The southern press., 1851-08-06
summer sketshss.---No. 9.

posing Inc extension oi sAvefy Anu VI roPoaiinS
the Fugitive slave law. W ~ " 5s8a i.f
summer Sketehes.--NO. Q.
By MARY !. wINDLE. f'9
SHAssosDALE SPRMes, Va, July 30
A sketch for the 9 Southern Press" O, Ia
dies. do something ridiculous. or pathetic. or su-
blilne, and furnish us with materials for sketch !
Do take compassion on poor author, and live
the reins to whm and wonder! VIZ
We have the misfortune to be surrounded by
1T least half dozen lovely girls-girls that a
gentleman might be proud to meet on winters
morning on the avenue, or a summers evening
at the Springs--bright-eye damsels, with merry
smiles and silken tresses, and but, really, to
portray SO many at once, is thing this every
day goose-qul can never accomplish, we are
certain, and so suffice il to say that their charms
are making sad havoc here.
Listen to me" said one of them, in answer
to our pathetic adjuration, "write sketch on
love and Cupids dongs here"
Well, then, leave off talking, and, for once,
sit quietly and patiently without interuptng us !;
and pray don't laugh and set every one else
laughng just when we have become senti-
mental. DO you hear uss
:. Yes, we do, and we will be good" II
6 Well, then, begun
Cupid is futtering his wings here, and the
whole atmosphere is in motion. We do not
mean to say that any thing SO vulgar, SO un-
speakabIy common place as proposals are ac-
cepted, or even made. Any thing SO everyday
would be quite out of place here-but firtations
abound.
1t appears that Love, proverbally touchy zoe
knosC has taken high offence ut his friends in
town, and finding his temper too warm upon the
occasion, has sought the cooling influence of
rural shades at Shannondale, and is here anus
ing himself, and forgetting his pettish enmity,
in sending sportive arrows among the groups OF
visiters, who fall victims before they are con-
scious Of the sweet venom which is spreading
through their veins. He is such a saucy urchin,
too, that he never stops for reflection, but seems
actually to enjoy the sport, and laughs beneath
his wings at the frowns of obdurate papas, and
the grave lectures of prudent mothers.
Among the victims we may number party
from ---, of dashing, whiskered, moustached,
corsair- looking beaux, whom all the ladies pet,
and all the gentlemen patronize; but with them,
we presume, it is only smitalion, as Webster
or some one else hath it--a side thrust of Cupid,
which will prove only scratch. But there.are
Others here with more susceptible hearts; every
bright eye shoots an arrow which pierces it, and
every lovely face leaves its impress there, as
surely as it that heart had been formed Of wax,
rather than of real flesh and blood
Some very sensible, well-informed writer's
have seriously questioned the sagacity of gentle
man-seekers, who visit the Springs, or other
public resorts to look for alife-companion, but
we think the plan very sensible and judicions.
There are times that try the souls OF the daugb-
ters Of Eve, as well as the ruder sex; and these
occur quite as frequently at public places as
within the domestic circle. Nay, the excite
ments are much greater, and the sins more be-
setting. 1t is there that human vanity is most
successfully assaied; that envy and jealousy
find their constant sphere Of exercise, as well as
their keenest stimulants; and she who can best
withstand their instigations, is the lady for a
bachelor to select When he meets with one
who speaks low from modest dfRdeMe; when
he sees her admired without effort; neglected
without i'll nature; outshone without envy-let
him east himself, his equpage, and his millions
at her feet. But if, on the other hand he finds
a beautiful girl, who is impatient of admiration,
and splenetic at being overlooked and who can
not represent wall flower without feeling envy,
OF submit to abdicate the throne when claimed
by rival beauty-when he shall encounter
such an one, he may report himself bankrupt,
and If that don't save him, he is foredoomed.
We are happy to announce to our readers, that
we have thus far escaped the infection from
which so many here are suffering; indeed, il
truth must be told, we have become, by slow
degrees, very unimportant parsonage, slipping
about quietly, and for the most part unobseryed;
now filling up an embarrassing pause in conver-
saton; now absenting ourselves at critical
moment, when our woman's wit teaches MS we
are de rop; sometimes making third--though
at respectful distqnce-on n walk; always
blind, deaf, and dumb, when these qualities
seem to be desirable. II is no difficult part,
however, rs far as execution is concerned, for
lovers are not very sharp-sighted to Others nc.
tons. But there are scme half dozen curious.
quizzng, mischevous children, belonging TO our
establishment, who are not quite so considerate,
and they have had the honor of getting up sew
eral embarrassing scenes.
Our giddy companions have departed, weary
Of the restraint we imposed upon them, and the
decay of our candle warns US 10 stop, or con-
tinue in the dark and as what we have written
3 not sufficiently luminous to enable us to do
his co onveniently we must abruptly close.
The PERrLs OF CAmPHNE.--A gentleman in
Brooklyn has kept record Of all the accidents
by camphine which has occurred in this vicinity,