The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-07-20


gust next, Aum PhilHs' Cabin, or Southern
Life as tits; BY Mrs. MARY H. EASTMAN.
This volume will present picture of South
ern life, taken at different points Of view from
the one occupied BY the author of Uncle Toms
Cabin.
The writer being native of the South, is
familiar with the many varied aspects assumed
by domestic servitude in that sunny region, and
therefore feels competent to give pictures Of
Southern life as it Is.
Pledged to no clique or party, and free from
the pressure of any and all extraneous infuen-
COS, she has written her book with view to its
truthfulness, and the public, at the North as
well as ut the South, will find in "Aunt PhiIlis
Cabin" not tho distorted picture of an interested
painter, but the faithful transcript of daguer-
reotypst 1t is the truth that all profess to seek,
and in a matter Of such vital interest to the
whole nation as domestic slavery, truth, not
highly wrought imaginary representations, is
above all things demanded. Such, in the en-
ticing garb of skilful fiction, will Aunt Phillis'
Cabin present.
CHAPTER -.
AS absurd would it be for one of the small
unsettled stars, whose place and wandering we
know not of, to usurp the track of the queen of
night, or of the god Of day, A. for an unpretend-
ing writer to 20 over ground that has been trod-
den by the master minds of The age. But it
was in the olden time that Cooper has described
a dinner party in all its formal but hospitable
perfection. Washington was guest, too,
though an unacknowledged one. We cannot
introduce him at Exeter, yet could bring for
ward more than one who knew him WE'LL valu-
ing him not only as a hero and a member of
society, but as the man chosen by God for a
great purpose. Besides, ! would introduce
some of the other residents of l.. to my readers
| would let them into the very heart Of Virginia
life; and although cannot arrogate to it any
claius for superiority over other conditions of
society among people Of the same class in life,
yet, at least, will not allow an inferiority
And as variety is the spice of society as well as
life, can show that here as well as elsewhere,
there are many men of many minds.
Mark, the head waiter at Exeter was in his
element at dinner party, and the sideboard
and tables, on such an occasion, were in their
bees wax, had banished all appearance of use, and
Mark thought within himself, that every article
in the room looked az bright and handsome as
on the occasion of his poor Mistress first pre-.
siding at her table. The blinds of the windows
looking South, were partly open, and the
branches of the lemon tree, and the tendrils of
the white jessamne assisted in shading the
apartment, and made it fragrant too. The bird
cages were hung among the branches of the
fiowers, and the little prisoners sang as if they
had at last found way of escape to their native
woods. Old fashioned silver glittered on the
sldeboard, the large china punch bowl maintain
ing its position in the centre.
William had gone to the drawing-room to
announce the important intelligence, simmer is
ready" aud Mark looked around the room for
The last time to see that everything was az it
should be, shutting up the rich fumes of the
soup as they escaped from the sides of the silver
covered tureen. He perceived that one of the
salt cellars was rather near the corner of the |
table, and had only time to rearrange it, when
William threw open the doors, and tho compa-
ny entered, and with some little delay and for
mality, took their places. We need not wait
until the Rev. Mr.. Aldeo says grace, though,
perhaps, it would not detsin US long, for the
Rev. Mr.. Adee, besides being very hungry, has
great deal of TACT and believes in short prayers
on such occasions; nor will we delay to listen
to the first breaking down of the strongholds of
precision and ultra propriety that almost solem.
nized the commencement of the entertainment
but the old Madeira has been passed around,
and lively conversation is going on from diff.
fereIt parts of the dinner table,
ave have outlived, sir" said Mr.. Chapman,
addressing Northern gentleman who was a
guest, tive have Outlived the first and the great.
est era ofour country. Its infancy, sir, was its
greatest era. The spirit of " ashington though
among us. One or two of us here
have conversed with him. sat at his table, taken
him by the hand, and it is too soon for the great
principles that animated his whole cause to have
passed from our memory. ! am not a very old
man, gentlemen and ladies, yet it seems to me
a great while since the day of Washingtons
funeral. My father called me and my brothers
10 him, and while our mother was fastening
band of black Grape around our hats-'My boyp,'
said he, you have seen the best days of this
'epublic.' And it is 30; for as much as the.
United States has increased in size, and power,
md wealth aince then, different interests are
lividing her"
"Was Washington cheerful mans" asked
in Englishman who was present al have heard
hat he never laughed Is it 2"
Miss Janet, who was considered as kind of |
'racle when any personal memories of Wash
ngton were concerned, answered after mo-
nent's pause-'I have seen him smile often,
'ut never saw him laugh but once. lie rode
ver, one afternoon, to see relative with whom /
was staying; it was dark, CLOUDY afternoon
n November, and brisk wood fire was very
greeable. After some little conversation on
ordinary topics, the gentlemen discussed the
politics of the times, Washington speaking but
title, yet always listening attentivey to others
Suddenly son of my relative entered the room
n noisy, bustling manner, and passing the
gentlemen with a nod, he turned his back to
he fire, putting his hands behind him. Pa
her said he, hardly waiting until the sentence
hat Gen. Washington was uttering was finished;
what do you think! Uncle Jack and shot
luck in the head He deserved reproof for
nis forwardness, but Washington joined the
rest in laugh, no doubt amused at the estima.
lion in which the youth held hmself and uncle |
Jack. The poor boy left the room, and for time
his sporting talents were joked about more than
he liked"
After the ladies' retired, Mr. Seden proposed
l. L. ny