The Woodville Republican, and Wilkinson advertiser., 1853-08-09
Sketches of Character.
No. LIX.
AFFECTED PEOPLE.

Alexander the Great was wry.necked, and
his courtiers, in compliment to him, always
carried their heads on one side. 1t was the
fashion to be wry-necked. 1t may not be
generally known, but nevertheless it is fact,
that the high stocks so much worn fifteen or
twenty years ago, were first used by George
the Fourth, to conceal the scrofulous sores on
his neck. We have little reason now to laugh
at these absurdities, because we are guilty of
hose equally as ridiculous. The common
fashion of wearing Eyeglasses, among people
who have no defect of vision, is not less ride
uous than it was in the courtiers of Alexander
to simulate wry-neckedness. We have often
wondered how physical defect should ever
be esteemed fashionable beauty-yet so it
s 1t is little singular, too, that almost ev
cry person who suffers really from an imper-
feet vision. would give the world to be rid of
1t, and dispense with the use of mechanical
aid-whilst those who are sound in their eyes
use every means in the world to convey the
impression that they are short-sighted. II
prickly heat should come in fashion-and why
not as well weak eyes Ave should have a
chance Of being leader Of the ton.
Why is it that people will not be more nat
hfal in their conduct and behavior! There is
agfeat lack Of integrity appearing in the world
always in disguise. Kossnth was, perhaps,
adroit in the trickery Of affectation, and always
enlisted the sympathies of his audience BY ref
erence to his physical weakness and vet as
though to demonstrate his own affection,
would speak for three or four hours, without
much apparent exhaustion. Literary men,
Who have been thoroughly enjoying themselves
over a new book in their studios, some times
make it a point Of appearing in society-ard
Particularly where there are ladfes-with
snguid and exhausted air, as though the labors
Their minds had been too much for Their
delicate frames. The afectation Of the clergy
man is bronchitis, or delicate lungs; the cure,
. Subscription from the congregation, and the
tour of Europe. Many young ladies, in excel
lent voice and health who go to party, bent
on singing, always have cold when asked to
enchant our ears. The best cure for such stu
pid affectation is to make point of never ask
ing one of these ladies a second time, but affect
% have deep sympathy with her sdfferings-
The next time she comes to your house, she
will leave her cold behind her ia the ice-box
At home. Painting was very fashionable a
hong ladies' at one time, but it is some years
ance we have seen it practiced. The sudden
appearing Of a spider, or any harmless animal
sefthat kind, would bring on lit, IN company
bat we have seen one Of these ladies, on the
Y, amuse herself BY putting flies TO spiders |
web, in order to enjoy the fight between tne
NO. Ladies know very well that the depend,
ent conditioned woman upon the strength ana
manhood of the steiner sex, is one Of those
gentle attributes we all love; but great
ssanj will make the mistake Of exhibiting this
sSspendence by protesting physical weakness
ms is great mistake. II is the deverenual
issaaing Of the mind and heart upon mans
aInness and courage, that is the beauty we