Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-03-11
nernr hal anita rennvnted however


zealous may be the erasing process.
Hot tears OF shame and years OF resoute
right. thinking do not altogether undo
The wrong. A little abrasion is percepti-
bic TO the sensitive touch the texture
catches soil more readily than il it had
never been marrcd. This is the misfor-
tune OF most cleaned goods a bad
book is an injury to Our GIRLS delicacy
of character. II she knows il to be bad
before porusing il she commits a de-
hberatc SIN in the reading, one which
il she be a modest woman, who really
desires % keep heart and thoughts
chasie. although tempted 10 this indis-
creton1she viii pent all her life, for
IL Is irfevOcahle. Were | man. would
not marry a gin VINO pcruses books the
tt.cs OF which she is ashamed to name
ia mixed company. prurieut curiosity
does not crOw strong without food. The
appetite for naughty literature is
acquired, Ike q fondness for Limburecr
an cayiare. he morol palate reyOts
80 the frat taste. When aversion has
given place to craving, it argues-what
men DO not admire IN their wives !
"snADY" STORIES AND BoLD PLAYS.
OF similar kind and grade of liking
ia the Dcpch0Hf for shady" stories
deposition that betrays itself more
readily than the habit OF reading books
which are "off color" The rOughcncd
surface. or the uucdaced blur upon the
imagination, Is revealed by tue changing
complexion. uneasy chances, and hardly
suppressed smiles at the application, ac-
ciccnial. it may be. OF some catch
word. the double meaning OF which no
girl srou'd know.
The immoral or bold play combines
the worst elements of printed and spoken
lmpuutv. When girls cheeks cease 10
tugle at the Haunting inoecorum OF the
ballet wnCn she can discuss with her
escort a plot that turns upon seduction
and marital iUhdonty rs calmly a. she
dissects such a story rs "Ihe Wife, or
Jim the Penman, or "Dr. Jckyll and
Mr. HYDE" csch Of which conveys
powerful moral lesson when, with dis
tinct know iedgo of what she is to see,
she accepts an invitation to at
tend upon performance OF a
play full Of unboly passion and in
treue, or a comedy that abounds in
coarse lumor- she is false TO the high
standard OF virtue in the maintenance Of
which sre honor and safety for herself.
" hon she laughs with man over An I'M
cgulyocsl alusion. She comes perilously
near 60 the moral level Of him who offers
the insult.
"LoOK BEFORE YOU LEAP.
u is prepOstcTOus TO contend that such
situations cannot be avoided ii she at
tends the theatre at all. 1t is as pracli-
cable 10 ascertain the character Of play
as o. book. and as the name of Il re-
spectacle Publisher warrants the respec-
liability Of the volume bearing MS lm-
print, lessees and managers Of the better
class have Tcput 4tions that vOuch Tor
whatever goes upon their boards
Excessive thea're-golng is as detrl-
mental to mind and taste as excessive
novel-readug and eiuttony IN the con
sumption of confectionery. All three VIII
ate the de.icacy of perception which must
accompany a Just balance Of intellectual
or physi forces The young, more
than the old, need to keep in sight the
truth that recreation is for the specific
purpose Of making over men and women
for nob'er ends than the entertainment
OF the hour. The bow IS unbcnt that
tension and elasticity may be renewed
10y " hnt seems to the careless eye tenn
porary usclessneSs.
MARION HARLAND.