Southern shield., 1853-03-19
EXtEeVagance and Folly.

The New York Journal of Commerce says: Men who were here in 1886 and saw the abounding 'wealth," splendid equip ages, brilliant furniture, magnificent parties, &c., O. that day, and who, a year or two afterwards. saw a large part of those fool ;Sh spendthriits bankrupt and ruined, can not avoid such remniscences when they see .he far greater extravagance of the present day. They cannot help asking themselves if the end will not be the same. 4 New York correspondent of the Boston Trans cript notes few times of this extrava- gance in the words following:
 Aliusion was made in former letter to the lavish prodigality with which money was expended in this city upon hotels and stores. Upon further investigation, l find that in respect to extravagance in other matters the New Workers are now in ad- vance of all former times. The rage for !. showy and costly articles for private dwell ings far exceeds the emulation which exists between the rival hotels up town. As a mattar of curiosity 10 your readers, few Of the fashionable styles of parlor orna- ment will be stated. One of the latest patterns of paror tables or light stands is made ot the richest decorated French DOT ceain, set in a gilt frame and stand. These are very beautiful; the price ranges from $20O to S3OO each, according to the value of the painting.
 French porcelain ornamented gas fix lures for the mantel are imported and sold for $lS0 pair.
 A pair of bronzed mantel candelabra, with clock for a centre piece, are for sale al $500 a set. An importer stated that he had sold four sets for one house, S3,000.
 4 novel and unique mantel clock, valued at $5C0, would Dc a rich mantel ornament. This clock has no hands. The hour and minutes are denoted by figures which re- yolve, like a modern whist counter.
 One firm here have small n1antel clock for which they ask $l,2OO. Two birds come out and sing from the clock each hour.
 Bronzcd vases with bas reliefs are plenty at $500 each. Porcelain tea sets of thirty six pieces are held at $lS0 set. And sol one could go through the list of household articles of elegance and utility, and nameI prices which would not do except in an "age of gold"
 One cannot fail 10 call to mind the con- mon illustration suggested by the uppi5h tendency of all property in this city, and 10 state that we are now witnessing the brilliant ascent of the rocket; the no less certain descent of the vaueIess stick may not be so agreeable, particularly if ii should hit us or one near to us.
 Twenty-four gas burners in bedroom twelve feet square, decorated porcelain spi,toons, and seven hundred dollar bed coverings may excite wonder and attract for a time, but such matters are of short duration from the very nature of things.
 ~~~-~~~~~-~~~~~~-~ PuTTHAT IMPUDENT RASCAL OUT!-WhileI the congregation were collected at al church, on 8 certain occasion, an old, dark hard featured skin and bone individual was seen vending his way up the isle, and ta king his seat near the pulpit. The ofica ting minister was one of that class who de- tested written sermons, and as for prayers, he thought that they ought to be the natu- ral outpourings of the heart. After thel singing was concluded, the house as usual was called to prayer. The genius we haveI introduced did not kneel, but leaned his head devotionately on the back of the pew. The minister began by saying:
 "Father of ali, in every age, by saint and savage dored."-"Pope," said low, but clear voice, near ola hard features. The minister, after casting an indignant look in the direction of the voice, continued: "whose throne sittith on the adamantine| hills of Paradise. ."-" Mihon," again inter- rupted the voice, The minister's lips quiv- , cred for moment, but recovering himself, began: "we thank thee, most gracious fath- CT, that we are permitted 10 assemble oncel more in thy name, while others, equally meritorious, but less favored, have been carried beyond that bourne from which no traveller returns,' :" Shakespeare" interrup- fed the voice; this was too much, ''put that impudent rascal out" shouted the minis ter,-"Original," ejacuated the voice, in the same calm but provoking manner.
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 HIcU PRICE FOR NEGRoEs.-.At an ad- ministrator's sale of three Negroes, which took place at the Court house door in this place on Monday last, a man % years old ,, only ordinarily likely, sold for twelve hun- dred and fifty dollars. A negro woman about the same age, for one thousand and seven dollars. A likely mulatto girl, ten