The Grand Haven news. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1858-18??, 1860-02-22

ally possess well developed bodies. The
broad shoulders, the full and expanded
chest, the sinewy arms, bespeak man
that is able to endure the Toll and bear
the burden of life. But how is it with
the daughter? Let me answer that ques-
ton by drawing picture Of what too
many of our boosted American ladies Of
the present day are. 1t is the wish Of
the fond mother that her little daughter
should grow up delicate and refined Ia
dy-therefore she must never step out
doors unveiled, lest her fair complexion
become tanned. Let her sweep and wash
dishes. Preposterousl That would soil
her soft, white hands; and that would
never do. Then let her run, jump,
and play ball. Oh, no! that would in
deed be very unlady like! Let her spend
an hour or two, each morning, taking les
sons in the culinary department--that
will be useful and healthful exercise.
What! she learn to compound cake or
make pudding; that would be extreme
ly vulgar, and her delicate sensibilities
would receive worse shock than half a
dozen galvanic batteries would be capable
of giving to any animal nature in exist
ence! Therefore she grows up to woman
hood, with weak, debilitated and unde-
veloped physical nature. Call upon her
in the morning and you will find her with
her hair in curl papers, dressed in morn
ing gown, reclining upon sofa, with the
latest novel in her hand. The rose of
health has faded from her check, and the
natural brilliancy Of her eye has changed
to dull, languid expression. But when
you call, let me beg of you not to make a
mistake and 90 in the back door, for you
might possibly find her "Uery dear ma
ma" at the wash tub, or scrubbing the
floor. She must marry, of course; there
fore her afternoons are spent in dressing,
calling and shopping. Every store in
town, that can boast of clerk with a
well trained mustache, and one suit of
broadcloth, we'll saturated with musk, is
sure TO receive call. But before she is
fit to appear in public, she must apply to
her dressmaker, and exhaust the drug
stores supply of pearl powder and rouge
to supply the defects Of nature. Her
evenings are spent at places of amuse-
ment, and thus her time passes from year
to year, till the great objects of her pa
rents wishes are accomplished, and she
marries and settles down in life as igno-
rant almost as child of the great and
responsible duties that will dcvolve upon
her rs wife and mother.
This is not IN exaggerated picture. II
may be met with in every day life, all
around us, and is the cause of more than
one half the domestic unhappiness in the
world. But tho evil does not stop here
Posterity will suffer from the physical and
mental diseases thus engendered. Now,
l would ask if those parents have done
their duty toward their childl believe
every candid and thinking person would
reply negatively. How different is this
description from that given of the true
woman by the inspired penman:
"She maketh fine linen and selleth il;
and delivereth girdles unto the merchant
Strength and honor are her clothing; and
she shall rejoice in time to come. She
openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in
her tongue is the law of kindness. She
looketh well TO the ways of her house
llOiu, anu cuIcIu ilOL tnc DTcuu Oh lulc-
ness"
Charity always knows where to find
helping sister; the poor and needy a
friend. She bathes the brow of the Ian
gushing sufferer, and smooths the pillow
of death, and the lips of the dying bless
her. Should a duchess or baroness from
the English realm, visit amorg our
American ladies they would be surprised
to see to what an extent the evil of idle
ness is carried. They think it beneath
them, in this exalted position in society,
10 idle away their time. But here it is
fashionable; and many ladies would blush
to have it known that they knew how to
cook dinner. Now, such things are alb
solutely wrong. The Almighty created
woman as help meet for man, and not
n,arolv fov nm ornament or fo ho nainiad