The Osceola times., 1883-02-24

been offered as a make-weight against
the injustice. But every one knows that
all talk about il in society is only part
of that universal habit of joking and
levity which surrounds marriage and
the marriage proposal. 1t is true that a
Joke may break the ice sometimes over
deeper waters, and may prove the avenue
to seriousness. Except in some such
way it is not matter that has ever es-
sentially modified the system we are con-
sidering. We read sometimes of instan-
ces in which lady has availed herself
of the matrimonial privilege. One such
case, cited by writer in late English
magazine, is worth quoting here:-
"As the controversy has often been
waged," says this writer, "as to whether
il is competent for lady to pop the
question, even so far as the leap-year IS
concerned, an interesting example may
be quoted, the heroine being no other
than the wife of NJ. de Lesseps. This
distinguished lady was at La Chesnave,
when all Europe was astir about the
achievements of the Suez enterprise.
One day, in the garden, she saw De Les
seps walking on terrace. She plucked
a rose, and going up to the widower, beg
ged of him, for her sake to wear il at din
ner. He asked her if she did not mean
it for his son. No; it was for himself.
De Lesseps explained TO her that he was
on the wrong side of sixty, while she
was not yet nineteen. That did not
matter; what his age was never had oc-
Cured to her. She had only thought of
his grandness ard his goodness. In short
he was her beau ideal. How was ii pos
sible for man reared on the sunny side
of a Pvrenean mountain TO reason dow
the feelings this confession aroused
Time was given to Mademoiselle de
Praga to reflect, and she was made to un.
derstand that no friendship would be
lost. were she to change her mind after
the banns had been published. The
marriage, however, was celebrated con-
temporaneously with the Suez fetes. As
the young lady referred to was reared
under the French code of manners, which
is one of almost Oriental strictness the
reader can Judge whether this pretty
piece of romance is likely to be founded
on facts. The writer having seen the
same account, told in the same way at
the time of the event hopes it may be.
Admitting as one must, that there is a
o good deal of genuine love in the world
and that, in the multitude of cases, it
levels down barriers and distinctions,
and laughs at artifice, it is still true that
the passions which mask themselves I'M
der its name are not unknown. | have
spoken above of the Baroness Burdett
Coutt's marriage. Probably not one in a
hundred thousand persons, taking human
nature as it goes and as it guesses, be-
lieves, or could be persuaded to believe
that Mr.. Bartlett's wooing-for Mr.. b. is
a young man-was prompted purely by
the tender passion. The baroness is an
elderly woman, with marks of age, aid
with out special personal attractions that
any one, except Mr.. Bartlett, has discov-
cred. But she has immense wealth.
"There," says society, "you see the rea-
son." No one knows certainly that it
was the reason, because no one knows
this but the case is practically the same
when anybody supposes so. 1t was
because the Queen OF England supposed
SO, that she turned about at once on see
ing her, and walked before a crowd of
spectators in the opposite direction.
But disparity in wealth alone, if it be
on the woman's side, starts serious
ment. What is an eligible heiress to
do? The most sensitive men are 10th to
have the most momentous and serious
steps of which they are capable miscon-
strued, and hesitate to present themsel-
YES for her favor. Against the other
kind those who are not sensitive and
serious, she must be continually on her
guard / am told that women of very
great wealth scarcely dare to marry but
If they were permitted to tai c the first
step, might avoid, as completely as any
human system could render possibly,
the dangers TO which they are now sub
jected.
One of the worst features of this un-
mitigated silence which is imposed upon
one sex alone, is the insincerity and hyp-
ocrisy which ii not only inculcates, but
places a premium upon. Nothing irri-
tates woman so much as to have any
ground given for suggestion that she
has gone a step out of her way to secure
gentleman's interest or attention. She
would rather be won by peasant than
move the least bit aggressively to win a
prince. Her natural feelings are smoth-
cred and suppressed, and she accepts the
sacrifice which she must put on, as if il
were both reasonable and natural.
still hear in reply-in fact, / have
heard imaginatively between every two
lines | have written-some such ques-
ton as this, in the voice of Mrs. Grundy
"What? would you have modest and
delicate young lady 90 to a gentleman
house or office, and ask him to marry
herr"
This question is always supposed to
squash the antagonist, and close the dis
cussion. But does ii close it? Is there
no such thing in this world-as an inter
mediate course? Ifs color is not white
is it necessarily black? May there not
be half dozen footholds and vacancies
between extremes? Ifthis performance
which is believed to be only alternative
in the matter, is absurdity, on any other
than conventional grounds, does il
amend it any to entrench ones selfin the
shadow of another absurdity?
My impression is, that matters of de-
tail will take care of themselves; and es
pec;ally wherever ladies are concerned
will shape themselves always into comely
and graceful forms. The tact, the fine
feeling, the artistic fitness of things, one
may say, which have had background
of centuries for cultivation under bonds
and disadvantages, will not fail any the
less to show themselves when their field
is widened and extended. / should as
soon believe that water will cease to run
down hill, or that sravitation will some
day reverse the order of motion, as to
suppose that the weakening or abolition
of rigid law of etiquette, would trans
form the nafilre of half the human race