Smyrna times., 1857-06-24
Selett MlisteIlanp,
Written for the Smyrna Times.
Theory vs. Pratioe and a Little Hard
Times,

"N 20 '0'o n OuE community, wiling TO
conform practically to the theory that everyone
not only acknowledges to be right, but the thing
which is essential to the promotion of our wei.
taEe and happiness in time and, it may be, in
eternity. The literary world abounds with ex-
eellent maxims which every pure mind will at
once admire, and every lover of virtue deter
mine to adopt But, alas! its practical use is
30 much harder to attain to than the theory is
TO endorse, that the majority of us are left to
wonder why, as we admit the PHILOSOPHY of
those maxims,we do sot profit by their improve
ment. Well, in my opinion,--now that every
person Is clammering about hard times,-one of
the most important items is. that little atten-
tiOn should be given to economy. 1t seems,
Mr.. Editor, the ladies are all down on" Spy
for interfering with their dress, and expcct
they will say you have another meddler now.
who 10 peeping into their domesti ic arrangements.
Well, let them bcker littIe,-but they will
generally admit my theory right: only it is
bard to practice. Well, why is it ha rd to D. &C.
bce! We think, because it is 50 much easier 10
60 onward with the current than to row back
wack against ito go with the current is to
conform to the fashions of the day in various
extrsvsgances, regardless of the means of the
husband, or father, as the case may be. Yet,
in some cases.. the more thoughtful wife will
say: awe ought, by some means, curtail our
expenses. But how can my neighbore
have handsome furniture. their families wear
costly clothing, their daughters are delicately
raised, and if We fall behind, we shall either be
considered poor or stingy !--nclthcr thought
can bear, for that will exclude my children
from the society which | desire they should
have. Therefore. cannot help it, although it
is dreadful to see my husband so frequently har-
rassed with bills which he is unable to meet
Icannot class mysalfw with the few non-conform-
ists who really ok odd and expose themselves
20 the censure of the fashionable, who call them
mean. | sympathise with my nd in his
embarrassments, but we must keep up appear
snces" Well, we admit the truthtulness of
these statements, but discard the idea Of rea-
sOning with folly or hsodwinking to VANITY
While the fond father, who delights, as far as
ne is able, TO gratIfy the wants Of his wife and
children, we think it poor returns tor his pater
nal tenderness to keep him worn down with
anxiety about making his pay meuls SO unneces
sarily. like to see nice-lOOkIng ladies', and
neatly-furnished houses but We think these
might be had at less cost, and be quite os
comfortable. Every man OF sound Judgment
will give you credit for it, who knows your cir
eumstances, and who is there who does not
know little more about such things than yos
do yours II. Now. what we want is that the
ladies should have moral courage enough to be
governed by their means. consulting their own
tasas. and let alone what they know to be un.
wise, uncomfortable, and folly in the extreme
AL admit that judicious proprlety is far prefera
bic in a lady or genllemln to fls ionabIe folIy
This theory is good; but practice says, better
out OF the world than the fashion," differ in
my views and ther. is little band of us seek
ing fair partners for life, an as soon as we cal
come up with lady OF wOmanly Courage enough
10 consult means msre than fashion, who would
rather die IN debt TO variety and luxury than
honest creditors, we shall talk to her on the
subject of mstrmony. II everybody else is
FAisihg hue and cry about hard times, frugali.
" and industry will make our own Dot boil
greasy, and we shall be blessed with light and
haPpy hearts, and our rwm cOLsciences will aD-
prove our course.
Yours, MEDDLER.