Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1849-06-20
Sporting. with Female AEscticns.

Honor and integrity ought IL be the leading
principle Of every Transaction III lie. They are
virtues highly requisite. notwithstanding they
are too frequently disregardcd. Whatever pur-
suits individuals IN quest Of, sincerity i'll pro-
f-ssion, st.adfastness in pursuit, and punctuai
" IN dsclIarging engagements, are ndispensibly
incumbent. A man Of honest integrity, and up
rghiness in his dealings with his fellow crea-
lures, is sure 10 gain the confidence and applause
of all good men; whilst he who acts from dis
honest or designing principles, obtains, deserves
contempt Dishonest proceedings, III word or
deed, very offensive to, and unlustifiabie in
the sight OF God and man. even in trivial, but
much more ia couseque ntiai affairs. The most
perfect brightness is highly requisite between
man and man. though il is too often disre garded,
and is much more between the sexes. Every
profession of regard should be without dissem-
bling, every promise preserved inviolate and
cry engagement faithfully discharged. No one
ought TO make any offers pretensions to la
dy before he Ia, IN Il great measure, certain, her
person, he nper. and qualifications suit his cir
cumstances. and agree perfectly with his own
temper and way of thinking. For adapfa-
ton of mind and manners is very necessary TO
nder the bonds of love permanent, and those
OF marriage happy.
Tie man Of uprightness and integrity ofheart
will not only observe the beauties CT the mind !,
the goodness Of the heart, the dignity of senti-
ment, and the deicacy of wit, but will strive TO
fix his affections on such permanent endow .
ments, before he pledges his faith to any lady.
He looks upon marriage a business OF the
greatest importance in life, and change of con-
diton that cannot be undertaken with too much
reverence and deiiberation. Therefore he will
not undertake it at random, lest he should pre-
cipitately involve himself in the greatest difficult
ties. lie wishes to act Il conscientious part and
cannot think Notwithstanding it is too much
conntenenced by custom,) of sporting with the
affections Of the fair sex, nor even of paying his
addresses TO one ill he is perfectly convinced
his own fixed on his just principles.
All Imaginable caution is certainly necessary
beforeland; but after a mans profession of re-
gard, and kind services and solicitations have
made impression a female heart, it is no
longer a matter of inditf. renee whether he per-
in, breaks Off his engagement. For
he is then particularly dear TO her, aud reason,
good his engagement. When the matter is
brought to such crisis, there is no retreating.
without manifesty disturbing her quiet and tran
guilty Of mind, nor can anything but her loss Of
virtue Justify her desertion. Whether marriage
has been expressly promised not, il is of little
Specification. For if he has solicited and obtain
ed her affections, on the supposition that he in
tel ed to marry her. the contract in the sight of
heaven is sufficiently binding. In short, the
man who basey imposes the hear: Of un-
suspecting girl, and winning her affections by
the prevailing rhetoric Of courtship, ungener-
ously leaves her TO a bitter sorrow and complain
ing, acts a very dishonorable part, and is more
to he detested than common robber. For pri-
vate treachery is much more hcinous than open
force; and money must not be put in competi-
ton with happiness.