Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1870-08-10
SEASIDE FLIRTING.
HOW They Garry 1t On at Newport

Correspondence of the New York Tribune
Flirting has been reduced to a social
science, and those who visit here regu-
larly claim to conduct it upon the most
intelligent and artistic principles. Ger
tain canons are said to be laid down
which no one is permitted to violate with
out mourning the responsibility of mar
rage. Several novices of our sex, it is
stated, having failed to inform themselves
of what was interdicted, ended their first
season with wedlOck, instead of devoting
five or six tc the pursuit of sentimental
butterflies they are afraid to catch. Read
ing, driving and sailing together, hand
kissing, flower giving, and sentimental
correspondence are allowable; but greater
privileges are not warranted IN
less intentions are serious so
very serious, indeed, as to in
volve the purchase of gold rings and
the bidding of priest. There are sever
al feminine authorities on the subject of
Irritation, who give instructions to eligible
young men respecting the manner in
which they may proceed without cOmpro-
mise. The objection to the authorities
is that, though they are by years beyond
the hey-dey of sentiment, they have in
sundry instances ensnared inexperienced
youths by their adroit but ancient arts.
1t was whispered, two or three weeks
ago, that student, fresh from Harvard,
had become so captivated with married
lady who might almost have been his
grandmother, that he wrote her a note
full of Greek and Latin quotations, and
Lnr t, n, l., L.
his classic epistle to his father in Boston,
who came on at once, and carried the
precociOus Contarini away.
By those assuming to know, Newport
is declared to be the best place for max
ing matches il America and the result
is that there are thirty or forty women
on the spot every season who devote
themselves to such mischievous end. The
advantages enjoyed here over other
watering places is that the antecedents
and income of visitors and sOjOurners are
well known, and that women who take
husbands are surer of their pecuniary
revenue and fashionable position than if
they caught their MARTIAL fish in other
streams. Juno is the presiding deity of
Newport, and Hymen finds here album
dant MARTIAL for his torches. Some ladies
have married off, not only their daugh-
tiers, to monetary advantage, but all
their feminine relatives as far
down as second cousins, and are
now engaged with their friends
and their friends friends. There are few
women who are not match-makers by ma
ture, but some of them have genius for
it which they never weary in exercising.
From this fact cynics might argue in favor
of the inherent malignity of the opposite
sex, especially as the fact seems quite
well established that wives who are least
satisfied with their domestic conditions,
are the most bent upon cOnnubial claims
for Others. | don't like to believe that
match makers resemble the foxes in the
fable; but that they are responsible for
vast deal of human wretchedness it is i'm
possible to doubt. When they have once
contracted the habit they seldom reflect
upon the consequences of their maneu-
vers. Matchmaking with them becomes
e mOnomania; and, if they had their way,
they would compel every single man and
woman to wed, though they wrung con-
sent from them by the wheel and rack.
IAOse 4usO uLuOAIe VI IOIluIC COlIS laISI
but domestic inquisitiOns are kept out of
sight in well regulated families.
Some of the best types of American
beauty are to be seen on the avenue and
beach drives. The women generally have
the ease, delicacy and air of breeding,
without the least tinCture of affectatiOn,
which several generations of leisure, Gull
ture and wealth are almost certain to give
One does not see the Over-robust manners
and pronounce character of dress, with
prodigal display of jewelry, which is so
affecting at Long Branch and Saratoga.
There are many exceptions to this, of
course, but the most Impractical eye can
determine the holiybOcks and suntlOwers
from the geraniums and roses in this
summer rArdPn.