The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-04-09
@tseellameous.
GossIPING.


whom the following extract from Miss Sedge
wick's new work, entitled "Means and Ends,
will apply?
GossIrNo.-The most prevailing fault of con-
versation in our county, and, believe in all So
ciai communities, is gossiping. As weeds most
iniest the richest soils, so gossiping most abounds
amidst the social virtues in small towns, where
there is the most extended mutual acquaintance,
where persans live in the closest relations, re-
sembling large family circle. To disturb th0
sweet uses OF the little communities by goss
ing, is surely to forfeit the benefit of one Of
kindest arrangements Of Providence. ~
In great and busy cities, where people live
total ignorance of their neigbors, where n
cannot know how they live, and hardly know
when they die, there is no neighborhood and
there IS no gossiping. But need there be this
poisonous weed among the fowers-this blight
upon the fruit, my young frends2
You may understand better precisely what
| comes under the head of gossiping, if give you
some examples of it.
In certain small thicky settled town there
lives family, consisting of man, his wife, and
his wife's sister. He has little shop, il may
be jewellers, saddler's, shoemaker's, or what
we call 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 com
forts, and aid and pity those less favored than
themselves. But instead of all this they volun-
teer TO supervise all the sins, folies and short
comings Of their neighbors. The husband is
not silent partner. He does his full share of
TN, =, low work Of this gossipping trio; Go 10 see
them when you will, you may hear the last news
of every family within half mile. For ex-
ample, as follows
Mr. - gave $50 dollars for his new wa
gon, and he had no need of a new one; the old
one has not run more than two years.
Mrs. - has got new hired help; but she
won't stay long IT'S come and go there
Mrs. - had another new gown at meeting
yesterday, which makes the fifth in less than a
year, and every one of her girls had new rbands
on their bonnets; it is a good thing to have rich
friends; but, for my part had rather wear my
old ribands'
There go Sam Bss's people with barrel of
Hour II was but yesterday she was at the
Judges begging
None of the widow Days girls were at meet
ing but they can walk out as soon as the sun is
down.
This is but a specimen of the talk of these un-
fortunate people, who seemed to have turned
their home into common sewer through which
all the sins and fobles of the neighborhood run.
es; but their minds have run TO waste, and
there is some faint, | fear, at their hearts.
The notedgossip, Miss -, makes visit in
a town where she has previously been stran-
ger. She divides her time among several lami-
lies. She is social, and what we think is mis-
called agreeable for she is perpetually talking of
persons and things She wins a too easy conf
dence, and she returns home with an infinite
store OF family anecdotes. She knolcs that Mr..
and Mrs. So and So, who are supposed to live
happily, are really on bad terms and that he broke
the hearts OF two other women before he mar
red his wife she knows the particulars but she
has promised nni...c tell. She has found out
been supposed to live harmo'n- In years have
mother, are really eminently wretcheWfh steI
that Mr.. -, who apparently is in very flour
ishing circumstances, has been on the brink OF
bankruptcy for the last ten years, &c.
Could this woman find nothing in visiting a
new scene TO excite her mind but such trumpe-
ry? We have given you this example to show
you that the sin of gosspping pervades some
communities, This woman did not create these
stories. She heard them all, the individuals who
told them to her little thinking that they in turn
would become the subjects of similar remark TO
the very persons whose affairs they were com
municating.
What would we think of persons who went
about collecting for exhibition examples OF the
warts, wens and cancers with which their fell
low beings were afflicted? And yet would not
their employment be more honorable, more hui
name, at leaSl, IMAM tnlS
We have heard such talk as follows between
ladies', wives, and mothers, the wives of edu-
Gated men, and persons who were called educa-
ted women.
Have you heard that Emma Ellis is going to
Washington p ITO Washington how on earth
can the Ellises afford a winter in Washington 2
Oh, you know they are not particular about
their debts and they have six girls to dispose OF,
and find rather dull market here
tka Mo- orp m tho
country to liveP BLESS me no, what's that
forp They say to educate their chdren but
nv dressmaker Sally Smith, who works for
Mrs Newton, says she is worn out with dinner
parties He runs the house down with COM
pany.'
sOh, | suspect they are obliged to go to econo-
mise You know she dresses her children so
extravagantly. saw Mary Newton at the thea
tire (she il not older than my Grace with da-
mond ferronere'
! diamond was in Julia told me that ii was
an aqua marina. The extravaganza of some
people is shocking ! don't wonder that men
are out of patience. Don't tell il again because
| Ned Miller told me in confidence. He actually has
| locked up all his wlte's worked pocket handker-
chiefs. Well, whatever else my husband com
plains of, he can't find fault with my extrava-
gance.'
Perhaps not; but faults far more heinous than
extravaganza this poor woman had TO account
for the pernicious rords Tor which we must be
brought into judgment.
| hope il may appear incredible TO you, my
young friends, that women, half way through
this short life, with the knowledge of their i'm
mortal destiny, with world without them and
a world within to explore and make acquaintance
with, with the delightful interests and solemn
responsibilities of parents upon them, should SO
dishonor Gods good gift of the tongue, should SC
waste their time, and poison social life. But be
on your guard. Ifyour minds are not employed
on higher objects, and your hearts on better