The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-06-22

AMERICAN SOCIETY.-Whoever has had th0
pleasure of mingling with good society abroad
could not but be struck with its high and
pleasing tone. To be introduced into the best
English or Continental circles IL to make the
acquaintance of intelligent, intellectual and
we'll bred people, whose conduct is perfectly
natural, who entertain no petty jealousies Of
their friends, and whose aims in life are some
thing more than the acquisition Of money, or
its silly expenditure. In the best families Of
Paris or London, Of education and position,
there il no absurdity of manner or affsctation
Of style; the men are gentlemanlike, the la
dies accomplished, frank and rational The
subjects Of conversation are of the highest
order. It would be rare, indeed, to find any
ignorant Of the history Of their own country,
Of general politics, the career of eminent per-
eonages, the progress of the arts, and the ele-
gance Of bellies lettreA Thus, in our inter.
course we are exempted from the necessity Of
discussing the merits of . paletot or the price
Of point lace. A deep interest is sho wn in all
the interests Of humanity; and If worth is not
always sure Of success, it never goes without
appreciation. Indeed, q sort of literature has
arisen abroad of peculiar character, arising
entirely from the contributions Of society, and
exists in the shape of Ana and table talk.
Some Of the most pleasing works in French
and English are but the records Of converse
tions and anecdotes Of good society.
In our own country, we are sorry to say, It II
not so. None surpasses ours in the elegance of
the mansions Of its rich. Our Fifth avenue Ia
almost unrivalled. But what do we see In Ito
interiors? Costly furniture rarely used, din
nere, stereotyped copies Of each other, the
same courses, and unfortunately the same con.
versation. We know beforehand what is to be
our bill of fare, and what cook and confectioner
prepared the viands; we retire from the ban
quet fatigued with it's length, without having
made much advance in information, formed
any new and agreeable acquaintance, or
stored up any pleasant memories of . happy
time.
Particularly may we regret the small In
auence which our American ladies exercise in
improving the tone of our society. While the
female sex has NO more ardent admirers than
1t finds in the United States, yet it does not use
it's power in the right direction, or else is In
disposed to do 80. We see in the evidence
made public in recent will case, how much
club life and the dissipation of late hours en-
ter into the enjoyment of the wealthy and
fashionable.
Riches are not worth having without good
feeling, taste and education to dispense them !;
and our American women seem to regard
them a. the mere advantages they afford "a
procure Glove of q hat" or MORE antique,
or jswelry from Balls or Tiffany'a The educa.
ton of our children at fashionable public
schools, although many of them are perfect Of
their kind, results in the attainment Of q
'mattering Of the languages, little uuskilfaI
music, and vague general ideas of history and
the arts Of life When the school is finished,
then come dress and Broadway, the easy fir
tations Of American youth and gaiety, mar.
riages, intense love of dress, forgetfulnsss of
those early acquisitions so rapidly made, and
vacuity of mind, only relieved by dissipation
Of most dangerous character. The topics Of
conversation, under such circumstances, can-
not be very varied. Our really intellectual
circles are few, and the charms Of social life
diminiahed. It is owing to this paucity Of
that eur women are 10 fond of talk
ING about their ministers and churches Il h