The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1857-10-28
Panic Parties.

II Ia recommended by Northern Journal 10
establish "panic parties I" retrenchment re.
unions" and sympathising Sociables it being
contended. with good reason, that times are
hard and people grum. there is much more occa
sion for fun, merriment, and an effort 20 be
Jolly, than there ever was A few sets of panic
parties, says our contemporary, or any other kind
of sociabie meetings got up for the purpose OF
being as merry possible, are institutions to be
warmly recommended in a section where social
enjoyment has been effectually killed by idle
show, and converted into an affair of silks, kids
icecream aud champagne.
The precedent which is quoted for this recon-
mendution is of course French. /" When the Frercb
Aiuister of Finance, de Silhouette, attempted t.
regulate the enormous debts and intricacies e
government expenditure by the strictest economy,
the gay and aristocratc world, totally incapable
of approaching prudence Joined heartily in re-
fiactiag in private burlesque the absorbing poiti
cal questions of the day Everything was cheap
and everything was la silhouette. TIE ladies and
gentlemen donned mock cheap garments, and gave
balls without ornament; the courtiers carried
snuff boxes made of large pieces of wood, and some
wag invented. rs a substitute for miniatures, pro
files cut out of black paper, at two sous each
These proes received from the Minister the name
of Slhouettes, which they have retained to this
day"
There is no doubt as to the philosophy of cheer
fGlness under all circumstances, and that laugh
ter is good medicine for the heart and body
Luther used to maintain that there were two
things which the devil was unable to stand, mu
eli and riaiculc. Whenever Luther was partcu
l.rIy tormentcd by the attentions of Satan, h.
used TO poke fun a: him, or play lively tune
wher.upon he tells US, the devil incontinently dis
appeared.
hut there is a businesslike air about this "pa-
mic party proposition. emineutly characteristic
of the grave and practical NewEngand mind, am
suggestive of anything but mirthfulness. TIL
lie, f going methodically to work for the pur;
pose of being merry, laughing upon principle, re-
t,cing after a set rule, and being hilarious witt
L utiIitaIian object is hopelessly destructive Of
anything like iolity. 1t is quite natural in the
gay and vyacous Parisians to extract the sting o
trouble by arnusements and burlesques, and the,
do It gracefully and with effect because of the
constitutional levty of their temperament, anc
the customs Of country, in which life is not con
sidered as certain number of years. given for the
accumulation of a certain number of dollars, bu
blessing to be enjoyed, like the life of the bird
IF the air and the lilies Of the field and its rugge
duties aud troubles to be relieved and solaced b.
lt-BNals anu Social eIlpSHieut. III tIiio eoubtiy
onr people particularly those of the manufactu
ring ami commercial sections, are distinguished
by the most infexibIe rigidity and uncomproms
iEg seriousness solemn, dyspeptic, cadaYerou'
looking shadows, whose one idea of existence il
money. who grudae the time lost from business
even n a Fourth of July. and hate all festivals
Sundays not excepted. We should say that pal
IS Of such appartions might be very well desit :
mated a panic party" and that they would b,
useful at any entertainment in the capacity thai
the skeletons served at the banquet OF the Eastern
monarch, to prevent the guests from enjoying
themselves 10 excess.
Instead of social temporary eXpedcnts, as oui
Northern contemporary proposes, would sue
gest that he preach mp to his people radical re-
form, beginning with the children at the breast
that the next generation (there is no hope
this may not be as grum. greedy, selfish, jOyless
starched solemn, stiff-necked, covetous, mate
Ializing race as the present Let these ant
Nebraska aud New Haven divines, who consider
sin to laugh audibly," and an infallible mari
of grace to possess and sad visage, be elected
from their pulpits, aud their emancipated fiocks b.
permitted 70 trisk and kick up their heels ami
green meadows and by bright waters. Moderation
10 the pursuit OF money and cultivation of So
cial pleasures W. ud make the next generation
very different race of men from their fathers
race with plump, ruddy cheeks, full of good natur
90 dimples. with broad breasts and capacious abdt
mems. capable Of approaching the good things o.
Hte,-nOt as rich their fathers, bnt better abb,
to enjoy what they possess; not rs severe and nut
ncholy Of visaee but with less aflectation of viz
tue, and mere real purity. The Nebraska and Ere,
Soil morasts are fond Of ridiculing the South a.
behind the age; destitute of enterprise energ,
and all go-ahead qualities; but who is behind tn,
age nowl If our people are moderate in their am
htion. mode Of life, and expenditures they are no
80 likely to he wrecked by great "crisis;" and i
fond of social intercourse and enjoyment, the,
have means of consolng themselves under adver
sity, which do not require the artificial stimulus o.
'lanic parties"