Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1856-02-20

should be instructed to approach the bride de-
ferentially, handing her the cards one by one,
and making his salaam, or bow, with the de-
livery of each. As soon as the Visitors enter
they should seat themselves with mathemati-
cal precision and permit stately pause to en-
sue. In the interesting interim the gentle
men might ruminate on matrimony, and the
lcharms Of honey y-moon. After suitable 81
ence the Oldest and most voluble gentleman
lRresent should disturb the stiffness Win sapl-
! ent observations on wedlock, and particularly
| on her marriage. He should conclude his dis
course with something jocular, at which his
comnanions should simultaneously snicker.-
| A graceful calmness being thus obtained, the
conversation may become general, and the |
weather especially may lie discussed. After
an interesting hour thus sent, they can appro- |
| pliately retire with suitIble obeisaaces and
complacept chuckles To call on bride in
this manner is good thilg-a devilish good
| thing-bonuna Drum. Thee is nothing rldicu-
| lous or ceremoneous or silly in such procee-
ding and it is we'll calcuIsed to win the BRIDES
favor, if she should bc al intellectual lady
Especially will the matter of the cards concil-
I r..
| a lady without card. In some of the States
it is a penitentiary offence. DIR. Samuel Johh-
son, were he alive, could not be permitted TO
eschew the card custom. We might indulge
the ponderous photographer in many OF his
whims; but we would bind him to the laws OF
etiquette The old horse might kick, but we
| would curb him in. Edward Pinkney, hoWeV-
er, and Henry Clay, l have bcent informed,
! yentured to call upon some of thef lady-ac-
quaitances without cards, and suffeed, was
told, in consequences of the enormiy, no di-
minution whatever of political renowl or legal
reputation. My informant, howeYr, was
great liar, and 1 did not credit him 1t GER
tainly must have been lie-nalsn orGn
Upon the introduction of a strlnger great
attention should be bestowed In the first
place, the name of the lady and his own'
should be pronounced by thslntroducer IN ve-
ry low tones, so that neithesof them can pos
sibly hear the name give. This VIII produce
a magnificent awkwapness, highly entertain
ing when the stranger addresses remark to
the lady.
If is customary with us, but nevertheless
wrong. for Strangers to be introduced by their
or some one Of the lady's relations is the pro-
per person to bestow an Introduction upon a
stranger. Then the cermony becomes pleas
ant 70 him, and he feels at once recognized by
| authority as an estimable acquaintance. But
custom has established a pell-mell introduc-
ton in this progressive republic. SO we must
make the best of it as it is, and although we
| oppose. we must assert it to be good thing
| boauua orurn AS soon as our friend makes the
acquaintance, through our instrumentality, OF
the fair lady, we should at once rest content
with our efforts, and throw the gentleman on
his own responsibility. If he bushes, and Is
| still as the blessed calmneSS of a summer eve,
let him thus remain. If he become restless
and perturbed, by no means throw out any IN
itiatory remark calculated to soothe his dis
mayed spirit. Offer no suggestion, ask no ques-
ton but let him repose in his enviable posi-
tion careful meanwhile that placid smile
floats upon our lips, beautiful as the silvery
cloud upon October's ruddy sky. Bonum Drum
Engrossing the conversation is vice so rare
in this country that it is scarcely nece ssary tC
rebuke it. Occasionally, however, innocent
young gentlemen, out of sheer condescenslor
TO the elder and more unattractiye visitors
(when the parlor is full } play the regal in dis
course. They place upon their juvenile sheul
ders the burden of rendering every body com
Portable and calm.
Sometimes in these their very commcndabl'
and insinuating efforts, they rush up against +;
snag, in the shape of some intellectual gentle
man, and, being vital, they are, of course
slightly injured. 1t should be suggested t.
very youthful gentlemen, that it requires brazil
to elicit and retain the pleased attention o
miscellaneous companies. Brinsiey Sheridan
had decided talent in that way, and posterit.
reckons Thomas Jefferson elegant conver
sationist. But my very young friends, the.
we're matured men of remarkable mental cali
bre. Their contemporaries were delighte'
. with their marvellous wit and most prIncel.
r bumor; but, odds fish! your conspicuous vani
ty without genius to support and regallze II
, your abominabIe presumption without wit t
authorize it, and your awful ignorance withou
an ider to illumine it, render very poor lndee
| your claims to present consideration or futur
glory. My young friends, be wise, and dives
yourselves Of super1uous agrecability. Ac
knowledge your errors to yourselves, abando
them forthwith, and commit yourselves to til
guidance of abenifcent humility. ltwiii De
good thing--devilish good thing-6onnm or""
Ladies are frequently highly entertained D.
visitors of unusual dignity and remarkaot
, gravity. The sacred presence of such gentle
Z men gives an unusual balminess to the atmos
phere of the paror. Their demeanor, moreo
yer, begets corresponding solemnity upo
, the part of all present. One can thus conve
nientIy ruminate upon the delightful theme