The hydraulic press., 1858-08-21

HOd Will OCllSlOu. Ii HC 10 OuiiStu w
pass group Of men or boys, the tri-
al assumes its most terrific stage
His legs geta mixed up with embar-
rassment,and as the flap of the dang
ling appeudage is felt upon them,
moved by the wind or his own agita-
tion, he could net feel worse were it
it dishcloth, worn as badge of dis
grace. 1t is happy time for him
when he gets to church, ,and sits down
with his coat tail under him: but he
is still apprehensive with thinking of
the Sunday school, and wonders if
any Of the children will ask him to
"swing his long tailed blue.''
After boy has become wonted to
his long tailed coat, bis extreme youth
becomes trial to him. Various re-
sorts are adopted to hasten the devel
opment of manhood. He watches for
dawning of a beard upon his upper
lip, and when at last the shadow pro-
mise comes-hoats into his vision on
Its downy wing--he borrows the first
razor, and goes at it. His mother, or
his sisters, catch him at it, and suggest
a drop of cream and a cat as better
adapted to his case than lather and
razor. Perhaps he undertak. to Chew
tobacco, and gets terribly sick, or,
possible, he undertake, with many
qualms of conscience, a little profani-
ty on private account. Sometimes,
indeed, if he can overcome his bash~
fulness, he goes to see girl, or walks
home with one from spelling school,
Still the years hang on, and we know
of at least one boy who believed that
his parents were cheating him in re-
gard to the date of his birth, with the
design of getting a twelvemonth more
of work out of him. 1t was David
Copperfeld, we believe, who was so
sadly affected by his consciousness Of
extreme youth, and there is no man
who has ever had genuine boyhood
who will not necognize the touch as
one Of the most natural which the pen
Gil of Dickens has revealed.
The entrance into society may be
said to take place after boyhood has
passed away, yet the multitude take
the initiative before their boards are
presentable. 1t is a great trial, Ell
ther at tender or tough b age. For
an overgrown boy to go to a door,
knowing that there are a dozen girls
inside, and. to knock or ring with the
absolute certainty that In two minutes
all their eyes will be upon him, is a
severe test Of courage. 10 60 be-
fore these girls and make satisfac-
tory tour of the room without step
ping on their toes, and to sit down,
and dispose of ones hands without
, putting them into ones rocket, is an
achievement which few boys can boast.
lfa boy can get SO far as to measure
: off ten yards Of tape with one Of these
girls, and cut it short at each end, he
may stand chance to pass pleas-
: ant evening, but let him not hatter
himself that all the trials Of the even
ing are over. There comes, at last,
f the breaking up. The dear girls don
7 their hoods, and Put on their shawls,
and look as saucy, and michievous,
and unimpresible, and independent,
as if they did not wish any one to 20
home with them. Then comes the
r pinch, and the boy that has the most
| pluck makes up to the prettiest girl,
) his heart in his throat, and his tongue
clinging to the roof of his mouth, and
crooking his elbow, stammers out the
words-"Shall | see you homer She
} touches her finger to his arm, and
they walk home about foot apart,
feeling as awkward as a couple Of
f goslings. AS soon as she is safe in
side her own door,he struts home, and
| thinks he has really beeii aud gone
= and done it. Sleep eomes TO alm. at
a last, with dreams Of Caroline aud
7 calico, and he awakes in the mornlng
] and finds the doors of life open to him.
5 and the pigs squealing for breakfast.
, We have passed over churning and
: learning the catechism, because we
were fearful OF making this article too
t long, although we might have talked
) of butter that would not be persuaded
! to come, and Of the impression and
perplexities of boy of literal turn
! of mind, and head that measured sew
r en- and quarter, when asked that
the chief end Of man was. Bcyhood
) Is green passage III mans exlstance,
: In more senses than ole. 1t is a
: L ri IL Il 4.