The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1869-03-03
From the Atlanta Constitution.
Money and Matriomony-No
More Marriages for Love.

Burke, when oIoquently mourn
ing tho unhappy fate Of Marie
Antoinottc, said: "fhe aye Of
chivalry is gone" If tho announ-
cement was premature then, it is
! not 50 now. Who has not heard
with overwhelming interest Of the
days Of knight crrantry 40 well
described by Scott in his wonder
ful historical romance? Then wo.
man was looked up to and re-
vcrei moro as q pure and holy
being from higher world than
Us q native Of this, 'inhcriting any
Of the consequences Of tho fall OF
man. The men bore themselves
gallantly in tho tournament for
the prize they longed to lay at
the feet of her they loved. Duel
ing originated in love. Tint is
the only circumstance that gives
the barbarous practice any soften
ing feature. Men fought for the
woman oftheir choice and though
it was no credit to be reckless Of
their lives, it was evidence Of the
devotedncss Of their attachment.
That sail changed. This is an
other age, a bet crago on tho whole;
but we cannot but deplorc the pass
ing away otthc high and chivaIrous
devotion Of tho fair sex that pre-
vuilod in q barbarous period.
With increased civilization came Il
longing for wealth. Everything
is now sacrificed to the universal
gold. The noblest fashions, the
finer feelings, domestic md social
happiness, arc freely laid on tho
altar Of mammon. This is appa
rent in every day life. Men or
women in the higher circles Of
society do not marry for lovo.
They have got over tha, weakness.
Marriages tie conUeuancc arc in
vogue. II MslIloHnbIo mother Is
blessed with daughters. They ut-
tain to the dignity Of long dresses
and chiSnons and enter society.
Whatever honorable and natural
sentiment developed itsclrin them,
soon withers and dies in the un-
healthy atmosphere Of fashion.
They are trottcd out for inspection,
by their shrcwd, calculating mann
mas, Their points arc shown off
and d,lated upon as if they were
horses.
"For SALE" is printed in unmis-
taxable language on thoir fore
heads. They soon understand the
part they must act. The empty
headed scion OF u wealthy shod-
dyitc is welcomed with mods, and
bccks, and wrcathed smiles, while
tho young man. depending for his
fortune on his own strong arm, his
intellect, his probity, his indomitu-
bio resolve TO conquer nll difficult
tics, to persevere in spite OF the
world, tho flesh, and tho devil
gets the cold shoulder. The anal
itications Of a husband arc perfect
| ly understood. Marr agc has been
reduced to All exact science. a
brown stone mansion, carriages, i.
summer residence, II large bunk
account, and nll that it can com
mand, with a fop or ninyhammcr
Of n man thrown in, is all that u
: young lady cares for now. Flu
turc happiness is little thought of
Of in connection with marriage.
1t is this longing for wealth that
has destroyed chivalry. y young
man cannot have chivalrous
feeling for his lovely partner in a
quadrilIc, when he knows she is
thinking how much he il worth,
or much his father will lcayo him.
and what probability there is of
his father crossing the dark river
soon. Young men have whole
some fear Of mcrccnary minded
women. This fear makes many
old bachelors, and II corrcspodiny
number Of old maids. Female ex-
travagance is characteristic Of tho
times. But not in tho higher
walks oflitc alone, for it prevails to
q certain extent in every class, rich
and poor alike, and consequently
mon romain single, like Cowper,
mover knowing
| "--Domeatis bliss
Tho only happiness that survived the fall ~
| Who will not, therefore mourn
that chivalry is dead, Cupid's oc-
cupation gone p There are, of
course, and always will bo, many
maie fortune hunters; bat tho
vice. for vice it is, las become of