Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1859-01-05

ORIGIN OF DRINKING HEALTHs.-The drink
ing Of healths took its rise from the time OF
the Danes being in England it was frequent
ly customary with them, whilst an English
man was drinking, to take that opportunity
of stabbing him. The English, upon this,
entered into combination to be mutual pied
ges of security for each others health and
preservation from hence arose the custom
of pledging and drinking hcalths.
Whatever might have been the origin, it is
a vain and foolish practice; it would be as
rational to use the ceremony Of wishing
health with every piece Of bread, as a glass
of wine the absurdity of this would readily
be acknowledged by all and it has a tenden-
cy, RS practised, to lead to inebriety, which
appears to have been the opinion of that eel
ebrated and pious man Sir Matthew Hale,
who, in company with some students, was
one day dining and making merry, when,
from excessive drinking, a young man of the
party fell down to all appearance dead, which
greatly affected all the company; but its ef
fects on Hale were such he went INTO anoth
CT room, and on his knees ferEentl,X Y! RsSSqquggh4
intemperance of which they had been guilty
promising he would not keep company in tina
free manner again, nor drink even a healt
for the future. His friend was restored, an
Hale was enabled ever after religiously t
keep his premise. Dear Youth! ~seriousl
weigh the matter and avoid the snare.
OK DREss.-Is it not a pity, that thos
who spend a considerable part of their tin
} in their dressing rooms, throw away so mar
l hours in the exhibition of a false taste, wht
f they might, it is most probable, with far lie
expense and fatigue, appear with greater
! egance of mien, and of course, be infinite
3 more attractive. Were our modern fine
:, dies truly DESTROYS of making themselves
6 Turing objects, they would not, it is certai
y follow the fashion so closely, as to adopt
: most extravagant c~aprices they would stu
t. the becoming in the ~strictest sense of t
& word, and by so doing, would gain univ
sal admiration, improve every beauty, a
~ rcn2er every blemish less discernible.
them also remember, that by a due attenti
to the becoming, in dress, conversation a
=. behavior, they will not only be more ge
rally admired, but stand the fairest char
81 of being married. Most men prefer the
W man who can look well at a small expen
40 and for a small expense every woman wit
,r true taste, may look well ifshe pleases. 7
es- large sums which many ladies suuandel
ry tinery, often deter their admirers, belle
is. from marrying them. Many gentlemen,
sp- so, with very easy fortunes, or in a q
cir way OF business, desire not to see their WI
'N, dressed above their stations, even tho
N. they can afford it. This passion for o
he dressing among married women, has O
III stoned more differences in families than
pie imagine. | am myself acquainted 7
on. an eminent lawyer, who has a pretty es
ose exclusive of his profession, which is lucra
OBJ enough to enable him to keep a CARR
for town and country house, &c. Upon
or strength OF his income, Though a great
she oft is precariousI his lady, returning
1y shopping one morning, showed him a |
iscs ofsilk, Powered with silver and colors, W
inu- she had just purchased for a sacque.
e Of looked at her with a good-natured smile,
lied: soid ,Tbis g ,I '
r fe- ~ pio''y' ouU oy no IN
and fit for my wife. Carry it back dear,
tn a change it for the best in the shop, wit
and any silver or gold in it neither the on
BY the other is proper for you, while | ca
ened gree" Gag. Inc lady stood corrected
ban mas not been since known to commit an
in error IN judgment OF the same kind.