The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1864-10-12
From Talk on Womens Topics by Jennie June.
parl0r COurtshIp. sa-H ri

From "Talk on women's Topics" by Jennie June
parlor C0urtshlp. s.
Years and years ago, "bundling" is said
to have been practiced quite commonly,
even on this island Of Manhattan, bv our
ancient Dutch ancestors, and was so res.
pected as an old and honorable method oil
counting that it was kept in countenance
long after iinc instinct and more correct
taste had condemned it in the minds of ali
intelligent people. The precise significa-
ton of the term employed we shall leave
old Knickerbrockers to determine. The
facts come to us only by way of tradition,
and arc now so completely lost sight OF
that it is difficult to obtain exact data upon
which to base conclusions. However, II
is not our object TO enter into researches
upon. the subject, but simply to show that,
possibilities, the style Of to day, in the
minds Of the professed taste, delicacy, re
finement, and culture of our best society,
is scarcely less Objectionable. Is this
startling? But who will dare to say it is
not true? Il Fl -E28 -,
Careful parents will not permit their
young daughters to 60 to balls with male
acquaintanccs; they put an embargo which
has not, however, the slightest effect upon
indiscriminate waltzing, and the next night
60 to bed at ten o'clock, leaving the pretty
and impossible Miss Caroline alone with
"dear Augustus" to indulge in tender FAM
cies in darkened room possibly until
twelve, one, two and three o'clock in the
morning. Do they willfully shut their eyes
70 the weakness and. folly, to give them. no
harsher names, Of the proceedings which
take place under such circumstances Do
they not know that, under their own roof,
and while quietly sleeping, that purity and
innocence Of soul which they prize so much
may have flown away forever? We know
nothing Of Mr.. Augusus-hc may be a
nice, very nice young man; but the
chances are that the parents know just as
little. American girls have soch q very
independent way Of doing business, and
consider their occupations and interests so
entirely matters Of their own ex ,lusive con-
Germ, that it takes more than ordinary
courage on the part of an affectionate faith
er or mother to venture an inquiry as to
the character and position of their rdaugh.
ter's male friends; how their acquaintance
was formed, or JIG it has any special object
The usual style is for every, member OF
the family except the daughters to leave
the room as soon as young man enters it.
IT Il is knownethat the visit is intended for
any one in particular, leave but that one,
and the room shodld not be entered,as long
as he remains, upon any account; if it is, .
terrific stunning must announce an ap.
proach. Young men would be more : or
Jess huRaR-i they-do not take advantage
Of such opportunities; and girls-well, they
are foolish-afraid Of giving offence, some
times imagine themselves in in love, and,
altogether, act in way which, years af-
forwards, when they are happily married
to quite another individual, they would
rather not recall.
1T is strange that the shocking indelicacy
Of this method OF. counting does not taboo
it at once. Why young men and young
girls should be shut up together when they
are what is called sleeping company" It
would puzzle Philadelphia lawyer to de.
,termine. If they desire to become acquaint.
cd with each other, it could be done better
in the midst Of the family circle, and sur.
rounded by ordinary circumstances. If il
is to give them an opportunity for uninter.
rupted caressing and endearment, then ii
,pre-supposes folly on one side and wicked.
ness on the other, which requires looking
after. Parents are greatly at fault in the
matter-first, in not having established
sufficient control over their children to
guide their actions in important affairs
and, second, in frequently being SO anxious
to marry their daughters as to wlfully shut
their eyes to what are called ''little follies ~
Men naturally haze to have wives thrust
upon them, however, and this exceeding
willingness has spoiled many good girls
chances.