American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1846-10-08
From the Richmond Republican,
A CHAPTER ON YOUNGSTERS.

There is nothing in this rapidly growing
untry which attains maturity more quickly
an its ''bOys and girls" Every thing in Anne
Ca proceeds on the 'go-ahead' system-our
lloons rise higher, our diving bells sink deep
our steamboats, run faster, burst oftener and
4ll more people than those of any other land
zhder Heaven Our men are "smarter" and
ronger, our women more beautiful and fasci-
Ehting, our people more intelligent, virtuous
zhd happy, than in any other country upon the
bee of the globe. We are the greatest, wisest,
4 ealthiest and most powerful nation of modern
] mes Our President is far superior to any ru-
n whom the world has had since the days of
! olomon. All these results have been attain
q in an incredibly short period of time, it be-
BIZ but as yesterday when the seed Of that
Magnificent tree Of empire was planted, which
ow casts its broad shades from the atlantic TO
be pacific, and invites the oppressed Of all
times to repose beneath its shelter.
/ But there is nothing even in the forced luxu-
lance of our American hot-bed, which can at
4 compare with the miraculous growth of its
children of both sexes, who seem to believe
nat a sense of duty to our country requires
lem to become men and women as soon as
Ossible, in order that the rapid progress Of the
bpubic may not be retarded by the want Of
Fasonable re-inforcements from the rising ge-
bration 1t is surprising the facility with which
lr sons are converted into young gentlemen,
nd our daughters into young ladies', in this ia
bred land. The urchiD, who, i'll England,
#ould wear a frock, is here attired in the habi-
ments Of man, with stiff stock, very
cree collar, and a formidable cane TO defend
Himself, if necessary, against other young gem
emen Of equally sanguinary dispositions. The
| oung lady, who, in lands of slower progress,
4fould be quietly pursuing her education, has
here entirely emerged from the chrysalis condi-
ZION, and bedecked in all the gay hues of the
Eall grown butterfly, is fluttering about the gar
ems of fashionable life.
Compare an American youngster with boy
! f his inches in any other part Of the world
Boys in general are we'll skilled in playing mar
bles, tops, kites, and the like, and there their
knowledge stops. The American lad is not on
NJ expert in the game, but he knows the mate
Falls of which his toys are made, how much
.ney cost, and how to make a speculation with
fhem. These are not the only fields of his
knowledge. He soon advances into the deep
| r mysteries of business and trade. He stands
eehind a counter and haggles with customer
DIV the hour for the value of a cent. He becomes
learned in the price of corn and potatoes. His
Parents point with pride to these proofs of the
/ ads precocty, and exultingly declare he will
make his own way in the world.
Young ladies advance in a different course
With equal rapidity. They have scarcely es-
/ aped from the bounds of the nursery, before,
through the agency of fashionable boarding
|Rchools, they are transformed into little wo-
|nen, never moving foot or finger except by
|Iule, never drawing a natural breath, but living
Entirely in the "high sentimental ATTITUDES, y
nd in blissfu ignorance Of all that pertains to
| his lower sphere. At seventeen or there
bouts, usually called "sweet seventeen" they
become miracles of learning and science; they
AVE scared TO the loflest heights of astronomy,
athomed all the depths Of philosophy, unrav-
l.lled all the intricacies Of mathematics; while
h he learned languages are mere amusement
nd recreation of their leisure hours. Thus
lrmed and equipped, they graduate, y and are
prepared for the great purposes Of liie-to daz-
lie with their eruditlon, and tasclnate with
heir grace, an admiring world.
This is all very charming, no doubt, and
proves that we have arrived at very high
|btate OF civilization, but we must plead guilty
no preierring the good old times when "boys
|were boys" and "grls we've girls" and when
youth was the season for enjoyment, and not OF
Icare and unnatural restraint. The spirit OF
Mammon has long ago achieved such mas
4 ery over the minds Of our countrymen that
I'VE have become proverbial throughout the
ksarth for our inordinate and unceasing pursuit
fof gain. Unbounded indeed must be its iniu-
|ance, when it transforms ruddy, Joyous boys
nto precocious merchants, taintng with self.
shness the simple nature of childhood, teach.
4 Ing it the crooked arts Of trade, and peryerting
! from its original purity and straightforward
ness. The triumph characterization; of COM
.empt for authority, and rash innovation npon