Bloomington herald. [volume] (Bloomington, I. T. [Iowa]) 1840-1849, 1846-01-24
SOCIAL INTERCOURSE.

/
~ 1r MRS. CHILD
There is a false necessity with which
we industrionsly sdrround ourselves;
circle THAI neves expands; whose iron
nerve changes 10 duciile gold. This il
the presence Of public opinion, the intol
cradle restraint of conventional form. =.
Under THE despotic influence, men and
women check their best impulses, sup.
press their nOblest feelings and concea|
their highest ahosghts. Each. longs fol
full communion with other souls, but dars1
not give utterance to its yearnings. What
hinders! The fear Of what Mrs.. Smiftl
q Mrs. Clark will say or the. frssn oil
some sect. or the ana.hemas Of some syn
cd; or the fashion Of some clique; or the
laugh Of some club; or the mlsrepresenta>
ton of some political party. Thou art
afraid Of thy neighbor, and knowest not
that he is equally afraid of thee. He has
bound thy hand, and thou hast fettered his
feet. |. were wiser for both to snap the
imaginary bonds, and walk onward un-
shackled. If the heart yearns for love, be
loving; if thou wouldst free mankind, be
frank to him.
But what will people say.
Why does It concern thee what they
say! Thy life is not in their hands.
They can give thee nothing of real value,
nor take from thee nothing that is worth
having. Satan may promise thee all the
kingdoms Of earth, but he has not an acre
of it to give. He may offer much as the
price of his worship, but there is flaw
in all his title deeds. Eternal and sure
is the promise, BLESSED are the meek, Cor
they shall inherit the EARTH
But shall be misunderstood -misrep-
resented.
What if thou art They who throw
stones at what is above them, receive the
missiles back again by the law of gravity;
aud lucky are they who bruise not their
own faces. Would that could persuade
all who read this 10 be truthful and free;
10 say what they think and act what they
feel; TO cast from them, like ropes of sand,
all fear Of sect and parties, clans and
classes.
What is there of joyful freedom in our
social intercourse. We meet TO see each
Other; and rot apsep Go we gel under The
thick, sitting veil which each carries
about him. We wish to enjoy ourselves,
and our host takes away all our freedom,
while we destroy his own. If the host
wishes to work or ride, he dare not, lest
it seem impolite to his guest; if the guest
wishes to read, he dare not, lest it seem
impolite 10 the host; SO they remain slaves
and find it a relief to part company. 4
few individuals mostly in foreign lands,
arrange this matter with wiser freedom.-
If visitor arrives they say: i am very
busy to-day; if you wish to ride, there
are horses and saddles in the stable; if
you 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 10
romp, the children are at play in the court;
If you want TO talk 10 me, l can be with
you at such an hour. Go where you
please, and while you stay, do wha. you
please. ....f
At some houses in Florence large par
ties meet without invitation and without
the slightest preparation. 1t is UNDER
stood that on particular evening in the
week, gentleman or lady always receives
his or her friends. In one room are
books and flowers; in another books and
engravings; in third music. Couples
are ensconced in some shaded alcove, or
groups dotted about the room, in mirthful
or serious conversation.
No one is required TO speak to his host
either entering or departing. Lemonade
and baskets of frui, stand here and there,
on the side tables, that all who like may
partake; but eating. which constitutes
large portion of all American entertain-
ments, is slight and almost unnoticed
incident in these festivals of intellect and
taste. Woulds. thou like to see such So
cial freedom introduced here ! Then do
it. But the first step must be complete in
difference 10 Mrs. Smiths assertion that
you were mean enough to offer only one
kiud of cake TO your company, and to put
less shortening in the under crust Of your
pies than in the upper. Let Mrs. Smith
talk according 10 her gifts. be thou assnr,
ed that all living souls love freedom bet
ter than cake, or than under crust.
rs QUAINT IDEA OF PLEASURE IN HEAVEN.
Jeremy Taylor, speaking Of the widow Of
a blacksmith who was constantly labor
ing TO procure the pecessaries of life, thus