Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1855-01-31

ing strange you should always forget my
UolO, when you indulge in such thoughtless
taunts' 1 sssihs w. silss
lis It not equally strange. that the al
ways cold and unsusceptible Irene Carlton
should suffer herself to be thus tainted -
l verify begin to suspect, notwithstanding
all her pride and often yaunted ridicule of
what is termed sentiment and romance, she
is fast yielding to that destiny, which the
authoress of the s.three eras In woman's
life allots to her sex-viz: to Lore
/ would blush for my good sense and
reason were to indulge in such g feeling
- love. y very situation is atssutaF yaff-
ance with every theory on the subject-and
l deem it my duty to crush every senti-
ment, which would be inimical to the full
flment of my destiny, which, alas! offers
rather contradiction to the one designated
by the anthoress you have quoted
But you will not acknowledge the char
acter which the wise Judging world assigns
you-that of cold heartlessness ? Do you
know, ! have often suspected when hearing
you express an utter contempt of romantic
love and sentimental susceptibility, that
nothing but a perverse pride sharpencd your
ridicule Come added Ola, seating her
self on low ottoman near Irene, give
me your candid opinion and confess the
truth of my suspicious
| have indeed an utter contempt of what
is commonly called romantic sentiment. /
always regarded such, nothing more than
some lachrymose feeling cherished until it
becomes morbid and of sckly hue. 1t is
decided evil to woman for, nothing
tends more to destroy the natural freshness
and originality of her mind. 1t renders
her unfit for the every day duties of ration
al life-gilding everything with false
glitter, and thus circumscribe her sphere of
usefulness by giving meretricious value to
persons and things-because imagination
alone lends them enchantment. Although,
according to Byrons opinion, the entire
want of sentiment may diminish tenfold a
woman's attractions; yet, I do believe, l
had rather be without it even in moder-
ate degree, for it is generally more or less
detrimental to the real beauty Of her char
acter'
Well, you have given me your opinion
of sentiment; now, for that regarding your
capability of the la belle passion. | will
venture wager, that your panoplized
heart will yet be brought in bondage sweet,
to-whom shall I say? to the dreaded
Malcolm, or to a second Fitz James, the
irresistible Eugene?'
'Would that you could win your wager
respecting the dreaded Malcolm said Irene
quickly, but perhaps I am sacrificing my
perverse pride in making such wish. 1t
is evident he regards his present bondage
other than one of silken softness'-for
nine long years have passed, and yet he
delays his coming. His letters recently
chill me with their tone of Indifference, and
,, seem to breathe more the spirit of compass
E sion, than that of impatient love. or con-
o stancy.'
= Irene had scarcely paused when the por.
i ter flung open the door, announcing Mr.
Atherton and Mr.. Mansfield. Light il
!. not more opposed to darkness than Oil;
! Twins nature was to any lasting, serious
, emotion; and, although over her brigh
- face transient shade had passed, when sh,
e looked on the deep sadness expressed il
:. that of her cousin 's-not trace of it re
: mained, as she started up with the bount
= of fawn, gaily extending her hand of wei
- - come to the visitors.
= Your 'entree is peculiarly appropos,
h said she- my staid and stoical COZ, fo
!. my especial benefit and warning, has bee
70 lifting the veil from the face of romano
"a and sentiment; probably, Mr.. MANSFIELD
i as you profess to be an ardent worshippe
70 at the shrine of such, her wise philosoph
~ ~ may prove beacon light to you'
~ Olia's remark seemed to disconcert IreI
= not little, as also Mr.. Mansfield, prob
h. bly, from sympathy on seeing her evider
confusion for it was some time ere she r
r.. gained her self lfpossession.
when so important subject is di
40 cussed, said he, seating himself besit
~ Irene, we draw our conclusions from o,
80 own experience or by reference to Il
~ opinion of some orthodox theorist--Pra
10 10 may l inquire if Miss Carlton drew fro
- - the former, or who of the latter did s
&C adopt as her standardY
be | was merely giving Ola my own u
u y biassed opinion, replied she quietly
~ supported by any experience-and as
;I ';d totally dsclaim being the least imaginati1
~ ~ or my taste at all fiction bound-of coul
tIys my views are too common place for one
md her enthusiastic temperament and mind
,ce. Irene is a perfect anomaly to me-
terposed Ola she can read of scenes
rom incidents which transform me into co
You plcte Niobe, without evincing the least
se in pearauce of ordinary sympathy. AS to
rtain taste about poetry and literature in genel
erial It is even past being queer. In con
. the qoence of our difference of opinion on DO
our dialecticaI powers are necessarily Gu
deep waited; for there is not day, but |
the compelled to defend Byron, Bulwer, L
que uou and dozen others, who fall under
sting CRITICAL eensure.'
'apid- r. = aare say said Mr.. Atherton-'N
onlm~o.. ,rSOn mas as the advantage of you in
<, JaimnessI Jahntos thereby gaining many a poin
uuUa'e &c "a ,Gr' uehement eloquence does MOI
: girl, Yes answered Ola. Il generally
mon Sn Sers Scott to Bu,5,e especially when she
imen- lers oco'' @ ~ byron, and Hemans to Lane
cease Are you prepared Irene, to be bold
mea- fender of your faith now before tw
to nv much more competent to sutau Oe,Ut the ="
ugene of discussion against your '"''' ''
sight Surely, Miss Carbon said NJ. NJ
Had field, however emineat YOU m;nb4 ;ai. = :
ing to Scott on the pedestal of Name as n'
fall at ist, you could never elevate him q ~