Fowle's New Hampshire Gazette And General Advertiser

A SCRAP. for the LADIES.

Experience has often shown, that green love, like green fruit, produces acid instead of sweets. The mind, as well as the body, should attain maturity, before a union should be attempted, to which, if the mind does not assent, the probable consequence is a series of unhappiness to each of the contracting parties.

But on the other hand, delay is equally dangerous, and when young ladies attain an age, when it may be supposed they are equal to the duties indispensable to a wife and mother, parents should not protract, but facilitate their marriage.

A man of reflection must feel severely for the number of old maids (in which may be included every unmarried woman above twenty-five) which appear in every publick assembly--the proportion is not less than five virgins to one matron.

The cause of this extraordinary celibacy, must be owing, in a great measure to coquetry.

I appeal to the bosoms of my fair country-women, the maidens of America, if they are not maidens against inclination.

They answer, O no, Sir, we all could have married had we chosen it.

I reply, the truth is, you have refused against your wishes--Vanity has superseded passion--If not, from whence proceeds that fire in the eye, that blush on the cheek, that heave of the bosom?

They are all the offspring of passion; and could we but see your hearts, they are surrounded by tender wishes that sport along and circulate through every vein and artery.

Is it your fears prevail? No--for your mothers married before you, and brought you into the world, and tell you, that so far from there being danger in matrimony or its consequences, it is a consummation devoutly to be wished."

I say ladies, when the fault is on your side, the cause is vanity--you look for general admiration, and prefer the empty compliments of a number to the sincere professions of an individual. until he being seized out of all patience, flies from your persecution, and leaves you to repent, or perhaps to despair.