Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1857-10-21
For the Spirit of the Age.
THE SOCIAL CIRCLE

For the Spirit of the Age.
THE SOCIAL CIRCLE.
DEAR GIRLS :-The shades of a calm and
beautiful autumnal evening are gathering
around; the golden beams of the sun culver
on the tall and graceful aspens and maiesticd
sycamores, that give to my valley home its 4
name and beauty. The little birds are warb- I
ling sweetly and af~fectionately among the
trembling leaves-and q fe+- 44z
der a honeysuckle that clings to the porch
railing, and seem to be enjoying a nice, cosy,
confidential chat. Our pet dove sits above,
among the clustering sprays of the same vine,
and evinces his satisfaction by an occasional
prolonged and loving coo. Oracle, our little
bright eyed fairy, is rolling chinquepins on
the porch floor, and laughing merrily as they
mingle in glorious confusion; while her little
brother Walter, with his woolly headed BODY
guard, are galloping ION tobacco sticks) up
and down the shady walk. The distant tin
kle of the COW bell comes softened to the ear,
In short, dear Circle, all Nature seems calm
and quiet this evening, as | draw my portfo-
Ito from its silent resting place, and prepare
to enjoy a social tete-a-tete with you all.
But, unlike our merry Florence, [ do not
sit in sentimental mood, with languid ewes
upturned in thoughtful intensity; a half fin
ished effusion peeping from my portfolio wait
ing for the bird of inspiration" All no /
know full well it were vain to wish for even
a passing touch, from the wings of the above
mentioned bird. Tho Florence may trans
late for ush lis sweet song, Maggie cannot even
see the ~glancings ofhis bright wings. So, as
Florence has promised not to launch any of
her gilded arrows at poor little me, | Shall
dot a few link drops (say, Mollie, did you
peep into the Editors sanctum p without fear
of molestation.
Nearly two years has passed since the first
of these inklings found a place in the Editors
) drawer, and many are the changes they have
; marked in our homes and lives. But thew
: have marked no change in our kindly inter
course, in spite of the i'll natured prognosti-
/ cations of "Sambo and Small" But. girls.
! is not our 'Circle," a little undeserving of it's
o name, just now2 The cold winter no longer
: freezes our ink, may not our hearts, and
4 tongues, too, melt with the genial influence
q of this bright and cheering autumn? DO let
us be more social, and again form our Circle
y around the Editors chair. What a nice time
we may have this winter How pleasant to
draw our chair around a bright, cracking fire,
d the cheerful blaze of the pine knot lighting
It every nook and crannie of the good 'sold
,e house in the country" Now, unfortunately,
ID we cannot do this in ''propria persona y but
,p we can each from our own cheerful homes
speed little white-winged messengers of Joy
Il and comfort around our mystic circle. Some
of you can indite thoughts which would shed
or warmth and brightness, even upon the col.
IN umns of our almost unequalled cage" and
Il which would awake answering chords in the
a hearts of many a home in our old North State
d. Florence, come to us again with your sunny
in face, and cheerful voice. Your last visit acted
o. like a little comet, in Frightening and warm
ing our land. True we have no grabbed ole
nv bachelors, "a grimace to the Majors memory
IF. no cruel husbands, nor moustached coxcomb
to keep your missiles nplay. Move claim
no such targets at which to let your arrow
he fly; but we can boast subjects more worth
Ia your pen.
And our long silent but not forgotten Kat
Careless-Kate, what are you about Nov
hi don't slip off the shores of single blessedness
ost into the troubled waves of matrimony, with
he out, at least, givingus notice of the importar
in fact. We feel afraid that your long silenc
Ich bodies some such ominous event. l don't b.
lad lieve in matrimony, Kate. For example, Jus
remember how entertaining Mollie, Mimi
and Carrie Clinton, used to be, and now he
ass seldom they condescend to have a finger
our pie. Don't you go and do likewise, Kat
me So many chairs have become vacant, that v
md cannot spare you. And Sallie, Flora, Estell
She and our Lords of Creation where are you al
mi Lora seldom comes among us now we mi
she her gentle teachings sadly. And Gertru,
zed never allows us a peep at her 'hearthstone
| am afraid she is not alone now. Say, Gle
lose tie, have you added a dressing gown, slipper
her cigar case and rattan cane to your househo
ger. fxins Mollie, dear, can't gou steal one lit
her minute from the good Spirit, that little sw
rted toddling boy" and your Editorial CHAIR
In spend a few moments with us Won't v
feel try? Good bye all.
inu- MAGGIE GLENN.
her. DEAR MAGGIE: Sickness and multitu
ugh ,o,,s hon,o It,, hono 49, 49,
she ~
her ged me from our loved Circle" But [
glad to know that, though absent, | am
year forgotten by you, at least, dear Mag. WI
rene a brilliant feature in our beloved Age, mis-
- our gifted members make our Department
ting they would. The long evenings are grow
lnngs upon US apace, when reading and commun
noI with the written thoughts of the good q
oded gifted, will occupymu of our leisure hol
was Suppose we were to tell each other of
not readings-our c~ommunings with Ham
rs. Moro Mrs S;oonrnou NJ. - !,
dith, codsn;aL 80 "iS' iehnans' \
had eus"icA anu otners Oh our own sex or v
the inspiring Milton, the philosophic Bacon,
lould pious Goldsmith, the searching Shakspe
and the hundreds of other great 'immo
n the haiheS 1hat were not porn TO dle"-gIV
for impressions and views, our sympathies
you, disapproyal of the sentiments and doctr
= Uos. advanced by our authors. Might we not
spir- .nS way noe only contribute 10 the prof
her, those who might read our inditings, but
tour greatly improve ourselves?
u her If our Circle is reformed, let US all res
ached to discard the yapid light-heartedness tina
Burn many of us INDUCED in, and make it a SC
ot and of usefulness and edi6eat;on-of solid
about nrovomo W.
heart 10 '"y vi VII
of my MoLLl
death