The Memphis union appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1862-1862, 1862-07-23


because knew that William was invised,
and things are getting rather particular be-
tween his Lordship and Sophia However,
tsok care to be there early. People tried to
persuade me that ought to come here early,
and go there afterwards But, of course, at
such house did not choose to be seen by
all the world. So, as soon as the room began
to I'LL, came away; and having arrived here
thus early, no one will be able TO prove that
We were there at at all :"
The clock regulated prudery which makes it
criminal to be seen in society after midnight,
which passes for respectable ca ly in the even
! ing, / am unable exactly 70 understand; and
on reaching Mondor's crowded ball. l was
| fated to be still more puzzled by the curious
/ tenderness of peoples consciences.
Let us make up quiet little quadrille in
| this room,' said Lady Letitia to her sister.
ain such house as this, it docs not do to put
oneself en- evidence in the ballroom"
"Stay supper, indeed oh, dear, mol" cried
| Mrs. Peachick. at would By no means suit
my views OF propriety to be seen supPing at
/ Mondor's."
"Heydayi you here ?7-exclaimed another.
"Well, am amazedi l always fancied you
one of the precise people. / do not set up for
one of the rigidly righteous. But you p
"Just listen to that shocking woman"
mumbled Mrs. Sneak, who was eating ices
| quietly in the corner. "As if it were not
wrong enough to come here at all without
making boast of It'll Now, though am weak
and good natnred enough to accept Mondor's
invitations, thank God, l have sufficient self
respect to keep it to myselfFi
/ Some entered the ballroom bowling to Mon
dor with a patronising air, which spoke sense
of their own magnanimity, or Christian charity
in being seen under his roof. Some entered
timidly, as ii aPologizing to the society assem-
bled for increasing the amount of the sinful
company; some saucily, brazening it through
| the crowded rooms, as if to say" Here ami
find fault with my proceedings if you dare
some with an air of conscious virtue, implying
that, to the pure all things are pure"
Poor Mondor, meanwhile unconscious of the
vast movements going on behind the dial plate
kept bowling to one fair guest and smiling to
| another; satisfied that all were delighted to be
there, and that the absent were yexed and en-
| vious.
"Seven hundred invitations, and not above
twenty excuses w-whis pered he to me, as we
passed each other in the crowd. am afraid
have offended half the world by refusing
cards. But what is one to dol In London
ones house is limited and it is really unfair to
crowd ones friends to death, in order to accom-.
modate strangers. There is Colonel Martinez
l see, has kept away because refused to lei
him bring whole family of county cousins
Mrs. Peachick asked leave for her three
younger daughters Mrs. Sneak wanted me tc
ask her aunt; and Lady Lindo is gonealready
because did not choose to let her invite the
three regiments of guards as partners for the
Miss Lindos p
Little did my poor friend suspect the part
ing salutations at that moment exchanging il
his hall. -
"Good night, Littledalel You needn't say
, at home that you met me here"
sOf course not In return, pray don't men
ton to my wife that was here. I told her ]
was going to the opera
"By the way, Lady Mary, this mans par
ties are never announced, l hope, in the Morn
ing Pest2'
danger of it, it would be worth while to give
douceur to the porter to leave out onei
namea
Il wish to goodness my coachman would no
get so low in the string. There is William
having my carriage called by every link-bo1
in waiting. just listen Not person Twins
in the street but will know that l was at Mon
doris ballr'
"Well lat least one comforts oneself BY
knowing that one has done good-natured
action. When people are under cloud, il
becomes charity to support them. Can you
tell me whether it is Gunter who serves Mon
doris suppers or whether he engages maj
cook 2"
Cant say indeed. The supper and musi,
here are faultless. Poor man lone does one
, best for him, because he does his best for US
, But it is sacrifice. / came here in a hack
ney coach, because l did not choose my ser
wants TO know that l entered such house
, One cannot be too particular in unfolding tn
standard of public morals.
Such are the equivocations of the frequent
, ers of Equivocal Society.