Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1888-03-11

cities. To sustain the truth of this asser.
ton, l do not fear to appeal to candid
citizens, whether Christian by name OF
not.
Instead, then, of casting about theater-
going the glamour of mysterious warning,
and forcing upon the consciences OF our
Young people the dogma OF ex csshedra
condemnation, let us examine the suoJect
with them. >.
Where her brother will take no harm, 1t
is safe for our girl to go. ills unsafe ana
sinful for either to read an impure 0ook,
or to witness an immoral play. Sir Peter
Lely's rule OF not looking st poor pic
ture Jest it should vitiate his style sp-
plies with teniold force Eere. Inc
surface of besmirched Imagination Can
never be quite renovated, however zeal-
Gus may be the erssing process. Hot
tears of shame, and years OF resolute
right-thlnking, do not altogether undo
the wrong. A little abrasion is percept-
ible to the sensitive touch; the texture
catches sell more readily than If 1t had
never been marred. This Is the mistor-
tune of most cleaned goods. A bad book
is an Injury to our girls delicacy OF
character. II she knows 1t to be pad
before perusing it, she commlls
deliberate sin in the reading, one,
Wbich-it she be q modest woman,
who really desires to keep heart and
thoughts chaste, although tempted to this
indiscretion-she will repent all her HE,
for 1t is irrevocable Were man, L
would not marry girl who peruses books
the titles Of which she is ashamed TO
name in mixed company. PrurIent
curiosity does not grow strong Withe ut
food. The appetite for "naughtg"
literature is acquired, like tondness for
Limburger and caviare. The mora!
palate revolts at the first taste. When
aversion has gi en- place to craving, Il
srgues-What men do not admire in theil
wives!
Of similar kind snd grade Of liking i:
the penchant for "shsdy" stories, dis
position that betrays itself more readily
than the hsbit of reading books which are
"of color -" The roughened surface, Of
the unefaced blur upon the Imagination
| is revealed by the changing complexion
uneasy Chances, and hardly suppressed
smiles at the NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS., 1
may be-of some catch-word, the double
meaning of which no girl should know.
The immoral, or bold play combines tn
worst elements Of printed and spoker
| impurity. When girls cheeks cease Il
Jingle at the Haunting indecorum OF TIT
ballet; when she can discuss with he
escort s plot that turns upon seduction
and marital infidelity ss calmly as sn'
dissects such story as "The Wife," o
"Jim the Penm.n," or "Dr. Jekyl
and Mr.. HYDE" each OF whicl
conveys a powerful moral lesson
when, with distinct knowledge OF VIVA
she is to see, she accepts an invitation t
attend upon the performance OF pls'
full Of unholY passion ind intrigue, or
comedy that abounds in coarse humor-
she Is false to the high standard OF virtu
in the maintenance of which are homo
and safety for herself. When she laugh
with msn over sn equivocal allusion
she comes perilously near to the mora
Level of him who offers the insult.
II is preposterous to contend that sue
situations cannot be avoided, ii she at
tends the theRIer at all. 1t is as practi
cable to ascertain the character of pla
IS of book And as the name Of re
spectacle publisher warrants the respect
ability Of the volume bearing his imprint
Iessees and managers Of the better elias
nave regulations that vouch for whGteVe
goes upon their boards.
Excessive thester-going is as detri
mental to mind and taste IS excesslV
noveI-reading, and gluttony in the con
sumption of confectionery. AL thre
vitiate the delicacy of perception whic
must accompany just balance Of int
Iectual or physical forces. The youns
more than the old, need to keep i
sight the truth that recreation is for tn
specific purpose of making over men 40
women for nobIer ends than the enteI
tainment of the hour. The bow is unoeI
that tension and elasticity may be re
newed by what seems to the careless ey
temporary uselessness.
MARION UARLAND.