Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1858-03-24
LFor the Chronisie.l ]
DON'T INTRUDE.

Two soft words are seldom found which
of themselves compose a more formida-
BILE citadel than the words of our motto.
Let the sentiment be abolished, and dis
order of every kind would reign trium.
phant in every department of social life;
but let the mandate be understandingly
and universally obeyed, and conflicting
interests would generally harmonize,
peace and quiet prevail from the least 10
the greatest, from the head of government
down TO the peasant in his cot. If we
violate the laws of our being We suffer.
If we violate the rights of our fellows we
sink in their estimation, if we do not di-
rectly suffer otherwise. Strewed all
along life's rugged pathway, are rights
and privileges belonging 10 others which
must not be invaded.
There is one custom which has found
IFS way into some societies, unauthorized
by any rules of etiquette, from Lord
Chesterfield down to the present time,
and that is intrusion parties, or urinvited
parties, got up privately and called 'sur-
prise parties" and impose themselves on
some quiet family when least expected,
and perhaps least desired and sometimes
does surprise, if not by the arrival of a
dozen or two of persons, it does by the
boistrous romping, the horse laugh of the
otherwise pretty ones, the heavy tramp
of carpet rending boot-heels, and in this
respect they are rightly named.
Far be it from us 10 attribute any evil
intention TO those concerned, it has prob
ably grown out of the wishes Of youth.
getting so far in advance of the party
making disposition of such families as
they wish TO visit. That the vivacity oi
the young should incline them to such q
custom is a matter of no surprise, but il
is matter of surprise, that the rules oil
Idecorum should be SO far forgotten or dis
regarded. Would it not be better for all
to make 10 themselves such reputation
for civility and correct department, thai
their society would be sought rather than
dreaded by the more sedate. Some FAM
lilies might possibly esteem it an honor
to be called upon under almost any cir
cumstances, and be pleased with almost
any amount of romping, while the more
correct might feel and would be very Ike.
ly 10 feel that the intrusion of such par
I ty, with such intentions savored more Of
imposition than compliment.
| We would say nothing Of the breaking
into houses 10 the absence of the family
and taking full possession, nor, of the
calling up of families after they have re-
tired to rest, for the participants in such
acts mag be so far down that newspa-
per article would never catch their eye.
But ii will be said that surprises are
had at the parsonage, as the ministers
card show, yes, but We are not often told
whether the pleasure of the surprise is
from the arrival of an unexpected com.
pany, or the material aid rendered, prob
ably the latter, neither are VIC often told
whether the department of the guests is
such as becometh the occasion, but from
what we already know of things past,
there is great reason to fear that the lib
critics taken at donation visits, the rude
ness, the folly, &C., and the countenance
given 10 it by the family, and the promi-
nent members of the church, have contrib
uted largely TO sanction noise and disor-
der in the circles of the young. Minis
ters and their wives may feel all this, but
what can they do? their hands are tied;
the disOrderly guests have brought their
bribes, paid their admission fee, and what
shall restrain them2 we seldom hear a
note of complaint from that direction, but
one minister's lady said she would rather
nothiug would be given than to have such
conduct.
If the commendable practice Of meet
ing on such occasions at the basement or
vestry, where there is one, were more
generally adopted, it might counteract
some of the evils of which we complain.
But we leave this for the present. Don't
intruds; This is the alpha and omega of
our article. ANONYMOUS.