Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1840-06-11
DISTINCTIONS.

on the possession of wealth or other extrane-
Gus appendages of character, appear ridicu-
lous and amusing. In this country, where
the boast of equality is upon every lip, there
! arc more distinctions in society than in any
other country in the world; and there are
grades of aristocracy in each, of which there
is more of exclusiveness manifested than
among the nobility and gentry OF any king
dom of Europe. There are distinctions in
society which should always exist, on the
perpctuity of which sound morality greatly
depends. They consist in the various pha-
ses exhibited by virtue and vice; and the
more vicious u member Of the compact be-
comes, broader and more decided should the
| virtuous draw the line of distinction, which
should never be passed except on an errand
of mercy by the latter, to reclaim the for
mer. There is distinction of character,
depending upon the vOlition Of each, not on
any fortuitous circumstances and conse-
qucntly is a legitimate distinction. But to
SEQ men building their structure Of superior
ity upon the sandy and uncertain foundation
Of riches, upon the fame of some distinguish
ed progenitor, or upon the more foolish and
ridiculous idea thatone employment isnore
genteel than another, excites the smile Of
pity and contempt upon the lips of the sensi-
bic. Yet we daily meet with those who as
sumo superiority on these grounds, 8 and it is
to this practice, arising from the error ofthe
Judgment or, the absolute want of common
sense that we may ascribe nine-tenths ofthe
evils by which the harmony of society is dis
turbed. ,rr, .,9.iy.. r54ul ..t .oa.HI Aat 3a .
Several years since we made n journey to
a thriving village in neighboring county,
and while tarfying at the house of friend,
saw practical illustration Of the above re-
marks. A social pa Wy had gathered on the
| @f khs>o &c InNy
of one Of our friends daughters, and it was
really congregation of pretty and cheerful
faces. During the evening cotillion party
was proposed, and couples immediately
formed upon :he floor. From retired cor
ner, neatly dressed young man, with an in-
telligent countenance and pleasing address,
had invited gay, butterfly girl, who seemed
disposed TO f1irt with every body, to join in
the dance. She scarcely degned recog-
milton, and coldly refused, The young man
bit his lips, while the flush of offended pride
mounted TO his cheeks, and passing to the
opposite side of the room, found his hand &C.
ceptable to pretty, modest Miss, and in a
moment more they were moving in the
Ounce. .a - ntFAalj.I 1cF4f, ""t
who was that young man = asked mer-
chants clerk, addressing the coquette first
mentioned. ls# a1g 7ai t"--; 7gluadsaN
He is an impudent puppy responded the
frail one, curling her pretty lip haughtily ;
he Is nothing but a mechanic, and | wonder
at his presumption in asking me 20 dance.'
''Twas presumption indeed, and extraor-
dinarily and shockingly imperlite,' respon-
ded the clerk, tucking in the rutfles of his
dickey, and throwing one leg over the other
in an important attitude. II wonder that
Mr. - was not more select in choosing the
members Of this ERE party. But so il is
society is gettin' as bad as Bosting and other
induruceous places where gentlemen are
nal mechanics. You done right, Miss, aw-
fully right in scorning 10 accept such like
company
so says Miss Ann-don't you Ann?' said
the indignant coquette, addressing her but
teray companion.
Yes, you did, Hetty and I'll be hanged
if III dance with one of them are mechan.
les, if never did. But do look as sure as
eggs. the impertinent fellow is dancing with
Judge BIS philippine. Think she ought to
be ashamed ofherself, for SIGH disgrace in
open company
'She's astonishingIy FOOLISH said the
come, Miss Hetty, will you dancer
with all my heart,' said Miss Hetty, and
they simultaneously sprang to the floor. '''
We listened TO this colloquy with snperla-
tive contempt for the uttercrs, and having
formed an opinion OF their characters, from
the index just given, resolved 10 discover that
of the young man. We discovered that he
was coachmaker, respectfully connected,
Of industrious habits, possessed of mind far
above the ordinary standard, and withal
we'll cultivated. He viewed society as a
man Of sense ought, and presumed that
equality should or ought TO exist within the
circle of social party. Courtesy prompted
him TO offer his hand TO the naughty CO.
quette, and the refusal wounded his fine feel
ings But they were healed by the frank
and courteous address of the daughter of
Judge b. In truth, a motive more exalted
than courtesy excited them both. They
| were betrothed; but the gOssips had not yet
heard the secret. While leading the modest
Emma to the cotillion ring, he looked with
proper contempt upon the naughty Hester
NJ. the misguided daughter of u broken mer-
chant. She drew line Of distinction be-
tween herself and the honest mechanic,
while he also traced a demurcation. Hers
was drawn by an erroneous Judgment, his by
correct principles. The sequel is BRIEF
The mechanic became soon the son.in-la law
of Judge B., emigrated TO Indiana, and at the
last election in that State, was chosen a
member of the popular brunch of its Legs.
lature. H7ot'"1/ III n"si24 . ~I-i'.'
After seasons of filtration and coquetry,
Hester M. became the'wife Of the 'engaging'
young clerk. who. carrying his exclusive
principles into his business relations, and en-
deayoring t0lape his worthy neighbors, was
soon numbered with list of bankrup.s, md
now gums but II scanty piiiance in the me-
tropolie as a third-ratc clerk. There are