The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1856-03-13
From the La3i,s' Department OF the Indiana Farmer
social Pleasures.

We are proverbially an industrious peo-
pie. Work, work and drive-acquire wealth,
money or distinction, seems 10 be the ruling
motive of the Western people, to the almost
entire exclusion of the social virtues. and
every faculty and power of mind and body
is carefully weighed, and its full value in dol
lars and cents caleulated-or in other words,
how can this that faculty be made avalla-
BILE in the accumulation of wealth But while
we love labor, and the pure unalloyed hap
piness which it brings, there are necessarily
times when the worrying cares and anxiettes
of business should be laid aside, and the mind
finds relaxation in social enjoyment and
friendly intercourse. Let the farmer forget,
for the time being, the price of wheat, corn
and pork-she merchant lock his doors On
bank stock and ledger-the mechanic forget
his tolls iii the exercise of the sweet, small
courtesies of life.
Society has an individual claim on her
members TO contribute each one tieir share
ef social happiness and pleasure. 1t Is III
the exercise of these, that heart is linked to
heart, and we become the mutual recipients
of each others joys and sorrows. The be-
neficent Father, in making the allotment to
man, that by 1.-THE sweat of his brow he
should earn his bread" did not intend that
his life should be one of constant turmoil
and strife. in the pursuit OF gold or aequisi-
ton of property, but a means To the attain
ment and Joys of that higher life and nobler
purposes to be secured thereby. The social
feelings will be strengthened and brought in
to lively exercise by the friendly visit and
interchange of ciyihties and hospitaheies
with those by whom we may be surrounded.
That spirit OF selfishness should ever be con-
demned which will neither give or receive
the social visit cordially; and suffer Us to say
that what is sometimes eulogized as a love of
home and domestic employment, very often
springs from a far less disintcrested motive
even that narrowness of soul which viii
neither give or receive sympathy. But while
we love and appreciate the rational adya
ges to be derived from social intercourse, we
must likewise condemn the spirit of rnalry
and display that often prevails i'll towns and
neighborhoods, to the qualification of which
the mind is taxed to prepare the greatest va
rietv of food and sweet meats; the china and
silver is displayed to the best possible adj
vantage to the admiration or envy of all
present. Fine dresses, frippery' and naa'es
less gew- gaws fill up the measure of exist
ence, to the exclusion of the pure enjoy
ments to be derived from the cordial inter
change of the nobler and more refined feel
ings of the heart. The cultivation of the
mental powers and development of intcllec
tral resources. There must be pleasures
and re cations for the young, and indeed ii
is necessary for both young and old in the
promotion of health and checrfulness Of
mind We were made for enjoyment, as
well as labor; and rational amusemcnts are
both just and right.
Music is one of the most refined and inno-
cent social pleasures; it should therefore be
practised and encouraged in families and
schools; it will also add a new attraction to
homc and be a much more rational pastine
than the foolish vulgar plays that are general
" ndulged in, where young persons meet to-
eether for recreation and amusement.
There are many, very many aids that
might be made subservient TO parents for he
pleasure and improvement of their families.
INDIAN FRITTERs.-Two teacupsfu Of
Indian meal, half teacup of wheat -four.
salt to taste, three eggs milk enough to form
a thick batter Mix the Indian meal and