Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1851-05-08
MISCELLANY Y.
The Temptations of Social Life.

What war so cruel, what siege so sore,
As that which strong temptation doth apply"
How fearful are the temptations of social
life, especially to the young in years, the buoy
ant in disposition, the confding in spirit, the
creduious, the sanguine, and the selfconfdent
How few who rush wildly and recklessy into
the destinations of pleasure, and the delusions
of society, know themselves, or understand
their weakness, their tastes, their intirmities
How few can realize the full force and power
of habit, especially if their experience has
been limited, if their physical organization be
imperfect, if their impulses are warm and rash,
and if, with the ability to please, and the dis
position to enjoy, they see only the bright
flowers, and are unconscious of the thorns and
brambles that beset the wayside of life So
cial reunions, conducted on correct principles,
every way commendable. They cheer
and gladden. existence-they call forth the bet
ter qualities of the human heart-they pro-
mote friendships and associations that often
last for years and years. But how many
young men have been tempted TO their ruin,
by scenes, habits, and amusements, which, at
first, seemed perfectly harmless, and every way
unexcepiionable! How many have thus been
won 10 extravaganza, dissipation, intemper-
ance, and its many kindred vices! They rush
on, step by step, unconsciously 10 themselves
first neglect one duty, then are remiss in an
other-frst excite the surprise and regret, and
then lose the confidence and respect of their
employers, and thus are thrown upon the
world, compelled to commence a new Struggle,
and under circumstances requiring extraordi-
nary activity and snperhuman energy! How
few, SO situated, are able to wrestle with and
overcome the trials of such time, and to re-
gain the foothold that they so recklessy threw
away! We recently had occasion to allude
to the dangers of infdelity, and the perls of
criminal association. May we not, with equal
propriety, utter word of admonilion in rela-
ton to the fascinations of social life, the pleas
ures and temptations Of impulsive conviviality,
the dangers of stimulants and eXcltements,
however insdous, plausible, and apparently
| liiHOCtut, tiicy udy dt utSt dPPCai' @hiC t'OiS
not at this moment, hundreds of active, intell
gent and promising young men, with bright
and golden prospects before them, gradually
yielding the better and higher principles of
their nature, first to the seductions of evil COM
panionship, and second, to the subtle tascina-
lions of the wine-cup and lis kindred excite
mentsl Our attention has been directed to
/ this subject by more than one kind hearted but
watchfu employer. A reckless spirit is abroad
among the young. Many are sadly mistaken
as TO true propriety, gentility, and manl,ness.
They seem 10 imagine that species Of fop-
pishness, if not rowdyism-together with
smoking, drinking, chewing, staggering, and
basphemy, constitute not toibles, but accom-
plishments and that instead of detracting
from The polish and finish of refined and intel
lectual character, they embellish and adorn it.
The error is sad, deplorable, and its conse-
uuences are often fearful The first duty of a
young man, especially if depending upon his
own effort for success, is to secure for himself
good moral reputation-a reputation for
truth, integrity, and sobriety. His next is to
win, deserve and retain, the confidence of his
employer And how can all this be accom-
plished Assuredly not by the course of folly
and dissipation TO which we have referred-by
assuming a flash character, affecting false
confidence based upon recklessness, emptiness
and imprudence. Some of Our young men
fancy that they are accomplishing quite feat,
when with segars in their mouths, and hats
placed jauntly upon their heads, they swagger
after night fall, arm in arm, through some
leading thoroughfare of the town, indulge in
silly or impertlnent remarks at the top of their
voices, and assume an air at once of insolence
and audacity. They believe, or assume to be-
lieve-that they excite admiration if not envy,
when in fact they only damage their reputa-
ton, exhibit their folly, and provoke contempt.
We speak now in general sense, and it is un-
necessary to specify particular cases. The
fobe is widely spread. 1t amounts to kind
of moaomania. Let US not be misunderstood
We would not have the young to be sullen,
morose and cheerless. Exercise and activity
are essential to health, while animation, gale