Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1860-03-27
Elaborate Description of Parties - The
ssPrnfe snor,h,, Opinion Of them.


''Profe ssOr's" Opinion Of them.
In the April number ofthe Atldnhc Monthly
DR.. Holmes, in his professors Story" gives
charming and elaborate account of a party
given by one of the rich citizens of Rock
land-the type of the modern New England
village. The Professors description and OBJ
servations are too good for us to pass by
without extracting Hezekiel Sprowle, the
host it should be known, is retired eoun-
try merchant, who is dignifed with the title
of Colonel, and the party is given on the oc--
casion of Miss Matilda SprOwle coming out
WAITING FOR COMPANY.
At half past seven o'clock, the Colonel, in
costume, came into the front parlor and pro-
ceeded to light the lamps. Some were good hui
mored enough and took the hint Of a lighted
match at once. Others were rs vicious they
could be; would not light on any terms, any
more than if they were filed with water, or
lighted and smoked one side of the chimney,
or sputtered a few sparks and sulked
themselves out, or kept up faint show, of
burning, so that their ground glasses looked
rs feebly phosphorescent rs so many invalid
fire-fiies. With much coaxing and screwing
and pricking, tolerable illumination was at
last achieved At eight there was n grand
rustling of silks and Mrs. and Miss Sprowle
descended from their respective bowers or
boudoirs OF course, they were pretty tired
by this time, and very glad to sit down-hav-
ing the prospect before them of being obliged
to stand for hours. The Colonel walked
about the parlor inspecting his regiment OF
lamps.
"Hushp said Mrs. Sprowle, "there's the
bellr
Every body took position at once, and be-
gan to look very smiling and altogether at
ease. False alarm. Only parcel Of spoons
loaned, as the inland folks say when they
mean lent, by neighbor.
"Better late than never" said the Colonel;
let me heft them spoons"
Mrs. Sprowle came down into her chair as
if all her bones had been bewitched out Of
her.
I'm pretty nigh beat out Already" said
she, "before any Of the folks has come"
They sat silent while, waiting for the
first arrival. How nervous they got and
how their senses were sharpenedl
"Hark p said Miss Matilda, whats that
rumblin'?"
1t was cart going over bridge more than
a mile off which at any other time they
would not have heard. After this there was
a lull, and poor Mrs. Sprowle's head nodden
once or twice. Presently a cracking and
grinding of gravel. How much that means
when we are waiting for those whom we
long or dread to see Then change in the
tone of our gravel cracking.
''Yes, they have turned in at our gate.
They are comm. Mother! motherl'
Everybody in position, smiling and Mt ease.
Bell rings. Enter the first set of visitors.
The event of the season has begun.
HOW GENTEEL FOLKS EAT CAKE.
The elder Miss Spinney, to whom widow
Leech made remark, assented to it, at the
same time ogling a piece Of frosted cake,
which she presently appropriated with great
refinement of manner, taking it between her
thumb and forcfnger, Keeping the Others well
spread, and the little finger in extreme
divergence, with graceful undulation at the
neck and a queer little sound in her throat,
ns of an ''m' that wanted to get out and per-
shed in the attempt.
ICE CREAM IN THE COUNTRY.
There is something so audacious in the
conception of ice-cream, that IL is not strange
that population undebauched blythe luxury
OF great cities looks upon it with a kind of
awe, and speaks oft with n certain emotion.
This defiance of the seasons, forcing nature to
do her work of congelaton in the face of her
sultries noon, might well inspire a timid
mind with fear lest humanart were revolving
against the Higher Powers, and raise the
same scruples which resisted the use of ether
and chlorOform in certain contingencies.
Whatever may be the cause, it is well
known that the announcement at any private
rural entertainment that there is to be ice
cream, produces an immediate and profound
impression. 1t may be remarked, as aiding
this impression, that exaggerated ideas, are
entertained as to the dangerous effects this
CONCEALED food may produce on persons not
in the most robust health.
There was silence as the pyramids of ice
were placed on the table, everybody looking
on in admiration. The Colonel took knife
and assaied the one at the head of the table.
When he tried to cut off a slice, it didn't
seem to understand it, however, and only
tipped, as if it wanted to upset. The Colonel
attacked it on the other side, and it tipped
Just as badly the other way. 1t was awk-
ward for the Colonel. "Permit me, said the
Judge, and he took the knife and struck u
sharp slanting stroke, which sliced off piece
Just of the right size and offered it to Mrs
Sprowle. This act of dexterity was much
admired by the company. The tables were
all alive again,