The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-02-12
Bridal Tours Denounced.

: lCarl Benson in New York TiInes.l
Looking at the custom from an aesthetic
and sentimental point of view, nothing can
be more repulsive. An American mar
rage is, in theory, love-match and it is
generally so in practice. Now two persons
in love want to see as much as possible of
each other, and as little as possible of other
people. 1t is true that we find exceptions:
there are individuals whose diseased vanity
desires to give publicity to every act of
their life. But these vulgarians are, happily,
rare in any class. An instinct of seclusion
and modesty is the general rule. Yet this
absurd custom forces newly married
couple either to put an unnatural restraint
on their legitimate affection, or to make
themselves ridiculous before the public.
All this, however, it may be suggested, is
matter OF TASTE. But what follows is not a
questionable point of taste or comfort it
is matter of downright fact, as certain as
if it could be mathematically demonstrated.
The contamination of marriage is, with
one exception, the most critical period,
physically, of woman's life. After the
moral and physical excitement which at
tends it, her system demands absolute rest,
repose, quiet, regular and good living, a
supporting and restorative way of life. If
these can be secured for some weeks, so
much the better, but at any rate they are me-
cessary for some days. Not only her health
for the rest of her mortal existence, but the
health and strength Of her offspring may
be, and often are, materially affected by
the want of proper care at this time. In
stead of which the bridal tour piles on adj
ditional excitement and fatigue, makes reg
ularity of life impossible--in short, involves
the exact reverse of all that the rules of
health and physiology require. AT peril
of being thought effeminate, will go fur
Their and say that for the man, too, at this
time, repose and calm, though not so ne.
cessary, are highly desirable. 1t constant
ly happens in the cases of both sexes,
that slight indisposition which
passed unnoticed in the hurry of prepare
ton is aggravated to a serious and even
fatal extent by the excitement and expo.
sure and neglect consequent on the we'd
ding tour. No man, for instance, would
think of postponing his marriage on account
of a slight cold. If he stayed quietly at
home alterward and took care of himself
it would pass away like other slight colds;
he goes on bridal tour in the depth of
winter, and the nialady developes into
SLloLic puiiiioiaiy ouItdiiI. 4Noi Wouiu d
young woman put off her marriage because
she felt a little extra lassitude and
want of appetite, with an occasional
headache, which, however, may be pre-
monitory symptoms of typhoid fever. If
you take typhoid in time, there is nothing
specially dangerous about it; care and
patience only are necessary, and it runs its
course. But if neglected at first, it is al
most inevitably fatal. Last year two cases
came under my observation, the one Of
bride, the other of bridegroom, dying of
typhoid just after a wedding trip, which
had caused the early symptoms to be mis-
understood and neglected. And | have
known things worse than death to happen
insanity, temporary or permanent,
brought on by the extra fatigue and ex-
element of the wedding journey.