Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1878-08-07
letter from Stribling Springs.

STRIBLING SPRINGS, Aug. G.-Seated IN the
portico at this lovely place, crjoylos tho deIIcI
GUS braezos which ind their way direct from
the mountains on either sido my thoughts turn
| to our city friends with feeling Of compassion
| and anxiety, lest they may dissolve from the
| fervent heat which surrounds them. Truly
this is choice spot, where poor. tired human
nature can fnd health, rest, plenty OF good
fresh air, mineral waters to suit all cases, and
above all, plenty Of the very best fare, TO sat
/ isfy tho hungry and tempt the delicate appe.'
tite, and with host aud hostess 50 KIDD and
thoughtful of all our wants, that wo feel IN
nartinr with them VIC shall never see their
equal until W. come again. The company here
is small, about GO in number, but composed OF
the best material and young and old join 10 the
different games, all uniting their efforts TO mako
each one feel ct home, and pass their time
pleasantly. Your city has contributed no snail
amount to the pleasure of the company at
ShibIing's The Misses j. ara spccIGera ot e1-
celence, cultivation and refinement, rarely
found combined 10 these degenerate days. The
charming and digniGed Mrs. Magruder with
her fascinating daughter, remind US that
Georgetown, too, s faithfully represented at
this delightful Eden. Tx Gov. Marye and his
two charming daughters add much to the pleas
ure Of our little circle: The Governor seems
quite reiuVeDated, and as be climbs over The
| hills and gathers wild flowers he is tempted to
sing, "Would | wore boy again" Richmond
by the merry ringing laugh Of Mrs. G. s., who,
aided by her sweet, winning little friend, Miss
IC. w., makes US all feel it il good to be here
Mrs. McD., Of Richmond, 10 her quiet, digr.
|, fed elegance, bears strong marks Of that great
beauty for which she was so celebrated as a
Virginia belle some years ago. Her lovely
daughters, so fresh and sweet. arc line sptc'
mems of Richmond girls. Miss Lowell, the
daughter of late Surgeon General in the u.
8. army, is a charming companion, and an or
nament to society. Little Miss t., of Staunton.
envens us with Der peculiar style of wit and
good humor. Mrs. g., Of Richmond, and
her attractive daughter. Miss f. g., arrived
yesterday. Numerous others are here from
that city, among them Mrs. Il. G., Miss H.
hlrs A., 60. The sprightIy, ATTRACTIVE daugh-
ter Of our host, by her untlring efforts to give
pleasure To the guests, adds largely to Tue
popularity Of tho springs. have not told the
half, but will only say that Gov. hlarye says 1t
is an elegant place, and just suits hlu. Come
and sec tor yourself, and | promise you will
never want 10 60 away. ALiH!N'
] Morals AT HOME AND ARRoAD.-lt those
who undertake to establish codes oil morals Tor
all the world to follow were to travel little,
with their eyes wide open. they would be able
to deal moro Understandings with the subject,
The fact is, that tho morals OF people are
governed bY the circumstances by WHICH they
are surrounded, and tile publl1 sentiment OF
their own communities as to what Is moral or
immoral, aud not by airy arbitrary code. What
is regarded in England or America as the
height Of immortality is not 90 oouslderei In
France, Austria or ltay--lnd whatever May
be thought 10 the contrary, immortality reaches
a lower depth of degradation 10 England and
America than it does 10 any OF these countries.
For the fallen ones Of England aud America
thcra is generally 40 mercy shoWn, aud they
arc driven from society and compelled to OBJ
tain livelihood by the only means that Is lett
them. They are even shut out from employ
mont in stores and factories and private
dwellings and hotels. and have no resort but
TO take lower steps in vice. In Franco, Tor M
stance, young men caunot marry until they nave
served several years in the army, and seldom
have money enough after their eervlco to pay
the heavy expenses OF marriage; still they nave
All the natural feelings and attachments OF those
moro fsvoTably situated. They tAll in love, but
cannot marry or support wife. Young
madens fall in love with them, and their attach
mems is a hopeless one IS far IS marriage Is
concerned. Human nature leads them to omit
the ceremony. but thoy are as trua and faithful
to onch othar the Same claas OF people bound
by tho marriage tie. The man COOS on carry ing
his muskot, and the woman continues at servlca.
If she should have children, sho goes TO the
hospital, and returns to her work again They
are regarded as victims of circumstances. and
The woman is not considered degraded or the
man villain, They often in after life, when
they are sblo. marry, 90 through the formal
ceremony, and legitimatiZe their children, and
their former life is considered no degradation
Amid so many thousands in this condition there
arc, of course, some who, if possessed Of great
personal beauty, follow vicious lives, but the
| mothers of fifteen thousand children annually
born in tho founding hospital are not consider
ed vicious women They are not cast oil or
driven from all association with those who, IN
their days Of innocence, were their friends and
companions. They enter upon this phase OF llto
with the know Lodge that it is the fate awaiting
most Of their young compions, and was tho late
Of many of their mothers before them Thoy
can get employment. and are generally prefer
red to giddy young girls who arc unsettled in
life. They arc as faithful to their secret vows
as they would BIO if they had been made in pub
lie. OF course, there are many Of these soldiers
who, if ordered away, form now attachments
and abandon their first loves. These are apt to
drift 10 the Lstin quarter and become the miss
treszes of Students taking care of their clothes.
cooking for them and virtually living with them,
while others form new attachments. They are,
however, noted for being faithful ovon to these
engagements
Wherever in Europe young men are held I'm.
der military duty for from three to seven years,
this condition of morals exista. 1t is the natural
conses snce Of standing armies and the stringent
marriage laws. No priest ia allowed to marry
a couple without the sanction Of both parents or
! the oldest surviving relatives. The mayor in
the town where they lived must also give his con-
sent, and they must give security for the msin-
| tenance of their children ifthey have any. Then
the cost of marriage, in feos to tho church. GER
titcstes &c., virtually compels many of the
| poor to omit the ceremony. All manner Of OBJ
structions are thrown in the way Of marriage.
and consequently those who live together
| without marriage do not consider themselves
| degraded by 80 doing, nor are they 90 consider
cd by their friends and relatives.-C' G. Futon
| Paris lotIsr.