Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1866-02-14

OUR AMERICAN GIRLS.

They are girls from the very frst-
never children. They have their little
'beaux' at seven years old, and carry
Oh miniature fiiriations before they get
into algebra and long dresses. Pretty,
but pale; fair and fragile, and are just
what you would imagine might be
fashioned out of diet of late hours,
ice-cream, pUlkas, and poisonous con
tections. And then, just when they
should be in the perfect. peerless bloom
of maideEhoud .rcSher ilian roses,
there is Il breakdown OF health, ana
life, and sIiIits. I'll, fami y physi-
Clan is consulted &ymna>iuc> riding
schools, watering and sui phur springs
are recommended. As it ali the mcdi-
cnes in creation could huild up health
on Il foundation Of nothing at all
Now this is ali wFon4 radically and
intrinsicaly wrong L. this lovely
climate Of ours witn 3rGcIH- air. clear
sky, and health lnspilIus. breezes, there
IS no earthly reason "'hy our girls
should not he models ot strength and
health to the whole world. The only
thing is to avoid the false start in lite
that is givon by weak minded mothers
ana fashionable friends Never mind
their "cOmpIexions." Send them out
to play in the sunshine and wind with
dresses cut so that they can draw Il
long breath once in awhile, anu shoes
that are dew proof and waterproof
Never reproach them Tor too much
life and mirthfulness let them romp
to their hearts content Blessed be
the modern style of open air exercise
for our young ladies. 1t is fashiona-
bic to ride on horseback now. Long
walks in thick calfskin shoes are the
style" Nor is it considered ut all
derogatory to feminine delicacy to row
Il pair of oars or manage a revolver.
This is just as it should be. There
is nothing like heavens sunshine and
heavens free winds tor bringing back
the lost roses to girls cheek. The
fashionable game OF croquet, now be-
ing inaugurated on every lawn where
there is room to place the "arches,
will be dangerous move for the doctors.
1t has been a popular amusement in
England for some time, and we are very
glad to see il obtaining ground among
the pale checked bellies Of New York
and PhiIadelphia. An hour or two in
the open air every afternoon will go
far towards neulralIzing midnight
soirees, endless piano practicings, and
intolerable tight lacing.
Perhaps this transient beauty of our
American ladies is one of the causes
Of those early marriages that turn
bright girls into prematureIy old
young matrons, and Glide the pleas
ATTEST years of life from their lot If
girl does not marry at ei4 hteen, her
chance is gone; at twenty-four she
has lost the fresh bloom of youth and
begins TO rank among the cold maids"
There is something wrong here. We
know of no reason why girl at TWEEN
ty-eight should not be in the prime and
fuliness of her womanhood In Europe
thirty years is not considered too ad-
vanced an age for Il candidate for ma
trimonial honorS 1t is a false and ar
titicial systeh thai produces heae eI7
fccts. Nothiag bnt 'int house flower
wouls! wittier before t ilas; raacilst ~.
prime t.!riS, don allow tAis sei2Haa
to rest longer on ynel' "4;lonaiiLy, uo
to bed At reason1,.c hour; rise early
in the morning; eat something besides
colored sugar and rcd-hot Spices
Spend at least one-thiri OF your time
in the open air. -;aftcning. playing
croquet, walking for exercise, and you
will not find it necessary to marry out
of the school-room in rider TO avoid
the dreadful fate of old-maidhood
The remedy for headaches and pale
checks is in your own hands, and most
Go we counsel you to use 1t.
pa rrn.r,knnicl{ .Innl.rlIl