The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1857-10-15
E.,r.x.gancs In Private Life.

7, an article upon this subject the Baltimore
Amer;can obseryes that the excessive importatiops
10 this country are made up, In very small part OF
fhese articles which are absolutely necessary to
opr material comfort and national advantage; rail-
way iron it is true, constitutes considerable item
in the account to be set down among the utilities
but the great preponderance Of excess is to be seen
in those articles which minister to the love of dis
play or to the costly appetites of the purchasers,
in rich fabrics in delicate wines, in immense mir
rors In gorgeous tapestries, in blazing diamonds
all adding nothing whatever to the positive well
being of the country, but stimulating on the con-
trary passion for expensive fnery, and the weak
ness OF selfindulgence.
It may be doubted whether any country in the
world has made as rapid transition from marked
simplicity of manners and life to the very extreme
of fashion and luxury as the American people
The founders Of this republic, and even the opu.
lent citizens OF fifty years ago, men of plain
habits and inexpensive tastes; the women were
patterns OF housewives, prudent, provident con-
forming as nearly as any generation OF women
that ever lived to the apostolic precept,-"whose
adjoining let it not be that of outward apparel, of
plating the hair" &C.. "minding their own bust
nessr discreet, chaste, keepers at home" "obey
ing their husbands for the husband is the head
of the wife, as Christ is of the Church" Such
were the women who bore the sons who achieved
the independence of this country from Great Brit
ain We verify believe that America owes her free
dom to those ante-revolutonsry mothers and wives,
as much as to the warriors. No other class of wo-
men In the British Empire were so fitted and
trained by nature and education for such a work.
The rich we're too luxurious and selfinduigent in
their habits; the poor too much depressed and de-
graded by centuries of political and social disabili-
of Iaitx
and doubtful struggle for the bare means of sub
sistence. 1t the plain, sterling middle classes,
accustomed to economy, unused to show, making
their fortunes in a new world, and cultyating
those hardy virtues which had always constituted
the peculiar excellencies of their class, which
were among the essential qualities of their rel
gion and which were sminently adapted and sbso-
lutely essential to their new mode of life in tks
new world The character, thus stamped upon
our early settlers was not much effaced, even fifty
wears ago. but since that time, especially for the
last quarter of century, the deterioration has
been almost as rapid the decomposition of ami
NAL matter under an August sun. What figure
would one of our old revolutionary matrons or
forefathers make in New York concert opera
rooml Nay, if the grandfather of those be-
fiounced and bejeweled Flora McFlimseys could
rise from the dead he would not know of his
own descendants, certainly they would not know
him, even if he could prove his consanguinity be
yond all dispute, unless he would make private
call and solemnly promise never to renew the
attempt to revive the acqnaintsnceship.
We have no idea that the are any more
to blame than the men, in the extravaganza and
luxury of modern times. On the contrary, we
think that, if left to themselves, they are more
economical more prudent, and often seek to save
their husbands from rash undertakings and dan
gerous enterprises. Probably, in some of the great
cities, the female leaders Of fashion more re-
sponsble than their husbands for the wastefu ex~
penditure of their establishments. Both sides,
however are ambitious to make a show, for show
among the upper ten of such city New
York, answers all the purposes of substance We
have in America, an aristocracy Of wealth.
and hence We have Loaf the prudence and thrift
which characterize the English of the middle
class, and which are exhibited in their very family
mansions, adding room to room and convenience
to convenience, as the growing state and circum.
stances of the family demand and warrant it;
whereas, in our dollhouse mode of life, the bud OF
to-day bursts into flower of full bloom tomorrow
The Alsddins lamp of wealth, credit, converts
the humble Lighthouse of the aborer into the brown
stone palace. with a pair of spanking hays paw
ing the earth in front, coachman and footmau
shining in bran new livery, aud Miss Flora Nc
Flimsey, aghtiDg from the steps, as gorgeous as a
bird of Paradise. We have no aristocracy but
wealth; no mans ancestors are worth anything
even if they have the blood of Plantagenet OF
Bruce, except the commercial value of their bones
at the soap boilers. Money is rank in America
no matter how plebian the possessor, he becomes
a noble in the United States, soon as he clutche,
pile Of yellow gold, of bank bills, which is the
same thing, till panic comes. Hence the mad
contention for wealth, and the furious competi
tion in ostentation, splendid horses, brown stone
fronts jewels, laces, Wines and other luxuries fol
which the country is now paying, or rather, sus
pending payment.
ehave no hopes, however, that the present expe
rence will work any radical reform, nay, will even
be remembered with the slightest emotion of int
rest one year hence. Like riotous liver, brought
down by severe attack Of sickness, we shall be
come models Of abstinence and virtue while con
fined to sick bed, and perhaps, really mean, when
We are well again, to reform ways and lead
better lives. But when the warm blood once more
CLOVIS In the veins, and reddens the cheek when
tbs sick chamber, with its low diet its confined at
iaosphere and shaded light, is exchanged for the
beautiful sunshine the song of BIRDS the open air
e cheerini faces and voices of their fellow. beings
men are apt TO forget their excellent intentions and
to live fast enough to make up for all the time
they have lost.
Mrs.CunninKham.
one OF the best things that could happen To bu
sness matters In New York would ho a s;-.-..