Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1845-01-17
WHAT WILL OTHER PEOPLE SAY

Mrs. Child in one of her letters, makes
the following obsery atoms, which ~e think
are well worth needing:
"There is false necessity with which we
indusiriously surround ourselves; circle
that never expands whose iron never chan
ges to ductile gold. This is the presence OF
public opinion, the intolerable restraint of
conventual forms. Under this despotic in
fluence, men and women check their best
impulses, suppress their noblest feelings,
conceal their hghes thoughts. Each longs
for full communion with other souls, but
dares not give utterance to its yearnings.--
What binders? The fear Of what Mrs.
Smith or Mrs Clark will say or the frown
Of some Sect or the anathema of some synod;
or the fashion Of some clique; or the laugh
IF some club or the misrepresentation of
some political party.-Thou art afraid Of thy
neighbor, and knowest not that he is equally
afraid OF thee. He has bound thy hands,
and thou hast fetered his feet Ii we're
wise for both TO snap the imaginary bonds,
and walk onward unshackled If thy heart
yearns for love. be loving; if thou wouIdst
free mankind, be free; if thou woudst have
brother frank TO thee, be frank to him.
But what will people sayf
why does il concern thee phdt they say
Thy life is not in their hands. They can
give thee nothing of real value, nor take
from thee any thing that is worth the having.
Satan may promise thee all the Kingdoms OF
the earth, but he has not an acre of il to
give. He may offer much as the price OF
his worship, but there is flaw in all his
title-deeds. Blessed are the meek, for they
shall inherit the earth
But shall be misunderstood, misrepre-
scented.
And what if thou art They who throw
stones at what is above them, receive the
missiles back again by the law Of gravity
and lucky are they if they bruise not their
own faces. Would that / could persuade
all who read this to be truthful and free to
say what they think, and to act what they
feel to cast from them like ropes of sand
all fear of sects and parties, of clans and
classes.
What is there of joyful freedom in our so.
cial intercourse We meet to see each
other aud not peep do we get under the
thick, sitting veil which each carries about
him. We visit TO enjoy ourselves; and our
host takes away all our freedom, while we
destroy his own. lf the host wishes 10 work
or ride, he dare not lest il seem unpoite Ia
the guest if the guest wishes 10 read or
sleep, he dare not, lest it seem unpoliie Ia
the host so they both remain slaves, and
feel i, a relief to part company A few in-
diyiduals, mostly in foreign lands, arrange
this matter with wiser freedom. IL vister
arrives they say, Il am busy to day; if you
wish TO ride, there are horse and saddle in
the stable ifyou wish to read there are books
in the parlor if you want to work, the men
are raking hay in the fields if you want TO
romp, the children are at play in the court
| if you want TO talk to me, can be with you
at such an hour. Go where you please, and
while you stay do what you please
'At some houses In Florence, large par.
ties meet without invitation, and with
out the slightest preparation 1t is under.
stood that on some particular evening Of the
week, lady or gentleman always receive
their friends. In one room are books and
flowers in another, pictures and engrayings
in third music. Couples are ensconced
in some shaded alcoye, or groups dotted a.
bout the room, in mirthful or serious CONVEX
sation. No one is required to speak TO his
host, either entering or departing. Lemon
ade and baskets Of fruit stand here and there
on the side-tabes, that all may take who like
but eating which constitutes so large part OF
all American entertainments, is sli,,bl and
almost unaoiissd incident in these festival.