The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-10-02
Part III.

have neglected, so far making my readers
acquainted with Juliet's friends. By friends
they must not understand us to include the
great crowd who " followed, fattered, sought
and sued" but the few chosen by Mrs. Colburn
and Juliet herself to be intimates, and form q
set of close and confidential character. These
had little by-plays, mutual understandings and
gossips, which none beyond were honored with
Their suppers wore an air of freedom perfectly
charming-they bathed, rode, danced, sympa
thized, and were bored together
Head and front of all stood Mrs. Mallard. a
frequenter of Newport for summers and sum.
mers out of mind-a dignifed, graceful lady,
remarkable for her frankness of manner and
real sincerity; and one could scarcely realize
that, year after year, she made one of the CAV
many who fiuttered out their brief existence in
such place. The cause might be found in
the taste of the husband and the health of the
children-the first, being exceedingly fond of
company and billiards; the last, requiring sea-
air and bathing. She was equally at home
as the tender, attentive nurse in the sick room,
and the most striking ornament of the ball.
Mrs. Mallard never danced-but she swan like
as swan and many an awkward neophte had
gasp, by her beautiful arm.
Mrs. Wentworth, widow lady of great
wealth, was close in the confidence of Juliet,
for kinder or truer heart never beat. Many
wondered at their intimacy, but her young
heart longed for some one to lean trustingly
IL lor he
lively felt none were precisely what her nature
called for. Miss Rattle had no existence be-
yond the schoOlroom. Mrs. Colburn looked at
life from point Juliet would never be fitted
for. Her uncle was engrossed with matters of
national politics, and she felt herself alone,
with none to confde in, save the kind-hearted
widow, and to her she went with all her little
troubles. and no consideration of pertinacious
proposals from elderly beaux, or the multitude
of business letters from agents and lawyers,
could prevent her patient hearing of all Juliet's
grievances. There was something amusing in
the way her friend disposed of matters as they
came before her.
"See, child" she said to Juliet one morn
ing, opening at the same moment number of
letters Immediately from the post, "you cannot
imagine what trouble have-three times have
refused to marry this man, and now here is
his fourth proposal but he's bear, and dont't
know any better. Dear me, what's this? As
live, the same thing from Dandy B -, and
I've rejected him twice! / wonder if the old
gentleman thinks l wish to commit suicide
Bless my SOUL Jackson has disappeared after
| collecting thousand dollars-supposed to be
murdered. What loss-I have more trouble
than any woman living, What a sweet bou-
quet-sent me by Mr.. Bagsby-it won't do to
have that love of a man propose" So saying
she tumbled the letters into drawer, and put the
huge bouquet in basin of water.
Mr. and Mrs. Pounce, with their only son
Augustus, made one of this set, from being
neighbors at home. l say one, from better
reason than Paddy could give when he counted
the two Crogans. Mrs. Pounce represented
the family-fat, fair, and forty-we can ado
fussy, for she had to talk for Mr.. Pounce and
think for Augustus. The first gentleman had
gone through life, SO far, in the silent occupa
ton of collecting fortune--snd the last was
beginning by the noisy disbursement of one
The old gentleman passed most of his time in the
silent contemplation of numerous newspapers
the young one, devoted to billiards and brandy
voted all contemplation bore.
To this list we may add half dozen indie
scribable young ladies and youthful gentlemen
whom Augustus Pounce pronounced "totally
deprsved" because he heard Miss Saybrool
assert they had no character. Miss Saybrook
the fascinating s1:horess, was of the set-bu
is too well known for nay poor pen to touch
This lady was quite intimate with q number o
learned, literary, and professional persons
whom she introduced almost every time on,
met them, for, CO wrapped were they in menta
vagaries, that all earthly vsnities were lost t,
them.
The sweet strains of the Germania ban,
swelled through the vast ballroom, which wa
r filled with dancers and promenaders who list
| ened, looked, talked, and danced, in the wearie,
way peculiar to Newport. Beneath the dazzlin,
lights, snowy shoulders, and sweeping trains
swan through the mazes of the schottische, ma
, king a picture beautiful only because vast
3 The dress prescribed by fashion was not BIZ
. coming to one out of ten-yet to vary from
a particle was fatal. Little feet were hid, Will
bony, muscular shoulders and arms were me-
: cilessly exposed, the dress falling upon tn
floor. as if forcibly pulled from where natur
and good taste demanded its protection. If th
: liberty so vehemently proclaimed as belongin
u to political existence were extended to on
social circles, we should be greatly the gsiner'
f Let each dress as decency and good taste d.
mainland decency and good taste would
4 studied and understood, instead OF French MI
linery and fashion plates. An effort was mad
by some of our American women to change th
a dress, so as TO be suitable to country life an
g exercise. l do not pretend to say whether til
q proposed change was the proper one or not
g but the wrath, contempt, and violence, of th
- community generally knew no bounds-tl
proposition was sneered down-but, q sho
I'll while after and fashion being touoh miline