The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1842-02-09


An Elopement In High Lifs--rhe Isfiuence
OF Fashionable Boarding schools.
We find in ole of the Wall street prints, Of yes
terday morning, a very remarkable account Of an
elopement which tsok place in this city few days
ago. and which illustrates the influence Of fashisna
Die boarding school education on the young female
mind, in the most extraordinary degree. Here it
is as written by Mistress Biddy Brooks, Esq, who
does the chamber-mad work and the gossip Of the
" Nsw York Express":-
UroS CLHRGvhsN Or MAsssrRArss WHO MARRY IN Res.
AWAY MArcH1s-The elopement we alluded to yester-
day, OF young girl Of the West, from q well known
Boarding School on Staten island has attracted great
deal of attention, and created something of alarm
about Boarding Schools but in partcular is ndignation
expressed against the clergyman who sanctioned this
Matrimonial connexioA-
among the most distinguished officers in the army was
left by her fond parent in Boarding School Staten
her education in; where Captain Shirley late officer
in the British Army and serving either in the field Of
Waterloo New Orleans, first became acquainted with
her. Through the fundamentally, as 1t is said, OF the
son ofth lady who kept the Boarding School, but with
out her knowledge her consent TIE acquaintance of
this Captain shirley ripened into agreement to be
married and elope He boarded for long time the
Pavilion but he subsequently, became resident Of the
house itself on account Of previous matrimonial con-
neXon he had formed with the family Of the lady whose
school the young girl was in. On Saturday week. the
young lady was permitted to come to the city on the
but not here them when the marriage took place;
and February 3D. after having returned home under
other pretence she again came to the city when they
both sailed in the packet ship Mediator, for London,
which brought out all the facts in the case.
This Capt. Shirley snow one Of the mixed commits
sion for the suppression of the slave trade stationed at
Demarara. His age is variously represented The low
est point is stated at and the highest at TO- this disa
greement of computation arising from savage looking
pair OF mustachios and whiskers which the captain
wore, WHILE il is affirmed, he rouges not little and
wig and false tceth-such ornaments, all will
aew often adding much youth the appearance of old
men. The captain. too, dresses remarkably we'll walt
yes admirably, and has figured not little in fash
ionsbe society that when he all these
ornaments and aculti o fascinate and be witch young
girl not yet fourteen who know nothing Of the world
il is not at all remarkable that he had success. Heis
said however, to be respectfully connected in England
and he has left behind his marriage certificates in the
hands Of respectable merchant This is his third wife,
Under late law of New York II may be well to add
here the marriageof young girl under sixteen is void
able, but not void.
Wehave stated these facts thus particularly to awak
attention to the act OF clergymen or Magistrates who for
large Fee Earry in such improper this. That
Capt Shirley in pursuit Of the young girls fortune
must have been clear light the party marrying
notwithstanding the girl was left by her distant father
at Boarding School, Clergyman probably, profess
sing reverence and love for religion and pretending to
amor pocrisy and deceit aided and abeed this girl
III violating one of the COMMANDMENTS and her husband
now in the pursuit of avarce though at the hazard of
all the girls future happiness and her fathers too Such
acts are wicked and arociou the guilty them
deserves to have the finger Of be appointed
him by whole community.
We have understood the lady in whose School the
Prelimnsres of this affair occurred is il the greatest
distress, and is not in the least to be blamed.
The young lady referred to in this narrative, is
Miss Emily CToghan, the daughter Of a Mr.. Croghau
OF one OF ths western 2ates who has been an Indian
agent in the service Of the Government. Her uncle
is the celebrated hero of Sandusky, Col. Croghan
of the U. S. army. Her father is now in Washing.
ton She is the heiress, it is said, Of half million
of dollars. The affair has produced great excite.
ment in fashionable circles and excavations are. of
course, thrown out at random npon all parties con-
cerned The evil, howeve exists in the state of
society, and the tone Of fashionable morals that pre.
vail in certain eiiques.
In the first place, the system Of fashionable board
ing schools is destroying the happiness of the pre-
sent and future generations of American society
Young ladies are taught every thing graceful class
cal and accomplished, but their principles, their sen
tlments, their domestic affections are entirely ne.
elected. To shine in society is the ambition of every
female-not to be affectonate wives, or sensible
mothers, or cheerful companions through life The
vices and follies of the corrupt higher classes OF
Europe, without any Of their virtues are creeping
into American society, through these fashionable
boarding schools. The next generation will be ut
terly demoralized, unless public opinion act upon
the existence of these revolutionary seminaries
Again, look at the effect of this foolish and fash.
ionable system Of education upon those vain preen-
ders and miserable upstairs, who arrogate to them.
selves the title of the elite Of society During the
last summer and present winter, this selfsame Cap.
tain Shirley had the entrfe to all that is called fa.
ionable in New York-the run of every salon. and
an invitation TO every soiyee, from the famous Join.
vile ball In Blocker street, to the most fashionable
gambling hell in Barclay street. He was courted
and caressed by all the elae-party in conse quence
OF his military title-partly from his a,oastache-and
partly because he was impudent and insinuatinq
An honest emigrant, who comes to this happy land
who settles down like good man and valuable
citizen-who contributes TO the stock of public
wealth-is despised by these parrenues and pre,en
ders; bat any impudent foreigner, with plenty Of
moustaches and impotence, is taken by the hand,
led through society, and receives those attentions
that facilitate his plans and schemes upon others, as
in the instance before US.
These are the fruits Of the syetem of Fashionable
Boarding Schools-but they only the first fruits
DINNER TO DickENs-A public dinner is to be given
to Charles Dickens on she 18Th instant, at the City
Hotel. Prepare your toasts and speeches.
JOCKEY CLrB The annual dinner of this associa-
hon, will come Oft at the Astor House on Thursday,
10Th inst. Sharpen the carving knife.
BALL FOR HENRY CLAy-A splendid ball, to dance
Henry Clay into the Presidency, will come off at
Tivoh Saloon the 17th instant Get your best
pumps ready.
PACKET SHIP OcoSEE.-This fine ship which
went ashore on Romer'last Monday was relieved By
the praiseworthy exertions Of her commander, Cap.
tain Jackson. by his superior skill she was saved
from receiving the slightest injury. She 10 neither
strained nor even scratched.
LATE AND IMPORTANT FROM NEUvA GRANADA -
BY the America, Capt. Hubbard, arrived last night
from Carthagena, we have received GEL Eco de
Neiva," and lots Of procamations, to the 2lst alt.