Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1814-01-26
Volume XXI. No. poss ]


Ma. PIE AsANrs, ny
IT has always been allowed
20 meI to dream, and If they pleased, to pub.
ish their dreams, for the amusement and even
edifcation Of the reader. Presenting that the
indulgence, which has been granted to others,
will be allowed to me, 1 send the enclosed TO
you for publication in your useful paper. y,
AS I lay not long since on my bed, in that
state of excitement which is usually produced
by fever, after having exhausted myself BY
talking, I fell into dosing sleep, and had the
following dream.--Methought that having
passed majestic river, by means Of very
long bridge, and assembled hill, through q row
Of brick buildings, deserted wall of very
unusnal Appearance. Curiosity led me to ex-
anime its structure and soon discovered that
it was made up entitely of band boxes, fastened
together by erayats and ribbands. On epoAiry
learned that this WAS one of the frontier tosfs
of the empire of fasiion. Observing the gate
open, and great crowds continually going. in
and Coming out; aud being eager to observe
what was doing in the place, also entercd--
But had not fairly got in, when I-heard the
most violent. and hong continued laughter, and
looking about to see the cause. observed Sc.
versl pointing at me, ard with many shrugs,
and mods, and winks, exclaiming I" the old
p,ig :, What bore /. Look at his trina purita
,sicai risase" &c. did not half like such
treatment, but while was considering in what
way to proceed, methought the whole conduct
OF the people was suddenly changed, and that
was welcomed into the circles Of fashion with
greatcordiality, and rAany offers OF service.
As soon as had obtained a little composure.
! begsnto enquire how building made of suclI
frail and perishable materials, could stand in a
climate subject to such sudden and violent
changes, AZ that in which.it is erected. 1t was
not long before the discovery was made, that
here, and in every part of the empire, there
pre-, all no heavy storms, but continual light and
very variable winds--so variable as to blow
from all points OF the compass in twenty four
hours. Nothing can possibly be more accom-
modating than the climate is to the votaries of
fdshios. The weather is very frequently such
as to interrupt business, and prevent pubic de.
potfon but it is never too hot or too cold, too
wet or too dry for fashionable anusenrenrs ]
, moreo, er observed that day and night had here
changed places, that is, while it was day with
all the rest of the world, it was night here, and
vice versa, when it was night here, it was day
elsewhere.
Concerning the society that lived in this
place, their customs and manners, observed
many things we'll worthy of particular notice
Otthesc, one was, that in the admission oil
PERSONS to the circles of fashion, no respect
was had to birth, education, or moral qualities
or could support pretensons to certain guam.
tum OF money, whether gotten by fair areaxs or
BY Joui, he always received hearty welcome
At the metropolis of the empire, understood
that affairs were managed otherwiac--But as
this was frontier, and very remote post. and
as. distance diminished the influence Of the
court, things were conducted somewhat loose
by. and every man of wealth, and every one
who appeared to be man of wealth, was recei
we'd with the utmost cordiality. As proof OF
this, mcthonght saw at a ball, given the very
night OF my. entrance, several notorious shauers
and biaclisgs dancing with the daughters of
the first gentlemen Of the place. Moreover, L
Jaw in my dream, that this custom was produc
tive OF infinite modification and chagrin, mas
much as the ladies (who dearly love assemblies
and parties OF pleasure, and who flock in great
numbers to such places) not unfrequentiy lose
their partners, through the seductive influences
OF the gaming tables, which : am told, are
usually spread III adjoining rooms. And every
one knows that on such occasions "it is not
comfortable for woman to be- alone"
And here discovered the cause of the very
sudden change OF treatment experienced by
me when first entered this place offashion. II
was because happened, in taking out some
small change of which had use, TO pull cut
large roll of Ben Hatcher's notes 1t was at
ON &c supposed that was very rich; and the
Old prig was instantane ously metamorphosed
into Is gerry fine old felioz5
Another remark, which made with no little
surprise, was, that the people, although FIRE.
quentiy Boosting of their liberty. never did
any thing fashionable but by compassion. And
OF all things in the world, they most hated,
what they were almost every day Cor rather
nght) engaged to do. al was amazed 10 see
you SO fuddled last evening"" said one gentle
man to another. Well you might bel was
- amazed at it myseIf-But could do nothing
"else-My company chose to drink, and was
obliged to drink with them" Have YOU re- !.
!" ceived ticket y the ball to night % said
young lady 70 her friend =" Yes, ms'am,
"have-"And are you going f'---" o ia sup
pose nra"; but gracious powers do
hate IT so bad w--" When shall we return
Mrs. party - says husband to his wife
-" My dear how can you me ntion SO odi-
"ous sublect-you know hate parties they
= are so troublesome, AID there is no plea.
sure IN them-but suppose we must make
the return next Thursday nigitn "Let
:" it be Saturday" said the husband" and
then 1Ve can ger sleep enaRgh the next day" =
When first entered this block house of fash.
ION, as think it may be termed, thought the
people the most kind-hearted and affectionate
III the world. Protestations Of eternal friend
ship, and VOWS Of analterable love, made with
emphasis, and an air Of the most imposing sia-
cerity, were as common as blackberriesn
Hut no sooner were these dear .f;;erGsv gone,
than they were old. or ugly, or dull, or vulgar.
or, in word all these together. Eiernai
triendship, then thought ], il it means any
thing, 10 a friendship that lasts AS long as a
friends visit continues.--Numerous obseryati.
ons of this kind induced the suspicion thai
people Of fashi0Y have no hearts at all hut
however heG,f!ess they may be, { saw in my
dream that they all were, or pretended to be
great ana. 1t is true that could never see nor
feel tho point Of their jokes, but this might be
lecaiIae ,.aa moi 1.f dc LIN .cL. -. -.