Wisconsin tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1847-1854, 1849-01-19
SOCIAL INTERCOURSE.
By MRS. }. RI. Guild.

There is false necessity with which we IN
dustriously surround ourselves: a circle that
never expands, whose iron never changes to
ductiIe gold. This is the presence of public
opinion, the intolerable restraint of conyen-
tional forms. Under this despotic influence.
men and women check their best impulses,
and suppress their highest thoughts Each
longs for a free communion with other souls.
bat dare not give utterance to his warnings.
What hindersl The fear of what Mrs. s.
or Mrs G. will say or the frovu OF some
sect; or the anathema of some Synod; or
the fashion of some clique; or the laugh of
some club; or the misrepresentation of some
political party. Thou art afraid of thy neigh
Dor, and knows not that he is equally afraid
ofthee. He has bound thy hands and thou
hast fettered his feet. It were wiser or both
to snap the imaginary bond and walk onward
and unshackled. filthy heart yearns for love,
be loving; if thou wouldst free mankind, be
free; if thou wouldst have brother frank
with thee, be frank with him. But what Will
people say What does it concern thee what
they say-thy life is not IN their hands
They can give nothing of real value, nor take
from thee any thing that is worth Satan
may promise thee all the Kingdoms of the
earth but he has not one acre oft to give
He may offer much as the price Of his wor-
ship, utthere is a flaw in all his title deeds.
Eternal and sure is the promise, blessed
are the meek for they shall inherit the earth
But | shall be Observation-Disclosures
sented And what if thou art They who
throw stones at what is above them, receive
missiles back again, by the law of gravity,and
lucky are they who bruise net their own ia
ces. Oh, that 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 fear of sects ard
parties, of clans and classes.
What is there Of freedom IN our social in
tercourse We meet to see each other, and
not peep do we get under the thick, sitting
veil, that each carries about with him. We
visit to enjoy ourselves, and our host takes a
way all our freedom. while we destroy his
own. If the host wishes to walk or ride, be
dares not, lest it seem impolite to the guests;
| Il the guest wishes 10 read or sleep, lie dares
not. lest it seem impolte to the host so they
remain slaves aud feel it a relief to part com
pany. 4 few individuals mostly in foreign
lands. arrange this matter with wiser free
dom. If visitor arrives they say - am
very busy to day if you wish TO ride there
are horses and saddles in The stable; il you
oil "a,
the parlor: If You want to wort, tl:e men are
rakiuc hay in the fields, if you want toromp
the children are ~ play in the court; Il ven
want to talk to me, can be wits YOU at such
an hour. Go where you flease, and while
Won are here do as you pleHse.'
At some houses IL Florence. large parties
meet without tie slight st preparation. lis
understood that on some particular evening
oftlie week lady or gentleman receives then
friends. In one r)om are books aud flowers
in another pictures and eugravines IN THIRD
music. Couples are ensconced in some sha
ded alcoye, or in groups dotted about thc
: room in ,nirthluI or serious conversation
No one is required 70 speak to his host. eithe'
entering or departing. Lemonade or baskets
of fruit stand here and there on the side Is
bles thar all may take who like; but eating
: which constitutes 50 great a part Of American
entertainments. is slight and almost unno
t;ced incident in these festivals Of intellect an
taste. Wouldst thou ike TO see such socia
freedom introduced here Then DO it. Blu
the first step must be complete Indifference t
Mrs. Smiths assertions that You were mea
t enough TO offer only one kind of cake TO you
i company, and put less shortening in the IN
: dercyust of your pies :han in the upper. L.
) Mrs. Smith talk according to her gifts; b
,bou assured that all living souls love freedoi
a better than cakes or undercrust.
1t