



STRONG CONTRASTS. 
THE AMERICAN AND THE ENGLISH MAIDEN. 
THE PURELY ARTIFICIAL LIVES WE 
EnGuisH lead, are thrown into powerful 
contrast by what we notice abroad. Inno- 
cence of feeling, as well as action, in early 
age, is encouraged there; whilst here, all 
that is natural and harmless is suppressed. | 
The nurse takes her lesson from her mistress. 
The child is reared by art. Nature is 
always made to play “second fiddle” in the 
drama of life. Nobody will deny this. 
We have just been glancing over 
Mackay’s ‘“ Travels in the United States ;”’ 
and what we have therein read has elicited 
these few observations. Speaking of the 
American Maiden, the author says :— 
The whole course of her education is one 
habitual lesson of self-reliance. The world is not 
kept a sealed book to her until she is tolerably 
advanced in years, then to be suddenly thrown 
open to her in all its diversity of aspects. From 
the earliest age she begins to understand her 
position, and to test her own strength. She soon 
knows how to appreciate the world, both as to 
its proprieties and its dangers. She knows how 
far she can go in any direction with safety, and 
how far she can let others proceed. She soon 
acquires a strength of character to which the 
young woman of Europe is a stranger, and can 
act for herself whilst the latter is yet in leading 
strings. All this would tend, were her entrance 
in society a little longer delayed, or were the 
sway which she acquires over it somewhat post- 
poned, to impart a much more sedate and serious 
character to American social intercourse than it 
possesses. 
These remarks are convincing to us, that 
our system of early education is greatly 
inferior to that of our neighbors. Our cbil- 
dren’s ‘‘minority’’ is regarded for the most 
part as merely probationary. They are in 
leading-strings when they ought to be able 
to teach and instruct others. Habit would 
soon render this easy. But fashion and 
custom overrule this wholesome system. 
The author continues :— 
The latitude of action here referred to, neces- 
sarily invelves a free and habitwal intercourse be- 
tween the sexes. This is permitted from the very 
earliest ages, and never ceases until the young 
girl has left her father’s house for that of her 
husband. The freedom thus extended is one 
which is seldom abused in America; and is more 
an essential feature than an accidental circum- 
stance in a young woman’s education. Her male 
friend invites her to walk or ride with him; and 
her compliance with the invitation is a matter 
solely dependent upon her own humor. He 
escorts her to the concert, or home from the party; 
the rest of the family finding their way thither 
or returning home as they may. Indeed, I have 
known the young ladies of the same family 
escorted by their male acquaintances in different 
vehicles to the same party, where they would 
KIDD’S OWN 


JOURNAL. 
make their appearances perhaps at different 
times. 
How very delightful would such an inno- 
cent and natural habit be, if observed 
amongst ourselves! Any little act of com- 
mon attention or kindly greeting, paid to 
each other by friends and acquaintances, 
is by us regarded as de trop. We dare not 
be natural. If our heart leans towards any 
one whose attractions engage us, we must 
suppress the feeling. Friendly calls, cordial 
shaking of hands, an absence of ceremony, 
“natural” salutations, and hearty welcomes 
—these are voted as vulgar, heathenish, 
improper, dangerous ! 
What a world to live in! Honest old 
Nature however has ‘‘ converted” Us, we are 
happy to say; and we have converted 
others. When we shake hands, and when 
WE salute, the heart goes with the offering. 
Innocent we feel, and we defy the world at 
our time of life to change our sentiments. 
And rely upon this, good folk—if we like 
you, no false modesty shall check the ex- 
pression of feeling ; if we love you, the same 
principle holds good. You shall have 
pleasing evidence of that fact. If our life 
were held upon other tenure than this, it 
would be burthensome. So long as our 
conscience be honest, and clear of offence 
towards God, the formula of “the world 
we live in” shall never make us unnatural. 
Dr. Mackay tells us further, that no ill- 
result whatever is observable from this 
natural and proper freedom of action. He 
adds :—- | 
Nor is this licence confined to cases in which 
the young men are recognised admirers of the 
young ladies—by no means. A friendly intimacy 
is all-sufficient for every purpose of social life. 
It justifies invitation on one side, and compliance 
on the other. * * * A young woman’s 
education in England, teaches her that such con- 
duct is a disregard of the proprieties of her sex. 
If it were looked upon as such in America, it 
would not be followed. The difference arises 
from the different views taken, in the two hemis- 
pheres, by young women of their actual position. 
In America, it neither impairs the virtue, nor com- 
promises the dignity of the sex. It may be some- 
what inimical to that warmth of imagination and 
delicacy of character which, in Europe, is so much 
admired in the young woman; but it is produc- 
tive of impurity neither in thought nor conduct. 
It is not our intention to waste either 
time or space in pursuing this subject. We 
are aware allargument is vain. Constructed 
as modern society is, and sacrificed as all 
natural feelings are to “ expediency” from 
the very cradle, in these matters we must 
remain 7 statu quo. 
All we claim is, the privilege of a freedom 
of action. We have lived long enough for 
other people. Some have emptied our purse; 



