Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1853-01-05
MATCH MAKING.
~ MRS. NICHOLS

society. The importance Of securing hus-
band and avoiding the stigma attached to old
maidism, is inculcated on the tender mind
Of the young woman as her first and most
urgent duty. She, her parents. friends and
acquaintsnces join in adniring the good sense
and good fortune. Of such Of her companions
as marry early, or make wealthy matches,
while the roman tic creature who has the har-
dihood to refuse good offer is held up as
an object Of reprobatieu, and her conduct is
condemned as tho height of folly. No mat
ter what the mental aoral or personal quail
lies Of the aspirant may be, il be is able and
likely to be a good prcvider" woman is
bound to accept him, and consider hersclfvc-
nv Fortunate once heard it seriously said.
in discussing the merits Of rumored match,
that "swindler might make very good
husband decidedly better than no husband
at all"
1t is painfully ludierous to observe the va
rious manifestations ofthis spirit to see with
what unwearied politeness fathers and mo-
theirs play the agreeable to unremarkable
young men whose chief merit consists in their
being bachelors to see young widows eager
| " inviting their female friends to come often
and visit them socially and bring their beaux
and. above all to see the total Indifference
with which most young ladies treat those who
are not marrying men. They seem to con
slider it perfect waste Of time to talk to an
old bachelor or married man. aud prefer lis
teniug to the most vapid nonsense from the
lips Of one whom their imagination can con-
vert into a lover, to joining in . rational con
versation which can have no effect upon their
hymenial prospects Some persons, from a
sense ofpropriety. cndeavour to conceal their
match making plans under the veil Of hospi-
tally. but others come out boldly For iu-
stance. an old lady with daughter full house.
MT long sine asked friend OF mine, Mr.. A..
to introduce some bachelors to her family in
forming hin that her eldest daughters were
sarriageable, and that each at wedding would
be made mistress Of small house and q cou-
| pie ofnegrocs.
/ sIy. q ! according ,ais.tsoanced Mrs Rcu1e
on his first visit spent the evening ard was
/ very much pleased with the young ladies'
! Being no Rs,nco. but cool moderate man,
| he let several DAYS clause without repeating
his visit. whercnpun the old lady. getting IN
| easy. went to the nffirc OF Mr. A., to inquire
why his friend had not called again. and il
he was displeascd? What is to he expected
IT wnmcn educated in such school? They
are almost ccrt,in to cultivate nuly those ac
complishments winch are convertible only in
to matrimonial capital They play on the
piano forte sing dance, aud talk small talk,
while mere domestic requirements are gene
rally neglected.
Some parents. however belonging to the
new school, whose motto is that the way Ito
mans heart is through his stomach have
their daughter initiated into the mysteries Of
the Kitchen 10 which case young men are fire.
quently invited to dinner. and always inform
ed; accidentally, of course. that certain dishes
were preparcd-or. If ut all aristocratic, su
perintended-by my or our daughter -
This over anxiety to secure husbands, and
especially rich ones. besides its injurious eff
feets on female character. is the cause Of nine
teuths ofthc unhappy marriages we see-uow
hurrying its possessors into inferior matches
from dread Of never getting other chances,
and again inducing them to refuse those
whom they really prefer and who are perfect
ly unexcepiiouable, from a fa'se ambition -
The remedy for all this lies in cultivating their
minds and hearts; in teaching them that
wedlock is not alwaysa blessing that if en-
tered upon from unworthy motives, it is like
ly to become curse, and that it is far better
to remain single than to marry for the pur.
pose of bettering ones condition.
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| nlSFAN o.hin, EQUALS boy except a girl