The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-07-23
CRoMNING THE MISESr

a. VII NEl,
GROWING THE WISEST.
Not many years ago, il happened that a vo0,.
man from New York visited London. His m,h1s
being connected with several Of the magnates Of Sa
British aristocracy, the young American wa, i ~
troduced into the fashionable circles OF the met"
polls, where, in consequence Of his fine personal Az
pearance, or that his father was reputed to be ys,
rich, or that he was new figure on the stage 4,
attracted much attention, and became the syon,.
of the ladies'. This was not at all relished bv Il.
British beaux; but as no very fair pretext Offered
for rebuff, they were compelled to treat him civil
| ly. Thus matters stood when the Hon. M D
and lady made party to accompany them to lbs,
country seat In Cambridgeshire, and the Ameriran
was among the invited guests. Numerous were n.
devices to which these devotees of pleasure resor,d
in order to kill that old fellow who will measure h,
hours, when he oughtto know they are not want.
ed, and the ingenuity of every one was taxed n
| remember or invent something novel.
The Yankees are proverbially ready of invention
and the American did honor to his character as
man accustomed to the freedom Of thought Hs
was frank and gay and entered into the sports ami
amusements with that unaffected enjoyment which
communicated part of his fresh feelings to ,br
most worn-out fashionists in the party. His GOOD
nature would have been sneered at by some Of lbe
proud cavaliers, had he not been such capital shot
and he might have been guizzed, had not the ladies
won by his respectful cives, and his constant Al.
tentions in the drawing-room and saloon, always
showed themselves his friends. But a combination
was at last formed among trio of dandies stanch
patrons of the Quarterly, To annihiate the Young
American They proposed to vary the eternal
waltzing and piping by the acting of charades and
playing various games and having interested one Of
those interchangeable ladies' who always carry their
point i'm the scheme, it voted TO be the thing.
After some charades had been disposed of, one gen.
teman begged leave to propose the game called
"Crowning the Wisest." This is played by select.
ing Judge of the game, and three persons either
ladies' gentlemen who are to contest for the crown
by answering successfully the various questions
which the rest of the party are at liberty ask The
one who is declared TO have been the readiest and
the happiest in hr nswers receives the crown
Our American, much against his inclination, was
chosen among the three candidates. He was aware
that his position the society with which he was
mngling, required of him the ability TO sustain
himself He was treated with distinguished after.
ton by his hostess, and generally by the party
but this was a favor TO the Individual for not one
of the party understood the character Of repub.
leans, or appreciated the republic. The three
worthless 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 in.
efiable condescension, put the following question;
"If | understand rightly the government of your
country, you acknowledge no distinction of rank;
consequently you can have no court standard for
the manners of gentleman. Will you favor me
with information where your best school of polite.
ness is to be found;'
"For your benefit" replied the American, SIM.
ling calmly, 81 would recommend the falls of Ma.
CARA; contemplation of that stupendous wonder
teaches humility to the proudest, and human moth.
ingness to the vainest II rebukes the triaer and
arouses the most stupid;--in short, ii turns men
from their idols; and when we acknowledge thai
God only is Lord, we feel that men are our equals
A true Christian is always polite"
There was murmur among the audience; but
whether of applause or censure the American could
not determine, as he did not choose to beray anx.
iety for the result, by scrutiny Of the faces which
he knew were bent on him.
The second now proposed his question He al.
fected to be great politician, was mustachoed and
be-whiskered like diplomatist, which station he
had been coveting. His voice was bland, but his
emphasis was very significant.
"Should visit the United States, what subject
with which am conversant would most interest
your people, and give me an opportunity of enjoying
their conversational
"You must maintain, as you do at present, that
monarchy is the wisest, the purest, the best gov.
eminent which the skill Of man ever devised, and
that democracy is utterly barbarous My cOun.
trymen are proverbially fond Of argument, and will
meet you On all these Questions, and, il you choose
will argue with you to the end of your life"
The murmur was renewed, but still without any
decided expression OF the feelings with which MS
answer was received.
The third then arose from his seat, and with an
assured voice, which seemed to announce certain
triumph, said
81 require your decision on delicate question:
but the rules of the pastime warrant it, and also
a candid answer. You have seen the American
and English ladies': which are the fairest;"
The young republican glanced round the circle
1t was bright with flashing eyes, and the sweet
smiles which wreathed every lip might have won
less determined patriot from his allegiance. He
did not hesitate, though ne bowed low to the ladies,
as he answered:
"The standard of female beauty is, believe, al.
lowed to be the power of exciting admiration and
begetting love in sex and, consequently, those
ladies who are most admired and beloved and re-
spected by the gentlemen, must be the faress.
assert now, confidently, that there is not nation
on earth where woman is so truly beloved, so ten
derby cherished, respectfully treated, as in TIC
republic Of the United States; therefore the Amer
can ladies the fairest. But" and he again bow
ed low, "if the ladies' before whom have now The
honor of expressing my opinion, were in my coun'
try, we should think them Americans"
The applause was enthusiastic; and after the mlr'n
had subsidized so to allow the judge to be heard,
h,I .. L.. he Vank