The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1827-11-05
MISCELLANY.
THE FAMILY DINNER.
4 Sketch from life IN IieHnd.

4 Sketch from life in TieHnd.
/ wish YOU would come and dine
with me some times in friendly way,
sand, continually to me, a young man
whom used TO meet at the coffee hous-
es and the theatres, aud who fastened
hlmseltupon me in every place, offer
ing me clvlllties which | did not feel
much inclined to accept. He was just
such person as we see hundreds Of ev-
cry day; and therefore shall not de-
scribe him more particularly, lest my
readers should fix upon some one OF
then acquaintance as the original OF the
portrait. You must said he, 'come
to my house, aud he acquainted with my
whole world and my children too
! though | say it who should not say il
such children rs mine are real blessings.
| must show YOU now | 1--we. | IN the
happieSl master Of family alive, nd a
proper ekample for young mon who
don't like matrimonv Come anl dine
with me once. We shall ueat you with
out remony, and give you only t.
mIly dinner but ! will answer for il
yun will be pleased
Although am by no means averse to
splendid tables, sumptuous viands, and
numerous guests, y5t there is nothing !
enjoy more than quiet family dinner,
particularly when invited by an old
friend, ior the purpose of having little
tranquil conversation. II is refreshing
to the mind, to leave for a few hours the
great world, to be transient partaker Of
the transformations pleasures of domestic
iutercourSe--dnd IN such circumstances
glass of old Rhenlsh tastes better than
| the Bordeaux, Sauterne, and Cham
paignc at tables where | hear no con
versdtlon but that relative TO the opera
Of yesterday, and see nothing but artlh-
cial faces, and still more artificial man
ners. met my above mentioned friend
in the street a few days ago. The mo-
ment he saw me he ran up TO me, laid
hold of my arm, and asked me where
was going. To dinner WIS my re-
| ply Good ! good 7 replied he: 'now
| have caught you, / shall not let you
90 you must take "A family dinner with
me Ii was in vain pleaded prlor
! invitation as an excuse--my too hoSp-
table friend would not admit of il, and
was obliged to follow. | consolod N.Y.
self with thinking that perhaps | night
fare better than expected, aud that my
host might really have a pleasant vile,
well-behayed children, and good table.
1 We reached the house, which was in
/ the suburbs, and assembled TO the third
story. As we went mp stairs we were
greeted by the noise Of children, crying
and fighting. 'Ahi' sad my conductor,
laughing, / do you hear my llttle dar-
llngs : Tue poor sweet fellows are hun
cry, and have been waiting for me.
How, thought !, if the lftlle darl,ngs
make as much noise during our dlancr,
| shall have to repent my weakness.
We knocked a tim sallow-faced
woman opening the door, ana on seeing
me started back, with marks of no very
agreeable surprise. My DEAR said
my host, this IS Herr C, my friend
whom have SO often mentioned 10 you
he is going to take his chance with us
to-day Of a family dinner The lady's
long visage became still longer at these
words she made me courtesy which
resemblod a contortlon Of anger, and
drawled out, Happy to see YOU in SC
gloomy tone, that it sounded very
much like | wish You were hanged.
Nothing can be more unpleasant than to
feel ourselves unwecome in houses
whittier we came against onr lnchneti-
ons. / wished myself ten miles off but
my new acquaintance said Now let u>
| leave the mistress to make her propdra-
TONS am led me into an adjoining
room, to shcw me his dwelling. | have
not many apartments continued he,
perfectly sell-satlStied, but every thing
is neat and orderly Twas then obi ed
to stoop into a cabinet, which two little
dirty brats seemed to have been turning
topsy-turvy. The floor and furniture
were covered with ships of paper, pic
lures, knives, spoons, and toys of all
kinds. This is the only true happiness
TO be father = said my host, while
he cleared a CHAIR to offer il 10 me.
Hey, Charles Louis come and ask
the gentlem II how he does. - | sha'nt'
said Charles, and the father whispered
in my ears Fail of spirit -? quite cha
ractcr--Come to me Directly continu-
ed he to the boy, somewhat more Sc
verely. The boys laughed, and re-
manned still. The father went and pull
ed them towards me by the ears, assur-
ing me all The time of their obedience.
Now Charles have yon learned Nourles-