The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1869-11-18
BUNDLING.
The old Style of Courtship-
Did it Prevail in New Eng
landP-An Interesting Cues
tiOn of History,

landP-An Interesting Cues
ton of History,
From the Albany Journal.
Pehaps no antique custom has LEI
to more historical dispute and litera
ry controversy, than that which pre-
vailed at an early date, among tn,
original settlers in certain portion,
of this country, known by the eupho
NOUS title Of "bundling"-by whicl
was designated the practice among
lovers of different sexes, of occupy
ing the same couch at night during
the period Of their courtship. Thi
singular, and. in modern estimation
decidedly vulgar practice, was prob
ably imported with other social pc
culiaritics from Ireland and Wales
where it long prevailed among til,
poorer peasantry, and was supposed
to have originated in a desire tt
avoid the expenses Of maintaining
fires upon the hearth during the Ions
hours in which parties passionately
affected chose to remain in company
DIR. Henry Beed Stiles, in his ''His
tory and Genealogies Of Ancient
Windsor, Connecticut having men
toned the prevalence Of this habit
among the first settlers of that sec
tion, was severely taken 10 task by
their defendants, who considered the
assertion an imputation most unfav
orable to their family honor. In sell
defense, and in proof of the historical
veracity of his original statements
he has prepared smart, lively mon
ograph, which has just issued from
the press Of Joel Munsell, in this city
under the title, "Bundling; its Ori
gin, Progress aud Decline in Ameri
ca The New England pioneers did
not originate the custom, but took i,
as it was transmitted to them by the
parent stocks in the world, from
which they spring. When the Ro
mans occupied the British Isles, it was
already in vogue, and led to a state.
ment by historians who accompanied
Cesar, that the natives held their
women in common. Later it became
the rule for a man and woman to
live together for year. If, during
that time, a child was born, the union
became permanent; if not, either par.
ty was at liberty to dissolve it. This
singular style of wedlock, which was
termed Misunderstanding" continued
in certain districts until the time of
James vi, OF Scotland, and from the
resulting abundance Of bastards Or
iginated many border wars and guar
rels of clans, the effects Of which are
experienced to this day iniWales. A
lover calling upon the object Of his
passion, would secure admission by
tapping three times at the window.
A bed Of rushes was made down, up
on which they reposed under heavy
coverlets, continuing their converse
tion until morning. No shame at
tached to the act, and travellers
within recent period mention see-
ing young couples thus arrange them
selves, in their presence, and that of
other visitors, as if without the least
idea that their behavior would be
unfavorably thought Of. Yet, not
withstandlng this general tolerance,
great deal of Immortality may un-
doubtedly be attributed to the habit,
and it has very naturally encountered
strenuous opposition from the clergy,
and from all reform ing agencies. In
Holland, a similar practice prevails,
under the name of "queesting." It
was referred to in work written by
Hon. Henry c. Murphy, now State
Senator, formerly Minister to the
Hague, who furnished DR.. Stiles an
interesting note on the subject. In
former times an entire absence of
clothing was allowed; but modern
civilization is more particular. In
some cantons of Switzerland, and es-
pecially in the region of the Unter-
wald, a similar social habit may still
betraced. Going back to the Orient.
we probably find its origin, as well
as that of many other singular do.
mestic and religious observances.-
Among many of the Afghan tribes,
it is usual for q lover to present him
self at the house ofhis betrothed with
some suitable gift, in return for which
he is permitted to pass the night up
on her couch. Among the fierce Dy-
axis, lover will nelp the girl he de-
sires to wed IL her field work all day.
AT night he approaches her resting
place. If she rises and converses
with him, all is well; but il, on the
other hand, she says. "Be good
enough to blow up the fire. or
"Light the lamp Ca bamboo filled
with rosin,) then his hopes are at an
end, as that is the usual form of dis
missal. DrStiles, having proven the
early existence and wide extent of
the ''bundling' custom, proceeds to
show that it was thoroughly estab-
lished in the New World during the
colonial days, and especially in Vir.
ginia and the New England States.-
He quotes from historians upon the
point-from Rev. Alonzo B. Chapin,
who edits the records of glastonbury,
Connectieut-1759-179l-from Wor-
thington's History of Dedham, Mas
sachusetts, aud from other works.
He shows that it was noted and ridi-
culed by travellers from other coun-
tries, and defended by the people
among whom 1t prevailed, that it was
denounced in q satire recited at an
Oxford Commencement; that Jona-
than Ed Yards thunderei against it
from his pulpit, Rev. Gilbert Havens
preached ferventlyln opposition to it,
and pious divlnes prayed for its ex-
tinction; but nevertheless, it continu-
ed more or less in vogue until after
the Revolution, when it fell into dis
use from various causes-the improv-
cd intelligence of the masses, their
more refined social condition, their
bettered pecuniary state, which en-
abled thom to live in larger and more
thoroughly warmed dwellings, the in
flux Of higher class of immigrants
from Europe. and SO on: We think
that DR.. Stiles has settled his point
beyond controversy, besides adding
a curious chapter to theprimitive his,
tory of the country, showing from
what rude sources emanated much of
the genius, intellect and enterprise
upon which we prideourselves. The
Yankee may not like to have it