Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1837-03-31
willing to work, no entreatics, no supp'ica
tons, ever prevailed on him to bestow q
sinple sous on those who would not help
themselves. - Ladies' Companion.
AMERICAN LADIES.

Francis J. Grund, German, who lived
some years in this country, and published
work on Geometry. has Just gone to Eng.
land, where he has published u big book.
entitled "The Americans" The following
is portion of his observations on the A
merlcan Ladies:
ally distinguished by great symmetry and
fneness of proportions; but their frames and
constitutions seem to be less vigorous than
those Of the ladies' Of almost any country in
Europe. Their compilations which, to the
south, nclining towards the Spanish, are,
to the north, remarkably fair and blooming;
and, while young, by far the greater portion
of them are decidedly handsome. A mark.
ed expression of intelligence, and certain
indescribable air Of languor. probably the
result of the climate, lend to their counten-
ances peculiar charm, in which it would
be difficult to find parallel in Europe. An
American lady, in her teens, is, perhaps,
the mostsyl phi like creature on earth. Her
limbs are exquisltey wrought, her motions
are light and graceful, and her carraiage at
once easy and dignitied.
But these beauties, it is painful to say,
are doomed to an early decay. At the
period Of twenty four, a certain want of
fulness in proportion is already percepti-
BILE and, once passed the age Of thirty,
the whole fabric goes seemingly into decay.
As the principle cause Of the sudden de-
cline, some allege the climate; bnt sub
scribe it more willingly to The great ASST.
duty with which American ladies' dis.
charge their duties as mothers. No soon.
;oJ bop h.,
lead life Of comparative seclusion; and,
once mothers, they are actually buried to
the world. At the period Of ushering their
: children into society, they appear, indeed,
! once more, as respectable matrons; but
they are then only the silent witnesses Of
the triumphs of their daughters. An
American mother is the nurse. tutor, friend.
: and counsellor of their children. Nearly
, the whole business Of education devolves
, upon her: and the task is, in many instan.
ces; beyond her physical ability. Thus.
: it is customary with many ladies' in New
England not only to hear their children re-
, cite the lessons assigned to them at school ;
, but actually to expound to them, and as.
sist them in the solution of arthmetical
. and algebraic problems. There are mar
ried ladies' who apply themselveslseriously
I to the study of mathematics and the classics,
for no other purpose than forwarding the
Y education of their children; and | have
t known young men who ha~e u"tvreu COLI
lege with no other Instructions, in any oil
the preparatory departments, than what
! they received from their mothers. But
his continued application 10 the most ar
: duous duties. the increasing care and wei.
, fare of their children, and the consequent
, unreasonable confinement TO the house and
nursery, undermine constitutions, already
by nature sufficiently delicate; and it ia
! thus. by the sacrifice of health and beauty.
| that American ladies pay to their offspring
! he sacred tribute of maternal Affection
r No human being can ever requite the ten
der care of a mother; but it appears to me
that the Americans have, in this respect
, obligations UNNECESSARILY greater than
| those of the inhabitants Of any othes
r country.