The Belmont chronicle, and farmers, mechanics and manufacturers advocate. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1848-1855, 1854-04-14
MISCELLA NE0U 8.
~-~~--~~>~--~-~~,~-~-~>~ S~-~>~~~~~->--~->--
THE TURNING POINT.
rxrsnPknAxcE IN FASHIONABLE oIRcIrs.

| every fashionable drawiHg-room there stosd
beautiful carved mahogany sids-bosrd, on
the top Of which stood group Of cut glass
dsesnters, filled with choice liquors, and sur
rounded with clear, shining stock-glssses.
Do you remmember, too, how when COM
psny came in, the little glasses were turned
up, sad the ladies and gentleman drank COM
plimsAts and health, and how we children
were allowed Z "taste," and the privilege
Of sstipg the sugar left in the bottom Of the
glasses, And do you remember how very
sngenteel and puritsnical lady vas consid-
cred, who dared, in the face Of universal Gus
tom, to have q party aud not decorate her
tables with wines and brandy, and her parlors
with card-tables and all the requisites Of po-
lite gatningl
II you do not, thank God ;hat you escaped
that day; but if you do remsmbe. these things
as connected with your youth, you will per-
hsps better appreciate my stsry.
Henry Irving was native Of Eastern vir-
ginia. His only inheritsnce-a warm heart,
medium intellect, q sociable nature, fine per-
sensl appearance, and liberal share Of that
peculiar feeling generally conceded, AZ expe.
tiSuOvu W houO WV uSoeVhuShc hSts thS
"6rst families" Of the old domain.
At the age Of twenty-four he left his ma
tive State, and in the fall Of 1929, engaged
as salesman in the largest dry goods house
in P, fiourishing town on the Ohio riv.
er. Having liberal education, cultivated
taste and gen,lenanly Seporttnent, he soon
became favorite in the social circle.
Although possessed Of some Of the private
and social virtues Of human nature, Irving
was not free from its vices; he loved the wine
cup and tho card tab!e--viees not then as
reprehensbls a. now. Custom, the great
santifsr Of human error, at that day sanction.
cd these as the bonds Of fraternsl brother
hood; and public sentiment has not yet sle-
waited the standard Of social morality above
them; consequently, Irving's fondness for the
vicious pleasures, instead Of operating against
his popularity, served a. an introduction to
the highest circles.
His companions were Of that wild, reckless
whols-soulsd, pleasure-seekingc class Of young
men who throw care to the dogs, and with
mirth, wit and jollity, drift smoothly, yet rap
idly, down that stream whose source 10 CROWN
ed with choicest flowers AID perfumes Of SEN
sual pleasures, and--with dark and wsiling
surge-plunges into eternity! His most in-
innate and confidential friend was John Haw-
kins, young lawyer Of promising talent and
pleasing address, but destitute Of correct NOR
al principle; was an avewed infdsl, and en-
tertained what he considered = manly con.
tempt for virtue and piety; was fond Of whist,
euchre, and brandy, and was withal, what the
world would denominate "clever fellow"
1t was about year after Irving came to
-, that Emma Carson returned from Phil
adelpha, where she had been to complete
her educ cation--one, too, that had we'll devel-
oped her natural strength Of rhihd. She was
now ready to make her debut with credit alike
to herself, her teiSherS and her friends. With
a fine form, expressive festurei, 4 cultivated
hind, and most be@itching hazel eye, it wa,
not strange that Emma soon became tho ad.
miration and envy of dstiety, nor that irving
6sfore many nohthi; paid frequent visits "a
Mr.. Csrson'S.
An intiniaEt was formed, which; on frsihg''
part, soon ripened into strong attachment
Emma was made conscious Of the fact BY his
marked attentions, and hints thrown out by
some of her ffiendsl it was to her, under the
circumstances, a source Of deep regret. She
had treated him with etiquette and kindness
feeeitcd his visits in courteous, friendly man.
der; bit nothing more: and however she ad-
tiired his conversational powers and gentle'
manly nianhs.sj 4 recent knowledge of his
general character would prevent her from de.
string to entourdge his newborn feelings
What course stiodld he pursue! 1t was moi
long until she aid irving met at party. IT,
wing escorted her to the tables, andrequestet
the pleasure Of drinking aglsss with her. Sh.
politely, yet firmly, declined. Irving insist
cd on the ground Of custom and friendship.
"Neither custom, nor friendship, Mr.: IrviRg
has the right to demand q sacrifice OF princi
ple' said Emma, "and should deem mysel
unworthy the name of woman or friend shouls
grant such request and lure you to tn
ruin Of both body and seul."
Mr.. Irving, any young man who indulge
in ardent spirits even to a moderate degree
, and tha. restricted to the fashionable circle
10, in my opinion, in danger Of rain; and a.
sure you will never knowingly, directly, o
Indirectly, countenance the evil and further
more, no one, especially young man. who's
habits are not confirmed, can retain my es
TEEN and his wine."
"But instances can be produced in whicl
II your rigid discipline has defeated its own end
BY driving to desperation"
"Granted that there are such isolated case
. what do they provs--the evils OF an illibers
morality, ,r the reckless depravity Of the hu
= man hsarti 1t 10 on such occasions ss tn
present that vice too often receives the ap
proving smile Of wealth, fashion and infu
ence, and virtue her deepest wounds"
"Miss Carson, l fssr you place more strss
!. on the influence Of yosr sex than the subisc
u will justly warrant" ID .oa
"Not at all, sir. Tell me, II any Of tn
present company Of young men shall be iai
| in q drunkard's grave, to whose influence Rns
' It In reason be sttributedI win you tell n
that the influence Of her who Slh hi
glass tonight, will not add weight and spec
to his descent"
Irving sad Emma were standing apart fror
the company. Their conversation being in
low tone Of voice, was not overheard anon