Litchfield enquirer., 1856-02-28
GOSSIP,

A curious idea prevails pfettf genefaIlj 1 that 1t IS not altogether right for people tc
 indulge in little quiet gossip ahou, the character. the actions, or even the business Of their acquaintances or neighbors, as though We are not fully entitled to enjoy the right of free speech! The mons,rosi,y of such an idea is so great as to excite con tempt. so strong that language cannot be fotind to cypress the virtuous indignation that swelis so many bosoms. A pretty idea, truly! And yet it is singular fac, that such an idea has always prevailed but the belief has not been of any greal moment, inasmuch as it is so rarely reduced to practice. Occasionally some one will be so strangely eceehtfic as even to rebuks the great indulgence of little cozy gossip about the private character and affairs of people. It is refreshing to know that such rebukes do not have a las.ing effect, and, generally cause a further unlimbering of the tongue, as practical manifestation of the most absolute independence. The anti gossip theory sotfnds very nice. but the idea is simply preposiurous that such a plan could be practically carried into effect. Why, the wheels of society would at once be 'sco,chcd, 'tes:pafties would be deprived of their cream. club.rooihs of theft soothing cigars. and stores of their attractive pop corn women would sink into the family circle, and men would find themselves forced to stay at home No gossip indeed 1! What an sbsurd:ty in this enlightened and independent age!
 Mrs. A. appears in costly garments {; certainly Mrs. B. has fight to whisper to her neighbor that she Is rainoasly extrava gant, and that her husband owes for them. and cannot pay his debts. though probably she only surmises such to be the fact. Mrs. C. gives large party of course Mrs. D. did not wish to be invited, and she decIaims against such entertainments from sense of da,y. and not because she was neglect ed. Mrs. Els husband keeps his carriage and certainly Mrs. F. is privileged in cir- cuiating the fact that his great. gran ifather worked for his daily bread. Mr. l. has moved into new house thonghtless of the fact that Mrs. J Is confding to others 8 startling narrationof the days when her needle was her only support. Mrs. K wears that old-fashioned bonnet, which Mrs. L is confident is caused by meanness. Mrs. M. has got that cloak, which Mrs. N. is sure her grandmother wore. But Mrs. o. made the discovery of the season Mrs. R and her husband quarrel like cats and dogs; she passed their house aud heard them, not knowing that the wife was in the best of humor at the time, trying to get . favorite hook from her husband. But we will not continue these little eccentricl. ties of society: enough is here sts,ed for We feel hound to say that the men are not in the slightest degree ex- empt from the same peculiariiies of the other sex. There is often this difference the ready words of men sometimes directly undermine the credit of neighbors, and weaken what oih,rwise would stand firm and weather business storm.
 Probably there are those who would con. slider the above nothing better than islander on the part of pefsahs induiging in such remarks They are mistaken 1t is only . skeleton of ordinary gossip, frequently uttered to pass time. and not always with a deliberate intention to do injury to oih- FITS. Pefi.aps at fimes spice of envy, mat he at the bottom of some of the remarks.- But then ii is so natural to gossip, that any attempt 10 resira:n the custom might be treated as an infringement. upon the '' manners and customs" of society.