Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1859-03-09
For the Spirit of the Age.
Unpleasant Scenes in Everyday Life.

Many gifted pens have brought before the
numerous readers of the popular Spirit, the
unpieasantness OF seeing our gray haired Fa-
theirs lettering on to eternity under the op-
presslye government of King Alcohol, and of
seeing our brothers lie down in the bloom of
youth in a drunkard's grave. These are things
which certainly are to be deprecated, but we
think there are a great many other things
existing in society, which though not so de-
%leterious to our moral, mental and physical
interests, are very unpleasant to every right
thinking mind.
A large number, and might say a major
ity OF the people of this country, seem to have
taken up a wrong conception of their duty
to their families in a religious point ofview.
Where can we find a parent (who is not a
Minister of the Gospel that is teaching his
son that he has a soul to save, a God to serve.
and that he is required to use his time and
talents for the good of his fellow-rnen? I
fear but few can be found within the limits
of North Carolina. But we can find many
who are raising their sons to worship the
immortal dollar, and get as many of them
from his neighbor as circumstance will al
low. Others are sending their sons TO what
is called fashionable schools, where they
! learn to- form habits of extravaganza, dis
slpatlon, and are made to believe that to use
/ their accomplishments, if such they have,
for the purpose ofsecuring an honorable sub
%sistence, would be lowering their dignity j;
and to engage in honest, active manual Ia
Dor, would be a disgrace, not only 10 them
selves, but all with whom they are eonnec-
| ted. The son, when sent to school, is of
course aware that he will not be called on to-
2 use personal exertion for the purpose of ma
king a support. He does not see the neees-
slty OF application to his studies, ard If he is
not an ambitious boy, he leaves College with
his mind as far from being cultivated as when
he entered the classic halls. He has. 1t is
true, the reputation of being a ~Collegfately
educated young man, and therefore it is not
necessary for him to work, and hence spends
his time in idleness and dissipation, or stud
les a profession for the name, as it is very
fashionable to do in this our day, without an
S intention of being a benefit to those by whom
they may be surrounded.
The young ladies' too, nave fashionable
schools, at which they are learned to per
form on the piano and guitar, for the purpose
T. OF entertaining company when called on, t.
is dress e~xtravagantly, coquette with every
x young man who is green enough to be de
e, ceived by their deceptive smiles; but thei
rs education is found to be superficial in nearl,
ne every particular, and the heart uncultivate,
for any good deeds, and their hands unskille'
IN in useful employment. The occupation q
such a young lady is reading novels unit
e, late at night, keeping the breakfast tabl
waiting until a very late hour for her to hav
hit time to dress, and to faint at the sight of
spinning wheel or at the idea of taking an
lg, domestic exercise.
ed Parents raising their daughters in this wa,
Mr.. Editor, are causing our country to /
On, filled up with care-worn old Bachelors, VIII
are to-day sitting in the corner of their lit
lie cottages amusing themselves with their ca
er- and dogs. They are not willing to marry
life, uneducated woman, and they can't find OF
nd who is not educated in accordance with Il
ION fashionable mode. Men Of prudence will n
ian marry, because they cannot find a lady WI
has been reared as he wishes her to be w
at. is to become his companion. G. R. L.
evil Henderson, N. C.