The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1865-02-01

Do you ever read the list Of marriages,
births and deaths in your paperf Being :
man, and an old bachslor at that, DONE
suppose you do; but, being woman,
always do, and feel, therefore, competent
to assure you that marriages have fallen o6
| at least three. fourths since this cruel
war" broke out, and especially since the
principal articles in the housekeeping line
took such jump upwards. ...
One, two or three is the most which now
appears in list that formerly counted il
dozens, and these have q poor, solitary.
poverty stricken look, in the mo cards" -
frequently appended to them. ...,
II is sad to take passing look 1t the
nice house-furnished establishments With
| which New York abounds, full Of kitchen
curiosites, and more interesting to young
housekeepers, present and prospective,
than any Museum; and think Of them %
complete outfits which have delighted 20
many young wives in days gone by, and
only kept alive by the untiring exertions
them by breaking every household article
or utensil they lay their hands upon; d.
serves this pubic acknowledgement -s
1t is more sad still, however, to think Of
the young women who are gradually wear.
ing out their roses and their amiability
under the influence of these depressing
circumstances. The weeks lene,hen into
months, months into years, st4d st the,
turning Of every new cornst the prospect
becomes more alarming. A life here,
wrinkle there, . disinclination Of very
strong lights, fear of very late hours and
loe some fne morning crows foot, aud
not married yet! Is not that enough to
sour the sweetest temperf ...a...-.. 49,.
Waterfalls, curls, cry stall nets, floating
ribbons, pretty bodices, coquettish hats,
mash veils, dainty little boots, tight. fitting
gloves, fascinating manners, all o. no
avail? What, indeed =. e-s.-..-
Such chances for picking and choosing
haven't existed in years before, and may
not for years again. Black eyes, blue eyes,
and gray eyes are all in the market, accom-.
panied BY delicate ankles, dainty waists.
and greater profusion Of hair than was
ever seen before, and If it isn't all natural,
why, it is probably bought, and paid for
that would be a saving after marriage.
The want Of matrimonial opportunities
is not caused by the absence of young
men; there are plenty Of them to be seen
in the streets, in society, and upon any
public occasion. But it is noticed that
while they are unusually polite, they are
also unusually reticent. They only ven.
ture on the commonest attentions and civs
iites, they seem to have the fear of trial
for breach Of promise perpetually before
their eyes and TO be always on the defsn.
sive.
This naturally puts the girls to stili
created dsadvantage-they are not only.
deprived Of many Of their usual methods
OF making an impression, but also Of many
OF their former pleasures. They are not
invited half so often to theatres, concerts or
operas, or even to take chocolate, or
cream, probably because prices at fashion.
able restaurants, have doubled, and young
men find it as much as they can do to
keep themselves in cigars AID other laxu.
res. q.
The idea Of love. of tha. sort of romance
v hich leads men to commit the folly Of
taking wife and trusting to Providence
for the means to supply her with bread and
butter, is all gone-it never could flourish
very well in purely mercantile commu-
nifty, and it seems to have been lost entirely
in the recent financial changes and revolu-
tions. ua-... -
The majority Of the young men act as Is =
they had been brought up under the tutc.
age OF old John Chuzzlewit, aud do great
credit to his training They are as cool
and calculating as old stock operators,
pride themselves on being up to all the
'dodges," and are never to be caught una
wares.
marriages, therefore, e,-tnoSe InaI take
pface-wW suuruy eSS,r1 ~ ussun'~ &s.- ~
attitude Of close bargain, in which
both SIDES will seek to gain the advantage.
Young women will have to make them
selves objects Of interest in quite another
class from that to which they have beeu
and must give up all notion
# gaining husbands by the display Of
attractions. A casual announce.
nent by papa" of how much he intends
TO pay down, will do more to elicit an avow.
II of serious intentions, now adays, than
In entire battery of personal and millinery
it is feared, will do 80 for
some time to come.-Jennis June. .r