Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1852-11-24
FOR THE SPIRIT OF THE AGE.
The Bachelor Of the Nineteenth Centary.

In this refined and enlightened age, how
fares the poor bachelor Whist heroes, gen
erals, statesmen, poets and philosophers all
have their eulogists, and hosts of friends ready
to do their bidding at all times, who cares
one jot for that nondescript of the human
race, bachelor Who is there, in this
wide world that will sing bis praises or is
ready TO do him one single act of kindness
And why is this? Shall he be condemn
ed and stunned because it is his hard lot to
wander through life, unattended bv minis
terug angel, who would anticipate every
wish. participate in every JOY, and share his
every sorrow? Shall he be jeered at and
reviled because he has failed in accomplish
ing an object, to which he had applied his
best endeayors? ? 1t should not be- And
! if society will take lis cause in hand we
have no doubt bit that his rights will be res
pected, even as other mortals.
1t is an alarming fact, and one well wor
Thy Of a philosophers consideration, that the
number of bachelors in the present century
far exceed that Of any former period. And
here, some skeptical, crusty old chap may
say that it is nothing but natural, that, with
the increase Of population, the bachelors
TBtl me proper
ton now IS no greater than it was formerly.
10 this objection to our alarming fact, we
answer nothing, seorning to even turn our
attention to such puerile consideration =
I'VE speak what we do know, and testify tc
what we have seen. Let us now trace ont
this fact, and see if we can find any cause
for cause there most undoubtedly is Of this
singular and unprecedented truth:
1t Is well known, that as civilization advan-
ces, nations become more and more refined
and polished; and as q necessary conse-
; quence, more attention is paid TO forms and
j ceremonies, concerning which Goldsmith
says: Ceremonies, which take up so much
ofour attention are only artificial helps which
ignorance assumes in order to initiate polite.
ness which IS the result Of good sense and
J good nature. As the nations become more
polished, of course the ladies come in fol
their share, (and, as in every thing else, they
;; make out to get the most) And it thu,
themselves, ~ fiaf stiGt st@ t4efAe ht4efAe opade fe
, forms Of etiquette, as it were, charmed
circle into which 1t is moral death for tht
uninitiated youngster to enter. And If, b,
! some lacky act Of condescension, q youns
I man Of good sense gains an entrance, anC
4 does his best to interest and alnuse his fai
auditors, there IS a pcrceptible change i
), their attention to him. After the novelt,
T has worn of, instead Of the listening ear an'
attentive eve, with which he was first regal
i ded, he is considered by these fashionable:
as bore, pedant, or as it is commonl
s called, green horn. But which is the greer
o one we leave others to Judge.
IF we were asked the question, why s
d many young ladies get such shocking ba(
d husbands we would answer, not woman
IS answer because , but that the ladies' wh
o. were so matched, before they were marie
re would only condescend to notice those WI
IT had the gift of the CAB, and could spot
: nonsense the most glibly, and not those vi
0. were gifted with that sterling quality, goc
O. common sense. And we will 60 further al
> say, we think they deserve their fate, b
IN cause they ran into the trap with their ey
at open, and were obliged to have foreseen Il
D. consequences
he But what shall we say Of those bachelc
be who have grown gray IN the service, or
NJ some boarding school Miss would have
I'd the old bachelors' Who shall recount t
no bitter, burning wrong,' they have experie
nd ced Or who shall tell the number OF tin
nd they have tested the truth of the proves
elf that hope deferred maketh the heart sic
ev- Bat let US hope that the time IS not
his distant when old bachelors even shall hs
their rights protected, and that all the You
ay ones who try may get wife. Then sh
ch peace plenty, and prosperity reign in
he land aid coquettes and fiirtations be kno
10 IN this lane no more forever.
asst ONE Or EAl'
or FAYETTEyILLE y. Y. Nov. 9Th, 1897.