The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1854-12-15
MISC ELLA NE0US.
From Harper's Magazine.
Our Women Taking their Weight in Gold

The beauty OF American women we con-
slider an established fact, a fact Of which
none are more conscious than themselves.
The Grand Mogul was in the habit SO we
are told by some old travellers, 10 take his
weight annually. His Oriental Majesty
would place himself on one side Of the bal
ance, and pour IN Diamonds and rubies in
the scale Of the other, and thus, year ailer
year, estimating his value. Our calcul ulai-
iag country women follow the Grand Mo-
Sul's wise example. They are no sooner
ready for market than they step into an
imaginery scale, AMI balance themselves
with gold. There is moi "a smile but is es-
iin,a,ed nj fixed price BY The ready reck-
oner-and as for virgin bushes, they, ac-
cording 10 their rarity, are sci down by the
accumulative imagination Of Wall Street
financier. A pretty woman between fifteen
and twenty Is held at SO enormous price,
that none but the lucky heir Of u fortune, or
the millionaire grown luxurious in his old
age, who has consumed the whole Of youth
and the letter part OF manhood in amassing
his millions, can hazard bid. Aud il is
the latter who, ohener engaged in his mat.
rmonial trade, generally smacks his dry
lips over the possession OF purchased beau.
" IN its youth and tenderness. The young
heir Of fortune Is more ,rans,ory in his en-.
ioymenis, and looks only 10 ma,rimony rs
retreat Tor tired life in The future.
A man Of wealth, possessed, say OF three
or four hundred thousand dollars, marries
his daughter. He has early inculca,ed
her, by precepi and example with a rever.
ence for the idol OF his worship-he decks
her with the expensive gewgaws OF lash.
ion he accusloms her 10 habits OF proiuse
eypendi,ure; he, with the aid OF Madame
Gisaway, or rome other Partisan iashioner
OF female youth ga Ia mode" laboriously
units her ior useful life, by furnishing the
chamber. Of her mind with the tawdry fur.
ni,ure OF fashion, where substantial knowl'
edge and plain common sense are never
guests. The spoiled maiden, though fair
10 outward show, is married. There never
was pre,,ieI bride, more richly al,ired.-
Her veil from Paris her robe OF The CLOS
siest and ihickes, white satin, her diamonds,
probably n present fiom her beirolhed, her
{" irousseau," with its treasures OF silk, tne
linen and genuine lace; the wealth oi
presents, mostly contributions Of friends and
relations the jewels aud plate The gol.
den leaved and heavily clasped Bible from
her aiIeciionate father, with the blessing OF
God, are delicaiely exposed 10 stimulate The
emulation Of rival donors, and become the
talk Of The town for week. Papa resigns
his daughter with kiss, hands check,
perhaps for thousand dollars, perhaps for
Two or three, TO his sOn:in.law, with The ex-
press understanding that II is 10 be laid out in
rose wood and damask. The respectable
parent now buttons his pockets, congra,u.
ia,ing himself iha, Que Of his family is oil
his hands, and his current expenses dimin-
ished by Thousand dollars per annum, more
or less. The shrewd ,radcsman never made
a better bargain, IN all his wide experience
in Pearl street. B, small investment oil
two or three thousand dollars he saves the
annual interest Of some fiheen or twenty
thousand. A splendid transaction, which
does credi, 10 tie head OF the knowing cal.
culaior, aud is the very best disposition hc
could have made OF his daughter for the
advantage of-himselL The practice OF
marrying childIen without dowiies began
in this country when daughters and large
fortunes were scarce. aud has been con,inu-
cd until now, when both nre comparatively
abundant. When habits Of lie were sim.
pier with us-when il was cheaper 10 live
and easier TO support n wife-,here was no
occasion for any aid from The fa,heT-in.law.
Now, however, the ability 10 sustain fam.
| ily, in consequence oi the luxurious aud
expensive requirements Of living, is mol cas-.
ily acquired, aud seldom ut any age when
men should marry. The Withholding Of The
dowry is another obstruction, in addition 10
the inor!inale desires of luxury, 10 those