The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1870-01-13
BUNDLING."

'BUNDLING.'
Perhaps no antique custom has led to more
historical dispute and literary controversy
Than that which prevailed at an early date
Imong the original settlers in certain portions
of this country, known by the euphonious
little Of ~bundIing'-by which was designat-
ed the practice among lovers Of different
sexes of occupying the same couch at night
during the period of their courtshp This
singular, and, in modern estimation decided
IL vulgar practice, was probably imported
with other social pecularities from Ireland
and Wales, where it long prevailed among
the poorer peasantry, and was supposed to
have originated in desire to avoid the ex-
pen>e of maintaining fires upon the hearth
during the long hours in which parties
pasSionatelv affected chose to remain in COM
pany. Dir. Henry Reed Stiles in his History
and Genealogies at Ancient Windsor, Con-
necticut," having mentioned the prevalence
OF this habit among the first settlers of that
section, WAS severely taken to task by their
descendants, who considered the assertion
IN imputation most uniayorablc to their
family honor. In self defence, and in proof
of the historical vcracity OF his original state
ments, he has prepared smart, lively mon
ogram, which has Just issued from the ;,ress
of Joel Nlunsel in this city, under the title
handling; its Origin, Progress and Decline
in America The New England pioneers
lid not originate the custom, but took ii as
it was transmitted to them by the parent
stocks in the old world, from which they
sprang. When the Romans occupied the
British Isles, il was already in vogue, and
he'd to Il statement by historians who accom-
panied Caesar that the natives held their
women in common. Later il became the
rule for man and woman to agree to live
together for one year If. during that time
a child was born, the union became perma-
Hent il not. either party was al liberty to
dissolve it, This singular style of wedlock,
which was termed ''hand-iastning, continue
ed in certain districts until the time of James
VI. of Scotland, and from the resulting
abundance of bastards originated many bol-
l's wars and quarrels of clans, the effects of
which are experienced to this dav
In Wales, 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, upon which they
reposed under heavy covcrlets, continuing
their conversation until morning. No shame
attached TO the act. Travellers within a recent
period mention seeming young couples thus
arrange themselves in therpresence, and that
of other visitors. as if without the least idea
that their behavior would be unfavorably
thought Of Yet Notwithstanding this Gen
rral tolerance, great deal of immortality
may undoubtedly be attributed to the habit
and ii has very naturally encountered strcnu-
Gus opposition from the clergy, and from all
reforming agencies. In Holland, a similar
practice prevails. under the name of s.qucst-
ing 1t was referred to in Il work written
by Hon. Henry c. Murphy, now State SEN
ator, formerly Minister the Hague, who
furnished Doctor Stiles an interesting note on
the subject In former times an entire alb
Sence of clothing was allowed; but modern
civilization is more particular.
In some cantons of Switzerland and es-
prcially in the region Of the Unterwald a
similar social habit may still be traced. Go
ing back to the Orient, we probably find its
origin, rs we'll As that Of many other sinou-
lar domestic and religious observations
Among many Of the afghan tribes, it is
usual for a lover to present himself at the
house of his betrothed with some suitable
Gift, in return for which he is permitted to
pass the night upon her couch Among the
fierce DyakS, lover will help the girl he
desires to wed in her field work all day.
Al night he approaches her resting place.
II she rises and convcrscs with him. all is
we'll; but if, on the other hand, she SAYS.
BE good enough to blow up the fire, - or
Light the lamp Ga bamboo filled with
itsiHJ tllcll HIS lOl)tS are III All END, and that
Is the usual form Of dismissal
Dr. Stiles, having proven the early exis-
lence and wide extent of the ''bundling'' Gus
1om proceeds TO show that it was thoroughly
established in the New World during the
Colonial days and especially in Virginia
and the New England States He quotes
from historians upon this point-from Rev.
Alonzo B. Chaplin, who edits the records of
Glastonbury, onnectcut-1759-1791-
Worthington's history of Dedham, Massachu-
sets, and other works. He shows that it
was noted and ridiculed by travellers from
other countries, and defended blythe people
among which it prevailed; that it was de-
nounced in a satire recited at an Oxford com
mencement; that Jonathan Edwards thun-
dered against 1t from his pulpit, Rev, Gilbert
Haven preached fervently in opposition to it,
and pious dvines prayed for its extinction
but that, nevertheless, it continued more or
less in vogue until after the Revolution. when
il fell into disuse from various causes-the
improved intelligence of the masses, their
more refined social condition, their bettere d
pecuniary state, which enabled them to live
IN larger and more thoroughly warmed
dwellings, the influx of a higher class of i'm
migrants from Europe, and so on We think
that Dr. Stiles has settled his point beyond
controversy, besides adding curious chan
ter to the primitive history of the country,
showing from what rude sources emanated
much Of the genius, intellect and enterprise
upon which we pride ourselves. The Yam
kee may not like to have it known that his
ancestors were given to ''bundling," or the
r. f. " of the Old Dominion that his great
great grandma was sold to some speculator
in the matrimonial market But the truth of
history must be preserved; and such things
undoubtedly have been. [Albany journal.
When | see on old man marry a vouno
wife l consider him starting out on a busf