The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1855-02-20
TUESDAY MORNING. rEsRUAsY 81. 1885.
BAcknlriso.-There is no employment

which to some minds is more agreeable than
that Of back biting. 1t is the peculiar joy
and solace Of many people, who have no
other pleasure In the world. There are those
in society who would become hopelessly me-
lancholy but for the consolation which it AZ
fords them to pick TO pieces the characters
Of their neighbors. But for this charming
diversion, their spirits would sink; their days
be careworn; their nights dreary; they would
be compelled, for want of other game 70
prey upon themselves, and in all probability
would end their days in madhouse. How
benevolent, then, that provision of Nature,
by which so many mortsls, who would other
wise PASS their years in misery, are rescued
from tribulation, and made comfortable and
joyous. A truly good man, and lover of
his species, would be not only willing but
pleased to have his own good name taken
away, that thereby so many needy fellow
men, who cannot subsist upon any other diet
than virtuous reputation, may be saved
from starvation.
Backbiting is an excellent, sturdy, expires
five old English word, but the thing itself
is even more ancient and common. There
has been back biting going on from the foun-
dstion of the world. When a flea gets on
your back and bites it, especially in place
where you can't scratch him, you have but
q faint idea of the character and perform.
ances of an ordinary backbiter. The flea has
shout him some touch of chivalry; when he
strikes, you are aware of the blow, and he
runs some personal hazard, from which moth
ing but his great activity can save him.
Moreover, what is a flea bite? But the hui
man backbiter would despise himself if he
could, by any possibility, expose his move
ments to detection. You are not conscious
that his teeth are fastened in your regulations
even when he is sucking out its very life
blood. In perfect security, he performs his
delightful task, and demolishes your whole
consideration in society, before you are
aware Of it. 1t is not necessary that he
should commit himself to any definite state
ment to effect his purpose. A dark inuendo,
a shrug of the shoulders, even significant
wink, will suffice to blight the good name of
being pure as the angels. But then, if the
backbiter aecomplishes his work so easily
and securely, certainly it is a comfort and a
consolation that the injured man or woman
knows so little about it. The victim of this
hidden detraction suffers no pain, feels no
loss, and moves through society, so long as
he is ignorant of his condition. perfectly care
less and unconcerned. Now, if your house
isto be moved from over your head, better
that it should be so moved that you know
nothing about it, than that it should be blown
down by a hurricane and crush you under
the ruins. If you are to die it is more com.
Portable to die under the impression that you
are goingto sleep, than that you should face
the King of Terrors with your eyes OPEN
This much must be said for back biters, that
bite as hard as they may, they are careful
not to hurt your feelings, so as to let you
know what they are at. They perform their
surgical operations in the most scientific and
delicate manner, putting you so under the
operation of the chloroform and mesmerisn
OF fiattery and affected friendship, that yor
are not aware you have lost your arm or leg
victim Of the backbiter does not general,
discover that anything is wrong, till he see
allenated faces and GOODNESS among oil
friends and, after puzzling his brains for
long time as to the cause thereof, and ms
king thousand inquiries, he learns at las
that his good name, perchance his only pro
perty in the world, has been stolen away b.
some midnight marauder, and that he is lef
beggared of his richest treasure and his ALL
We have often wondered what could b,
the feelings of a back bitter after his work il
fully accomplished? What are his emotions
as he surveys the ruins of beautiful reputa
fion-a fabric built with more pains and
more gloriouss spectacle to the eye than cas-
tie or. palace, and feels that he has accom-
plished the deed? Is his soul narrowed will
remorse? Does he feel humiiated by a con
temptation of his own character! Does b,
like himself to pickpocket? Is he struck
with the resemblance between himself and 8
snake, who has just bitten a man to death
and Is gliding away from the corpse of the
noble being, whom Providence has permit
ted, for some wise though mysterious end, to
fall victim to such a reptile? Not at all
The backbiter entertains no regrets, no re-.
morse, nothing but satisfaction. He would
not undo his work if he could. He ploats
over the RUIN he has caused The decayed
and rotten reputation is meat and drink 70
him. He has removed from, his sight an oh.
Ject that was hateful to him, because it re.
minded him of his own inferiority
Backbiters are not always such from m.l.
Ice. tbs not only the revengeful and cow.
ardiy who stab in the dark. These CREATURES
are base enough, but do not approach in na.
hve' cold-blooded depravity, the men and
women who baekbite simply from the pure
demoniac love Of tearing regulations ~
pieces. For there are such peonle. n,o,,,,
of them. They cannot bear to tb;nt 81 .
good man Or good woman nor 70 cav
thing good Of any body. If they are a.
obliged to concede moral excellence 70 ~. 49,
one, they do it with SO many hens and bavys
so much hesitation and so many oua,;fo.
tions as to render their concession ou;te mn
gatory. But, as general thing, they will
admit nothing Praise or even acknov-