Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1839-09-26
az N s. = u l. L. a ~ Y
EXTRACT FROM MURRAYs TRAVELS
IN THE UNITED STATES.


IN THE UNITED STATES
Young ladies' in the United States
come oUi." or ''enter company" III
os - years Of age; some times even be-
fore they have len school. This last prse-
ice cannot help considering extremely
pernicious IL disttaets tie young mind
from oil study. and introduce, similar
subjects o: Conversation among still youn.
ger girls who are not destined 10 20 on,
into the world ios tgo or three years 10
come. A young lady whom knew in
one OF the Atlantic cities, the daughter Of
. gentleman in . high situs'ion, and re-
maikable herself for nairefie and qaiek-
ness. told me that when she was at school.
some Of the elder scholars used 60 90 DOT
frequently 20 evening parties, and when
younger ones the partners they had dane
ed with. and whatever had afforded them
food Tor observation and smusement.--
The accuracy Of the account given to me
was indubi,Able; for nv clever informant
mentioned 10 me the sobIiqucts bv which
several Of the young men IN society were
known among her school companions. and
they were droll. bui faithfully descriptive.
I This system may be consideIed harmless
by som- people and dangerous by Others:
without inVesiigaiing the subject too nj.
/ nuiely. think ell must agree that IT has
tendency TO unsetlle the mind for seri-
ous study.
| Young ladies' enjoy much greater liber.
" ~ America than IA England or France;
they walk unattended oy a servant. and
frequently receive the visits Of gentlemen
ia the drawing room during the morning:
/ thus. either in the house, or IN walking
or in riding. . Young lady can enjoy az
much of the society ofan agreeable friend
a. their mutual inclinations may dictate
without the restraints Of the presence OF
mother or any other third party. This
habit Of life Iives an independence 10 The
character which forms Us rnost striking
feature IN The eye OF a foreigner. N-i.
Their are their opinions nor their studies
'nhieci TO very severe maternal scrutiu; {:
have upon several occasions. heat1 q
Young lady ooenly maintain Unitarian
opinions wilh a Calyinisiic mother IN the
roorn. snd discuss some Of the doctrines
Of Hobbies and Voliairs with much auick
nr's and freedom.
! Notwithstanding tie numerous excep.
iions 20 the above remarks they are &c.
morally applicable and I doubt not that
the inference drawn from them by an
English mother would he. that a woman
sn educated must be lax in her moral and
religions principles. Such an inference
might probably he correct. IL one indivi.
dual were 50 brought up 10 England,
under system different from that gene
Fallv pJssSsl. add therefore uncontrolled
bv the inealoulable power IT custom and
public opinion: but IL would be allo-e-
Their inspplicable 20 Americs. where the
Standard Of female virtue is AZ least A.
high as in anv country IN Europe. On
The other hand, II II he inferred from these
observations that ! prefer the system
nursued ~ America 20 that observed IN
Britain the inference will be also ineor.
rect for although exercised within the
houn-'s of proprieiy. that very indencn.
dence 81 msnnFr snd opinion TO which
] have before alluded, a. forming siuk.
ing female Characteristic ~ America
tends IN certain dcEfee 10 impair thai
modest tcseFyc la ern'le ha.afuiness.
that coy ,uhmission' and sweet reluc.
iAnce." which have always considered
the most Attractive and enuesnng attn.
bu;es o: woman. THIS - pant upon
which ] may be peculiarly aensi'ive bur
it has occurred 20 ne more than once
T when enjoying an ssfeesti- fsis.g tate
either "a the drawing loom. ~ in ihy
summer evening stroll. that the cUncs o
sion Of such privilege 20 an ofsiusty &C.
; qaaiRisnce - sa infringement e those
ugh,s hich are 10 E0glaad reserved fol
The most select lnshdship 90 ior she
Kindred. This feeling would fofce iisel
b npon ne bot u mud be GA ned iha'
! there - something shsrmius. sBd s,eu
! Haiieiing 80 = foreigner unace uttDred 90
. thee hahiis % the innocent isadcssnssr
. wI'h Shich yugng ulaidsn on6Jes her
seif 20 his society md pfofsetton. Any
! attempts - avail himself oi ihsi oppofiu.
niiy for dong % 80 ins any ih,ng thst :
mothers pteWnce might ret sanction
would, dosbiisss. BE- met Ssh detef, cd
recruitment snd fsorn.
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