The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1855-02-10

An intelligent correspondent of the Andover,
Mass, Advertiser, writing from st. Louis, thus
alludes to the manner of celebrating New
Years Day in that city:
| The distinctive character of New Years Day
49, that the ladies all stay at home to receive
calls, and the gentlemen all leave home to
make calls. A well-drcssed lady, especially
young one. is rarely seen in the streets for "a
hours. They are at home," without the no.
tice of cards. such as are usual to apprise guests
OF so important fact. The caller, whatever
the motive of his visit, will be quite sure Of
getting an interview with the ladies, and #
seeing them in their best silks, and in their
sweetest smiles. Their beauty is all on, even
though some OF it be the product of rouge, more
| or less skilfully applied.
The entertainment. however to many of the
gentlemen. is something more substantial than
beauty and pleasant conversation and smiles
can furnish to them. at least. To say nothing
OF the kindlings ofthe tender passion, which we
may presume occur to some extent, the cake
basket is found we'll replenished and the spark
ling wine is on hand ; and, in addition, in ma
ny a dwelling, something much more potent,
" to steal away the BRAINS" and make men
fools. In some cases rich repast is furnished,
and men can imbrute themselves if they choose
by meats as well as by drinks.
Some can pass through this exhilarating
scene of calls without touching the .'fire-wa-
ter; but the number of these is probably
small. 1t is common to indulge little on such
occasions. Some, no doubt, make these calls
from the best of motives. 1t is with feelings of
kindness and courtesy. Some make the calls
of this day answer for the whole year. Bust
ness is universally suspended, and therefore the
day, for business, is not lost. No man can do
business, if he would. Some multiply their
calls, unquestionably, because they love "the
good creature" which they everywhere. almost,
find at their service and which, in the case of
too many, compels them to take carriage to
get home safely, and without observation.
Evidently, the drinking part of these social
entertainments might better be dispensed with.
The ladies would better evince their wisdom
and regard to the interests of society, if they
would let their drinking visitors 60 to the
drinking saloons, which abound here. Very
many do spend the holidays and many other
days and nights. too, in these demoralizing
dens, in preference to spending them with the
ladies' and it is not beyond the reach of credu-
lily to suppose that some of them took their
first lesson, and began to form their taste for
the intoxicating cup. in the parlors of some of
these ladies, and under the fascinating inilu-
ence of their beauty, and smiles, and cordial
greetings
How few can resist lady's solicitations,
when she spreads her temptations. under such
bewitching circumstances! The low bred and
vulgar come not under the power other charms;
but does she not sometimes help the sterner
sex to begin the course which ends in degrade
ton and ruin? Nay, does she not sometimes
initiate them into the habits of inebriation
houghtlessly, indeed, and with no evil inten-
ton at all and then as thoughtlessly marry
them. to reap in miserable welded life the le-
gitimate fruits, in no small degree, of their own
doings?