The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1856-03-26
N UNI Err 6.
GOSSIP.

A curious idea prevails pretty generally
that i, is not altogether right for people to
indulge in n little quiet gossip about the
character, the actions, or even the business
Of their acqusintances or neighbors, as
though we are not all fully entitled to en-
Joy the right Of free speech. The mons
frosty Of sush an idea is so great as to ex-
cito contempt,s so strong that language can,
not be found to express the virtuous in
dignation that swells 30 many bosoms.
A pretty idea, truly And yet it is a
singular fact that such an idea has always
prevailed but the belief has not been Of
any great moment inasmucb rs it is so
rarely reduced to practice. Occasionally
some one will he SO strangely eccentric IA
even to rebuke the Indulgence Of little
cozy gossip about the private character
aud affairs Of people.
1t Is refreshing TO know that such re,
Dukes do not have lasting effect, and
generally cause further unlimbering Of
the tongue, as practical manifestation Of
the most absolute Independence. The An
ti-gossip theory sounds very nice, but tho
| idea is simply p'eposterous that such
plan could he practically carried into ef.
feet. Why, the wheels Of society would
at once be "scotched," tea parties would
be deprived of their cream. club-rooms Of
thsis soothing Gig ars, and stores Of their
attractive pop corn; women would sink in-
! to theis family circle, and men would find
themselves forced to be content to spend
their evenings at home. Not gossip, in
deed! What an absurdity in this enlighten>
| ed and independent age
Mrs. A. appears in costly garments; Ger.
tainly Mrs. B. has right to whisper to
her neighbor that she IS raino,uiy extrav.
agant, and that her husband owes for til EN-
and cannot pay his debts, though proba.
bly, sue only surmises such to be the fact.
Mrs. G: gives a large party; of course MIRA
ID. did not wish TO be invited, and she de-
claims against such entertainments from
a sense Of duty, and not because she was
neglected. Mrs. E.s husband keeps his
carriage; and certainly Mrs. F. is privileg-
cd in circulating the fact that his great
grandfather worked for bis daily bred.-.
Mrs. !. has moved into a new house,
| Ethoughtless Of the fact that Mrs. ]. is con :
fiding 10 others startling narration Of
the days when her needle was her only.
support. Mrs. X. wears that old-fashion- :
ed bonnet, which Mrs. L. is confident is
caused by meannses. Mrs. NJ. has got
that cloak, which Mrs. N. is sure her
tgrandmothsr wore But Mrs. o. made
the discovery Of the season; Mrs. p. and
her husband quarrel like cats and dogs I;
she passed their house and heard them,
not knowing that tho wife was in the best
Of humor at the time, trying to get fa-
vorits book from her husband.
But We will not continue the record of
these little eccentricities ofsociety; enough
10 hero stated for illustration. We fee,
bound to say that the men are not in tho
slightest degree exempt from the same
peculiaritiss Of the other sex. There 10
oGan this difference; the ready words Of
mon sometimes directly undermine tho
credit ofneighbors, and weaken what 9th.
erwiSe would stand 6rm. and. weather a
business storm.
Probably there are those who would
consider tho above nothing better than
slander on the part Of persons indulging
in such remarks. They are mistaken it
Is only skeleton Of ordinary gossip, fro.
quen,'y uttered to whilo away time, and
not always with do libera;s intention to
do serious injury to others. Perhaps at
times q spice Of envy may be at tho. botr
tom Of some Of the remarks. But then il
Is 20 natural to gossip, that any attempt
to restrain the custom might be treated as
an infringement upon tho "manncrs aud
customs" Of society.