Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Mass.) 1828-1830, 1829-12-22
FOR THE LANCASTER GAZETTE.
OUR OPINIONS--.NUMBER XII.
CONVERSATION.

We have often been amused with the
brilliant nonsense thrown off under the name
of conversation at social meetings and tea.
parties. What is there left untouched
What that is not put in requisition for sci
speech or little, very little, delicate, unoffen-
sive SANDER? Ransack every thing-all the
truths and untruths, from Sir Jonah Barring
ton to Lady Morgan-unfold your dreams
ofmidnight, and your reveries by day-stand
out on the high battlement of earth and
count the stars, and you will have an idea
of the conversational nick nacks and random
chit-chats that fly about like child's air
bubbles, and hover over cup of Tyson.
perhaps fresh from the hands of the most
potent merchant n-ti-an-cho. The troub-
lie does not stop here. The topicks go on
everlastingly; an infinite series, and end in
nothing. But oh the weather-the biame-
less, tickle weather-who shall count its
praises, or enumerate its compliments. Could
it but take upon itself tangible shape by
the touch of conjuror's wand, or walk un-
seen, by the twirl of a magician's glass, in
presence Of an assembled company-on
whom oh! on whom Of the daughters of
Eve or sons of Adam would its vengeance
fall ? We might give tolerable idea of
the manner in which this ioeather beaten sub
ject is handled, by here transcribing page
of the Farmers Almanack-but we forbear.
Hank hear them converse moment-"Fin
weather, Ma IN ~" Very fne"-"A sud-
den change sudden "Bad wealth
er, Miss" Very" Pleasant day to-mor-
row Pr" very"-&c. We might branch
off here and enter into dissertation upon
colds, wet feet, thin clothes, prunellas, UNI
brellas, and tooth-ache-but again we for
bear.
Oh the whisper-the detracting whisper,
buzzing about like a bee that stings poig-
nantly, without meaning, perhaps. to sting
at all. Who shall enumerate the many lit
tie simples that form this great compound ?
the shy hint, biting jest. and half-concealed,
delicate sarcasm--who shall count them !?
We might, like the wag in the play. disclose
every thing, yet tell nothing. We might
record the elaborate discussion uponcolours
between Miss Sophorina Carolina and her
right-hand neighbour, and tell every clerk
behind the counter the exact rise and fall
of shawls, rob roys, and India rubbers, with
the prices annexed. We might lay bare
the broad insinuations and coarse reflections
quote the dashing remarks of one upon
straight lacing, and then very naturally
branch off about consumptions and lack of
breath. We might reprove the snowy ad-
|vertisement of one dealer, and the injudi-
cious jealousy Of another, if any thing of
the kind existed-or we might transcribe
the remarks of some of the company upon
the injury done to the cause of temperance
by unreasonable and everlasting remarks,
miserable taunts, and unfair slurs, if any
such there were-and finally give the opin-
ion of the company upon the expediency Of
a railroad-but no! we forbear again, and
will not speak of them singly or collective.
ly, though our goose quill evidently itches
to do it. We should be second Theseus
and should need second Ariadne to hand
MS the end of her thread to extrcate US from
the labyrinths into which the subject NIGH
lead us.
| 1t is strange that what people do every
moment of their lives they -shOuid do !,
Iwfetchedly ) though, perhaps we shall b
told that it is this very frequency that in
lures the quality. However this may be
few seem to know the value of lively, in
structive conversation. Either an embarg
is laid upon every thing in the shape of il
or it is trivial and idle and blown off in
shower of words and nonsensical speeche
upon the fashions and fripperies of the day
Its value and Importance is not sufficient,
appreciated. "If consider oil that hav
learned by study, by reflection, and by tn
conversation of other men, and put it in on
scale, and what have learned by the con
versation Of Mr.. Burke, and put in the 9th
er, know not to which side the balanc
would Decline" Such were the words @
Charles James Fox, on the memorable oc
casion of his rupture with Mr.. Burke i
Westminster Hall. THIRD.
1
N. B. We intended above to have express
ed our surprise that one or two subject
were but rarely lugged into conversation
such as coming very late to attend public
worship, or not coming at all, unless tn
party may have note up, or child chris
understanding about the door-steps, &c.
people must talk, we wish they would tai
Of such things.