The Litchfield County post., 1826-07-11
THE SOCIAL GLASS.
As nlshly Tl.eTs sprles i1on illsls IIll.'

independent of the world, 30 flr as wealtl
 could render him independent but besides
 this, he possessed kind, ainiahle temper
 that endeared him to every one. He was
 an old schoolmafe---for years together the
 arhitaf of sar little dispsites, the repository
 of our secrets, the friend and confldant oi
 all parties. There was sense ol honour,
 Uf seFup0lous delicacy, of nora rectltuae
 about him, that elevated him m the Opln-
 ion of his fellows, far above the common < level--ani the good old school-master,s so far from being insensible of his merits, of
 ten cusbed the outbreakings of disorder in 5 others. by crying--for shame, sir, did you
 ever see Charles Churchill behave thus
 He finished his education at distant college, and returned to tho village about efhe time of his majority a large party was given at old Mr. Churchill's on thea0cca- sion, and we all went to 1t !; he was still the same kind, companionable man, as we had known him a boy, and we all rejoiced iIl the Kind fortune that restored tosOnr so- sciety SO fair an ornament. But ono was there who engrossed more attention than our young friend himself it was d young lady from the city, who had come down to spend the holidays with the family; the daughter of wealthy merchant, an old friend of the Churchills, and it was even then rumored, that she was intended for the future bride of Charles; and never did l look upon two who in every grace and accomplishment seemed better fitted for each other.
 & In time a splendid mansion rose inthe midst of the clustering beech trees, at the fo1t of the hill, just below the old mansion house.
 It was fnishcd-elegantly finished-the grounds around it tastefully laid out and ornaInented with shrubbery. Charles pas sed thesprincipal part of the following win rin tic city; and early in the. spring re- turned with his bride. It was the same the beautiful heir of Lushington family. The measure of his happiness seemed full he had no wish unqualified; no regret to hanish. N He used to ride down in the fresh and beautiful spring mornings to the village, to visit his old companions there was always smile upon his lips; 8 flush of health and joy upon his cheek. He talked in rap- l lures of his situation; worshipped lis l beautiful wife even to idolatry, and if ever he was enthusiastic, it was when he talked of the plans he had formed to make her happy ,, she seemed to be the centre rcnad which all the native kindness of his heart chung, ,theattractingstar of every affectionate 1 hope. And never did the sottening and l refining influence of female worth and vir- tue show forth more happily than in the blended nobieness and warmth of heart l that flowed from all his actions.
 Thesyillage inn, was. in those days the common resort of those who had upon their hands leisure hour; and Churchill was I often to be seen among those who gathered to the lovial circle in the shade Of theyen- | crable willow that spread over the green and the social glass mingled with the en- tertaining tale and the enliyening joke. Charles was generous his wealth gave shim both the time and the means to indulce freely in whatever afforded him satisfac- ton; and his fondness for intercourse with | society of which he was the idol, led hin more and more frequently to while away his afternoons in this manner. MI ButI saw no danger then; and remem- Der an emotion of surprise came over me. when one day an old white haired man said to him in my hearing-'st Beware. young man, of the social glass" This was 8a quarter of a century ago.
 \ Some twenty years afterwards, the tray- eller who paused in the quiet village, saw an enfeebled tottcring man, old in wretch edness, but not in years in rags and in- toxication; hanging about the bar rooms and soliciting liquor of all who came in !; he would scarcely believe, if he had ever before seen Charles Churchill, tlAt that was him but, a faint and meagre resem- blance of what he was remained yet 1t was the same original whose picture is drawn above.
 The social glass had boen his ruin; he tasted it first merely in compliment to his associates, to avoid sir~ularity; the habit gradually coiled round him, and he was completely in its power before he or Dis friends were aware 1f 1t; he strove against it awhile, but he had heen awakened to his danger too late; the disease was more pow erful than he; it conquered and he finally gave himself to it a subdued and unresist- ing victim. sS
 He had many friends who looked upon Z the fitst symptoms. of his approaching ruin
 with .beavy hearts 1; but 1t was in the bosom of his young and ,amiable family that the
 wound sunk deepest. His wife watched