Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1858-11-17
For the Spirit of the Age.
Familiar Letters on Counting"
Oak Bower, Ga.
LETTER ".

LETTER ".
As inlioaed in my last, this letter will
conclude my essay on "Courting." In this
/ do not expect to tell my readers much
that is new but merely to sum up, with
g Nv s1dtCISHai htuJs, wnaJ mas already
been said.
There is often no little difficulty in
GETTING ACQUAINTED.
3fyOu meet with a young lady whom you
think would make you an agreeable wife,
and become "smitten," keep dark on the
subject until you are able to procure an in
PRODUCTION. To do this without being sus-
peeted, is q nice point. You may call to
sec her father when you know that neither
he nor her mother are at home) ION bust
ness" or-but there are a thousand ways
TO get acquainted, which it were wasting
paper for me to name; embrace the one
which the occasion may suggest. You
may, after being introduced, continue up
the acquaintance made by sending her a
bouquet, a rose, a piece Of cedar, a book, or
in fact any little thing, however tritling it
may be, which you think she would like,
as a memento. For this purpose an article
Of small real value is best, as it would not
likely com under the head Of a Hpresent,"
and consequently be less apt to give offence.
Should the signs be so far favorable, you
may presume to visit her at her fathers
wait on her at the party, or attend her
home from church. If the lady suspicious
the motive Of your visits (which of course
she willy she will be apt to be somewhat
shy and reserved during your first calls
Under these circumstances it were best for
you not 10 tell your business, but continue
to visit her Gf sgrecable) until her reserve
wears off and she becomes more commuui-
eatiyC. The greatest difficulty you will
have TO encounter in q case of this sort is
finding something to talk about. You will
often find it the ease that the monosylables,
yes and no, are all the replies you will be
able to elicit to the general remarks which
you may make, in your efforts to keep I'D
a conversation. In a conversation of this
sort the ommonest topics are best for
instance, illusions to the sermon Won have
iust heard, the weather (of course y the
weddings or parties, which may have late,
!y taken place in the neighborhood, or, il
facs any familiar personal allusion. Avoid
as you would a pestilence, a philosophical
disquiSitiou, or any ~alusion to matters O
history. or even the familiar political ques
tons Of the day. The surrounding object
will often afford matter for conversation
The spring Of the year Of a moonshin
night is the best time to court and til
best place is the end of a long plaza; o
as stated in a previous letter, a messy ses
upon the bank Of a creek or %rivulet. tn
"balmy air." the beautiful night" or th
charming scenery" will afford matter f
conversation while the "offending party
wil6nd much relieffromt the embarrassing,
consequent upon the occasion, by the a,
parent interest manifested by his inamara
in the gurgliug sound Of the waters, Il
chirping of the "sawyers," the chant oftl
~whipporwill, the song of the nightengal
or even the unesrthly sereeching Of the oy
1.-THE music Of the two latter being abo
equal J
Above all things, never let a favoral
opportunity pass unimproved. That i
mortal aphorism of the divine Shakspea
''There is tide ia the affairs of men,
Which taken at the food leads on to forum
will apply with great force to counting
'Nuff ced !"
Hoping ere long, nay young friend, to