, 1860-06-27
ExTRAYAGANCE.

The fondness Of Americans for mere show
for what is really extravaganza in dress and
equipage proverbial. The ridicule to which
i. justly subjects US might be patiently borne;
but the financial revulsions Of which it is
mainly the Cause and therefore the individual
suffering and the national disgrace which it en-
tails upon the country, are matters Of serious
concern. l. more just appreciation of what con-
tributes to real greatness, that kind Of educa~
ion among al classes Of our people which
will lead them to scorn, as pretentious and
shallow, whatever in dress or equipage ex-
ceeds the bounds Of dignifled Republican SIM
plic;ty, are the only effectual remedies for that
extravagarce which has become the baue and
the reproacA Of our people.
To the student who has been delighted with
the demonstrations, the zeasonings, or the
eloqu=nce Of the master spirits Of the age
,thiug is more charming, and indeed mere
surprising, when lis own rising reputation in
troduces him to their p:rsonal acqua ntance
taan tho thIld-like simplicity which is ever a
leading Characteristic Of true genius. The
great men Of America, those who have made
our history and adorned our literature, have
beea plsia and unpretending in their manuers
aud habits. The same is true Of the men who
control the affairs Of Europe. gev. Dr.. Muir
=, in his last letter from Edinburgh, gives IN
account Of the Inauguration Of Lord Brougham
as Chancellor # the Scottish University. Oi
course the ta1l was crowded with the rank
a1d tue learning Of the hnd 10 he ar one of the
greatest mtn Of this or any otter age. In the
course Of his letter, spcakjpg Of Br1ugham, be
makes the following significant remarks: ''He
laid aside his rnbe of of1ica when he rose to
<psak; be then appeared in tie most simple
dseas, Of which ons Of our clerks would be
most heartily ashamed. Nothing is more
pleasant here than the real simple ty Of men,
whether distinguished for their rank or
learning. They put their gew-gaws upon
their servauts.h
o. course, it is not possible to make rules or
to mark out the lite where simplicity ends
and exTavagance begins. It is not right for
man Of real wealth and high intellectual and
social position to adopt tie dress Of beggar
''r to exc out his life in pursuit Of money, a1d
disgrace his fsmi1y by mea. ness. Good sense
and good taste will avoid Ill extremes.
In ordtr to understand how much our coun-
try suffers from sensele.s e1travngaccc, lei
aty one study til tables Of impots for n
gle year. Millions Of mo.cy are asnually e1.
iended for silks, laccs aud jexe1ry, apd the
thousand articles that minister to our dsfraved
taste for mere shnw. How much better that
these millions to spent in educating the people
aud bringing them up t, mere rational stand.
ard Of ittellcctual and so:ial enjoyment. a
railway 10 the P.scilic could be paid for in a
single year bT the money which is spent for
brandy, wins and other liquors, and for what
is worse than wasted in foreign gewgaws.
Any change that is effected in the taste and
the habits Of our people must be gradual. I:
is work Of time. Let every one wao secs
aod dep'ores tue evils Of WHICH We sfe.k, do
what LIE can 10 remedy them as fast as possi-
be. We have faith in the gooi scrse Of our
people. Already many Of these who are
wealthy and intelligent, like the corresponding
class 0 the other side Of the Atlantic "pul
,l,cir gewgaws upo1 their servants" Let ttle
rule become general, and OUT country will en-
ter upon q caree- Of intellectual and snc:a1
pragress which will command the admiration
ofcyery succeeding age.