Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1858-12-08
American Female Raantv.

1t is the subject Of general remark, that
in America, female beauty, however ex-
quisite, is too delicate to last and that long
before the period of decay in other ceun-
tries, the charms of the fair daughters of
our land begin to fade and yield to the
marring touch of time. That the remark
is too wellfounded, the experience Of every
day assures us, and induces the inquiry
whether this early falling off in physical
powers is to be attributed to constitutional
defect, or to indulgence in habits and
modes Of life that are inimical to the pres
e~rvation of health. To be convinced that
the first named of these excuses is not the
source of the evil, it is only necessary to
bear in mind that there can be no essen
tial constitutional defect where the physi-
cal formations exist in such perfection as
they do among our fair country women.
1t is to the secondo of the causes above men
toned, then, that we are to look, and we
fear with too much propriety, for the
source of a mischief as general as it is de-
plorable. Experience teaches US that in a
neglect of the true laws Of health, in hab-
its Of slothfulness and Incidence, and, to
some extent, through premature marriages,
we find the early decay of the female frame.
But the neglect of proper, wholesome and
exhilirating exercise is, perhaps, the most
evident cause, and the one to which the
remedy may be most easily applied. Look
to the country, where exercise prevails
and where exposure to the pure air o
heaven is a thing of every day occurrence
and compare the glowing cheek, the spark
ling eye, and the elastic step Of the youth
full maiden or matErc matron, with the pal
lid c~ountenance, the languid expression
and feeble gait OF the fair but delicate in
habitant of the city, and we at once hay
incontestible proof that habit, and not ma
ture, is at fault. Take a peep into tn
dwelling of the farmer and observe til
ruddy c%ountenance ofhis children, listen t
their merry laugh, and mark the robu:
enjoyment which healthful life brings t
them. They inhale the fresh air OF tt
morning, find sunlight and air as necesst
) ry as meat and drink, and gather from IL
I sharp blast only a more rapid circulate
t of the vital ~current-to them daylight
t the time to exercise, and night makes the
: couch welcome with the unbIoken sic,
that restores their energies for the tas
and pleasures Of the coming day. In t
city, in too vast a number Of cases, the
, mentable reverse of all this may be SEE
X No ruddy cheek is there the eye loo
IT dim, and the laugh is one of listlessness
n politely artificial. With them the mo
Mt ing is too early for exercise, and the noc
N day too hot or too cold, and the nigh
mixture Of unnatural excitement and un
ts sy rest. Nature preys upon herself q
= takes refuge from the bracing wind as fir
- a pestilencc. The cumhrous shawl, :
the heated room, or the luxurious ottom
ng bespeak the body's feebleness, whilst
IN drawl of WEAKNESS, and an aversion to
ay but the most petty and trifing thong
for show the spirits torpor. Is there not /
y's sufficient proof that habit is to blame
no Let our coming generation of wome
as. taught to love exercise for its W $
an and to value it for the health it bring,
Baltimore american.