The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1856-09-05
Young America in Society.

AMERICAN society, nj least III our cities
is becoming both silly and stupid. young
America" reigns paramount in it. Boys
who but yesterday were being flogged for
false Latin, and ladies who have just esc:,.
ped from pin-a!ores and bread and butter;
take on themselves all the airs of grown up
people, actually thrusting their parents
aside, and assuming the entire control OF
the amusements. At most parties the tone
is given by comparative children.
Conceitel youngsters, on whose chin the
down has scarcely begun to appear, strut
about in high shirt collars, Short tailed
coats, deep cuffs, and tight pantaloons, take
the head of cotillions, as if by right of pre-
cedence; affect to be blaze MS noble of
the ancient regime, and annoy women, old
enough TO be their mothers and with more
sense in finger than these little monkeys
have in all their bodies, with ridiculous
compliments, absurd criticism on music, or
slang intended for wit.
Little misses, also. with bare shoulders,
bare arms and minds more bare than either,
look contemporary around and express their
imperial wonder that the hostess should be so
stupid as to invite so many married ladies.
In American society it is, at present, the
day of small things.
The conversation at the social assemblies
is what might be expected from the cl,arac.
ter Of those who control them. 1t is as flat
as stale beer, and as insipid MS skim milk
The little girls giggle, aud the little boys
look solemn; the former smooth down their
dresses, ard the latter pull up their collars,
but with this difference they behave much
alike.
At the supper table they push forward
into the most prominent places, help them
selves first, scatter terrapn, cream and jel-
lies indiscriminatcly over the dresses of such
married ladies as happen to be in their way;
drink what they elegantly call "lots'' of
champagne, and keep up such an incessant
chattering, and laughing, that nobody, as
the phrase goes, "can hear their own ears."
1t would be fortunate, however, if Young
America" confined its prcsumptousness to
parties. But the lady who has opened her
house is subjected, for days afterwards, to
the morning visitors Of boys seeking to
play the fine gentleman, who talk 10 her
in style silly and half impudent, treating
her as if she was unmarried; and this,
though they were not invited to her ball !;
perhaps but one came with some female
guest, and though they know or ought to
know that the mother Of a family, in A.
merica has something better to do Of morn.
ings than to listen to the empty talk Of idle
young fools. s;'oa @'r
Yet itmust be confessed, this sovereignty
of "Young America is partly the fault Of
grown up people. Mnrried women too
generally subside into household drudges !;
neglect the cultivation Of mind and man
ners; and by abdicating their true position
in society make way for the 'usurpation
of misses and masters that "polk."
We do not advocate tue disregard of
domestic duties; But we contend that their
EfulfIment is quite compatible with a proper
degree Of social recileation, and that, indeed
a wife and mother is healthier, in body, and
mind, for occasional relaxation in society.
Moreover, as q; general rule, women do not
begin 70 think till they are, married. ,.~,,.
A.man Of sense finds the conversation of a
raw girl insufferably stupid, for Il l,as lost
the naiyete Of childhood, without tile solid
character of experience, in lise;s abd ibtelli-
gent women complain coptiuually Of the
annoyance Of having TO talk. 1 to adontsited
boys. Why. do not tho .rsal ,headsaf soci,
! city, therefore, assert their s-supremacy, and
by pntfiug downsthersig1 ofthe iMaz0ufka
ft5e Polka, and their concDmitapt avon, ,tS