Southern standard. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1851-1856, 1853-01-01
ATrne Lady.

|
Theeditor of the Portland Eclectic, in the course
of an essay upon the ladies, tells the following in
teresting and instructive tale, which we commend
to our accomplished lady readers
| We once knew young lady," who lived in
style. Her parlors were elegantly furnished, and
her dress was always of the latest fashion, She
had her piano and her teacher, and she played
Italian music charniingly. In all the exquisite
graces of life she was faultless. She had rich
voice ofsentiment too, and could talk philosophy
or could discuss standard authors, at pleasure
Of course she read noyels-in fact a large portion
of the day was devoted to that interesting and in
structive class of polite literature. The was also
somewhat industrious, for she would occasionally
work elegant embroidery. With an abundance OF
curls that foated over her neck in beautiful pro-
fusion, fine form, hands white and delicate large
powers of conversation in the usual drawing room
style, she was followed by the young men oftaste.
Yet, somehow, she never got married The
sbeaux'' futtered around her like flies over pot
of honey, but they were very careful not to be
caught those other insects are apt to be. Their
attentions were never so particular as to require
some ''friend of the family to demand what were
their intentions This was no fault of the young
lady. She was in the market as plainly as though
she had inscribed on her forehead, "a husband
wanted; for particulars inquire within" But the
husband never, to our knowledge, came ; and We
believe that at this day she is disconsolate old
maid.
What was the trouble Step with us into the
kitchen. That fat woman, with red face, is the
servant of the house. She does the cooking, the
washing, and the chamber-work. From early
dawn until late at night, she is slave. Well
that woman is our charming young lady's mother
She never saw her daughters 'tcallers," ifby ac-
cident she should drop into the parlor while yisi
tore nVvltl
embarrassed manner, looking as though she had
committed an offence, while Der own child's face
would be suffused with bushes.
Now take walk with US. In that workshop
do you see that hardworking mechanic The
wrinkles are hardened upon his face, and the gray
hairs are thnly sprnkled over his his head HI
looks anxious and as though his heart-strings tug
t-ged some deep sorrow and modification. He i
the father of the beautiful young lady" and hi
hard earnings for many years have been absorbed
in the expensive Injuries that her admirable tast
has craved. He, toe. is excluded from the socie
ty of his own daughter
She moves in circle above her parents, ant
in short is ashamed of them. They live in til
kitchen--she in the parlor. They drudge--sh
5 reaps the fruit. She has pulsation of grattud
for all this She despises them, and in fashiona
BILE gatherings, isamong the first to curl her pref
ty lips at Glow mechanics provided she can d
it safely.
Is she true lady? No--ten thousand time
! No! We object to her accomplishments-t
her taste in dress-to her manners. We look up
on and admire such, just as we do a superior stat
ute of Venus. As a work of art it is beautiful
but, being ONO use in practical life, and good 70
, nothing, but to look at.
The beauty of the mind is the true beauty an
the affectionate daughter who nestles herself Low
ingly into the heart of her parents-who make
her mother her COMMUNICATIVE not only work
;. with that mother, but takes the heaviest burde
\ upon herself--she is the true lady. She may new
. er have struck note the piano, yet her house
: melodious with harmony, such angels sing
Her exterior may be hnmble but her interior life
clothed in the vestments Of immortal beauty.
4 Theirs are many young ladies' whose Who'll
6 character is on the surface. Dress, manners, &C
5 complishments, all are external. They have II
7 depth of thought, no heart. They are ''outsid
7 ers'' When the searching fires of adversely bur
3 beneath the surface, there is no protecting wa
Q upreared within. The whole becomes but hea
o of ashes though it may retain the outward sen
6 blance of humanity.
7 The true lady cultivates the higher nature
She is religious, but not fanatical-courteous bl
3 not fawning Reposing serenely upon the arm
3 her heavenly Father, and associating with unsee
angelic spirits, she meets the storm with calmnes
. and accepts it disciplinary mercy. Her syn
. pathy everpusates to the cry of suffering and he
hand is ever open to receive. She is beautiful ;
the bedside of the SICK beautiful through life, bea'
0 tiful at the hour of her departure into the wor
of spirits, and transcendantly and eternally bea1
A tful in Heaven.
That is true lady.