The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-08-06
NEW YORK HERALD SUNDAY AUGUST lsL-TRIPLE SHEET

interposed between nm aud his creditors to the
large amount OF s5S,636 And yet, SO unfortunate
had Mr.. Jenerson's undertakings proved and 30 IN
credbly was his hospitality abused by the sight Sec
ing and celebrity hunting public, that when his
affairs came TO be finally settled after his decease
1925 his estate was found to be sac, 900 worse of
than nothing. The entertainment at Monticello Of
such most OF visitors was shameful imposition
upon the venerable ex-Prestdent and it Is to be
hoped that no future statesman, who may retire
from that ONCE to an honorable struggle with
was Thomas JEFFERSON.
BuNDLING: It's ORIGIN, PROGRESS AND DECLINE IN
AMERICA. BY Henry r. Stiles. NJ d. Albany:
PIP. l39
This curious historical brochure is preaced by the
venerable author with the statement that he Is mo
believer in the theory that the Objectionable por-
tons OF history should be Kept in the background
SO he has given us collation. OF all that could be
found about singular custom once quite prevalent in
New England. Strange to say, DR.. Stiles proves that
'bundlng' was not generally considered an offence
against chastity about the middle OF the last cen.
tury. He gives many amusing. though not very,
delicate, anecdotes illustrating the practice 1t is
amazing TO US in this age that a practice so pro-
f0undly Immodest and vulgar should ever have been
tolerated In civilized country. Nor DO DR.. Stiles
extracts from the narratives of travellers proving
it TO have originated In Great Britain and
notably in Wales. while 1t mas also been
an ancient custom IN Holland and IN
portions OF Asia. at all reconcile us
10 its prevalence in Connecticut or in Maine. Tie
practice, /, is true confined to people in the
lower classes, and the author, with more charity
than discretion, as we think nnos excuses In the
GOODNESS Of the climate, the scant accommodations
OF the houses, &c. 1t appears TO have gradually
fallen into dlsuse and to have ceased about the be-
ginning Of the present century. The causes OF its
decline are thought 10 have been an improvement
In the tone Of morals well OF material welfare
among the people. 1t was strenuousy denounced
by divines from the pulpit but the author attributes
less effect to the lessons OF mOralsts than
tom and widely circulated. Two three of these
doggerels are cited at len 9Th and II is mia state
ment to say OF them that they totally unfit to be
printed anywhere Our opinion OF DR.. Stiles per-
torrance is that 1t neeclessly revlves the remem.
brance Of one Of the worst abuses OF crude and
coarse state OF society in an age long since happily
passed. The book can do no possible good, while
It's circulation to any considerable extent would be
productive OF positive harm. IL may crafty a few
historical antiquares and please salacious tastes;
but the facts, stories ana poems which the author
have been lett to slumber in the original sources
whence they were gathered. The purity OF our
homes Is too precious to permit the intrusion of
such questionable vsitants, even the sober garb
nj history ~"!y,s. >.~ssvSs->--r-.-,ry,.
@s.ss -.-.v~s