Washington telegraph., 1854-05-31
"Young America" in Society.

American society, at least in our cities, is fast
becoming both silly and stupid "Young Amer
lea" reigns paramount in it. Boys, who but yes
| terday being flogged for false Latin, and
girls who have Just escaped from pn-a-iores. and
bread and butter. take themselves all the airs
OF srown-up people, actually thrusting their par
ents aside, and assuming thu entire control OF the
amusements. At most parties the tone is given
| by comparative children. Conceited Youngsters.
on whose chin the down has scarcely begun TO
appeaTstrut about in high shirt collars short tailed
coats, deep cuffs and tight pantaloons, take the
head OF coillions. as if by right OF precedence; a-
feet 10 be blaze noble of the ancient regime,
and annoy women old enough to be their mothers,
and with more in finger than these little
monkeys have in their bodies with ridiculous
compliments, absurd criticisms music. or slang
intended for wit. Little misses also. with bare
shoulders, bare arms and minds more bare than
either, look contemptuously around and express
their impartial wonder that the hostess could be
SO stupid TO invite SO many married ladies'. In
American society it is. at present, 'the day of
small things.n
The conversation at these soclal assemblies is
what might be expected from the character of
those who control them 1t is as fiat as stale beer,
and as inspid as skim-mk. The little girls gig
gle and the little boys look solemn the former
smooth down their dresses, and the latter pull up
their collars; but with these differences they be-
have much alike. At the supper table. they push
forward into the most prominent places; help
themselves first; scatter terrapin. aud lel-
lies indiscrminately the dresses OF such
married ladies as happen TO be in their way, drink
what they elegantly call 'lots' of champagne;
and keep up such an incessant chattering ard
laughing. that nobody the phrase goes, 'can
hear their own ears.n
IL would be unfortunate. however. il Young
America" confined its presumptuoGsness to par
ties But the lady who has opened her house is
subjected, for days afterwards, to the morning
visits OF boys seeking TO play the fine gentleman,
who talk to her in style hall silly and halt inn
pudent, treating her as if she were still unmarried.
and this, though they were not invited to her ball.
perhaps, but only came with some female guest
and though they knew or ought TO know. that the
mother of family in America, has something
better TO do of mornings, than TO listen TO the
empty talk of idle young fools.
Yet it must be confessed this sovereignty of
"Ioung America is partly the fault OF grown-up
people Married people too generally subside n-
to household drudges; neglect the cultivation of
mind and manners; and. by abdicatng their true
position in society, make way lor the usurpatioa
of the misses and masters that polk We do
not advocate the disregard of domestic Duties
But contend that their luliiilment quite COM
patbe with a proper degree Of social recreation,
and that indeed, a wife and mother is healthier
in both mind and body, for occasional relaxation
IN society Moreover general rule women
do not begin 10 think till they are married. 4
man of sense finds the conversation OF a raw girl
insuferaby stupid, for it has lost the nairefe of
childhood without acquiring the solid character
of experience in life; and intelligent women COM
plain continually OF the annoyance OF having to
talk to conceited boys. Why do not the real
hands of society therefore, assert their supremacy.
and, by putting down the reign of the Mazourka,
the Schottisch, and their concomitant. Young
America restore to society higher tone!-
The informed, the intelligent, and the really we'll
bred, who now avoid what is called society would
then return to it, and a party would become a
place for the exchange OF ideas. and grow 20 be a
rational amusement. But. while Young Amer
ica7 keeps the head, the heels will carry it AL
hollow" against the head. Phil Ledger.