Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1841-04-05
GOSSIPING

must effect too detestable n picture to be endure
foe moment. IL is copied from la,e work by Mis-
Sedgwick, called, Means and Ends-irom the sec
ton zoo Conversation"
Gossrrrso.-The most Prevailing fault Of CONVEX
saton IN our country, and, | believe IN NIL socis
communities. is gossipiug. As weeds most mics
the richest soils, so gossipns most aoounds amids
the social virtues in small towns where there Is TIT
most extended mutual acquaintance, where per
sons live in the closlest relations resembling larg
family circle. To disturb the sweet uses oil the lit
tle communities by gosslplng, is surely TO iorlei
the bone6, OF one OF the kindest arrangements o
Providence.
In great and busy cities, where people live in to-
tai ignorance OF their neighbors, where they canno
know how they live, and hardly know when they
die, there neighborhood and there Is no gossip
ing. But need there be this poisonous weed among
the Aowers-this blight upon the fruit, my young
friend7
You may understand better precisely what comes
under the head of gossiping, If give you some er'
amples Of il.
la n certain small thickly- settled town there live.
family, consisting OF man, his wife, and his we's
sister. He has little shop, il may be jewellers.
saddler's, shoemaket's, or what we Gala store-no
matter which, since he earns enough TO live most
comfortably, with the help OF his wife and sister,
who are noted for their industry and economy. One
would think they had nothing TO do but to enjoy
their own comforts, and aid and pity those less Ia
vored than themselves. But instead Of all this, they
volunteer supervise oil the sins, toes and short
comings Of their neighbors. The husband Is not a
silent partner. he does his full share OF the low
work OF this gossipirg trio. Go TO see them when
you will, you may hear the last news oil every fam
lily within half mile. For example, astollows;
'Mr.-gave I SO dollars for his new wagon, and
Inc had no need of one; the old one has not
run more than two years.
Mrs. has got new hired help; but she
woun't stay long; lbs come and 90 there
Mrs. had another new gown at meeunsI
Yesterday which makes the fifth in less than year,
and every of her girls had new ribands on their
hnnnefS . ts , IN hava rlrh friends. but
for my part, had rather wear my old rlbons.'
There go Sam Blisss people with barrel of
-four; it WIS but yesterday she was at the judges
begging"
but they walk out soon as the sun is DOWN.
This is but a specimen OF the talk OF these untor-
tunate people, who seemed TO have turned theirE
home into common sewer through which all the
Sins and foibles Of the neghborhood run Yes; buts
their minds have run to waste, and there Is somes
faint, fear. at their hearts.
The noted gossip, Miss -, makes visit IN al
town where she has previously been a stranger
She divides her time among several families. She
is social, and what we think is miscalled agreeable:
for she is perpetuay talking of persons and things
She wins too easy confidence, and she returns
home with an infinite store of family anecdotes.-l
She knows that MIR. and Mrs So and So, who)
are supposed to live happily, are really on bad
terms, and that he broke the hearts OF two otherl
women before lie married his wife; she knows the;
particulars, but she has promised not to tell. Shel
has found out that certain family, who Tor teni
years have been supposed to live harmonousy with
step mother really eminently wreIched. SheI
heard that Mr. who apparently IS IN verys
hourishing circumstances has been on the brink oil
bankruptcy for the last ten years, sc.
Could this woman find nothing IN visiting newt
scene to excite her mind but such urumpery2 Wei
have given you this example to show you that thel
sin oil eossiping pervades some communities. Ihisl
woman did not create these stories She heard theml
NIL, the individuals rho told them TO her little think
n.l q
similar remark TO the very persons whose affArsl
they were communicating.
What would we think of persons who went about
collecting for exhibition examples ofIhe wars, wensI
and cancers with which their fellow beings werej
afflicted And yet would not their employment
be more honorable, more humane, at least than this
gossp-mongersl
We have heard such talk as follows between Ia
dies, wives, and mothers, the wives OF educated
men, and persons who were called educated wo-
men:
Have you heard that Emma Ellis is going tol
Washington TO Washington how on earth Ct nl
the Eilises afford a winter in Washnston1' 'Ohl
you know they are not particular bout their debts
and they have six girls TO dispose Of and find rather
dull market here
Have you heard the Newtons are going to the
country TO liVeP Bless mt! no, what's that for n
they say to educate their children; but my dress
maker, Sally Smith, who works for Mrs. Newton
says she is worn out with dinner parties 'He runs
the house down with company
'oh, suspect they are obliged to go 10 econo.
mise You know she dresses her children so extray-I
agantly. saw Mary Newton at the theatre (sbe
IS not older than my Grace,) with diamond fer
Toriere."
Diamond was t7 Julia tod me il was an aqua
marina The eKr ivagance Of some people is shock.
Iog! don't wonder that men are out of patience
Don't tell It again, because Ned Miller told me inI
confidence. He actually has locked up all his wfe,s
worked pocket handherchefs. Well whatever else
my husband complains OF, he can't find fault with
my exIravSganee.'
Perhaps not; but faults far more heinous than ,1
travasanee this poor woman had to account for
the pernieous words for which we must be brought
int judgment.
hope II may appear incredible 10 you. nv Young
friends, that women, half way through this Short
life with the knowledge of their immortal destiny
with world without them and a world within 10 eI i
plore and make acquaintance with, with the delight.
iuI interests and solemn responsibilities Of parenis
upon them, should so dishonor Cots good gift of
the tongue, should so waste their time, and pcson
social life. But be on your guard. II your minds
are not employed on higher objects, and your hearts
on better things, you will talk IDLY about your
friends and acquaintance.
The habit of gossiping begins 10 youth. / once
attended a society Of young persons hom thirteen
TO seventeen years of nge, who met for benevolent
purposes.
is this reading or talking hfernoon3p asked one
Of the girls.
Reading replied the president; and have
brought Percy's Relques Of English Poetry TO read
toyou'
is not that light readns7' asked Julia Iyers.
These are old ballards and songs
Yes, l suppose II will be called light reading,
Then vote against il; mother donpt approve of
light reading
Julia, who had the lightesi Of all minds and the
most valuable Of tongues preferred talking to any
reading, and without loss OF time she began To kno,
ofglrls, who too much resembled her:
did you notice Matilda Smith last Sund,vp
Yes, indeedi she had on new silk dress}
That IS the very thing I wanted to hnd out
whether you were taken IN with il. II was nothing
but her old skey -blue-dyed.'
Can that bet why she has worn il ever since she
was thirteen. | wonder did not see the print of
the tacks!
Il DID, interposed another ofthe committee Of in
vesugauon. j took good look at IL as she stood IN
the door. She couldn't deceive me with aunt Sal.
ley's wedding sky-blus dyed black,
Il don't think Matilda would care yybe,hsr w,
were deceived or not said Mary Morris. IN,
youngest member Of the society, coioring up 10 he
eyes.
oh forgot, Mary said Julia Ivers, that Ma
tildi II your cousin
1T is not because she is my cousin replied Ma
~.
Well what Is II lhen2 ~
Mery's tears dropped qp her work. bot .be mad,
e oteeSFs1y She had too much delieaey TO pro
claim her Cousins private good deeds; and she /,
not tell how Matilda, having had a small sum o.
money, which was 70 have been invested in a new
silk gown, gave II instead 70 her kind aunt iIly,
Fphn wa nd Ia, .