Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1818-11-02
For he Gazette.
TATTLING.

clare our text applies 10 them; switch too
frequently, and indeed ever eventiates in
migrating in their minds the principles and
vices attributed TO SANDER.
A lie Of demarkation can indeed scarce
" be drawn betwixt the characters OF tatter
and slanderer. II may be argued that no
mischevous intentions influence the tale
bearer, more especially as tattlers are ge-
morally Of The softer sex. whose mild ana
placid natures forbid so ungenerous IN idea,
whilst the slanderer, generally found among
the masculine race, darts his innuendces
against all innocent victim. TO crafty a ma
lieious revenge. We, however, can dis
cover no absolute difference in the charac-
,ers, should we Judge causes by the effects;
and perhaps there is more real misery heap
ed upon mankind by the weak and mischle-
vous vice Of gossiping, than the free and de-
liberate attacks of SANDER.
Lucretia, an antiduated maiden, OF libe-
raj education, fine talents, once beautiful,
and at present tolerably handsome, not
wiIhstanding the wrinkles Which ungene-
Ious time has furrowed in her cheek, and
very witty, might now have been a repec-
table matron, useful mother, and an affec-
tomato friend, were she not early initiated
into folly, and become an arrant tattler.--
Always accustomed, from tender age, to
4. numerous association of the ton, she ne
elected after being freed from the advices
Of tutor, the cultivation of an understand
ing which nature intended should soar a.
bove the commonality of her sex.--She
early became yotary to fashion, whose
idle charms absorbed her intellect, and
caused her to despise every thing but the
fulsome qualification of displaying pretty
person, aud an elegant address, to her nu-
merous and foppish admirers. From being
accustomed 10 hattery, she early learned to
hatter, and this necessarily obliged her 10
collect an abundance OF small talk which
would enable her TO hold forth lcngthily,
and say great deal about nothing. In par
ties and large companies, Lucretia, altho'
on the sour side of forty, appears even now
to advantage Her false ringlets, rouged
cheeks, and laced person, together with
careless and volatile manner, has the ap.
pearance of aivette.-Delighted at making
conquests, and catching new beau in her
train, she was wont TO amuse each admirer
with reciprocal attachment--but in the
true spirit Of a coquette, LEAVES the wretch
to weep" at the fckleness Of woman's love
which too often, under the garb OF sim
plicity, innocence and artlessness, hides the
detormity of peUured heart, guilty con-
science, and the artful hypocrite.
Lucretia, from the delight Of hearing the
sweet melody Of her voice, to indulge in
her iavorite propensity, has frequently re-
course 10 the affairs Of her acquaintance
ANY anecdote which by the aid Of a little
establishment will create laugh, and af-
ford subject for conversation, she seizes
with ayidity, and the incident loses nothing
in detail from her luxuriant and inventive
imagination. Perhaps. 10 appear witty, The
tale is so much distorted, that if person
acquainted with the circumstance as it real
~ occurred. should hear il related, deco
rated with the imposing eloquence of Luz
cretia, would never conceive that what he
had heard and what he was listening TO had
any connexion whatever. Perhaps she will
undertake to repeat conversation, but will
by forgetting some circumstances, and add
ing Others, give entirely new turn TO the
fact-and yet it is done in so careless and
lively a manner that no one would presume
to attribute to the relater any miscbievous
motive. But in ibis manner Lucretia, as
we'll as other tstllers, materially injure the
characters of their best friends and most in.
innate associates, as well as other innocent
persons, who, perhaps, they have never
known or seen, in more serious and lasting
manner than the cool malicious and invete-
rate attacks of the most determined SLAM
derer.
Tattling sways her sceptre through every
rank and grade in society, and usually at
tracts in her train the demons of coquetry,
falsehood, deception and hypocrsy.-She
ever haunts the temple Of hymen, ready to
sound the offering at its altars-and few,
indeed, Of our matrimonial alliances are
formed, without The publication of the anti
cipated wedding through her busy agency.
How frequently does the gossip, with her
thousand tongues" circulate thro' town