Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1834-12-04

ter driving II all Gay, dfiVes ms vile IN
il out to dinner. They put up the hood,
and she pulls down her veil; and should
her ringlets be a little discomposed by
the breeze during the drive, the misfor-
tune is counterbalanced by the healthy
bloom on her cheeks from the fresh air,
and from the hustle of all open carriage.
A fine rich lady steps languidIy into a
superb close carnage, and Tolls listlessly
in it to the mansion where some grand
dinner waits her arrival. Two fuOtmen
obsequiously offer each an arm for her
to alight, she walks formally into splen-
did drawing groom, her hair IN full trim,
and her cheeks pale (unless she rouges;)
she turns her eyes inanimately round the
formal circle assembled; a chilling ST.
lence prevails; at last dinner is announc-
ed; she sits down devoid Of interest and
devoid of appetite; she has eaten good
luncheon at 3 o'clock, and she scarcely
tastes the dainties it has cost so many
cooks so many hours to prepare, and The
host and hostess such sums Of money to
provide.
After a dinner Of tedious, tiresome
length, and painful silence, interrupted
by few casual remarks, the fine lady of
the house bows to some bedizZened and
bedeched party Of matrons, and simper-
ing misses, and they at that signal, rise
from table, and adjourn to the brilliantly
lighted up drawing room, where they
converse apart in knots, under constrain-
ed whispers; for one half of the compa-
ny are perfect strangers to the other
half.
4 When this uncomfortable sort Of con.
versation has lasted for some time, three
or four servants in rich liverics enter,
bearing splendid salvers of coffee and
cakes, SC. very soon after tea is brought,
with additional state and pomp, upon
handsome tea, trays. The Indies par
take of these varied refreshments, chief
ly as relief to silence and WEAKNESS.
! Alter the gentlemen have come up
stairs and taken tea, some of the young
misses are asked to play on the piano
forte or harp, or 10 sing Duets; the old
wishing them all the time at the antipo-
des, for making such noise. Those
who sit in the circle only talking at the
time Of the music, but not playing at
cards; exclaim at the end of each song
"Charmingw "Delig ghtful!"--'very pret-
y! "Who is the composer" and va
riety Of such speeches, which signify
nothing at ALL Some of the party glide
away, very impatient to 60 to one or two
more evening parties, which they are
engaged to; nobody cares whether they
60, or where they 60. The rest of the
party remain yawning until late hour,
when they are rejoiced to hear their car
riages announced; they then make sor,
of courtesy to the lady fthe house-and
it Is difficult to say whether she or hel
guests, are most glad 10 separate.
i Let. Us now turn to more pleasing
and enlivened scene. Let us see how
the gentleman and his wife, who have
only one gig and one horse, proceed
lie is perhaps a captain Of Dragons
they are invited to dine with the majo
Of the regiment and his wife, and two o.
three brother officers and their wives
and some young subalterns. AT five o.
clock, the gig drives up to the door, ant
instead of its being opened by pompou
porter, and two or three servants in live
ries attending in the hall, as in the house
OF the rich man, the gallant major himsel
runs to hel p the lady out Of the gig
whilst the captain holds the horse. Sh'
sklps into the house, and sees the parlo
, door open and the majors wife bus,
making the salad the ladies gail,
shake hands; the captains wife runs VI
stairs to take off her bonnet, and put oI
, a smart comb and bunch of flowers il
J her hair; she slips of her wooden boots
and slips on a thin elegant pair Of shoes
which she brought in large reticule.-
, In few minutes down she comes, a
brisk as bee. In the meantime, tn,
gallant major and his brother officers
discuss the promotions in the last Ga
zette, talk Of the chances of war, o
chances of ofchange of quarters.
Presently dinner is put on the table b.
the servant Of the major, an old soldier
who is assisted in waiting on the table b.
the servant OF the captain, also soldier
, who has first put up his masters gig an
Q horse. Every thing at dinner is hot AN
l well managed. 1t consists Of soup, fish
a capital round Of beef, a pair Of fin
e roasted fowls, nice piece of ham, pies
n Puddings, sc. Every thing has bee
!. cooked by one smart bustling cook, VIII
e has followed her mistress to foreig
It countries. Military gentlemen and mil
v itary ladies', are almost invariably goo
d managers, and there is no servant lik
o an old soldier. lie knows how to ODE
IT orders, he has seen difficulties, endure
: nI iy afinna and he nnssns.ns raa..xeo