Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1814-01-26

L Wien ofoEShf al tney were eftner SNAPPED &C
cording to the pleasure ofthe power at work
or (if made of too stubborn materials for this
they were wholly rejected The name which
this person bore in the Great Hall, was 70.
PuLARiTY; but methought, saw that il was
no other than the minister of fashion, disgui
sed for her purpose, in hoane.sbun REPUBLICAN,
garb. shaping laws, and regulating public mea.
sures with the same arbitrary caprice, with
which she prescribed the Gu of coat, or the
dimensions of lady's indispensable When
this company of public councillors broke up,
observed, whittier the men would go aud me-
| thought some entered into places called Lfo,s's
| Dens; and some into 1smbles Of Yiytue, and
some into Oyster Housess AZ each man liked
best, so he directed his Course and methought,
some of them laughed at the laws which them
selves had made, and at others who were fools
enough to keep them. And my heart sunk
within me, aud Ibid. skaf sponder If fA<
tsarss1s. and the po1pss ana wea!th IF tLis ccm-
niaaify are going TO decay!
As went away bordering these things in my
heart, saw another large building, into which
numbers were entering, and 1 went with them.
Here found grave man standing in high
place, and saying words Of very solema import
out SAW that while a few. att ended and
seemed to lay to heart the things that were said,
tue majority OF the people looked at each other,
and at all who came in or went out !; and then
yawned and looked at their watches, and now
aud then hawked and spat, rs had seen men
do IN the Iown Hull, when wise man was
speaking and IN word, did every thing to
shen the man il the high desk that they we've
tired and wanted to go home. moreover saw,
that when the teacher told them. To be sober,
and temperate, they looked as if they were
thinking of the dainty cieer which they had
at home; and when he told them not to love the
world, nor the things of the world, they
seemed TO be meditatng on ways sand
means TO make money; and finally, when
he warned them against worldly pleasure, it
brought to mind their engagements Tor the
next ek'sparties. l also beheld, that altho'
the good man invited them to return and re.
ceive another lesson in the afternoon, that
many OF them went away, to eat and drink, and
to make merry, and came back no more-I be-.
held also, that the power Of fashion was busy in
this place, as We'll as III others that she howev
er took especial care that none of her votares
should be righteous overn,gch and that as she
| recommended only external observances, hey
were content with them. Yea, I saw that if any
would go more than once a week TO the place
OF Instruction, they were laughed at as very
silly people, for taking % much unnecessary
trouble
And here will observe, that all the votaries
| OF fashion were very much given to laughter
and coarse ridicuie. IF any one, male or lie.
male pretended to find more convenience in an
easy dress than tight one, more pleasure in
domestic home born enjoyments, than in HE
| bowling OF squeeze, or the hustle Of bali
room; more amusement in good books, than III
cards ; more harpiucssin freqaeRt and 81 went
Devotion, than III heartless and unmenniiic.
weekly prayers; and, having fortitude steada
lastly to pursue his own happiness in his own
way, withdrew from the circles of fashion, he
was made subject ofinextinguishable laugh.
ter, of perpetual, and goading ridicule, ana not
subsequently an object of the bitterest hatred
And was grieved to the heart to see many
under these influences, give up the convictions
OF their own understandings, and fall again in
TO the train of fashion.
While was contemplating these things, and
observing the thougbtlessness of these ,nortals,
methought, suddenly the Heavens grew dark,
the solemn roar OF tempest was heard louder
and iouderevery moment the ether giared with
perpetual flashes and between the dispartng
clouds was seen an aw.nl and majestic form,
who in tone, " louder than if seven thriuiers
had uttered their voices" proclaimed, CHE
FASHION OF THIS WORLD AsSETHy AWAY"
lnstantaneously, the whole citadel of fashion
vanished, the votaries Of this fascinating pow.
er, had ony timeto utter an unayailing cry of
anguish, and were seen no more, while the
few who had utterly renounced her service, and
lived consistently with their new professions,
looked up with unatterable joy, and hailed the
coming OF Him. wins appeared in the clouds of
Heaven.--As had been for sometime in the
camp OF fashion, felt very great doubt how
should be treated by Him who was coming
This doubt created such excessive distress as
10 drive away sleep" So awoke, and behold
1t vas dream" Bat the interpretat ION
thereof is sure"