The Winchester appeal. [volume] (Winchester, Tenn.) 1856-1856, 1856-03-15
From the Nashville Christian Advocate.
American Aristocracy.


ing sin and strengthing virtue. Were
our society to adopt this means of i'm
proving its inward qualities, instead
of adoring its outward appearance,
what a pleasing hope might we have
of approximating to that perfection
which is highly to be desired! Manly
was once word, the broad, bold,
vigorous import Of which every youth
fui aspirant was ambitious to exem-
plify. There was then "a manly de-
velopment of the muscles, a manly in
tellect, a manly form, and manly per-
fection But now sickly, maiden eff
femicacy, seems to be the popular
standard Of perfection. TO acknowl-
edge good health, freedom from dys-
pepsia, and other fashionable ails; to
profess ability to perform labor, or
endure hardships, shows decided val.
garity, not to be tolerated in our best
society. TO converse anthing more
substantial than operas or novels; to
cultivate anything but hattery and
the toilet, is to unfit ones self for mod
ern society. To be a modern gentle
man, one must be altogether too deli
cate, too effeminate, for his sex; and
this delicacy and etfemicacy constitute
his chief claim to be ranked among
the aristocracy. Extreme preciseness
in apparel, mincing, affected CONVEX
sation, highly perfumed and carefully
disposed locks, and etfemicacy of in
tellect-all seem to claim at the hands
of the observer the acknowledgment
that their possessors are the very
pinks of perfection-the aristocracy,
par excellence. Observation constrains
us to admit, that no place within our
country raises a barrier to intercept
their entrance, and it is therefore un-
necessary to point out their local hab'
atons.
This bastard aristocracy, fondl y con-
ccived and dearly cherished, has poi
soned and perverted the passions and
powers Of many promising minds un'
til the ballroom has become their
sanctuary, and Bulccr their Bible
All their excellent qualities are made
up by sundry French tailors, boot-ma-
kcrs, and dancing masters, whose
adornments are necessary to their very
existence. If to wear the costliest
dress, and have it always cut in the
height of fashion; if endeavoring to
ape English Lords gave Alright to be
regarded as the best society, what
pleasing anticipation might we not
entertain of becomming the pride Of
the world! How many are there who
possess these extravagant notions who
inherit the stern and hardy frugality
which built up their fortunes! How
many refuse to dream their lives away
in a Lybarite luxury, and to dilute
their manhood with Fictitious senti
mentality instead Of a hearty, humane
sympathy? How many are not salts
fled with splendid equipages and af
fectcd and pureile imitation of foreign
life? Men whose younger years, per
haps, were fervid with the resolution
to strike and win-to deserve, at least
a gentle remembrance, if not a daz
zling fame-are content to eat ant
drink out their lives in shame ant
misery. And how often is it the cast
that we see these fashy forms, because
they have wealth to sustain them IL
their ruinous course, ridiculing th'
simply clad but noble hearted swain
How often do we see the accomplish
ed belle, because she can touch thu
keys of the piano, or trip it upon the
fantastic toe with precision, contemn
ing modesty and unassuming merit
and evincing her own superiority by
a scornful sneer or a superciliou:
shrug! Would that these could re
member the sentiment OF the poet
Let not ambition mock their useful toll,
Their homely joys, and destiny obscure
Nor grandeur hear with disdaintul smile
The short but simple annals of the poor.
But it is not surprising that the poor
should be derided by these houries o.
fashion, in whom outward show is sc
enthrOned above intellectual worth
that the carmine upon the cheek OF
bow upon the bonnet eXcites stronger
emotions of delight than those orna.
ments and creations Of genius which
bespeak the majesty of the mind
While we sec these thoughtless ant
heartless votaries of fashion dazzling
in the rich robes glittering silk, ant
engaged in the ignoble strife of seeing
who shall attract the most admirers ol
autter in the gayest colors, and who
depend entirely for success upon these
and the paint that tints their cheeks
we would exclaim--
'Oh, would some power the giftie gle them
To sec themselves as others see them;
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