Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1853-08-30
written for the whesp4g 1nielligoncer.
AIDA.

| Nv fair ,orng rr;eu, Amanda, is not Belle
-;f bvpsi,e We ,,6ld indicate the feminine of
tRsor.,-for Gold 8 not more opposed TO tnsel than
she in her scene and constant lustre, to those
gI;ttsr;no eyfaations which, meteor like, sparkle
for sep5n, and pass away, and are forgotten.
Nor ;vshe s'ine woman as she might be
VIII nothing loving or loveable about her. Nor
sBds blue, to astonsh US with her reading. Nor
IA Femme sapante, to appal us with her wisdom.
Nor anything to be distinguished by name ap-
propriateto class, or Characteristic of condi-
ton. But will tell you what she is. Some
thing better than all .these, sweet, beautiful,
interesting girl; Just on the eve of womanhood;
with natural good sense; perfect delicacy of SEN
timent, and propriety of department.; her mind re-
plete with delightful images; her heart filled with
pure and admirable emotions; gentle withal;
and entirely free from affectation. She is ac-
compiished too, in those exercises which display
the personal graces Of her sex, and enhance the
moral. Dances well; though not arlistically.
Yet have never seen her in waltz or polka; per-
hups because she does not approve these novelties
which habit, from infancy, have rendered inno-
cent abroad; where TO embrace the waist, OF So
Lutte the cheek ola lady are things of custom, and
stir the blood as little as to grasp her hand with
with us. We may question, however, whether
such propinQuity is so lightly considered by our
young Americans, not 10 "the manner born;'
and thus our fair friend abStains from an act OF
doubtful propriety as she would from one of actu-
nj indeco,um. Her music would surprise less
than it would charm you; for tits addressed ratler
10 the sensibiIities than to the of her lis
teners; and what it wants in science, is more
AZ ;n notb 7 ba uOl-
liant who turns the music leaves for her, and re-
ceives her thankful notices Of his attention, as
do him who accompanies her in the dance,
where she moves SO gracefully; but she is too
generous 10 deny an old man some consolation
for the prvations of age, and the little tete tee
she sometimes affords me, in q retired nook OF the
ball room, where listen TO her observations on
the gay throng about us, iSmore agreeable than to
mpgle with it. Then TOO, we are sure 10 take
wiGer range than the sphere of fashion affords,
and to get involved in such delightful distractions
as only intelligent women indulge in, and which
constitute the poetry of their conversation And
what SO captivating as this poetry, when it flows
from pure heart, and lovely lips, with all its ac-
compartments of bright, and sometimes, melting
eyeS,-glowing cheeks, animated gesture, and,
above all, that sweet reliance q perfectly inno-
cent female reposes in man who las secured her
friendship, aud hasn no designs on her heart We
boast of our worldly nttachments;-the regard of
the great,-the notice of the distinguished, but
with these are incorporated much of the pain that
qualities human enjoyment; whereas, in
''The smile from partial beauty won,''
there is no alloy-no guile on lips imparting on
| Iy the sweet emotions of breast that has MOTH
ing to color or conceal.
| But it is at home most love to meet Amanda
and the glow of welcome that greets me there, as
it does all who enjoy her intimacy, is the clear
sunshine to make us forget, for time, there are
such things clouds in our social hemisphere
In her presence, we think only of what is lovely;
of those exotics of existence which bloom and
flourish among such elements as compose herself
coarse and common thought or action would be
as much out of place, in the atmosphere that pre-
walls around her, as common plant or weed in
the air of conservatory; and the trifes of the
day, though sometimes introduced to vary and
amuSe, sound inharm0niouS from her lips, and
very soon become discordant to her taste. She has
always something to communicate, have not
heard before; oftener an idea than an occurrence,
which leads to discussion, to entertain me while
am with her; TO make me regret the close of my
visit, and look forward with pleasure to its renew
al. Nay, it is generally something l can carry
away with me. Some precious gem of thought,
some rare jewel from the pure mind of woman's
imagination, which may turn to my own advan-
tage; and which mans rude PERCEPTION would
never have elected. She reminds me of Psyche,
in that delightful fable of paganisrn, designed per-
hapS to illustrate such natures as her own, and in
which, while Life was yet dream, and Cupid a
myth her pretty conceits invested both with their
own I,igh colorings, as Amanda does now, with
whatever engages her. But the flame OF Psyche's
lamp dissipated her illusions when it awakened
Love, and so may it be with Amanda, when sic
lights her sympathies by another torch, and seeks
for treasure in another mine. When the sentiment
she shares with many, is engaged by one, and the
happiness her own heart new supplies is dependent
on the caprices of another. So may it be when
the charm OF person and of mind, we now so much
admire, diSsolves in unworthy attachment, or in
adequate affection, and proves to its lovely, and
unconscious posseSsor fatal dowry; the
"DOna infece iii belezza,"
the Italian poet SO feelingly deplored.
But we will hope better things for Amanda, and
our reliance is on her just appreciation of manli.
ness and worth, 10 enable her TO distinguish be-
tween the true and the false; the substantial and
the frivolous; the noble and the base. Experience
may not teach her this, but instruction will; and
therefore is it we expect TO see her avoid, without
appearing 10 do so; without offending by reserve
but repelling by uncongenialty, all who. devoid
of merit in themselves, seek to obtain it by rank
ing among her admirers. But let her not value
such admiration, which is the common tribute to
firm and feature, or make an effort to secure it,
even though they pass her by as cold, proud
beauty, an undressing prude, for whom wealth,
without worth, has no attractions; rank, without
dignity, no charms; talent, without virtue, no in.
huence, and who is intolerant of folly, fippancy,
and arrogance, however formidable their preten-
sions. The esteem of such a woman is not thus
lightly won. TO such, her mind is sealed foun-
tain, which only yields its treasures to congenial