The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-12-01

TN FAss.oEi5Lz syAscs II Nzr YoaK-A'
Gar 1sE AaEAo.-Thecs acs II THIS word
great mary people who woald poA gayly on tas
edge Of O 2recipice, partaAe OF dt1eNe- "a
Jou-cheae In the crater Of volcano, or maze
preparations 70, Q ball on the eys Of the de!uge.
And then there i still another class more ~.
merous than the careless philosophers sboys
mentioned. We have plenty Of historical proofs
to show that people are always the most extra
VACANT reckless and addicted to all kinds II
amusement when their asairs, politioa, ani
financial, are In the worst possible condition.
We all remember the story Of the AAsyrien mo-
march, whose empire was overthrcwn while ae
was at q grand feast, and know that just at tbs
moment when the Sybarite and his guests wers
ready for their pipes-if they had any N
those days-the palace resounded With tia
victorious shouts of the foe. So it wa
with the Court of Louis XIV. Paris
was never 80 elegantly wicked a in The
eighte enth century, and this gayety eliminated
just before the reign Of the guillotine com
menced and France was deluged with the bio ID
Of her own sons.
We might multiply these examples; but that
is not required. Hnough is as good a. feast, and
We have only to apply the historical parable, 10
the social aspect Of the metropolis at the pre-
sent moment We are told, and indeed we can
see for ourselves, that Notwithstanding tbs
financial crisis, the threatened revolution In tbs
South, the terrible winter that Ia before us. to
say nothing of the gloomy prospect beyond
that, New York is az gay as ever. The fashioa-
able season has commenced magnidcenti7.
Young New York coDgratulates itself upon the
fact that there are TO be more parties than svss.
Miss Flora McFlimsey has Issued her cards foe
receptions, and that amounts 10 party once
week. Old Mr.. Coupon eroaIs in Wall street
ning. Several grand weddings are on the tapis.
private tbeatricals and bal mosques are pro-
jected, slow people are getting fast, and fast
people are getting faster than ever. This state
OF things Is very agreeable to the directors OF
public entertainments. The Opera and the
theatres (as in Paris during the Reign of Ter
rorl are full every night. OF course the maa-
ayers fail to accredit this to the proper Gauss,
and. with proverbial egotism, say I'VE did it,
The miniature Napoleon of Irving place has
opened bis operate campaign 50 brilliantly
that he is quite astonished at his own success.
He claims it all. He says the public is charm
ed with my generalship astonished by my
proclamatioDs ravished by my mise en- scene,
captivated with my singers and conquered By
my armors. And all his coq6eTes in the thea
tres are of Uhman's opinion. They say il il
my piece, or the brillancy Of my stars, or the
beauty Of my scenery, which Ellis my house
every night.
They are all wrong. II is the general feeling
in the community that We have very tough times
ahead, and people have resolved TO shut their
eyes to the calamity which New York city mas
done it's best to avert, and to forget in light
and agreeable entertainments the dangers which
menace the country.
We are told also that the black republican
members of Congress intend to entertain libe-
rally at Washington this winter, and to hea,
the breach with champagne and pate de fois
gas. We are Of the opinion, however, tina.
before great while their wine will be OF
very sanguinary color; that their balls will be
sixty four pound shot, their dinners disturbed
by invitations to the field Of Mars, and their
breakfasts not quite as agreeable as they might
be under more favorable circumstances. How
ever, things must take their natural course. II
the ship is to go down while the officers and
crew are 6ddling dancing, singing, eating,
drinking and flirting, no human power can pre-
vent 1t. Perhaps II il as well to take things ~
easily as possible. SO let the dance go on.
Only let US understand the true state of tbs
case as We 60 along.