Bloomington herald. [volume] (Bloomington, I. T. [Iowa]) 1840-1849, 1844-04-26
DISTINCTIONS.

| OeIuSSs met lot muIual Oene1t upon uit
broad ground of equality, those petty dis
I.inclions founded on the possessions o.
wealth. or other extraneous appendages o.
! character, appear ridiculous and amusing,
In this country, where the boast of equal
ity is on every lip, there are more dis.
tinctions, in society than in any other
| country in the world and there are grades
Of aristocracy, in each of which there is
more exclusiveness manifested than a.
mong the nobility and gentry Of any king
dom in Europe. There are distinctions
in society that should always exist, on the
perpetulty of which sound morality great.
" depends. They consist in the various
phases exhibited by virtue and vice and
the more vicious member of the COM
pact becomes, broader and more decided
should the virtuous draw the line of dis
,inction, which should never be passed
except on an GRAND Of mercy by the lat
ter, to reclaim the former. This is dis.
linction Of character, depending upon the
violation of each, not on any fortuitous
circumstances, and consequently is legi..
innate distinction. But 10 see men build
ing their structure of superiority upon the
sandy and uncertain foundation of riches,
upon the frame of some distinguished
progenilor, or upon the more foolish and
ridiculous idea that one employment is
more genteel than another. exciles the
smile of mingled pity and contempt upon
the lips Of the sensible. Yet we daily
meet with those who assume superiority
on these grounds, and it is 10 this prac-
tice, arising from the error of the judge
ment, or the absolute want of common
sense, that we may ascribe nine-ten,hs OF
the evils with which the harmony of soci.
ETY. is disturbed.
Several years since, we made Journey
to thriving village in neighborng
county. and while ,arrying a! the house of
a friend. saw a practical illustration of the
above remarks. A social party had gath
cred OH the occasion of the return of an.
other birthday of one of our friends
daughters. and it was really congrega.
ion Of pretty and cheerful faces. During
he evening cotIlion was proposed, and
couples Immediately formed upon the
floor. From retired corner came a neat
" dressed young man, with an intelligent
and pleasing address, and in.
Vi'ed gay butterfly girl, who seemed dis.
posed TO flirt with every body, to join in
he dance. She scarcely deigned recog>
lilion, and coldly refused. The young
nan DIT his lips. while the flush of offend. |
ID pride mounted 10 his cheek, and pass.
ng 10 the opposite side of the room, found |
lis hand acceptable TO pretty, modes,
Miss. and in moment more they were
moving in the dance.
Who was that young man = asked |
merchants clerk, addressing the coquette
irst mentioned.
He is an impuden. puppy, responded
he frail one. curling her pretty lip haugh.
lily /; he is nothing but mechanic, and |
wonder at his presumption in asking me |
o Dance
''Twas presumption indeed, and ex-
raordinarily and stockingly imperli,e,'
responded the clerk. ,ucking in the ruffles
IF his dlckey. and throwing one leg over
The other in an impor.an. attitude. I'll
wonder Mr.--w was not more select in
the members of This ere party.
But SO it is society here is gittin' as bad
as Boosting and other induraccous places,
where gentlemen are continually performs
ed with these 'ere Internal mechanics.
You done right, miss. awfulIy right, in |
'corning 10 accept such like company
So says Miss Ann-don't you Ann
said the indignant coquel;e, addressing
1er butterfly companion.
Yes, you did, He,ty-and I'll be |
hanged If Id dance with one of them are |
mechanics if Lever did. But do look! |
is sure as eggs, The impairment fellow is
lancing with Judge BIS Philippine.
think she ought to be ashamed of her.
elf, for SIGH a disgrace in open company
She's asloundingly FOOLISH said the
;lerk, shifting his legs Importantly. But
come. Miss Helty. will you dance =
With all my heart said Miss Hetiy,
md they simultaneously sprang to the
1oor. |
We listened to this colloquy. with SUI.
peria;ive contempt for the ut.erers, and |
having formed an opinion of their charac-
ers. from the index just given, resolved
o discover that Of the young man. We
ascertained that he was coach. maker,
connected, Of Industrious hab.
Is, possessed of mind far above the or,
linary standard, and wi.hal we'll cultiva.
ed. He viewed society as man Of sense
ought. and presumed that equality should
'r ought 10 exist within The circle of so.
'ial party. Courtesy prompted him TO
'fIer his hand TO the naughty coque,te,
md the refusal wounded his fine feelings.