The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1856-07-09
IN ADVANCE
N U NJ B ER 81.
EXTRAVAGANCE.


Perhaps The most predominating pas
sion-at least, the most striking peculiar
ity-of the age we live in is extravaganza.
By this we do not mean, alone, the lavish
expenditure of money extravaganza in
this respect might be excusable provided
its objects were laudable-but we alluds
to the monstrous extremes to which every
thing is carried.
We say excess characterizes and mars
every performance; in no particular is this
hyperbolical mania carried to such q
height of absurdity as in that of dress.--
The prevailing rage for tinsel and glare, is
rather suggestive of the gorgeous, but
taste!ess, profusion Of barhariSm, than Of
tho high state Of refinement aud cultiva-
ton Of an enlightened age and country.
The consideration in which person is
held in fashionable society will soon DO
if it is not already-in rigid proportion,
not to the neatness and elegance, but to
the extravaganza and costlness Of bis or
| er apparel. The most fashionable lady
row known, is she who wears a mile Of
lace on her dress.
This state Of things must be ruinous to in
in a pecuniary point of view; young men
who are dependent on their labor for the
bare means Of subsistence, are coerced
into an extravaganza that might befit
| prince, in order to gain and MAINTAIN o
| position in fashionable circles, until their
slender salaries are exhausted, when thev
are driven to resorts of a doubtful or dis
honest character to supply the deficiency,
and finally sink into disgrace and infamy.
And how often is it the case that young
ladies, who have been indulged in evcry
wish by wealthy parents, marry poor, but
industrious and prosperous men, and briue
both their husbands and themselves to
want and misery, 10y continuing to follow
the course of living to which they were
accustomed previous TO their marriage
Parents are impoverished by their chill.
dren's extravaganza; and children are beg
CARED by their parents pride and i'm
providence.
But worse than all, TIE public taste and
morals are viiatcd by this wild devotion 10
tlnsel. The style of dress is no longer a
criterion by which TO judge the taste Of
the wearer; individual taste is made to
succumb to the Gesirc Of pleasing others;
there is strife for prominence in extrav-
agance that reminds one of the rivalry be.
tween Antony and Cleopatra rs to which
could get up the most costly supper
There is no doubt but that many who are
at first disgusted 10y the gorgeous inele-
gance Of the prevailing modes, are forced,
by what they conceive to be proper re-
gard for public opinion, TO adopt them
until their tastes are so perverted and cor
rurted by habit that they really admire
that against which they at first rebe!ed.
The poisonous influence has reached and
corrupted the heart also. Matrimonial al
liances, instead Of affection and conger iali.
ty otdispositon, are based upon prudential,
mercenary considerations. The fair devo-
tee at the shrine of fashion does not be-
stow her hand upon him whose merits
command her respect and love, though h o
be poor in worldly goods; but she gives it
TO him who possesses the mca:s Of graft
flying her pride and luxurious ambition.
'Iis this that makes men blunt the finer
feelings of their natures, and bow them
selves in youth, at the base shrine of Mann
mon; It's this that drives those noble, gen
crous souls, who cannot stoop to mean.
and sordid pursuits, to the gloomy shades
of black misantbropy.
This corrupt public taste-if taste it
may be called-transplanted from the ma
| lignant poisonous atmosphere Of that hot
bed of vice, the French Metropolis, is the
curse Of our age and country. 1t is the
enemy Of virtue, morality, and religion; il
should be denounced, instead of being
winked at, by the pulpit; the Press, tho
guardian and director Of the puplic senti-
ment, instead Of panderingto this unheal.
thy and degrading passion, should battle.
against and discoura..e il; as it would tho
attempt to incorporate the most pernicious
doctrine into our national creed. /, was.
luxury that ruined the greatest nations Of
ancient times; it was luxury and 'extraya-
gance that dimmed the glory and ensee-.
bled the might Of the Grecian Republic,
by destroying that simplicity upon which,
the perpetuity of all republics is based
This morbid operative which now affiicts
us, has been in ali ages the most effective
tool Of the tyrant.
We do trust that the crisis in this
threatening fever is near at hand and We
shall soon retarn 10 that elegant and re-
fined simplicity which staads in directop-
position TO the present state Of things, and
in which our true happiness, both as ma
ton and individuals consists LouisJarg
(N. c. Eagle.