Columbia Democrat and Bloomsburg general advertiser. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1850-1866, 1857-07-04
COUNTY PA


vancing to the trio that still remained near
the bust, drew his wife's arm within his,
and bidding Mr.. and Mrs. Eveloth "good
night" led her 10 their carriage.
SLOW have you enjoyed yourself this
eveningl" Mr.. Westbury inquired, as soon
as the carriage door was closed, and the
coachmsn had mounted his box.
"Quite as well as l ever do in scenes Of
similar character" Julia answered.
"Do you not then relish sooietyl"
" Not very wellin sucha large masses"
said Julia. To my apprehension, very
large parties counteract the purpose for
which social feelings were implanted with
in u.s.
"Then you fdisapprove, es.weli as dis
relish them 7" said Mr.. Westbury.
81 fear they are not quite innocent"
said Julia. $50 far as my observation
has extended, they have little tendency to
increase bonevolcncc, or any of the finer
feelings of the heart, have often feared,
that vanity and thirst for admiration, were
the causes that draw together one half Of
the crowd; and vulgar love of luxuries
the other"
"Those causes surely do net influence
all those who. tttend large assemblies"
said Mr.. Wc>tbury. "Such persons Us
Mr.. and Mrs. Eyeleth, for instance, are
entirely above them"
"Undoubtedly," said Julia. "still |
believe the rule as general as any other"
"Does not the elegant and instructive
conversation of such a man as Mr.. Eveleth
reconcile you to the crowd!" .Westbury
inquired.
Certainly not, 'said3 julia. "How
mu' h more highly such conversation would
be enjoyed-how much greater benefit
derived from it, in a small circle. ArtiG-
cial delicscy and efnemcnt-artifcial
feeling-artifcisl good nature artificial
friendship, are the usual compound that
make large companies, Had Mr. ard
Mrs. Evcleth spent this evening with us, in
our quiet parlor, how much greater would
have been the enjoyment h much more
profitable the time might shaye been ocou-
pied"
I" 1t might" said Mr. Wes.bury. "Mr
Eveleth. has great colloquial powers. His
conversation is at once brilliant and in,
structive. I know no gentleman who
equals him in this particular,
4" cannot say quite 50 much as that
said Julia, " though he ce,tainly conyerses
uocommonly we'll"
"Who can you name that is his equal p
asked Mr.. Westbury.
Julia hesiiaed a little, and blushed O
great deal, though her bushes were unseep
as she said" In conversational powers,
think my present compenion is very rarely
if ever excelled. And Why" she added
"such gentlemen should mingle in crowds
where their talents are in great measure
lost, instead Of meeting in select circles
where they could find congenial minds =
minds, at least, in some degree capable o
appreciating them, I cannot conceive
But suppose my ideas of rational enjoy
ment, of elegant society are very singular,
She stopped short, fearing she was saying
too much, but Mr.. Westbury requested be-
to proceed After minutes hesitation
she said
81 thitk the crowded drawing room
should be abandoned to those who ar
capable Of no higher enjoyment than COS
sip, nonsense, Irritation, and eating oysters
: confections and creams-and that peopl
of talent, education, principle, and refn(
ment, should associate freely in small Gil
cles, and with little ceremony. Ia sue
kind of intercourse, new friendships woul
be formed, and old ones cemented, IL
mind and heart would be improved, an
the demons of envy and destruction el
. cluded. After an evening spent in such
- circle, the monitor within would be
peace, and the blessing and protection
Heaven could be sought, within feeliT
- of shame and elf-condemnation."
- "Then your conscience is really at W
VI with large parties :" said Mr.. Westbury.
l cannot deny tina, it is" julia a
n swered,. "Impellod by circumstances,
~ have s,riven to think they might somotinl
us be innocently attended, and perhaps tn
Oh may; but l confess that the reproaches
nc my own conscience are more and mo
severe, every time l repeat the indulgen
!" Whatever they be to others, l am &C
he strained to believe they are not innoce
ny for me-"
Ter Mr.. Wcstbury made no reply, for at II
re ,oo,,ont tbo oorr,o 0a stonnal nj their n,