The Camden weekly journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1853-1861, 1853-10-25

standing all the moral influence that at thl
moment pcrvades society, it seems as thoug
this vice were steadily on the increase.
The crimnality of the practice. apart, is
not strange that men will presist in the use o
so unnecessary and so foolish habit! 1t i
almost universally condemned as vul gar ant
ungentlemanly, even by those who indulge il
it. But-eXcept in the presence of ladies'
men who pride themselves on their re6nemen
hesitate not, without provocation, and in tht
presence of those to whom they know it is of
fensve, to mouth "the huge round oath" witt
as much complacency as though it were indica
tive of high breeding and manly superiority.
Religious parents, however, are not general
ly aware of the extent to which the practice is
carried, unless they travel. For where man
Is known to be a professor Of religion, his
swearing acquaiutanccs are aptto restrain them
selves in his presence. Occasionally, to be
sure, he will meet with those who respect nei
ther God nor man, and who take pleasure in
their shame even before the religious. But a
good man will avoid persons of this description
and choose for his associates such as have not
given themselves over to so vile habit
But the man who occasionally travels, will
be better prepared to form an estimate OH this
subject. You enter car or steamboat. You
see person before you who has every appear.
ance of "a scholar and gentleman" Some
thing occurs which leads you into conversation.
At first you are greatly pleased. You find in
telllgence, evidence Of education, and a gene.
raj bearing which savors ofgenlity. You are
delighted with the conversation, and hatter
yourself that the tedious travel before you will
be relieved by agreeable social enJoyment-
Suddenl y You are chilled by horrid impreca.
tion-then another-and another, until you are
speechless with astonishment at the reckless
aud cool delberation with which the man utters
his common oaths. You have no heart to re-
sumo the conversation, and at the first oppor.
tnnlty you change seats, and leave your swear
lnG acnnaintanaa,- To -nlaasan nt rahactar.s-
made upon a stranger.
On reaching the wharf or landing there is a
general rush for baggage, or to secure an early
egress to terra .hrma. In the crowd you are
joslled against some mani y stranger who has
attracted your attention perhaps all day long.
you have been struck by his gentemanly ap.
peaiance, and you fancy you read in his fca.
t~es the linements of high intellectual and
moral excellence. You have over and over
again wondered who he can be. Some trihe
has disconnected him in the crowd, and for the
first time he has opened his mouth. And such
an oath! the very utterauce chllls your blood
you turn away in disgust.
You stop at the "best hotel' in the place.
4 stranger you may have some inquiry to make,
and that pleasant faced gentleman, of graceful
carriage and neatly trimmed whiskers, who so
politely offered you the registry at your en-
trance, seems to be the proper person ofwhom
to ask the desired information. You approach
him politely and make known your want.
You are charmed with his readiness t" serve
you, the Old acquaintance manner with which
he anticipate you, and tenders to you his Su-
perior knowlrd ge. You are just about to say
to yourself, '.iust the man for the place" when
he accosts some bursting man of the town who
consequently sallies in. The first word he
uters is an OATH 1t is responded to with ano
ther and you suddenly find your estimation o
his high qualifications for his position, that SO
much maulineSs should he so marred, sink to 4
point bcIw zcro-With sigh you turn away
ready to weep.
But wherefore multiply illustrations! W.
are a nation of swearers. 1t is doubtful II there
is as much proiane swearing in any part OF the
world as in the United States. 1t is Il humil
ating fact, but not the less a fact for all that.
In Maryland, Virginia, and farther South
we believe there is more proIane swearing
than in all the Northern States.-A Southern
gcntlclnan-not a professor of rclisIon--is very
apt to be protane man. And yet, Ill othe
respects, the Southern gentleman is more gem
al and attractive in his department than th
cool, calculating man Of the North. why
will he not break from this foolish, this ungen
tcmunly-ths wicked practice!
Of the wickedness Of the practice as a sIl
against God, 4 volume might be written. Bu
apart from this. .gentility ought to frown it down
The press Of the country ought to speak loudl,
against it. We verify believe that in this al
fair the press could accomplish more than th'
pulpit. Make it questionable to swear ant
you mend the manners Of the people where
they need mcnding as much as any other point
-4HcM. Protestant.
SUNK AND PEpIL.-There is story, AM
which | believe is fact, of two boys going to
| iackdaw's nest from hole under the bclfry win
dow in the tower of All Saints Church, Derby
As it was impossible to reach it standing, ant
equally impossible to reach that height frol
without, they resolved to put plank throug
the window and while the heavier boy secure
his balance by sitting on the end within, tn
lighter boy was to fix himself on the opposit
end, and from that pcrlous situation to reac
the object Of their desire. So far, the schcn
answered. The fellow took the nest, and fine
ing in it five flcAgcd young birds, announced Il
news to his companion.