The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1871-06-23
AMERICAN GIRLS As STREET
FLIRfH.

Ine freedom enjoyed Dy our young
women is a perfect marvel to foreign
ers. They are entirely incapable of
understanding how it accords with
safety and the preservation of good
morals. The flirting which is carried
on between strangers in omnibuses,
horsc-cars, and on ferry-boats, is so
open and patent they cannot help
seeing it. 1t may be, doubtless, in
many cases innocent enough, only en-
gagged in for a bit of fun, to while
away tho passing moment, but it
presents series of phenomena in
comprehensive to the transatlantic
brain. An English lady, in this
dazed ard bewildered condition once
said to US: at would never do to
trust English girls with the inde-
pendence American young women
enjoy. They are made differently,
and the worst possible consequences
would ensue. I am surprised that
your girls can behave as l see them
without the loss of caste and charac-
ter" The implied compliment was
not undeserved. American girls pos
sess an almost incongruous mixture
Of daring, innocence and the ability
to protect themselves; though they
often commit breaches of property
and good taste, they know where to
draw the line, and can, as general
thing, be trusted. Many of our girls
here in New York are idle and fond
Of excitement-in high health, with
plenty of money to spend, and utter
ly free from care. The lounger up
and down Fifth avenue of sunny af-
ternoon may meet them in shoals
and squads, decked out in their
finery, full of chatter and glee.-I
There are also specimens of the
young genus homo who appear to
have been born for the sole purpose of
squeezing themselves into the tight
est Of tailor's wares, and afording a
feeble excuse for the display of coz
combry. These creatures, many of
them, romenade the avenue at all
hours of the day; few have achieved
greatness, and are as familiar to the
dwellers of the street as the Worth
monument. They nave at command
all the tricks and devices by which
low grade of acquaintance can be es-
tablished with the demoiselles who
flutter along the pavement. There
is an acquaintance of the eyes and
handkerchief. Silly, feeble-minded
impertinences are practised, which,
if Witnessed by the paternal relative
OF the saucy rather fast young Miss,
who, if she does not invite at least
permits them, would doubtless be in
strumental in drawing down the
chastIsement of kick on the young
male idiot who has been indulging in
this silly sport. This is a very alb
surd and ridiculous boy and girl
play. It belongs to the vealy period.
We are not considering now despic-
bic class of sharks who swarm in
great cities and molest decorous mat
rons, and are dangerous to unpro-
tected girls. We are dealing with
the youthful improprieties which,
practiced only, and without any at
tempt at concealment, impart to our
English cousins such a shiver of the
nerves. It is pity to own
it, but our city girls are deplorably
uncultured. The march of the world
has left them one side; it has got to
lake them up and break them. as it
were. With the best material. the
most promising, crude qualities, they
are, Us yet. incapable of framing or
practising q code of manners which
shall develop the inherent dignity.
sweetness, and urbanity of OUR wo-
manhood. - Rereiut,on.