The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1848-07-22
social laseressr.r.
ny MRS. CHILD.

social lnsercearse.
MRS. CHILD.
There is false necessity with which we
industrioualy surround ourselves; circle
that never expands; whose iron never changes
10 ductile gold. This is the presence OF
public opinion, the intolerable restraint OF
conventional forms. Under this despolic
influence, men and women check their best
impulses, suppress their highest thoughts
Each long for the full communion with other
souls, but dare not give utterance 10 its
yearnings. What binders? The fear Of
what Mrs. Smith or Mrs Clark will say;
or the lrowif Of some sect; or the analhema
OF some synod; or the fashion Of some clique;
o; the laugh OF some club; or the nlisrepre-
sentation 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 fettered his
feet. Ii were wiser for both 10 snap the inn
aginary bond and walk onward unshackled.
II thy heart yearns for love, be loving il
thou woulds; free mankind, be free; if thou
wouldst have a brother frank to thee, be
| frank with him.
But what will people say!
What does il concern thee what they
say?--thy life is not in their hands. They
can give thee nothing ofreal value nor take
from thee anything that is-worth having.
Satan may promise thee all the Kingdoms
OF the earth, but he has not one acre Of ii
TO give. He may offer much as the price
of bis worship, but there is flaw in all his
title deeds. Eternal and sure is the pro-
mise: Blessed are the meek for they shall
inherit the earth.
But shall be Observation-Disclosures
scented.
And what If thou art? They who throw
stones at wha. is above them, receive mis-
siles back again by the law Of gravity; and
lucky are they who bruise not their own
faces. Would that i could persuade all
who read this to be truthful and free to say
what they think, and act what they feel, to
cast from them like ropes of sand, all leal
Of sects and parties, Of clans and classes.
| What is there Of joyful freedom in oul
social intercourse? We meet to see each
other, and 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. If the host wishes to work
or ride, he dares not, lest it seem impolite
to the guests; If the guest wishes to read OF
sleep, he dares not, lest it seem impolite to
the host; so they remain slaves, and feel il
relief TO part company. A few indiyid
uals, mostly in foreign lands, arrange this
matter with wiser freedom. If visitor ar
rive, they say, 81 am very busy today; i
you wish to ride, there are horses and sad
dies 10 the stables; 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 yOr
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 are here do as
you please.
Al some houses in Florence, large par
ties meet without the slightest preparation
Ii is understood that, on some particular
evening Of the week, a lady or a gentleman
always receive their friends la one room
are books and flowers; in another pictures
and engravings in third music. Couples
are ensconced in some shaded alcove, OF
groups dotted about the room, in mirthful
or serious conversation. No one is required
to speak to his host, either entering or de-
parting. Lemonade and baskets OF fruit
stand here and there on the side tables, that
all may take who like; but eating, which
constitutes so large part of American en-
tertainments, is slight and almost unno.
ticed incident in these festivals Of intellect
and taste. Wouldst thou like to see such
social freedom introduced here2 Then do
it. But thu first step must be complete in
difference to Mrs. Smiths assertions thai
you were mean enough to offer only one
kind OF cake to your company, and to put
less shortening in the undercrust OF your
pies than the upper. Let Mrs. Smith talk
according to her gifts; be thou assured that
all lining souls love freedom better than
cakes or under crust.