Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-01-02
Young Men and Married Women.
The New York Mail has the following


sensible erticle ON this subject:
Pay attention to married ladies, young
gentlemen in society. 1t pays" in
more ways than one. 1t is generally
understood among young men, that mar
ried ladies do not care for their atten-
tions. Matrons are supposed to exist
upon higher level than their own, and
to look upon the little attentions Of
society with indifference-those matrons,
we mean, who recognize their position
and its dignity, and do not " flirt and
make themselves as little like married
women as possible. Young men are
ready enough to dance and tritie with
that class of women who regard the mar
riage ceremony as new lease of social
freedom, and who enjoy the society OF
any gentlemen but their husbands, who
look for pleasure only in the ball room,
and who know nothing and care nothing
for domestic life. Young men are for
ward enough to crafty these ladies with
attention-proud, many OF them, to carry
on Irritation with another gentleman
wife. But the ladies who realize the
dignity and the duties of their position
as married women, who enter society for
amusement and not for dissipation, are
almost universally neglected by young
men,. They expect to be, of course, and
think little of it, perhaps; but the GUS
tom, peculiarly American, shuts the door
to much genuine social enjoyment.
The fault of this is with the young
men; and yet it is rather a misunder'
standing than fault, Married ladies
NAV not care for many of the little
compliments and pretty things which are
natural and proper in the gayeties oi
young men and girls. aa
This form of attention to married
women is, of course, disgusting. Atten
tion, in the first place, is compliment
in itself, and is enjoyed particularly or
this account.
The man in society who is called "a
perfect gentleman and every circle
has at least one such man--is always wei
coined at an entertainment by hostes,
and guests alike. II young man viii
study his movements, he will invariably
find that he relieves the hostess OF hal
the duties of entertaining the company
by paying his attention to those whom
others pass. He knows that young la
dies have attentions enough and to spare
In the supper room he will be fount
helping all the married ladies, chattinl
with them, listening respectfully to wha
they say, and complimenting them
| Yes, staid matronly reader, compliment
| ing them, in a hundred delicate ways
which ladies' can best appreciate becaus
they understand the,art themselves. |
| a young man wishes the reputation O
| being "a perfect gentleman" be mus
nav attention to the married ladies. Sit
! ting quietly by, as they do, and taking
apparently, little active interest in tn
payeties Of society, they form and guild
its opinions for all that. As matter o
selfishness, as well as of politeness,. !
bebooves the young man to pay atten
tions to the married ladies, and not t.
Young married ladies entirely. The ell
| derly matroE is pleased to receive atten
ticns, aud appreciates them. When the.
are given nnostentatiously, and with per
feet respect, she turns to the friend b.
her side, and speaks of true politeness