Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1818-02-14
Original Miscellany.
To shs Editor ofths alexandria Gazsite

In an age teeming with publications
of almost every sort from female pens, 1t
Is matter of much surprise to me that
no one has thought it an object worthy
her time and genius to publish her lucu-
brations on a subject that must be inte-
resting to all, and instructive to many OF
her sex. When the road to female dis
tiuction is crowded with competitors, 1t
seems to me strange want OF general
benevolence in those Of much experience,
not to make public the innocent arts by
which they attain the summit OF felicity
and grasp the object OF general ambition
lam young creature, Mr.. Editor, just
from the country, and though l wonder
ed much at the emotions | experienced
when | contrasted the brillilncc and
oa;ety of the ball roOm--the busy and
hurried appearance Of those l met IN the
streets, With the desOiate stiffness OF the
evening in the country, and the mute im-
ploring sol,citude of the cattle as they
assembled around my fathers barn-yard
at the hour of uight-fall; yet, confess
70 YOU, [ have seen nothing in town that
So much astonished me as the art OF some
Young ladies, On personal attractions
seeming not much to surpass ladies in &C.
peraD who can, in a few da!y. residence
be surrounded with adorihg crowds; who
can discard, as we call it in the country,
many lovers in week, without diminish
ing perceptibly the admiring' the adOnns
comnany of their devotees. This seemed
to me, Mr.. Editor, SO charming an art
an art carrying with its possession so
rare and exquisite happiness that 1
could not help writing home to my mo-
Their particular description OF several
young ladies, and asking her, as always
do when want to know the secret ways
of the world, or the intricate windinss oil
the human heart, how | might obtain so
inestimable a science. For surely SCI
sncc it must be, as those young ladies'
seem not to have those qualities which,
in the country, cause the men to bow
down and adore US. New, sir, what do
you think she said ? really am so fur
ried when think of her letter that can
not compose myself sufficiently to dictate
any thing in my own way; and, there
fore, I hope she will excuse me Tor send
ing You an extract, especially as l have
great desire to fad that my mother has
been mistaken in her exploitation of the
appearances which so much surprised me.
"You must not believe" said my mo-
Their in concluding her letter, " in mere
appearances; they are not to be relied
on, although much of what excites your
wonder arises often from the dextrous
management, and sometimes the sklltal
creation of them. The world is govern
ed BY appearances, my love, and you are
not singular in being deceived by them.
The great art Of human life consists in
seizing their advantages when they acct.
dentally arise, aud bringing them into
existence, when our situation will not
permit them naturally to have birth: But,
TO be more particular, the ladies OF whom
you speak enjoy but very short lived
and unsubstantial happiness. When they
have sense they feel they are not esteem
cd. Ifthey have neither wit nor beauty
YOU must know they cannot be loved
Some Of those whom you have described
are, no doubt, my Emily, every way de-
serving the attentions they so readily
and universally attract. l cannot doubt
but that they are truly loved and highly
esteemed; but i, is not for want of mo-
desty or delicacy, or for beld and I'M
reserved carriage. When you observe a
young lady return with interest the ami
mated glance Of love, whether to hand
some or an awkward young fellow, de-
pend upon it she neither loves nor is
chastity loved. Such an one may be sur
rounded for a time by many men, both Of