubbles ofsorrow that float
upon the current of existence WILDE found
most commendable requisite 10 the Char
,cter ofyour partner--and most conduc-
VIC 10 felicitious state Of human being
Yet the insidious approaches Of a villain
ire not easily guarded against. When I