The northern star and freemen's advocate., 1842-02-17
THE WESTERN GOLDEN RULE.
The Women of America

AHo VOMtH " AWeTlCH
Have in general cultivated minds, but little i'm
aglnadon, and more sense than sensibty The
eoucation they receive is entirely different from
that which is given to their sisters in France
With Us, the young woman remains until the day
OF her marriage under the entire protection of hel
parents-she reposes peaceful and unsuspcious
because near her there is tender socitude which
sleeps not-she has no need to reflect while there
is another to think for her, she partakeS the
patlons and the sentiments of her mother merry
or sad, according as she happens to be at the mo-
ment-never beforehand with life, quietly gliding
with Its natural current. In America, she is free
before she is adolescent-with no guide but her
sell, she treads as at venture, paths unknown to
her teet he llrst steps are the least dangerous
childhood traverses life as light skif' plays
without risk on sea without rocks. But when
the stormy pillows of young passions are to be en-
countered, what is to become Of that frail bark
with its swelling sails and inexperienced pilot
Though the education of America takes precan-
ton against this danger, the fair maiden receives
at very early period, full information as to the
snareS she Will have to meet. Her instincts would
be poor guardians for her ; they place her under
the projection OF her reason thus enlightened as
to the alurements which are to surround her sbo
goes forth, trusting in herself alone for the means
of escape. Her prudence never fails her. But
all this deprives her of two qualities charmno
above every thing else in early youth-candouT
and simplicity. The young American female has
need of knowledge to be virtuous-but she is too
knowing to be innocent. This precocous liberty
gives serious turn to all her reflections. and
stamps her character with something of the mas
Culine.
An excessive coquetry is, however, trait com
mon to all young American girls, and it is also
consequence of their education. For every one
who passes her sixteenth summer, the one great
interest OF lite is marriage In France she desires
tin America she seeks for it. In the midst of
that all-busy society, where every body has some
positive material object in hand, she too has her
business her industry it is to find
a husband. Ihe men about her are cold. chain
ed to their worldly affairs, she must go to them.
q powerful charm must be called to attract them
DO not let us be surprised, then, if the young oirl
who lives in midst of them, is prodeaI Of her
studied smiles and tender glances her coouetrv
s to be sure, well conSderedand prudent thing:
she has measured the space in which she may r,lav
1ersef oH-she knows the limit which she must
lot pass Grant that her articles are not in them
selves TO be applauded-you must at least allow n
hat her aim is irreproachable-it is only to be A
married. Coquetry, with US, is passion in
America 1T is calculation. Even IL the yonno
ady who has formed an engagement continues Ia
omewhat OF her former procedure. this is mat
er, not OF taste, but of foresight Her lover man
reak his faith; she is aware of this, and eoes on =
aiming hearts, from the wish, not to have two at +
time, but to have second in reserve in case tbo "
rst should fail her.-M Beaumont II I
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