Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1858-01-27
SOCIETY AT THE SOUTH.


The society of the South, VIC regard as in some re-
apects superior to that of any part of the world The
English proverbal for their and staelness
tho French for their elegance and rivacity and We
of the South kind of intermediate OF the two,
having the ortiter in re" Of the former, and the
"suarcr tn modo" of the Inter- beautifully and har-
monipusly blended together. This we regard as the
secret of the fascinating influence that is exerted by
Southern ladies and gentlemen at home and abroad.
But with all the many advantages that society at the
South enjoys, an observing eye will not fail to per-
cere want of sincerity pervading the intercourse of
the Sexes which be found whore else Even un-
der the easy familiarity of Northern society, there c3-
ist greater confidence than with us. The spirit OF
coquetry seems to prevail in midst as mana 1t
has infused itself into the various relations OF South
society," aud has become SO common that but lit
tie if any confidence now exist between opposite sexes
This disease Of society is not confined to cases The
high and the low the educated and the uneducated,
are alike subject to it Neither is it limited to one
sex to the exclusion of the other or even to the un
married. for some that have assumed the holy VOWS OF
wedlock are voted decidedly fast.
The youth just entering the attractive saloons OF
the gay and fashionable, soon becomes entanglea IN
the artful meshes spread by belle that has spent TWO
Vr three summers ut watering place, or one that has
enjoyed tho advantages Of city life. lie drinks IN
with delight the delicate compliments bestowed ny
this seemingly most innocent md unsophisucatea oi
all human creatures surprising even the ingenious
manners of country schoolgirl. lie listens to the
soft sweet notes Of her israeian voice as she sings
some beautiful and touching song of the Affections
and soon realizes in her his beau ideal of lady, Shc
with that quickness of perception so peculiar t" nor
sex, seeing her poison working successfully graceful
y presents to him bouquet of rare and oderiierous
flowers and this after refusing to part with them at
the solicitation Of her many admirers This last mas
ter stroke fills him with perfect delrium OF pleas
ure. He escorts her to her carriage-she gently
presses his hand as be assists her in and softly whsp-
in his ear that she will DO pleased to see him soon
at her home. His destiny is fxed-she has sown the
seed of his eternal uuhappiness and she, gay bril-
liant attractive and heartless coquette retires to her
boudoir and sleeps calmly and quietly-the measure
of her vanity being full to overaowing. Our young
hero follows up in quick haste his seeming good for
tune and early declares his enthusiastic love- She,
true to her nature affects the utmost surprise Mt his
feeling revelution-she cOldly looks upon him, and
with naughty nod of the head rejects his profered
love; but assures him that she will be pleased to con-
slider him as one of her best friends. He disgusted
with society, turns woman hator and seeks pleasure
in the wine cup and at tho gaming table, and is soon
lost forever.
But to reverse the picture, how often do we see n
thoughtless young man by marked attentions and
eourtly phazes win tho esteem of an impulsre girl
leads her to expect that he will day solicit her
hand in honorable marriage; but he abandons her
and leaves her to repne over misplaced and unre-
quilted love. He thus boldly and recklcssly tampers
with the most sacred thing in life, the tender feelings
of inexperienced girl, to crafty his uncqualled
selflove for the passing moment and this too regard
less of the fact that he is embterng the future hap
piuess of hearted and gifted woman. lie can
do all this according to the present organization Of
Society," and still he is srecognized by some us gentle
man.
Glove is of mans life thing apart,
'Tis woman's whole existence"
We regard the practising of such arts by lady as
quite fnut, but with all their faults wo can but like
them-and will endeaycr to overlook this trait oi
their character, for the charming creatures cant help
it. But in man it is feminine and absolutely dig.
honorable, and as such we must condemn it. 1t mus
be regarded as ono Of the evils Of Society, and is
wthoutdoubt, to the divine institution
of marriage. 1t has done moro to diminish the in
crease of population than NIL the faaciou principles
promulgated by Malhus and his deluded followers. VIZ
have no remedy to suggest and must clsse by wish
ing that tho God of Love may have mercy upon the
souls Of all that have simed in this particular.