The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1857-07-25
Frcn the hwa Repahlican.
2M0EI

& 80 -
Frcn the h~a Repsslicaa.
vs 8 H SHOWS. x
What the italian opera was to England,
l40 years ago, travelling circuses are now 70
America. Nobody IS so poor that they have
not SO cents, and one day in fortnight to
spend for this kind of amusement. Gem
tlemen of good sense and 6ne education, -
well as the most modest and highly accom-
plished ladies, have no hesitancy to be trail-
ed through the sun and clouds Of dust, and
to perch Themselves promiscuously together
on dirty board, and there listen with
al attention at what they call funny talk
and natural Wit. Now, as am one OF this
class myself, do not mean to ind fault
with my neighbors and young associates,
more than am wiling to censure myself;
for this would be preaching one thing, and
acting another; a method that has never
proved successful either in apolitical or re-
ligious reformation. There was time
when British nobility was entirely absorbed
in operas, and the plays of different thea
tres, insomuch that the higher requirement
of refined natures were most shamefully neg
lected. The highest branch Of education
was to be able to give an opinion - to
the heauty of some foreign play, and to be
able 10 criticise the melody Of Italian mu-
sic. Thus it was that a completely illitcrate
man would often tear piece Of the finest
composition into threads of scurrility; and
the lady of fashion though she knew not q
note nor tune, would feel deeply insulted if
her opinion and assertions were not listened
to with feeling Of sincerity and respect
| mention this, that our American ladies
may see the folly of such worthless vanity,
and betake to those things more worthy their
delicate sensi Utilities. i cannot be persuad-
ed that they should be the mere imitators Of
man. 1t is true it is the duty Of an affec
tionate wife or daughter to obey him upon
whom they depend for their sustenance and
the defence of their virtue and amiable
character, but to do this, there are bounds
which should not be passed. Akind-heart-
ed man will not exact of his wife or daugh-
ter, the privilege of good association. tits
his happiness to see his family improve in
those things that have tendency to elevate
human nature above the frailties that SO
frequently disturb the peace Of the super
stitious. -
An instance may not be out of place, and
may be the cause of setting others on their
guard against similar breaches Of modesty.
All must have noticed the doer-keepcr of a
small side-tent crying for spectators to visit
his ''double-headed calf"-''largest ser
pent''- ''biggest bird''-"Grizzly Bear"
&c. He wore pale blue coat and ''had
brass enough in his face to bump heads with
the ID" In the midst Of his slang and the
heat, he became thirsty, and having no sense
of honor or discretion, he called to one Of
seven or eight well-dressed but apparently
country girls, to bring him drink, one Of
the little company, aged about 10, and rs
unsuspecting as she should have been at 8,
went to one Of those afore- mentioned slop-
peries, and took him glass of this necter-
Gus beverage. The gentleman was very ac-
complished in fine bows, graceful scrapes of
the feet, and cuts and curves with his hands.
cit made him very happy to bewaited upon
by lady.' He invited her in his little den,
free Of charge, to see what she had never
saw before; and as he would not be on duty
in the evening, sshe would indeed feel high
ly honored to have the pleasure of her COM
pany to the Circus during the evening"" A
dozen other things, of like treachery, were
offered and all with about two minutes ac-
quaintance. At this, he finished his glass,
when she took it to return it to the stand
she had gotten it from; but he was so charm
ed by this act Of kindness, that his gallan-
try couldn't resist leaving the door to the
care of the crowd, and walking down with
her to the stand, fattering her in 4 half
whispered tone as they went along. Wheth-
or he succeeded in getting her to 60 with him
at night, or not, am unable to say. Though
! I .ho of
tender hearted and guileless girls, who look
upon every man with as much sympathy and
confidence as if he were her brother and wor
thy her affection. Instead of further com
menting upon this, and pointing out the
rules of etiquette and the propriety Of a
certain amount of suspicion, will leave this
| to the imagination of those who have re-
spect for virtue and feel an interest in their
daughters and sisters, and in the purity Of
| female character.
| About this time the grand wire ascension
ginning to agitate the anxious assem-
tklaee;l left my former position and went
10 81 hore convenient for the occasion.--
i16 hand begins to play, and the fairy
Mo is to ascend in the ETHEREAL
pain; With all the angelic grace of a being
Of paradise, makes her appearance. She
ascends the wire. The sight is at once aw-
full and sublime.
Boys gaze-ladies husband finally, Ito
change the story to truth) the poor veno-
nous spider reaches the point and sinks in
its den Of iniquity. The crowd now fastly
disappears, either going to see the elephant
or return to their domestic duties. As was
not induced to 90 in, and had but very lit
tie to do after the best of the day was
spent, concluded to stay and play the spy
an hour longer. Wherever looked saw
little groups of men, boys and women. Sew
eral found to be merely exchanging gos-
4 sip, some were dealing in slander, while
others stood looking around them with
mouth open with astonishment at seeing
such an assemblage Of people in all the gro-
! tesque varieties Of dress that have come in
aad gone out for the last FIVE centuries.---
Most of one sex either resemble balloons, OF
as the saying is, s'bean pole with.a shirt
on it." l really thought to myself there
was much truth and just ground fol
many of the immodest sayings heard.
have no relatives in the west; but have q
sister that love very much in the east
from choice of her own free will and 10
please me she avoids both those above men.
toned extremes Of dressing. She goes once
to church and once to Sabbath School or
Sudday-she is sincere in her conversation
though neither affected nor tedious--read,
history, but is ignorant of novels-dances
somewhat gracefully, but cannot play tn,
piano; though she is an excellent singer ol
both sacred and fashionable songs-sh,
} goes to public balls, pic-nics, and attend,
the other gatherings Of gay society; but ha.
only once desired to see q show, then Itool
her myself. She writes me tina. she wear
hoops, but of moderate circumference. Ii
, short she is q good baker, an excellent cook
|. neat seamstress, tidy house keeper, lay
of her jewelry On Mondays to wash, and o,
Saturdays to scrub; would rather do all tn
work than have my mother do any; an,
! whom we have company she allots the par
lor TO my mother, and dining room to her
self. She is o lovely sister and will mex
winter become model wife. l should b
! happy if every lady would resort more t,
common sense and take as practical q viey
, of life as she has done. But as l am an ad
mireY of ladies', am not disposed to fin
fault with they little follies, but rather dis
u posed to be sorry that these little follies
: so often unobserved, magnify them int
: monsters, thar in future years destroy th