The Osceola times., 1888-09-15
PERNlCiOUS READING.
Danger Lurking In Papers Devoted to
Matrimonial Advertising.

Danger Lurking In Papers Devoted to
Matrimonial Advertising.
The publisher of matrimonial adj
vertising sheets sends us copy upon
which he has written the following
memorandum: "Over five hundred
leading newspapers have occupied
from one to twelve columns each in
discussing (many in ridiculing) whilo
very few understand il. Please
read"
This is so fair-seeming request
that in spite of the pressure on our
time--a pressure which the publisher
of . weekly like the one referred to
can not probably comprehensive
have complied with it. We have
'read;" and we think we can under.
stand why "many" of the five hun-
dred leading newspapers have occu-
pied some space in ridiculing the pub
LEGATION referred to. fthcy had read
il little more carefully they would
have found it too serious for ridiculc
and would probably have condemned
it.
The paper in question purports to be
devoted to seekers of domestic happi-
ness" What it is really devoted to
seems TO be the making of money out
Of the silly, the foolish and the cranks
who believe In matrimonial ndvertis-
ing. and the wicked who find in sheet
which does such advertising an oppor-
tuniiy TO ensnare the sillv and foolish,
1t is filled. with the exception of few
columns devoted TO self-exploitation
and specious pleading in behalf of this
miserable method Of bringing marriage
about, with advertisements, or what
purport to be such, of men and women
who want partners in wedlock.
Tho descriptions which the adver-
tisers give of themselves have all the
popularity of bill Of sale or a chattel
mortgage. and are quite rs devoid Of
sentiment. One, for instance, de-.
scribes herself rs "a widow of 80, 3 feet
inches in height, dark eyes, light
hair, weight 100 pounds, well educated.
fair musician and fair housekeeper. "
She admits an ineumbrance in the
shape Of zone boy"-age, size and
weight not givcn-snd wants to CORE.
spond with ~ Western gentleman over
40, widower or bachelor" She closes
with the suggestion that she will be "a
dutful wife to y good man." Another
says she is "a neat little housekcepcr"
who ''is willing TO display her abilities
in making home happy;" but how can
she (she asks) unless some good, true,
temperate man over 45whom she could
love proposesP
Another, on the masculine side Of
the paper describes himself as a ''gen-
tleman of ~ years. five feet seven in
ches, fair complexion, not much money,
but true and honest heart" lie
neither smokes, chews or drinks
whisky; and does not say what vice he
does patronize in place of these. Still
another is "a widowcr of 45. having
property and income sufficient to sup
port a wife, ow2ing a well-establshed
business in town where he is well
known and can give the best of refer
ences." He wants 1.-THE acquaintance
of lady of suitable age who has no
children"
1t can hardly be necessary TO say to
intelligent, right-minded readers that
this whole notion of advertising for
wife or husband is degrading and de-
moralizing. Our system of marrying
and giving in marriage is bad enough
at its best resulting as it so often does
in ill-Srted unions. which the courts
are compelled 10 break. 1t is infinitely
better, however, than n system which
has its foundation in the matrimonial
bureau. There is n pretense at least
in all cascs-and the fact in great
preponderance of cases-of mutual ac-
ouaintancc and of liking. If not of ro-
mantle attachment. Itmay be lottery,
but there Is n chance at least of drawing
prize, and, as. a matter of fact. the
majority do draw prizes. In a system
of marriage upon the bargain and sale
theory embodied in the advertisement
plan it is inevitable that the vast ma.
jori,y must draw blanks.
No woman Of real refinement with
right views Of the married state, Its
meaning and its responsibilities. could
content herself with man who would
answer an advertisement describing
the particular kind of a husband want
cd, as one would describe carriage,
horse or a pug. No such woman M
deed would advertise for husband.
| What is true of the woman is trne Of
the man. Detroit Free Press.
Philosophy triumphs easily oyei
mast evils mud future evils, but pleseli