The Literary echo, and Pawcatuck advertiser. [volume] (Westerly, R.I.) 1851-1854, 1851-12-11

dies, old and young, appeared to me e1-
travagantly full of ejaculation. The cata-
logue of byewords and ejaculatory phrases
l heard only last evening among those
truly elegant women would astonish you y
'Oh, but it is only habit acquired at
boarding school, apolagised Mrs. Rich
mond, who felt that with some latitude, the
remark might apply to herself, they mean
nothing by it,
They mean nothing by it, to be sure,
Mrs. Richmond replied Mr.. Newhall,
earnestly, 'and l have no doubt your apo
logy is a just one-that the habit is care
lessly cquired at school, and l must add
unpardonably continued in society am
not i'll natured enough to call it what some
censors do sand-papered profanity fit
ted to the lips of ladies'--but iu the softest
aspect it can wear, it certainly fills up those
very chinks which the proiane oath and
ribald jest occupy in the conversation of
that multitude Of the ruder sex who in.
dulge in such license of expletives
French women set off their chat with Mon
Dieu and kindred expressions IN precisely
the same way that American ladies do theirs
with My gracious Land's sake Dear
knows Mercy and thousand others.
Have not your observations co-incided with
mine, Mrs. Richmond p
Why-yes, Mr.. Newhall-but instead
of condemning others, l feel obliged to
say, Physician heal thyself.' l know it
is unrefned-unlady like-I'll set myself
to my own reformation, and then perhaps
l can see more clearly to cast the notes
out of my eighbors' eyes. Haven't you
heard me say Mercy and Heart
alive Mr.. Newhall These are my be-
setting sins, said Mrs Richmond, blush
ing and smiling.
Mr.. NewhaIl saw she expected a reply,
so he lightly bowed and smiled too.
8 was fearful you would think me per-
sonal, Madam he replied. My position
is truly awkward-I meant not to be the
reprover-but you would have the pound
of flesh = This habit 1 should so much
deplore in a sister, friend, a wife, is in
deed one of the branches in which young
girls often become singularly proficient at
school. / once had the honor to deliver a
course of lectures before as intelligent and
lovely class Of young ladies at a distin-
guished boarding school as ever had the
happiness of meeting With all their high
bred refinement and elegance of deport-
ment, nothing was more common than to
hear theil conversation, in reeesses and at
social recreation, defled-pardon the Sc
verify of the expression-defled, 1 say,
with such terms as l have heard issuing
from oyster cellars, or low eating-rooms.
when l have been passing them Now, l
would lot intimate that these ladies in
tended to be p:ofane, but I confess my
sensibilities were lacerated with the SEM
lance of profanity. 1t is in this very par
ticular l think your ladies, rs Richmond,
stand in need of the mission of reformer
At least, would it not be proper to be more
guarded, and profit by rule which I be-
lieve holds quite generally among gentle
mem who are addicted to more pernici-
GUS degree of a similar practice Even
the notoriously profanc feel bound by deli
cacy, by every sentiment of respect, by a
regard for the liberation of decent female
society, to bride their tongues in the pre-
sence of ladies, and I presume they are
bitterly mortified if an oath unwittingly
escapes them. think your sex might be
so careful, surely, Mrs. Richmond p
There was pause in the conversation,
Mr.. Newhall looked as if every word he
uttered came from the purified and afflu-
ent depths Of his SOUL Mrs. Richmond's
fair cheek took deeper glow, and she
seemed troubled and uncomfortable.
I see you begin to regard me as very
ill-natured and censorious,' resumed Mr..
Newhall, after silence of few minutes.
But must bring a smile to your lip, and
then We will leave the subjec,-and forget
it, for it is not pleasant one. A lady
[ did not learn her name-was very polite
ly playing the agreeable to your husband
last evening he dill seem but half himself
confess, in your absence, Madam ; she
discovered his desolation, l suppose, for |
heard her laugh most mer'ily, and tell