Arkansas intelligencer., 1843-09-02

above be true definition of politeness is he suit
able man TO teach polteness, who is neper adj
mited into the best society but in his ''9Gcial
paciy." .s
If | would not subject myself to the charge of
cgotism, would here remark, Mr.. Editor, tha, |
have mingled some little IN the may dance,"
but never did | hear the unrestrained laugh burs,
from more joyous hearts than from a group Of
young girls who vere accustomed to assemble at
the house of christian minister's s, as social par
~. am willing 10 admit that christian pa rents
often neglect TO provide suitable, safe and rational
amusements for their children, adapted to their
time of life. They should have their rides and
their walks. their pleasure grounds. their embroi-
derry and music, social visits, their miniature work
shops, and last, though not least, their books.
Parents should be willing to subject themselves
to some trouble and little expense to provide
amusement or occupation, if you please, for the
minds Of the children. The minds of the young
being naturally active, they will seek it themselves
If others do not for them, in the streets, in the
dramshoP, and other evil associations, or in tho
ball room. For who need be told that idleness is
but the opening wedge to ruin
And now while the press is teemng with tho
most valuable publications adapted to the age and
condition oil all classes at prices which place.
It within the power of all to obtain, thus closing
up as 1t were every avenue to perncious pleasures,
and opening new sources Of knowledge and amuse-
ment. and becoming Of itself, most powerful
auxiliary in the cause of sound morals. leaves pa
rents without excuse for not providing suitable ali
ment for the minds of their children.
But may be asked why should the ball room
be prescribed why is the moving TO the soft ca.
dence OF the violin interdicted Is there any
mysterious sniulness connected with one kind of
motion more than another :! Now these interro-
gatories sound specious.
No man in his sober senses believes there isnnv
mysterious sinfulness connected with dancinp. in it.
selfconsidered. The truth ISL think it often quite an
innocent and graceful amusement. Neither is there
any particular or mysterious sinfuness in boldinD
few pieces of spotted pasteboard in the hand, and
throwing them down upon table. But who needs
at this late day, to 30 Informed Of these necessary
attendants, which follow them US truly and as cer
tainly and as the shadow follows the substance.
That man reads the news Of the day to little pur-
pose, who need be Informed of the melancholy at.
tendan5s @ of tbs fpmiiAa 9i y1aakla Yr 6foi
Use ,ofaspirng hopes, and dgcd talents tho
only hopes of aged and widowed mother, shot
down in the streets of one our largo cities, like a
beast The difficulty having occurred at n late
fashionable ball 1t may be said that those sad
occurrences may owo their origin alike to other
assembages. ! would answer, tha, at no others
are they so likely to occur, for " facts are stub
born things.''
Again: how very in judcious would hat parent
be who would provide every stimulatiJ !i6ood, and
intoxicating drinks for child, to the neglect Of
more simple food. But that parcn, acts with no
less wisdom who magin that the exciting scenes,
light dressing, heated atmosphere, sudden transit
allotted to repose, eating Gf not drinking) quanti.
ties cf indigessiblc food, to say nothing Of the
vain, and often the very pornicious conversation Of
the ball room, Is essential 10 the happiness
health of his child. |: the former treatment en-
ervates tho system and undermines the physical
nature, the latter creates no less a morbid appe-
tte for those irregular ndulgences which throws
the mind from Off its proper equilibrium, and
gradually undermines moral principle and at loast
renders the mind unfit, in greater or less degree
for the faithful and cheerful discharge of tho
sober duties of life. In conclusion, Mr.. Editor,
as have protracted these remarks to much
greater length than l. anticipated, would observe
there is unfortunately disposition on the part of
many who are profesjcd friends of Him who re.
cognsednO distinction between the openly pronigate
81 the compromising g,tme-sorying Pharisee TO lower
tho standard Of christian character, TO widen the
road which he declared to be narrow, to render
the road circuous which he affirmed TO be straight
And as some demagogues, few years since, to
insure their re-eectlon, Venemently StrOyo to have
rail road Or canal to run by the door Of each Of
these dear people," so there not wanting
those who are willing to apologize when they
should mildly, though firmly, reprovc and remon'
s,rate. They would have the fishers of men so
enlarge the interstices Of tho moral net, to ad
nit the escape of all Of those who can come with
in the standard, their yielding conscicnces would
fan erect for themselves. lwould say 10 all sch
have voluntarily assumed the name Of Christ, and
have been tempted to participate in pleasures in-
compatible with His honor, and thus by yielding
Christ has been " wounded in tho house OF his
friends.' would say most afiectonaieiy and re-
spcctfully such, that if all the pleasures which
were tried in vain sa.iato the spirit OF lsraels
Glen, king, were at your disposal, nay, if scep-
ire of this world was placed in your hands, it
were but as the duet that cleaves to your feet,
you ascend the spiritual heights Of Zion, compar-
ed to the interests and honor Of him whose nnms
you hear, and whose honor, to a greater or.lcss
degree, is committed 10 your hands. A.
The engineer to whom is entrusted tho con.
structon of tho great railroad from ST. Petersburg
to Moscow, is Major Whistler. an American.