The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1824-08-31

| station, the good hnl III oil human Hie,
happen To be AT the same time very ingc
nous. set out IN life, with determine
ton Ofmaking show, and have hitherto
succeeded though there has been per-
petual conflict between my poverty aud my
invention like the strife OF light and dark
ness IN the mythology of the ancient Per-
sians. | cannot stop 10 relate all that did
and suffered, though ! have many rldleu.
ious adventures laid ny IN my memory.
must even omit the tallcty iacbet and silk
stockings which ! owned IN partnership
with six other apprentices, and which have
many time done duty on seven distinct
bodies nj the self.ssmc ball-the President
OF the club, fol the time being, always hav-
ing the privilege Of dancing the last volnn-
'ary, aud gallantlng the young ladies home.
But pass by the happy period of youth,
When even folly sits graceful, and come at
once Ia the expcdients and cares ef mature
age---to domestic scenes which commend
Themselves at once 10 every mans business
and bosom. think that is the expression
of my Lord Bacon.
Yesterday, MI. Printer was day of diff
feulty, distress, aud triumph. ! declare
to you, honestly, that ] ovrrcamc more
| appalling obstacles than Napoleor enconn.
tered IN his retreat iiom Moscow; aud
am conscious of no vanity IN placing my
self above him, in the science of tactics
Bul you shall hear.
Ii was determined in some domestic COW
clase, SEINE ten days ago, that | should
give dining party, and my wife a jam -
and, To save expense, II was resolved that
both should take place on the same day
This would prevent the gentlemen from
sitting too long at their wine after dinner,
and would also save something III the eve
ning's reiresshment--to say nothing of the
eclat al Two parties ON one day. Yesterday
was the appointed day" big with the fate
Of alto and of Rome"
As a preliminary t. her party, my wife,
VINO observes all the forms of society, ex
amincd her account of calls, aud resolved
10 make IA general payment, that she might
be IN debt 10 10 one, when her invitations
should 80 out. But, as many OF her ac-
quaint,nces might possibly not be at
home, II was necessary to have supply of
visiting casds, aud her pack wasncaIly ex-
hdustcd
40 But though on pleasure she was bent,
She Ind saving mind"
The young children were therefore sent
out To visit the playmates, ~ the families
on which she was in the habit Of calling,
aud they were directed 10 keep an eye on
the card racks, and If they CHANGED 10 Sc"
one of their mothcir's cards, they were 10 |
cxcl,in--" q there is one of mamma,
cards that belongs 10 me, y and immed' |
aiely To pocket II. The plan succeeded t. |
admiratlon--ln the course of a week fifty
~ Eve cards were collected by the children,
Il AZ t..I l. a.
in the course of few hours.
Having no man servant IN my family,
aud being unwilling to hire n messenger,
stripped oltmy coat, put on my wllc's Leg
horn fiat without the ribbons, and sailed
forth in the dark, 10 deliver our invitations
in person. believe ! escaped without de
teclion though one Gentleman, lhe diucd
with me yesterday while | was standing
at his door, requested me to get him a
bucket of water, aud them with queer
look, put "A fourpenee halipenny in my
hand. II was all clear gam 4; and every
uisc man knows the value Of fourpencc.
hdlipenny.
On the great day, our drawing room
WAS decorated with the spots OF all the
chambers. Our best bed curtains were
very adroilly twisted into hangings for the
windows, while six chairs, tied together
and covered With pillows, and enve0pcd
in large counterpane, made an excellent
sofa. The coveIlct Of the infants crib with
my little daughters sampler pinned on the
centre, WAS called, for the day, hearth
rug. A pile OF old books and papers Oh
the mantle served al once 10 display my
love Of literature, and to apologize for the
want Of more appropriate ornaments. The
genius of my wife never appeared more
| Triumphant than in the proper disposition
Of lights and shadows on this important
occasion Every liking was in keeping, as
the Painters say; and though the room wa,
somewhat dark, it looked rich and mellow,
like an old picture.
| The dining pariour was somewhat more
difficult 10 manage. II took two thirds OF
my counter 10 make dining table, and
my compiling room desk, though rubbed
with WAX, aud placed in corner, little
out of sight, made but sorry side hoard.
| But the closet door was left d jar, and my
grandmother's pewter dishes aud two or
three milk measures, well rubbed, made
rather splendid show Of family plate, of
which we did not fail to talk during dinner.
We borrowed chairs enough from our
nelghbots, under pretence Of having IA
neral-fnr.a cousin Of one Of our domes-
ties, WIN had Just died of the yellow fever.
This report in the neishborhood kept away
impcrlinent visitors. My eldest son black
ed his face little, and attended at table,
and performed his part very well. The
guests were told that he had gone 10 col.
lege. was, however, little Disconnected
by my second daughter, who thonshtless
ly called him q" bIothcr," as he was pour
ing out glass of water for her; but turn
ed it off well enough by remarking that #
it were not for the difference of complex
ion, there might be some likeness between
them. Accidents will happen in the best
regulated families aud did not observe