WHY THERE ABE NOT MORE MARRIAGES.

Thames Star, Volume XV, Issue 4874, 23 August 1884, Page 4

WHY THERE ABE NOT MORE MARRIAGES.

A primal defect in our social life is the notion that girls have nothing to do. Boys :*are brought up to some employmrnl-, but girls to none, except were pecuniary want compels 'them. The family that is •• well off" has bußy boys and idle girls. The young man," after eating his breakfast, starts cut to his daily occupation, and returns at the close of the day. The young woman, after eating her breakfast, usually at a lnte hour, s&unters abqut in quest of amusement. Novels, go-sip, shopping for unnecessary trifles, dressing in three or four different costumes, formal visiting, * drawing (if able), and lounging, are the elements of the young woman's day. In . the evening, by way of recreation (I), she goes to the theatre or a ball. ' This unequal discipline of the sexes is the basis of innumerable evils. It makes the girl,careless and selfish; it turns her ■ mind to personal adornment and other frivolous matters as the great concern's of life ;?it takes away the sense of responsibility, and produces feebleness and dts« ease in her physical constitution. It also prevents her from asserting her true di'fnity in the eyes of man ; for the life of utility is.alone dignified. Women, thus brought up in indolence, are looked upon by men very much as were the women of old dark times of the world, as playthings, expensive toys, not as counsellors and friends. Marriage in such circumstances belongs to a low, sensual plane, and the .girl-H prepared neither in body nor mind, for tho sprious responsibilities and Icft^c duties'which marriage implies. ' i Her training, moreover, or lack o£ training, has made it necessary fov.- a long; purse to supply herwants, Economy, help* fulness, co operation-—these are not com ing to the new'bousehold faom.this vain sou,rc©. Dresses, drives, entertainments—tEiese will form* the ataple demands on. the young hnsband;. Accordingly in city Jife, where this. eJnsa of young women is chiefly .foundj a young man is (greatly to his hurt often) kept from marryibg by reason of its costliness, whereas society should lie so (ordered that marriage would, help the larder and not beggar it. want simplicity of life/frugality, modes' industry and system. If we could v f y ' duce these virtues in our higher r -P" we should diminish the despaJ- oclely« jealousy, dissipation and suier .e> e f n*J • single, and bickerings, ™V d/ of th? divorce, pf the "*