Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1805-04-27

INFORM you that am surfeiting upon an.
tc'pated happiness. l have sometimes
heard men assert, that anticipation was
preferable. TO enjoyment; but l believe
they will find Few OF our sex credulous
and visionary enough TO coincide in doc
Urine that defeats itself. lfmen had sen.
sihility and vivacity enough always to en-
Joy the fressnf moment, am persuaded
they would never mention the delights oil
anticipation.
BUT this, you exclaim, is all idle
prat'ng, mere speculation. Granted {:
we viii therefore 10 the point. My good
Pro,eus has already advertised his estate
and will probably be able to dispose OF II
soon; then we HE US TO the CITY, ana De
gin 20 make preparation for living ~ q
STYLE worthy OF my husbands character
and high expectations; then, trust,
shall be OF some consequence in society.
shall no longer be pushed from my own
fire by The intrusion of unbidden guests,
who must always be made welcome; nor be
compelled 10 give an exact statement of
my family concerns to every impertinent
old curmudgeon in the parish. In the
city, you know every house is the lady's;
the carriages s. servants are all a; her dis
posal; she gives all the entertainments,
* all visits are made to her. This, now is
as it should be and we receive all proper
respect. Instead Of being tied to the side
of your husband, at all times, walking
regular to church twice ofa Sunday, s. ha
wing nothing to look at but the nonotonous
connlcnances you have seen all the days
of your life; we are INDUCED in promis-
cuous intercourse with the sexes: plays,
operas, concerts, balls, and galleries of the
arts, are perpetually created for our "a
musement; & we are led, with admiration
and delight, from one novelty to another
by hundred different beaus who are e.
yer at your beck. and who never seem
satisfied but when they are doing yon a fa-
por.
do assure you my dear Eliza, that in
cities, the ladies are of Infinitely more
consequence, in private life, than the gen.
ilemen. They ere Flooding in their
counting houses the greater part OF the
day, while we are receiving and paying
morning visits, reciprocating civilities,
and at all times enjoying the present mo-
Inent in amanoer perfectly agreeable to
amusemeuts by gentleman Of elegant Ter
sure, who are the kindest creatures in the
world, and who are never inscnsiblc 10
the merit Of fine woman. Several Of
these galiants Fave wives themselves, but
this does not hinder them from adhering
rigidly to the opinion of the Wife of
Bath" that
The m ouse that always trusts TO one poor know,
Can never be mouse Of any soul,
j am not disposed 10 cavil at present, a.
bout this or any other Opinion you will
doubtless give itas much attention as it is
worth, and that is SUFFICIENT.
| must say. and all women, you know,
are extremely fond of having their say,
that the liberal opinions, ard genfeei customs
that generally prevail in cities, are muchto
my taste, s. afford striking contrasttothe
narrow prejudices ola village education.
You very we'll know how much restraint
we are Obliged to submit 10, because We
are of what is termed the better sort Of
people in the country. There can be no
other reason in the world for all this, nv
dear, than thin population. II this was
not the case every bodys situation and cir
cumstances would not be precisely known,
and the immediate occurrences in every
family would not be so familiarly discus
sed by the common vulgar. This wan,
of population, and the natural austerity o.
parents and husbands, is Of very seriou,
Inconvenience to at least one part ofevery
family. We are strictly enjoised to keel
aloof from all others not similarly cir
cums,anced with ourselves and the de
stination of every visit, or of what IS her
nick-named party of pleasure, must be pre-
viously known ADD approved by the fami
~ before il can be finally resolved upon
In our dress, too, we are sbamefully cor
troIlcd & instructed 20 fashion IL so as /
prohibit all play tn the imagination.
really think that things have come TO
fine pass when men are not satisfied wit
the absolute direction Of our person:
They are not willing, now, TO allow as c
ven mental freedom and what they wi
next invent for our torture, il is imposs
bic TO conjeaufe.
But let us not forget, my dear madam
that thisgs are not So every where. +
the city, this rust has quite worn off: an,