The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-07-12
THE PROBLEM OF MATRIMOxY-THEO OpI-

published In the DlSpdtch on MONDAY last.
We have read "Rose's" letter carefully,
and have come to the conclusion that there
is indeed no "Rosc without thorn" Even
our editorial impcrturbability did not save
us from feeling little nervous when we
found our humble selves so polntedly ac-
cused of being one Of the "groat dis
carded.' We, however, assure our Rich-
mond "Rose" that her impressions are
altogether erroneous, and We hope sincerely
that they may long remain so. No one mas
beeL kind enough to send us a " Dictionary
of Quotations." and in regard to Gallicisms
and Latinity we humbly cry PeccnC'mus:' :
We solemnly dcprecatc the idea that all
men in love grow "stupider" and "stu-
pidcr," and had thought that they showed
their "stupdity" most when they felt the
first symptoms of pining, craving affection.
"Rosc" at present has the field to her
self, and We crave to hear the other side,
Oriana
RICHMOND, VA, July 10, 1866.
Ny dear Mr.. Editor,-The girls say
must not call you "dcar," but then you
do seem to be very delightful person
sometimes, although you horrid men-crea-
lures are always so intensely vain, and do
think so much of yourselves without the
least bit OF rcason-there
Well, we girls-that is, Carrie, and Mary,
and Belle, and mySelf-read your piece i'll
the Dispatch on Monday on the problem
of matrimony, and they want me to an
swcr ii and to ask you as well-you dear,
dctestablc edtor--why you will not con-
fine yourself to English, and will always
use those horrid French and Latin max
inns that no one ought to understand! Has
any one sent you dictionary Of quota
tions, Mr.. Editor? 1t looks mighty like
it. The girls say | must answer your
piece categoricaly, Ohere's an editorial
word for you,) or, as your new dictionary
would call it, Seriatim.
First, then, sir, you must understand that
We are not in such desperate hurry to
get married as you suppose. If you don't
believe il, just address one Of Us, and yon
will see soon enough; and if we do want
To get married, which we don't, it is only
for the sake OF you miserable men. Old
maids, too, are very nice people, and We
thank you for what you say about thcm-l
mean "Old Maids"
Carrie says that she's quite sure that
somebody, either in the city or the coun-
try, has discarded you, or else you could
not write so bitterly about this counting,
which is very pleasant, after all-at least l
think so, although of course / don't know
much about it, as indeed no young lady
does, if YOU will take her word for it. Do
tell us, dear Mr.. Editor, CHATS "dcar' y
twice. who it is, and we will do all that we
can to console you, and wont tell anybody
except one or two of our dearest friends.
Then you describe yo'r ideas of the
way that people become engaged; and |
want to tell you the truth about it, which
YOU evidently don't know. You mcn-pco-
pie do very well when you are friends
You can talk and chat and be agreeable !;
and if we don't trown and make faces At
You all the time, you conclude III your own
wise heads that we are smltten, anu, ~
matter Of charity TO Us poor women, you
fall in love yourselves. What geese you
do then make of yourselves. The more
YOU are in love, the more stupid you be-
come, and you grow StHpider and Stupider
every day until, in tit of desperation,
we promise to marry you. And then,
instead of improving, like reasonable
beings You only get worse. When engaged,
YOU are Just as dull and insipid as ever,
and perhaps show us Il little Of your sweet,
angelic temper, Mr.. Editor, because we
will not allow you to trample upon us, and
will not become your obSequiouS slaves :
Never, sir. never. We will not do it, and
il YOU are then discarded, ii is all your
own fault. WAS it y0~r fault that go"
were discarded, ell ,
,pep tlipl- van ara Sa th NJ
YOU will not understand n simple thing
You arc so high up in fancy that you will
not come down to commonplace life |
times but all this disgusting business
might be avoided if you men would only
be sincere and hon0rdJle with Us, and ever
treat lis with that Difference and respect
OF which You say that we Virginia girls
are so well deserving II re make fun OF
YOU, do y0n not try 10 make fun OF lis !!
Then again, do you suppose it is pleasant
to be compelled to discard one 10 whom
you have been writing all sorts Of tinidly
sweet letters one who has called you
"darling " and "my dear" " until you have
forgotten the n or VI given you by your
sponsors in baptism, and who has pressed
Your hand, and-well you know the rest,
Mr.. Editor, better than | can tell you .
Do you suppose that it is agreeable to
modest, ingenious Virginia girl To meet as
Il stranger one to whom she has been en-
gagged and will promise for every true
hearted girl that we will not discard any
of YOU il YOU will be the same when en-
gagged that YOU are before you address rs,
and If you will never be desperately in
love" when you do not mean bit OF II.
You must not think either that We are
like those northern women who change
their toilcttcs five times day, and have
no thought but for dress. Surely the war
proved that the Virginia girl could bear
privations with cquanimity and patience,
and that they did not find homcspun,
turned dresses, and retrimmcd bonnets,
such dreadful things after all. Did we not
DO our duty to our wounded soldiers? did
We not brave danger, insult, and fatigue,
TO comfort those who were in sickness or
distress? and what we did for. our country
as loyal Virginia twomcn, shall We not do
for the man whom we promise 10 love-
honor, and obey,
We don't Want you to SANDER us be-
cause you have always seemed good
friend Of ours! Tedo look upon engage
mcnts as sacred, hut YOU men do not; and
in nine cases out of ten you force us to
break them off. What do you think of a
man getting intoxicated, so as to be dis
cardcd1 You didn't get discarded that
way, did You, Mr.. Editor If, then, you
will let us alone we will not disappoint
you, and, as | said before, if you will pro-
mise never to say an insincere word to a
woman, you shall never be deceived.
The girls say that l must sign my name