The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1842-08-13
MIlS0lNlLlLAN ANlN0TSo
From the Lady's Book, for August
CHARITY OF THE WORLD.
BY LOUIS FITZGERALD TAsIsTRo.

brilliant society was assembled in III,
drawing.room Of the famous banker Fit,
Harding, one Of the fortunate millionaire!
Of Belgrave Square. Seven had struck ian,
servant in gorgeous livery had uttered
those words so sweet 10 the ear of the i'm
patient gastropome, dinner is on the ia
ble.'
! shall not describe the dining.room Of
niiiionarie-the sanctuary within which
are labored out SO many conceptions and
projects, so many revolulionists, fnancia!
and political. Neither will describe the
royal magnifcence Of feast which nigh,
have shamed those Of Lucullus. Let j,
suffice TO state, tina. Filz Harding, on ,ha.
day, did the honors of his table to foreign
diplomaiist, whose protection he sough. ior
the conclusion Of loan to the secretary
general Of ministerial department, whose
position enabled him 10 facilitate the adiu.
dicaii0n OF a great enterprise; and to .,.s-~
provincial members OF parliament, whose
vote might have the effect of enrichlng his
native country with canal, which should
pour abundance and fertility into the Golfers
Of the Unsuitable contractor. And this short
enumeration of the principal guests is equiv
allen, to the bill OF fare.
Lady Emily Fitz Harding, blazing with
diamonds, and brilliant in youth and beauty
presided with grace and liveliness. Amia.
BILE and smiling, she replied with equal
address to the fat.erIes of the secretary
general, and the madrigals of the foreign
diploma,is,. Every one was in the happiest
vein. Salles of fancy flew about with
champagne corho, the provincial members
were as noisy as during one os o'Cnnnell's
speeches; and the banker himself was al.
most a wit.
All things had been discussed, and all
subjects exhausted, from Bulwer's last no.
vel to Mrs. Trollo2e's amusing imperlinen.
ces, lin addition to those Of the loan, the
con,rac, and the canal ~ when the conversa-
lion fell on the subject of benevolence, con-
nec.ed with charitable ball; fancy ball
which was 10 collect together the flower Of
London society. Lady Fitz Harding was
one Of the lady pa!ronesses of this grea, ball
which was to take place within fortnight.
Many sayings were uttered, wise and fool.
ish, ON the subject of charity, of the poor,
of dancing philan,hrophy, and benevolence
in enirechats--that great invention of mod
ern times. The tear stood in Filz Hard.
ing's eye as he spoke Of the families of the
destitute, who had no prop and no provision
but the sensibiliiy of the rich. AS for Lady
Emily, she was sublime. of what value
was opuence but to soothe dislressP Be-
tween the second course and the dessert
she had 60, rid of forty tickets. She only
wished she could dispose of two hundred.
not from vanity, thank heaven; that was {
feeling which she had never known; bu
from pity to the unfortunate orphans, who
she loved to call her children,--her fami
ly'
Dear Emily = said the banker. lit is Sc
rich pleasure to her to succour the wretch
ed. Ii is her only joy !
'Ah! you natter me- quoth Lady Emily
Il do il for your pleasure;ior you are happy
only when you are doing good!'
At this moment, servant entered, ant
announced to Fitz Harding that some on
wished TO speak to him.
Al this hour!' said the banker angrily.-
You know well John, that | see no on
while am engaged at table
The servant drew uearer TO his master
and whispered, 4. is Mr.. Hopkins
AT thai name Filz Harding rose, begge
his guests 10 excuse him, and passed int
his study.
A liIIle man dressed in black, there awai