South Carolina Temperance Advocate

HEALTH—THE LADIES—PHYSICAL LAWS:
A SEASONABLE PICTURE.
BY MISS SEDGWICK.
It has been customary, in some of our cities
and towns, for young ladies to walk in thin
shoes and delicate stockings, in mid-winter.
A healthy, blooming young girl, thus dressed,
in violation of Heaven's laws, pays the penalty;
a checked circulation, cold, fever and
death. "What a sad Providence!" exclaimed
her friends. Was it Providence or her
own folly? A beautiful young bride goes
night after night, to parties, in honor of her
marriage. She has a slight sore throat, perhaps,
and the weather is inclement; but she
must wear her neck and arms bare, for whoever
saw a bride in a close evening dress?
She is seized with inflammation of the lungs,
and dies before her bridal days are over.—
"What a Providence!" exclaims the world;
"Cut off in the midst of happiness and hope!" Alas! did she not cut the thread of life herself? A girl in the country exposed to our changeful climate, gets a new bonnet instead of a flannel garment. Rheumatism is the consequence. Should the girl sit down tranquilly with the idea that Providence has sent the rheumatism upon her, or should she charge it to her vanity and avoid the folly in future? Look, my young friends, at the mass of diseases that are incurred by intemperance, indiscreet dressing, tight lacing, &c. and all is quietly imputed to Providence. Is there no impiety, as well as ignorance in this? Were the physical laws strictly observed from generation to generation, there would be an end to frightful diseases that cut short life, and of the long maladies that make life a torment or trial. It is the opinion of those who best understand the physical system, that this wonderful machine, the body—this "goodly temple"—would gradually decay, and man would die, as few now die, as if falling to sleep.—Phil. Courier.