The American. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1857, 1857-10-03


dispsrsed, and yr. Westbury, ADVANCING - ,bo
Ino that nth remained near the bust, drew bis
"Asa arn within hs, and bidding Mr.. and Mrs.
Aysleth good night" led her to their carriage.
HOW have yos enjoyed yourself this evening ~
hr' w Wsstosry inquired as soon as the carriage
door was closed and the coschmaa had mounted
his box. " nm y ~ =
"Quite =. well IS .ver do scenes Of similar
character" Jalia answered mn v ~
"Do you not then relish society pn @
Not very well such large masses said Julia.
no my apprehension, very large parties counter
act the purpose for which social feelings were i'm
planted within US.
Then you disapproye, as well as disrelish
then !" said Mr. Westbury., ~
fsar they are not quite innocent" said Julia
~ lar asImy observation has extended, they have
little tendency to Increase benevolence, or any Of
the finer feelings of the heart have often feared
cause that draw together one half Of the crowd !;
and vulgar love of luxuries The other"
Thoss causes surely do not influence all those
who attend large assemblies p said Mr.. Westbury.
"such persons as Mr.. and Mrs Evelcth for in.
stance, are entirely above them" 7@
"a Undoubtedly" said Julia. "Still believe the
rule as general as any other"
DOCS not the elegant and instructive CONVEX
sation OF such man as Mr. Eyeetb reconcile Won
w
Certainly not, said Julia How much more
highly such conversation would be enjoyed-how
much greater the benefit derived from it, in
small circle. Artificial deicacy and refinement
artificial feeling-artifcial good nature-artificial
friendship, are the usual compound that make
large companies. Had Mr.. and Mrs. Eveleth spent
tms evening with us, in our quiet parlor, how
huch greater would have been the enjoyment!
how much more proftably the time might have
been occupied"
ut might" said Mr.. Westbury "Mr. Eveleth
has great colloquial powers. His conversation is
at once brilliant and instructive. know no gen.
tleman who equals him in this particular"
W." cannot say quite as much as that" said
julia, though he certainly convcrses uncommonly
WE'LL"
Who can you name that is his equal?" asked
Mr.. Westbury.
Julia hestated little, and blushed great deal,
though her bushes were unseen, as she sad-"In
conversational powers, l think my present COM
panion IS very rarely, if ever excelled And why"
she added, "such gentlemen should minge 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 of appreciating them,
cannot conceive But l suppose my ideas of
rational enjoyment, of elegant society are very
singular" She stopped short fearing she was
saying too much, but Mr.. Westbury requested her
to proceed. Alter a minutes hesitation she
said
think the crowded drawing room should be
abandoned to those who are not capable ofhigher
enjoyment than gossip, nonsense, filtration, and
eating oysters, connections and creams; and that
people of talent education, principle, and refine
ment should associate freely in small circles, and
with little ceremony. In such kind Of intercourse,
new friendships would be formed and old ones
cemented, the mind and heart would be improved,
and the demons of envy and detraction excluded.
After an evening spent in such a circle, the mon-
tor within would be at peace, and the blessings
and protection Of Hsaysa soxli be sought, with
out feeling of shamc and selfcondennation.
"Then your conscience is really at war with
large parties" said Mr.. Westbury.
.l~"I cannot deny that it is,n Julia answered
"lnPslles by Circumstances, have gtriyen to
think they might sometimes be nnocently attended
and perhaps they may; but confess that the re-
proaches OF my own conscience are more and
severe, every time repeat the negligence What
ever they be to others, am constrained to be-
lisyo they are not innocent for me-"
Mr.. Wsstbury made no reply, for at that mo-
nisnt the carriage stopped at their own door and
the subject was not again resumed.
Every party was sure to procure for Mrs. West
bury the favor OF call from Mrs Cunningham.
On the following morning, at as early an hour az
etiquette would allow, she made her Appearance
II could not stay away this morning" she said
the moment she entered. "I am 40 vexed, and
so hurt that must have the sympathy of some
friendly heart; and you are a friend to every one.
especially when in trouble"
What troubles you, Mrs Cunningham ~ Mrs.
Westbury inquired.
"You recollect," said Mrs. Cunningham. "wbat
| said to you last night about Mr. Cunningham's
indisposition. Well, as soon as got home I ran
up stairs, OF course, you know, to see how he was
expecting to find him abed and asleep Judge
how felt, when | found my bed a. left IL. and
no husband in the chamber. / flew down stairs
and searched every room for him, but in vain. I
then rang for Peggy, and asked "if she knew
where Mr.. Cunningham i" La ms'am ~ said
she, "Pm sure don't know. He went out lust
after you did. lie called me 30 give charge about
the fires, and said he was going out. thought
he had altered his mind and was going To Mrs
T---'s." l dismissed the girl and went to nv
chamber in an agony, as you may suppose. de-
clare / hardly know what did or thought for
three long hours-for il was so long before Mr..
Cunningham came home! don't know what /
said to him when he came, bat he was not the
kind, sfectionate creature, that he ever has been
for he almost harshly told me " to cease nv up.
braidings gs"-upbraidings think what n word
"for If l sought pleasure where liked, must
not quarrel with him for doing the same NY dear
Mrs. Westbury, / could not make him toll me
where he had been, do all | could-and have
horrible surmises. What shall do! am sick
at heart, and almost distracted
"Will you follow my advice, my dear Mrs Cum
ningham?" said Mrs. Westbury," who truly pitied
her distress, much as she blamed her
go yes-I will do any thing TO feel happier
than now do. Really my heart Is broken, and
she burst into passion Of tears.
Mrs. Wcstbury attempted to soothe her, and
then said
"Forgive me, II wound, when l would only
heal. You have been little imprudent, and must
rctrace your steps by conforming to the taste of
your husband. lie does not like crowds, and you
must in part relinquish them for his sake"
"And is not that hard ?" said Mrs. Cunning
ham. "Why should he not conform to my taste,
as well as / to hst Why must men always have
their own way."
"That point it ia not worth while to discuss"
sad Mrs Westbury. "Your happiness, my friend
Is at stake. Can you hesitate an instant which to
relnquish those pleasures which, after ALL are 80
unsatisfying, or the appreciation, the happiness,
perhaps the heart, even, Of your husbandS"
!" But why, persisted Mrs. Cunningham, need
he be 40 obstinate You see he could go out end
-, ~ IL L..