The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1856-07-23
FACTS IN sr~nrA, HISTORY.

The education Of the young ladies Of Sparta
was totally different from that in every other
state. They were exclusively trained to be.
come wives and mothers of warriors and he
roes, and not TO be mere housekeepers and
nurses 10 other Greek cities the spinning
of wool, like the crochet in modern Britain,
was the serious and constant occupation Of
the female mind. Lycurgus, however, justly
considered that spinning and weaving were
best left 10 the slave. Chow is il possible"
he thought, for mothers brought up in such
occupations 10 rear healthy and hand
some progeny-ths lofty mission and proud
duty Of every free daughter Of Spara?' He
therefore introduced bodily exercises for the
Spartan maideLs analogous to those of the
Spartan youths; and the bsan,y OF the women
soon becape the general theme Of praise
throughout Greece; and especially they were
famous for fine shapes and masculine vieor.
Thus were formed the heroines OF Sparta /;
they would sooner see their sons dying a!
their fest than turning their backs on an en-
emy or failing 10 their duty 10 their country ;
they who said 10 their sons, when marching
to battle, "Disgrace not yourselves by aban-
doning your shields; either 10 return with
them-pr else upon them" When foreign
lady said, "ths women Of Sparta are the only
women who rule the meE;;" the wife of lie.
onidas justly replied, eyes, and the women
OF Sparta are The only women who are moth.
ers Of men,"
We al last come to the most interesting
topic Of all, namely, the Spartan marriages.
Mary OF The laws OF Lycurgus in connection
with this subject would undoubtedly meet
with the appreciation Of The fair sex OF mod
em times, and would equally as undoubtedly
contribute 10 the happiness Of all the present
bachelorhood of Britain. The time for mar
riase was fixed by statute; that Of the men
at about thirty or thirty. five years; that Of the
ladies al about twenty or little younger. All
men who continne unmarried after the ap-
pointed time were liable TO prosecution
and all old bachelors were prohibited from
being present at the public exercises OF the
Spartan maidens, and horrors paid TO aged.
"Why should give you place." cried a
young man 10 an unmarried general, "when
you have no child TO give place TO me when
am old ?" No marriage portions were
given with any of the maidens, so that neither
poverty should prevent gallant, nor riches
tempt him to marry contrary 10 his incllla.
tions. The parents of three children enjoy
considerable immunities, and those with four
paid no taxes whatever-s regulation which
all married men with large families will
readily admit 10 be wise and equitable
Every marriage was preceded by belrohal,
as in Greek cities, but the marriage itself
was performed by the young Spartan carry
ing off his bride by a pretended education
and for some time afte,ward the wife contin-
ued to reside with her own family, and only
met the husband on stolen occasions. This
extraordinary way Of spending the honey
moon was first introduced by Lycurgus 10
prevent the hush and from wasting loo mnch
of his time in his wife's society during the
first years of their marriage; and in order 10
eConomise the BRIDES charms, 1t was custom
ary for her bridesmaid 10 cut of all her hair
on the wedding day, so that for some time
at least her personal attractions should in
crease with her years.