Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1855-02-16

I nanueT ouS hos " AA-A' 50 NS'~ ~''~-~o
felt. The law gives him an allowance,
his children are fed and clothed, and he
has sympathy and friends be knows moth
ing of hard times!
If you have heart of stone and nerves
of iron, let US take stroll among the su-
burban residences of the mechanic and
!aborer But Why should we 60 to seek
them We can see them at our very doors.
Look at that strong man with his small
market basket, as be passes from door to
door; he is no drunkard his face is intel
ligent, and the look of sorrow speaks of a
heart within that urges him on in his work
Of love, while the frosty wind whistled
around his thinly clad frame. He is stri-
wing to earn supper for his wife and lit
tie ones, by selling apples! Long out of
work, reduced to starvation, yet too proud
to beg, he has invested his last shilling in
that little stock he is striving SO awkward
ly to sell.
/ He is but type Of thousands. At ev-
cry turn, in every street, the same look Of
distress the same traces of hard times,
are seen the cry Of give! give!" comes
up continually, from little outcast children
and miserable women-mothers Philan-
thropy has wide icld-too wide for all
to feel her influence, for Notwithstanding
the noble efforts that are made in behalf
of humanity, i, is impossible to relieve all.
But, while the most heart-rending dis
tress is everywhere seen, extravaganza and
folly still reign unchecked-money that
would hush the vail of woe that comes up
from the noisome dens where starvation
and pestilence dwell, is lavished on the
most useless baubles, and in the most os-
tentatious extravaganza, and the pleadings
of charity are drowned in the din Of fash
ion and dissipation.
Look at those heavy folds of costly silks
sweeping by-those rich furs, the sight of
which sends genial warmth through the
ftame-thst jeweled arm helping the train
across nasty gutters-why, sir, that bundle
of silks and furs, jewels and feathers,
would bring FIVE hundred dollars under the
hammer. What contrast to the shiver-
ing wretch seated on that icy step, her one
hand extended for charity, while the 9th
er clasps the folds of that tattered garment
around her famished babe
Lock at that line Of splendid equipages,
and liveried menia.s, that line the curbs
in front Of those harnts Of extravaganza
and pride, the fashionable stores Of Ches-
nut St. or Broadway-those " furnishing
undertakers" where the fortunes and hopes
Of thousands are laid out" and cofined,
and buried and then talk of hard times!
/ Or, let us step into the Opera moment;
tits Grisi and Mario's night. Look around
this parquette, and those two tiers of box
es; all these, save only the press, have
paid Three Dollars head. Try to csti-
mate the value Of that display of velvets,
ftrs, jewels, white kids and lorgnettes
and how many starving women and child
dren the sum total would make comfortable
through these dreary winter months, and
see if We are not an extravagant and hard
hearted people.
" Mans iuhumanity to man
Makes countless thousands mourn"
and surely there is species of inhumanity
in this thoughtless waste and forgetfulness
of our suffering fellow creatures.
But they are not all forgotten. Through
unwholesome lanes, and among the haunts
of misery, the Good Samaritan is continu-
ally traced: sometimes in the form Of
generous manhood, but far oftener that Of
gentle woman alleviating the su1efings
of The destitute, providing for their tempo
raj wants, and leading them BY kindness
to lives of reform, distributing aims with
one hand, and bearing in the other the
bread of life.
Perhaps have morali,ed long enough;
but, really, the number Of wretches one is
compelled to turn away from his door
every day, is enough to make very hard
heart sorrowful. No matter how unworthy
they may be, they are our fellow men,and
susceptible Of suffering as much as our
selves.-Oh you are happy in the
country.
But there are strong hopes that an
antidote for all our trials ha, been found,
thanks to the good pleasure Of bis restored
holiness, Pho Nino, and the infallible con-
clave who declared the Immaculate con-
ception," the neglect Of which has no doubt
caused US as many woes as "Achilles the |
son Of Peleus" ever caused the Greeks.
The latest news, which is, that the Wee.
ping Virgin of Rimini is en- route for our
shores, Gf like her sister Of Guadalupe
she does not positively refuse to land,)
together with winking Madonna, and
number of relics, should be enough to
ensure a national thanksgiving. The fact
.. II