The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-12-25
Decline of MatrImony,
From the New York NJ all.

From the New York NJ all.
The present extravagant way of
living probably has much to do with
the present falling off in the matrimo-
NAL field. Girls brought up to every
luxury, men with no idea of honest
work, but only of pamperinE their
own luxurious tastes, are not the peo-
pie to join hands for the tremendous
responsibilities of wedlock and the
vicissitudes of life. What in the name
of all that's reasonable could the mod
ern dude do to support family in
| moderate circumstances, or more, to
keep the wolf from the door. But he
has no thought Of matrimony; he puts
all bis small brain upon the fit of his
clothes and the insipidity of his drinks,
He enjoys the society of ladies. o,
yes, he affects the girls very much, but
into his small heart there never
creeps more than a milk-warm liki1g
for them. And the girlsl Let them
be ever 50 idly brought UP,
let their minds be carefully weeded
Of all germs Of common sense, as
they grow, yet there is an innate love
of the noble in every girls heart that
would forever prevent her from fall
| ing in love with a dude but if she
did happen to, there Is not one dude in
a thousand that would have the cour-
age to find it out. And again, the
| higher education of women makes
| them more independent, more capable
of a choice. With it their happiness
is more in their own hands, and thus
it is found that most divorces are
among the class of people who still
| hold to the custom of an idle life for
women. In olden times, to marry
| was considered almost as sure q fate
as to die. The farmers rosy daugh-
| ter spun the flax or patted the butter
into shape with sweet smile playing
about her pretty lips, for soon she
knew she would, in her own home,
pat her own butter aud spin her own
flax. In the city, the belle lounged
through the day among the flowers
and pvrfumed notes from many ador-
ers, unable to decide which should b.
her choice, yet positively certain of
choosing one. But in ''ye olden time
it was considered a point of extreme
honor to be true to ones sweetheart
If one was false to every one
else, one must be true to ones
/ lover. In these days honor
is almost a lost art. To be able to de.
ceiVe is considered an evidence OF
greatest excellence. To believe what
one is told. to trust the honor of q
given word. is considered as almost
imbecile innocence and simplicity. To
day there is no consideration, but ad-
vantage. VIII it be step further on
in worldly way, is the question
which presents itself. Sometimes the
answer is positively In the negative,
1if l may be allowed the tenn, and very
often 1t is doubtful. The loVe-dfteT-
marriage literature of the day is fair
sign of the times. To marry for adj
vantage Of convenience. and after
ward to loveH "for loves sake only,
is he most accepted plot of the more
.receL twords. And this reacts upon
society with subtlety equal to that
of tins flower pollen which has BEEN
| discovered by DIR. Mackenzie to be the
cause of hay-fever. One cannot see
its action, yet the result is there. The
want of trust and sancity in the mar
rage tie, the free opening 70 women
of other interests and sources OF mar.
piness, and her increasing ability Il
stand alone, are soIne of the ises
Whicl are sling our land with sing!
bRt capable and useful, women.