Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 182?-183?, 1832-06-08

! dellcacy OF the iaules, gave opportunity
for many lively sallies from the gentle
men. / saw the same sort of thing re-
peated on different occasions at least a
dozen times; e. g. young lady is en-
ployed in making shirt, (Which it
would be symptom of absolute deprav-
ity to name,) gentleman enters, and
presently begins sprightly dialogue
with, What are you making, M iss Cla-
| rissa (?
Only a frock for my sisters doll, sir.
a frock /? not possible. Don't / see
that it is not frock? Come, Miss Claris-
sa, what is it?'
IT'S lust an apron for one of the ne
groes, Mr.. Smith,
How can you, Miss Clarissa why is
not the two sides Joined together ex-
pect you had better tell me what it is
My why then Mr.. Smith, it is just
pillow case
Now that passes, Miss Clarissa IT'S
pillow case for giant then. Shall 1
guess, Miss y
Quit, Mr.. Smith behave yourself,
or I'll certainly be affronted.'
Before the conversation arrives at
this point. both gentleman and lady are
in commissions oflaughter. l once saw
young lady SO hard driven by wit, that
to prove she was making bag, and
nothing but bag, she sewed up the
ends before his eyes, showing it tri-
umphantly, and exclaiming, There
now what can you say to that vol.
ii. p. p.
In America, with the exception of
dancing, which is most wholly confined
to the unmarried of both sexes, all the
enJoyments of the men are found in the
absence of women. They dine, they
play cards, they may have musical meet
ings. they have suppers, all in large
parties, but all without women. Were
it not that such is the custom, it is i'm
possible but that they would have ingen-
uity enough to find some experiment
for sparkling the wives and daughters of
the opulent, the sordid officers of house
hold drudgery, which these almost all
perform in their families. Even in the
slave states, though they may not clear
starch and iron, mix buildings and cakes
one half of the day, and watch them
baking the other half, still the very
highest occupy themselves in their
household concerns, in manner that
precludes the possibility of their becom-
ing elegant and enlightened companions.
In Baltimore, Philadelphia, and New
York, l met with some exceptions to
this but speaking of the country gen
orally it is professionally true.
One paragraph more, descriptive of a
ball and supper, and we have done with
this point.
The arrangements for the supper
were very singular, but eminently char
acteristic of the country. The gentlemen
had a splendid entertainment spread for
them in another large room of the hotel,
while the poor ladies had each a plate
put into their hands, as they pensively
promenaded the ballroom during their
absence and shortly after servants ap.
peared, bearing trays of sweetmeats,
cakes and creams. The fair creatures
then sat down on row of chairs placed
round the walls, and each making a table
of her knees, began eating her sweet, but
sad 81 sulky repast. The effect was ex-
tremely comic their gala dresses and
the decorated room, forming contrast
the most unaccountable with their I'M
comfortable and forlorn condition.
This arrangement was owing neither
10 economy nor want ola room large c.
nough to accommodate the whole party,
but purely the gentlemen liked it better.
This was the answer given me, when
my curiosity tempted me to ask why the
ladies and gentlemen did not sup togeth-
er ; and this was the answer repeated to
me- afterwards, by variety Of people
to whom put the same question.-vol.
| ii. P. 2l6.