The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1811-03-05

enquirinS with much seeming interest,
about the health of my wife and children
and whenI told him of my situation he was
embarrassed in turn, and evidently good
deal distressed at his mistake--a strange
one, blythe bye, and one which l cannot &C
count for. Of all the people have met
with in this city see none who. taken as
body, are equal tn our chef digni,ares in
that genuine polileness which springs from
goodness of heart.
have often been gratihed in the lobby of
the House OF Delegates with observing the
air and manners of one of the counsellors
tor example. With what a benignant
couutrnance and affectionate shake of the
hand he salutes each of the members, even
those who like myself were utter strangers
to him, and enquiries about the success of
their crops and the health of their families
seeming to feel common interest in
their welfare, and % impart somewhat of
that happiness which conscious virtue had
Bestowed on himself l know nothing
which reflects more honor on our republican
institutions or more proves the libera.ity 6
d'scernment of VI legislature than that
men u such amable and philanthropic dis
positions should be selected for office aud
what heightens the meril of the appoint
ment is mis- that these gentlemen from
the; mode ST backwardness of their depOrt-
ment, could never have obtruded them
selves into notice. but must have been sought
after, and reluctantly brought forward to
exhibr their generous virtues on a more
extended theatre, For my own part l can
never forget the ardent interest which Sc
veral OF these gentlemen have discovered
in my concerns, and the friendly advice
they have profered me unasked. One of
them lately took the trouble TO procure me
ticket to ball given by the citizens 10 the
members OF the Legislature. shall not at
tempt to describe this splendid feIc TO you
Sir, to whom no doubt such scenes have been
familiar suffice it to say that my sensaii-
ons were wrought up TO high pitch of
confused delight. Besides the eradication
afforded by he music, which was contluc-
ted by The celebrated Gillet of whom had
heard 30 much, and an immense crowd of
hnc women whose native charms were
heightened BY every elegance of dress, 1
experienced the most delightful of all plea-
sures; mean the pleasure of pleasing. My
honorable friend soon discovered me among
crowd of fashionabio young men TO hose
spirited and witty ctfrsions I was listening
with great expectation, and politely carried
me 10 another part Of the room for the pur-
pose OF Introducing me blooming young
lady or about sixteen, who, he whispered
in my ear, was one of the leading Bellies of
the city
There was great contrast 6etween the
vlvacity Of this lady's looks and the blush.
es which never ceased to over-spread her
cheek. occasioned, no doubt, by the timidity
natural to women, at fuding herself i'm such
a throng and such is the effect of good
ducatioD, that she seemed at no loss Gr con-
versation, and even Ven;ured once OF twice
to rally me into a disposition to dance. l
was III at my ease in the company of
lady OF such distinction and accomplish
ss-but having heard, that the city la
dies were much given to NOVEL reading, /
ASKED her If she had ever read the Vicar
OF Wakefield. She answered in the naea-
tive; but immediately retorted my question
as to dozen others, which she passed
such enthusiastic encomiums, that il mort!-
he'd me to De obliged to confess my gno.
rance, and was vexed with myself for ha
wing started the subject. remained silent
'ome time, and was endeayoring TO invent
Tome excuse for leaving a place where |
thought must make so awkward fguee. !
RhaA he young lady, suddenly fling TO |
a female acquaintance who sat next her.
whispered my name in her car, adding
take care of your heart Miss Ogles, for !
he is charming Dung man.
could scarcely help betraying the deligh.
felt at discovering, that ] did not appear |
N same untutOred rustic to other people. |
that had fancied myself to be. The yonne |
friends continued to converse some tine long
er; butthe expressions Dutch oan---verv |
in K ichmond-Mr. BELLS NEW
HOUSE "r-were all that met my ear. and |
rom these, thought it probable had been
oarly the subject of their Discourse. no |
onger wished to change my place. but soon |
.oos occasion to renew our Conversation. |
IN which Miss OgleS now bore a distin- |
5uished part, and l can truly say, | never |
passed so agreeable an evening in nv life. |
The subjects which chiefly engaged !
,ur attention. were the manners and
customs of foreign nations, particularly those |
d France and England. And it would have |
surprised, as we'll as delighted you, to have |
seen these young creatures display so ex-
ensiVe and minute a knowledge of these |
70 their dress, their ceremo- |
'ies, their public places and even their ma
lufactures and if they did not as thorough
y examine the subject of their literature, it
was evidently because they did not wish To |
appear pedantic. Nor is it the young ladies
alone who have been pleased TO form a favor
able opinion of me, and to wish to cultivate
my acquaintance. No less than two elderly
natrons have invited me to make one at |
heir loo parties->one of them saying, she |
hated to see young men so hani-dru11"
whilst the other encouraged me by observ. |
ing, did not know how much l might win, |
But have already said enough of nv
adventures for the present.--And now to
he main purpose of my letter, which is, to |
recommend you to send your nephews here.
10 get some knowledge of men and man