Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1859-11-09
A FEW WORDS ON CoURTsH1P.

There are certain young ladies in the world
who hold peculiar notions as to the attentions
they receive from gentlemen. They seem TO
think that, if man is polite and agreeable to
them, if he appears to take pleasure in their
society, and visits them two nights successive
ly, he is bound to propose marriage. Strange
to say some mammas labor under this delusion.
short time ago, friend of ours visited a
young lady three or four evenings in success
sion, and as he was leaving the house for the
last time, the mother called him quietly into the
parlor and asked him what his intentions were
Our friend promptly responded that he had no
intentions whatever, and politely wishing the
old lady good night, LETT the house forever.
We live in a fast age, and it would almost seem
that courtShip must be conducted in the same
railroad speed as other things. Marriage is a
serious matter. requiring long and earnest con-
Sideration. Two ynung people may be every
thing that could be wished for; they may be
amabe, affectionate in disposition, and yet,
because their tastes do not assimilate, they
will live a very unhappy life together. How
are these young folks to find ont each others
temper and disposition, if it is not by time
spent in each others company before marri
age9 There can be no doubt that the numer-
Gus unhappy marriages which are made in the
present day, arise entirely from the fact that
the courtShp is too short. Marriage is not re-
garded with sufficient reverence; it is often
hurriedly entered into and speedily r.
pented. The truth compelS US to state that
this is caused, in great measure, by our
young ladies. AS we have just stated, they
appear TO think that if man is polite and "a
greeable to them, he is in love, and is bound
at once to declare his intentions. They for
get that, in seeking for wife, man ought to
look for something more than brigN eyes,
brilliant complexion, and white shoulders.
These are all very well in their way, but beau
t. is evanescent, and the day will come when
other qualities found necessary to bind a
household together. There should be congo
niality of mind, temper and disposition there
must be mutual dependence and mutual for
bearance, all OF which cannot be discovered in
the short courtshipS of the present day. A
girl, too, should remember that patent leather
boots, we'll fitting coat, and unexceptionable
whiskers are not the only things requisite for
her future happiness. Her lover may be
'sperfect duck,'' but ii is also necessary that
he should have a little manhood about him, or
four weeks of matrimony will disslpate her
dreams, and she will be compelled TO settle
down in the conviction that she has married a
dolt whom she must deSpISe. The attributes
of true manhood are not to be discovered in
two or three interviews. 1t requires months
to find out PERSONS character and disposi-
ton. Complaint is often made by ladies that
gentlemen are not polite to them, and do not
show them that respect which is due to their
sex. We are ungallant enough to believe that
the fair have only themselves to blame in
the matter. If they would allow social inter-
course without expecting anything more from
visitors; if they would put down poiteness
and agreeableness for what they are worth if
they would not read proposal in every COM
pliment paid to them, they would enjoy life
more; they would have much better opportu-
mites of judging of mans real character, and
by entertaining larger number of visitors, in
crease their chances of meeting with men who
assimilate to themselves in disposition, and
who would make them loving, affGctionate and
devoted husbands Family Journal.