The Portland gazette. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1818-1824, 1820-02-08

of the congregation, than i. the finger Of him
who points the way 10 Heaven. 1t was a say
ing Of .9iptonsu' King of Arragon, sirnamed
he wise, :" that among 50 many things as are
ny men possessed or pursued in the course OF
their lives, all The rest are baubles, besides old
wood 10 burn, old wine to drink, oldsfriends
IN converse with, and cid books TO read"
This course is reversed in modern practice,
tor now we seem TO prefer nothing so much as
new friends, TO cinnge--new dresses, TO DIS
play--snd new DO TX, TO talk about. In truth
this restless desire for novelty, and this prodi-
gality of ornament is sore thing for the young
men and young women too OF this generation,
who are anxious to enjoy the comfort Of do
nestle life, but around whom fortune has not
poured her overflowing horn. 10 these times
yocng man must be very successful in bust.
ness, or at least an heir, TO support the peri
phernaia CT wife----or to realize what bis
slowisg imagination, aided by the anima,ing
descriptions Of poets, has painted TO him, OF
The holy enjoyment OF the welded State, or
else, miserable alternative, he must sfny as
long have done, A BACHELOR.
MR.. sRIRLEY-f was some what struck by the
appearance of an Essay in your last--written, I'M
doubtedly by a wise man, under the mask Of
E" A Bachslor'-To say nothing Of the style,
was delighted to see something so Addlsonian
in the thought-t1e conception. The Author
we'll discovered his reading-and had, per dven-
ture, run over some numbers of the Spectator,
where many pretty thing. are thrown out against
the fair, in all stages oftheir outward array even
from the days of unhappy Eve. down to the then
present. The idea IF accommodating naked
shoulder WAS a theme forthe witty in the - good
old tmes"-and was antique even in the days Of
the hoop and periwig-and when bitter crti-
cism, an interest for the ladies. brought out
long flow Of rhetorical censure to grace some pa
per of the period, were rarely in ormed,
whether the following number could speak of
reformation. The fact is, the idea was well e.
nough in its day-but there is no such thing as
renewing it's youth AT present, or half the reason
for embodying it-perhaps, indeed there is no
doubt, it mas we'll enough in its application. But
surely there sslittle occasion for such remarks at
the present day, or, at least in this part of this
good world, however appropriate they might have
been at thu court of ST. James In the reign of
Charles IL, when licentiousness was considered
mark of good breeding and regularity of conduct
and scrupulous adherence to the rules Of de-
cenoy, were considered the mark Of a mean and
low parsonage, no matter Of which sex, of
whatever requirements. Then, when vices were
connected ia the minds the majority with fash
ionable greatness and a spirit Of Independence,
il was necessary for the grave moraliss to throw
out their frequent adCaonifions, and remind the
dissolute that vice and virtue were not synono-
nous, but. really, it hardly appears requisite in
this sober age. and in this sober land, for the sat
irist 10 lash his fair country women, thro' the
medium Of the press. Besides, If it were,
an ample supply ofobservations might be found in
the numbers of the Portfolio, where Samuel
Saunter, Esq. has dealt out his animadversions on
female dress, with bouptif ! hand--and in some
other publications Of the day, not to he sure at
quite so great length as :. The Bachelor" tut
quite rs much to the purpose. But we would not
be too hard with him. Let US consider the affair in
the abstract. There is good deal Of philosophy
in such composition as hs has given us, it argues
somew nj ofspeculation, and discovers observa-
ton, and a knowledge OF things. But there is
something in this consideration, that, on SUPPOSE
ton these remarks were neeessary-even among
our.most brilliant circles. and arm not ready to
admit that such public opinions, as may term
them, have not the effect which the least rigid
might wish them TO have-they are always treat
ed VII ridicue. and makes them .eri-
Gus matter, because no ono riH admit their APP
plication. This might be used as an argument
ab inu,iii-begging pardon oflogicians ri :. The
pdSueioT though uuuouotcuiy nc was mn en-
ced by lanthrophick motives, and believer
in the system Of periectiblity. This therefore,
for was warned 10 be short, may be hint to
him and as am a champion ofthc ladies', where
see cogen reason to be sarcastic towards them,
so would advise hi m to stay his fervid pen. when
his remarks may "lose their sweetness" by
their publicity. I ght re son with him on the
policy Of his plan -he makes a newspaper the
herald ofhis sentiments. Would l. not be bet
4 al -.
greater proof Of true regard-if friendship will
permit it or necessity om'nands to whisper his
censures 10 the words of confidence Let him
d, tn .t-for the subject is too holy to go thus in
to the woodland those words will strike dee per,
aud r,vet the atten ion.
N. B. ! would not be thought an encourager
Of dissolute manners.
A BACHEIOR-OF ARTS.