The Whig standard. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1843-1844, 1844-04-17
BROWNING THE WISEST.


Not many years since, a young man from New
York visited London. His father being connect
ed with several of the magnates Of the British
aristocracy, the young gentleman was introduced
into the fashionable circles of the metropolis,
where, in consequence of his fine personal APP
pearance, or that his father was reported to be-
very rich, or that he was new figure on the
stage, he attracted much attention, and became
quite a favorite with the ladies'. This was not
at all relshed by the British beaux, but as no
very fair pretext offered for rebuff, they were
compelled to treat him civlly. Thus matters
stood when the Hon. Mr. M. P. and lady made
party to accompany them to Cambridgeshire and
| the American was one of the invited guests.
Numerous we're the devices to which these de-
voices of pleasure resorted in order to kill that
| old fellow who will measure his hours when he
ought to know they are not wanted, and the in
genuity Of every one was taxed to remember or
| invent something novel. The Yankees are pro.
| verbally ready for invention, and the American
did honor to his character as man accustomed
| to freedom of thought He was frank and gay
and entered into the sports and amusements with
that unaffected enjoyment which communicated q
| part of his fresh feelings to the most worn out
/ fashions of the party. His good nature would
have been sneered at, by some of the proud caval-
ers, had he not been capital shot and he might
have been quzzed, had not the ladies', won by his
respectful and pleasant civilites, and his constant
attention in the drawing room and saloon, always
showed themselves his friends. But combna.
| ton was at last formed among trio of dandies,
staunch patrons of the Quarterly, to annhate
| the American. 9 asi4
They proposed to vary the eternal evening
waltzng and piping, by the acting of charades
and various games; having interested one ofthese
interchangeable young ladies who always carry their
point in the scheme, it was voted to be the thing
After some few charades had been disposed Of
one Of the gentlemen begged leave to propose
the game called /" Growing the wsest" This
was played by selecting the Judge of the game
and three persons, either ladies' or gentlemen
who are to contend for the crown by answering
successively the questions which the rest of the
party are at liberty to ask. The one who is de-
clared to be the readiest and happiest in his an
swers, receives the crown. Our American, much
against his inclination was chosen among the
three candidates. # tat us -
He was aware that his position, and the socie-
ty with which he was minglmg, required Of him
the ability to sustain himself. He was, to be
sure, treated with distinguished attention by his
host and hostess and generally by the party !;
but this was favor to the indivdual--and not
one of the company understood the character of
republicans or appreciated the republic.
The three worlhies had arranged that their
turn for him should fall in succession, and be the
last. The first one, perfect exquisite, and with
an air of most ineffable condescension, put his
question: :" If understand rightly the govern
ment Of your country, you acknowledge no dis
tinction of rank; consequently you can have no
court standard for the manners Of gentleman.
Will you favor me with the information where
your best school for poteness is found - ss
For your benefit" replied the American,
smiling calmly, :. | would recommend the Falls
of Niagara. A contemplation Of that stupen-
dous wonder teaches humility to the proudest,
and human nothingness to the vainest. 1t re-
Dukes the triher, and arouses the most stupid !;
in Short it turns men from their idols, and when
we acknowledge that God is only Lord, we feel
that men are our equals"
/ There was murmur among the audience !;
but whether of praise or censure the American
could not determine, as he did not choose to be-
tray any anxiety for the result by scrutiny of
the faces which, he knew, were bent upon him.
The second now proposed his question. He
affected TO be a great politician, was mustached
and whiskered like adipomatist, which station
he had been coveting. His voice was bland, but
his emphasis very significant ~
+, "tShould visit the United States, what SUBJ
ject with which am conversant, would most
interest your people, and give me an opportunity
of enjoying their conversation Z"
-, N nYpSPnt.