The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1826-05-31
(From the Trenton Emporium
TIE SOCIAL GLASS.
As mighty rivers spring from little rills,
So from small errors flow the greatest ills

Charles Churchill had genius-ior-
tune had opened to him liberal hand
he was independent of the world, so
far as wealth could render him indie
pendent-but besides all this, he pos
sessed kind, amiable temper, that en-
deared him TO every one. He was an
old school-mate-for years together the
arbiter of our little disputes, the repOsi-
tory of our secrets, the friend and con-
iidante of all parties. There was a
sense of hoaor, scrupulous delica-
CIV OF moral rectitude about him, that
elevated him, in the opinion of his fell
lows, far above the common level-and
the good old schoolmaster, 50 far from
being insensible to bis merits, often
curbed the out breakings Of disorder in
others, by crying. for shame, sir ; did
you ever, see Charles Churchill behave
thus He finished his education at
distant college, aad returned 10 the vii
lage, about The time of his majority
large party was given at old Mr..
St---~t-Iii-- s-. 4ha -eeaasiAn- and we all
went to it; he was sill the same kind,
companionablc man, as we had known
hima boy, and we all rejoiced in the
kind fortune that restored to our socie-
ty so fair an ornament. But one was
there who engrossed more attention
than our young friend himself-it was
young lady from the city, who had
come down 20 spend the holidays with
the family; the daughter of wealthy
merchant, an old friend Of the Church
ills; and il was even then rumored, that
she was intended for the future bride OF
Charles: and never did | look upon
two who, in every grace and accom-
plishment, seemed better fitted for each
other.
In tine splendid mansion rose, in
the midst of The clustering beech-trees,
at the foot OF the hill, just below the
old mlns.on house-elegaU,ly furnished
the grounds around it tastefully laid
out and ornamented with shrubbery.
Charles passed the principal part of
the following Winter in the city and
early in the Spring returned with his
bride. 1t was The same, the beautiful
heir of the Lushington family. The
measure of his happiness seemed full
he had no wish ungra!iied- regret
to Danish.
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
n flush of health and joy upon bis
cheek He talked in rapture of his
situation worshipped his beautiful
wife even to idolatry; and if ever he
i. was enthusiastic, it was when he talked
of The plans he had formed to make
her happy; she seemed the centre.
round winch all the native kindness OF
his heart chung; the attracting star oil
every afecdonate hope.-And never
did the soGening and refining influence
of female worth aud virtue show forth
more happily than in the blended no.
sbleness and warmth of heart that flow
ed from all his actions.
The village inn was in those days the
common resort OF those who had upon
their hands leisure hour and Church
ill was often 10 be seen among those
who gathered 10 the jovial circle in the
shade of the venerable willow that
epread over The green and the Social
Glass mingled with the entertaining tale
and the eolivenng joke. Charles was
generous; his wealth gave him both
the time and the means 10 indulge free
ly ia Whatever afforded him satisfaction !;
.aad his fOndoess for intercourse with
society Of which he was the idol, led
him more and more frequently 10 while
kto aft Ir
But saw no danger then and | re-
member an emotion of surprise came
over me, when one day an old white
haired man said 10 him, 10 my hearing
-" Beware, young man, of the. Social
Glass" This was quarter of a CEN
fury ago.
Some twenty years afterwards, the
traveller, who paused in the quiet vii
lage, saw an enfee oIed, tottering man,
old in wretchedness, but not IL years
in rags and intoxication, hanging about
the bsr-room, and soliciting liquor of all
who came 10. He would scarcely be-
lieve, if he had ever before seen
Charles Churchill, that that was him !;
but fdiut aud mesgre resemblance Of
what he was, remained; yet ii wa the
same original whose picture is drawn
above.
The Social Glass had been his ruin
he tasted il first merely in compliment
to his associates, to avoid singularity :;
the habit gradually coiIed round him,
and he was completely in its power be
fore he OF his friends we're aware of il ::
he strove against il awhile, but he had
been awakened to bis danger too late :;
the disease was more powerful than
he; il conquered, and he finally gave