The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1885-08-12

LndI one ubit OI the ulc u IttWe6u TIC ages
of 30 and 80 are single. whereas formerly
nine out OF ten married before they were
%. One reason for this can be discov>
cred in the desire that young men of spir-
it have to be in position to support her
before they take wife. They are loath
to assume the responsibility Of a houses
hold while laying the foundation of a for,
tune or reputation. Times have changed
since a young couple could begin life
simply. We are now living in high civ
llization of fats and servants and equip
ages; we forgot how our fathers got mar
ried, and wish to begin in the same style
that we hope for our grand children.
Old bachelors are no longer looked ups
on as ridiculous beings, but as sensible
men. too prudent to enter matrimony un.
til fairly settled in life, or until they can
be certain of provision for wife and
family. Club life has much to do with
this hesitancy. 1t is commonly said that
a bachelor spends enough on himself to
support his wife in mis- own sphere. But
this is nonsense What is comfort for
one is privation for two. Single men can
have a great many Injuries in any of our
better clubs that their income would not
afford if they were married. A wife
would necessitate apartments or house
in fashionable quarter, dressmakers'
and milliners' bills. and other matters that
bachelor is ignorant of Furthermore,
he would be shut from great many hos
pit4ble houses, and denied invitations to
dinners and receptions that are not given
to young married men.
Another, though less potent, reason for
the lnfrequency of marriages is the scarc>
Ity of manageable men. 1t is recognized
BY all of us that, while society contains
any number of girls well fitted for wife>
hood, there are very few men suitable for
husbands There are plenty of elaborate>
ly attired gallants among us, it is true
| The streets, the theater Hobbies and the
parlors are full of naughty young spirits
| that exhibit the tailors' handiwork excel
lently well, and are beautiful to degree.
These serve as makeshifts for escorts, are
perfect as dancing partners, and make a
brave show at receptions. But woman
want men, A bright, intelligent girl de-
| sires husband whom she can respect.
| And those little chaps have no talent, nc
| brains, no future-nothing TO commend
them further than their fathers position
and their tailor's art. A thoughtful Cir
hesitates long before she intrusts herself
TO man whose highest desire is to be
considered fast, whose language is lisp
| ing, and whose head is not so well edu
Gated as his heels. Our young ladies art
not to blame for the scarcity of marriag'
es. If we offer them alliances with meI
they will get welded soon enough.
But the young fellows of ability, Of
ambition, have no time to go INTO society
and the girls are given few chances II
meet and to marry them. Men with a flu
ture are forced to work in the present
And if by accident bright young mar
finds himself in a gay assemblage he il
presently put out of countenance by 1
crowd of insane creatures, who drew bet
ter than he, who have greater stock o
fine speeches and who make much both
er over the exact pose they shall assume
They are the masters of a nice assortmen
of gossip; they can hand lady down t,
supper with infinite grace, and are yer
excellent things in the turning of music
The clever young fellow is abashed; he
COMPOUNDED by rivals whom he despises
and retires from the society of girls WHOM
he admires, but can not bring eleganc
to. And when he does marry he probabl,
takes to wife some pupil some model o
some obscure relative of his landlord VIII
never was in society at all.
What therefore are we to do with on
girls? There are many thousands of ther
in New York City alone, who can neve
be married The tendency to remain sin
gle is growing among men in all condi
} tions of life, but Is more marked in tn
upper classes. This would be deplorabl
enough if men were in the majority. bu
they are in considerable minority, an
the majority of woman increase ever
year. There are, indeed various avenue
of employment open to women; yet
, great number of them have no prospect
OF situations, of husbands, or homes {
their own. Unless we educate our youn
men into a broader conception of maj
] hood our girls arc going to be in sorr
plight A woman can not offer herse
formally as a candidate for marriage; bu
it is an accepted fact that all sensible CIR
: are ready to take husbands, and though
' full people never sneer at people VII
: want TO be married Marriage is the trr
end and aim of properly constituted w
manhood. To possess her separate hOm
8 to feel the tender affection of mothe1
hood, are desires instructive to and az
mirable in any young woman. 1t is I
more immodest i'll woman to wish for
husband than in a man to want a wifi
nor is it otherwise than estimable III
v girl to rejoice in marriage, and consid
- her proper ambition to be the care, Il
assistance, and the comfort of her hu'
band.
So let us have less of love in the a
. stract and more of love in the concrete
] Rhapsody is an excellent thing but ma
a rage is better. And it were an estimsb
s matter in young lovers to keep memOl
e of Artemus Wards experience with Bet
. Jane--a practical young woman who, a
o ter enduring the poetic fattery of her al
r mirer till patience was exhausted, e.
n claimed: II won't listen to your noncen
f no longer. Jes say strate out what YOU
e drivin' at. If you mean gettin cheith
t I'm in"