The republic., 1851-07-04
From the Philadelphia Bulletin
non,f live taa East

The prosperous condition OF affairs, Tor several
years past, has led TO increase of private ex
penditure generally. Men having made money
easily seem determined TO spend ii freely. Where
Brussels carpeting formerly satisfied the utmost
ambition, Wilton will now scarcely do; where
Wilton once answered, Administer ls scarcely good
enough at present; and where Axminster, ''rarG
Guis,'' sported, impossible substitutes, of
more costly character still, are longed after de-
spairingly Ideas of furniture have undergone
similar revolution. The same inflated ideas, too,
have risen up with regard to dwelling -houses. In
divduals of moderate means, who used TO think
two story house quite nice enough, now sigh for
three stories, aspire after our and ashionables,
who considered plain brick very desirable,
now discontented unless they can shine in sand
stone, gull in stucco The old streets quite
deserted by all who pretend to ton. Nothing will
do now but lots in the West End, at eighteen dol
lars foot; and blessed, indeed, ia the man who
can secure one, opposite a square, at even that.
The good, substantial, unpretending pattern OF
plain 'front.' with dormer windows, Is quite secuted
out of good society; and nothing will satisfy folks
now but ornamented windows and carved door
way, worth almost the former price of dwelling.
In word, are living too fast.
For it ID with furniture and house, II is with
horses. Everybody that 10 anybody, or wishes to
be considered such, must ride now a-days. If
Franklin could rise up, from his simple tomb at
Arch and Fifth he would think that Philadelpbians
were all victims to the rheumatism, gout he
reditary lameness He would the omnibus
going by crowded, while the sidewalk was de-
serted. He would behold such a crowd of car
other vehicles of pleasure that he would fairly rub
his eyes, .fancyng himself back in Paris, until the
old familiar meeting house over against his grave
would recall him to the truth. mania for horses
has seized all and singular. Magnificent equip
ages, in which fine ladies newly wealthy loll back,
move with starey pace down Chestnut street, put
ting to shame the sober, respectable coaches. in
which the old-scbool rich, such the late MIR.
Bird, used to take the air. Dashing tilburys and
brilliant trotting wagons spin along Broad street
on fine afternoons, the property OF 'fast'' young
men, who clerks but yesterday, and may be
beggars tomorrow. Crack horses set up, if
we may the expression, by merchants, and
mechanics, who, before long, may require
setting up themselves. The few who cannot own
make sure to hire. Harness makers, coach build
ers, and horse. jockeys are reaping constant har
vest, the growth of the folly, conceit and exttav-
gance of the town generally. We repeat, tce are
q iiUing too fast.
We might multiply similar instances without
end. Ladies who, few years since, were well
content with lutestring at dollar yard, are now
scarcely satisfied with brocade at three and
xhere ten yards once made an all -sufclent dress
yattern twenty are now Indispensable to be in the
mode Families, that spent their summer econo-
ncally at farm houses, now hout at Saratoga, or
shne at Newport. Champagne has supplanted
clarct at the table, claret driven out porter porter
excluded water the sweetest and healthiest of all.
Where plain JOINT once served for dinner, canvass
backs, young lamb or other rare and coeky deli
cacies are now considered Indispensable. In every
direction, indeed, luxury makes strides A bache-
lor now has need of an income such as would once
have satisfied man with a family and the hus-
band and father requires for his single household
the means that, twenty years ago, would have sup
ported two families, ii not three. Daughters
sent to fashionable schools, at enormous cost,
there to learn extravagance, TO acquire habits of
idleness, and in ehort to become fitted for any thing
but being the wives of poor men. Sons are ruined
with unlimited pocket money, late hours, and al
most total absence of parental control. Thus
not only waste our own estates, but perpetuate the
vice in our children. In every way are living
too fast
Our grandfathers did not make their riches in
this spendthrft fashion. Their dwellings
small, their furniture plain, and an equipage was
a sierra incognita" generally Instead Of driving
fast horses, they stuck fast to their business in
stead OF aiming for senseless show, they showed
their sense by a life Of thrift Hundreds now
JOY, in substantial rents the fruits of their labor
but, alas, while living on their estates neglect
their economy; Others of US have to earn our live
lhood, like them, by pcrsevering toll; but we
squander where they saved, and may yet die beg
gars where they became millionaires. We boast
of our superior wisdom, but in the great end OF
material life, the amassing of competency for old
age, we exhibit an instance of folly that would
have won us the name of idiots century ago.
Whatever other faults foreathers had, they
rarely liped too fast
day OF reckoning is sure to come for those OF
us who give way too mnch to this fashionable
travagance. 1t s easier to get out of depth than to
wade back safely but when the tide rises as rise
il will, theshriftless must be overwhelmed. Though
the convulsions which used to PROSTATE the coun-
try every few years appear to be growing more
scarce they have not yet entirely ceased, for
OF the old causes still remain; and in time, we
shall have assuredly another financial crisis if not
a catastrophe like that of 40. Let the wise Of us
be guard We had better trim sail before
the tempest comes, than be capsized by the 'squall
with all canvas spread. In a word, we must cease
liuing too fast.