The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1855-11-28
Extravaganoe in Living.

Extravaganza In Living.
Scarcely week goes by, that we are
not called upon to record some sad ca
iarnity in social life, the result Of extrava-
gance in living. The evil is one of the
vices Of the old fashioned system of living
within ones means, is repudidiated--an
high rents and magnificent furniture are
the order of the day. In the olden time
moderation and economy formed the basis
on Which the young were disposed to act
But now it is far otherwise. The Young
man who thinks Of matrimony, must in
the first place, be prepared to rent house
at four or five hundred dollars year, to
furnish il at cost of one or two thousand
and then live accordingly. The consequence
is that very few make the venture. They
are deferred by the prospect before chem
and are induced to hold back. Or, ifthey
venture, how often do they struggle on
for year or two, and then discover that
they have made mis-step, and are either
compelled to retrench or involve them
selves in ruin, Would it not BE we'll for
some Of the Reformers of the day to un.
dertake the cure Of this social evil. 1t is
one OF truly serious character, and its
consequences, are often deplorable. Young
ladies, too. are thaugh, by the same sy stem,
that of wild extrvagance, to expect i'm
possibilities. There may he half a dozen
daughters living in good style under the
protection of a father, and each expects,
on marrying, to eclipse everything at hom-
A young man, who is prudent and mode.
rate. is pronounced as narrow and mean,
while spend thrift, or braggart is too
often regarded as exactly tbet ing. Late
hours. large parties, abundance Of wine
and other luxnries, are now regarded as
among the essentials ofgenteel society,
and without them, everything is voted
common place and vulgar. The whole
system is not only hollow and artificial,
butitis demoralizing. 1t in the first place
induces extravaganza; in the second, dssi-
patton; in the third peglect of business,
and in the utter ruin. The story has
been toldagain, and again, but, the vice
still exist. Theirs scarcely areader who
cannot point out some sad example in ahis
immediate neighborhood and among his
most intimate friends. Only few DAYS ago
lashing fashionable in noighoring, city,
was sold out by the Sheriff. The members
OF bis family hadcommitted the error Of the
hour, bad advanced beyond.th depth
lived above their means, and hence the,
catastrophe. And this is no extraordina.
| ry case. The folly Of extravaganza may
be seen on all sides, aud yiii indiyid.
aals too, who find it difficult sometimes to
make both ends meet. Often the husband
is at fsult--sometimes the wife, and again
both. False pride and desire to create
a sensation, bewilder and ,ead astray. 1t
is too, so difficult TO be modest and mode
rate where others are inflated and excited
The penalty, however, is often fearful; and
when som adyesity is encountered and the
blow falls sunddenly-how difficult it is To
wrestle with misfortune! Medication Is a
saving virtue, il Should be praciiced daily
and hourlyi moderation, not only in speech
and in tone, butin temper, in prejudice
and in expenditure Alasl for the many
who have repented, in saclceloth and aslies,
1.-THE madness Of another course. hiasi 70.
the hundreds who are now huryihg on
wildly and blndiy and who, byviolsnce
and extraysganee, are sowing The seedsof
a bitter harvest. The day of reckoning
may be at hand.-- Penn Engai,w.s.'s =